Project Cancelled - 2/2/2024
National CORE Drops Proposal (2/2/2024)
The proposal for permanent supportive housing for those who used to be homeless has been dropped by National CORE. The City of San Dimas will continue to look for an appropriate location. (Read both press releases for more info.)
L.A. County, San Dimas, La Verne Joint Press Release (2/2/2024)
Barger, Local Electeds Respond to Withdrawal of 740 East Foothill Project
Supervisor Kathryn Barger and elected officials from the cities of San Dimas and La Verne issued the following statements today after receiving confirmation from Los Angeles County’s Department of Regional Planning that developer National CORE has officially withdrawn its land use application to build the 740 East Foothill Project:
Supervisor Kathryn Barger: “I thank National CORE for having listened to the community. Their willingness and participation in discussions with neighbors, residents, and local officials was critical and helped clarify the concerns with this location. During the joint city-county meeting held in July 2023, both the cities of San Dimas and La Verne, along with the County, pledged to work with National CORE to find a more suitable location for an affordable housing project. My team followed through on that promise and met with both city staff and National CORE to identify alternative sites. I appreciate the work that has been put into identifying a potential new location that will benefit the future residents and the community at large. I also appreciate the leaders from the cities of San Dimas and La Verne for their ongoing collaboration and support. Our mutual commitment to transparency and open communication is key to ensuring that we achieve our shared mission of bringing additional housing online for our most vulnerable populations.”
San Dimas Mayor Emmett Badar: “National CORE made the right move listening to the community in pulling their application for the 740 E. Foothill Project. Now, we will continue to work on considering a more appropriate site that ensures the community is heard and that any project is the right fit for the location.”
San Dimas Mayor Pro Tem Ryan A. Vienna: “I am grateful to National CORE for hearing the community’s voice with regards to the site they were considering off Foothill Boulevard. This site presented challenges for its suitability for such a project and to best serve its intended population as well as the community at large. I am hopeful through collaboration a more suitable site can be identified to best serve the intended population and community at-large providing better access to resources, transportation, and jobs. Thank you to Supervisor Barger, her staff, county stakeholders, our neighboring city, and our members of the public for working together for the betterment of our communities. I remain committed to supporting a project to serve our formerly unhoused seniors and veterans.”
La Verne Mayor Tim Hepburn: “National CORE pulling their application is the right thing because the project was incompatible with the community. We support working with them on alternative sites, but they must listen to the communities and design a project that fits.”
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Proposal for Permanent Supportive Housing
A housing project for formerly homeless individuals has been proposed for 740 E. Foothill Blvd. The property is on the south side of Foothill Blvd. between San Dimas Canyon Rd. and Baseline Rd. Although the postal address is "San Dimas", the area is actually in unincorporated L.A. County between San Dimas and La Verne. The Foxglen neighborhood of La Verne is across the street, north of Foothill Blvd.
Revised Proposal (6/15/2023)
National CORE revealed a revision to the original proposal at the June 15th public meeting. The proposal is for 43 units instead of 54. (In each case one of the units is for an on-site manager.) The new design envisions four stories at the street and three stories in the back where the property abuts the backyards of the houses on Baseline. They propose a larger setback in the back with more trees and shrubs. Lastly, the driveway is proposed to be on the west side of the property to give a little space between the apartment building and the Montessori school to the west.
Revised Artist Rendering
Original Proposal
The original proposal was to build a 5-story apartment building with 53 units for individuals who are homeless and who meet certain criteria, such as being over 55, no sex offenders, and nobody who has been convicted of a violent crime in the past five years. Supportive services will be available onsite for residents of the complex.
The cities of San Dimas and La Verne found out about this proposal just before the L.A. County Board of Supervisors was going to consider giving the project a $7 million grant, which was on their agenda for April 16. Both cities immediately contacted Supervisor Kathryn Barger's office and protested the total lack of communication with the residents, City Councils, and administration of either city. The matter was postponed until May 16.
Original Site Plan
The city managers, mayors, and individual councilmembers of both cities continued to urge more public engagement. Mayor Badar and I spoke personally with Supervisor Barger on April 23 (at the Heart of the Foothills event). Mayor Hepburn of La Verne and members of both City Councils have spoken with Supervisor Barger and/or her top staff. Residents have sent hundreds of emails. As a result, Supervisor Barger prevailed upon the Board to postpone the matter to a date uncertain so that the community can give input. (I have since spoken again with Supervisor Barger as well as with her chief planner. I have also spoken with National Core representatives. In addition, I have visited other National Core sites in Pasadena and Glendale and spoken to neighbors of those apartment buildings.)
It should be noted that, due to recent state law, the project can go ahead without approval from San Dimas, La Verne, or even the County. However, the County Board of Supervisors does have a say in whether to loan the developers $7 million, which may or may not affect the viability of the project.
last updated February 3, 2024
Permanent Supportive Housing Proposal
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