Palm Street Area Residents Association (PSARA) of Altadena, CA

Homepage for the
Palm Street Area Residents Association (PSARA)
of Altadena, California, USA

https://www.AltadenaPSARA.org

PSARA Logo

As indicated by the white lines within our green logo, PSARA covers the following geographic area within Census Tract 4602 of Altadena:
Palm Street between Fair Oaks and Marengo, plus the streets feeding north and south from that segment of Palm Street: Almond Alley, Ewing, Highview, Raymond, Pentagon off Raymond, Emerson, and the Poppyfields cul-de-sac off Emerson.

Mission:
As a neighborhood association, we are a group of residents who desire to retain the character and the safety of our quiet and peaceful residential neighborhood, and assist our fellow neighbors. We meet regularly, seeking solutions to neighborhood issues that affect any one of us, remembering that "injury to one is injury to all".

Ours is a unique neighborhood within Altadena, with nearly 150 homes that depend solely upon one single street segment, Palm Street between Marengo and Fair Oaks, for access to and from our homes. Palm Street issues, therefore, also have a direct impact upon PSARA residents on Raymond, Pentagon, Highview and Ewing.

We have worked closely with the Altadena Town Council from 2008 through 2012 to successfully address the following important neighborhood concern:

No School on Palm

News:

February 10, 2024: There has been a recent update to "The Oak Grove of Altadena" website, with the inclusion of the following new phrase: "Anticipated starting price over $1.7 Million." This group of 16 huge homes is currently under construction at 183-205 East Palm Street in Altadena.

December 15, 2023: PSARA has noticed that new banners have been installed along the construction fence of the 16-home development at 183-205 East Palm Street, advertising a new website for "The Oak Grove of Altadena" homes. This new website contains a site map, along with conceptual front views of the several models of homes, but no prices nor availability dates yet: "Approx. 2,653 to 2,857 Square Feet, 4 to 5 Bedrooms, 3 to 4 Bathrooms. Anticipated pricing coming soon."

December 9, 2023: PSARA held its Thirteenth Annual Holiday Food and Toy Drive on Palm Street, with our donations given to local families in need. Toy donations were delivered to the Altadena Sheriff's Station, and food donations were distributed to Friends in Deed.

December 10, 2022: PSARA held its Twelfth Annual Holiday Food and Toy Drive on Palm Street, with our donations given to local families in need. Toy donations were delivered to the Altadena Sheriff's Station, and food donations were distributed to Friends in Deed.

December 8, 2022: The 16-home developent at 183-205 East Palm Street, now named "The Oak Grove of Altadena", is the subject of a Stormwater Solution Case Study. The conclusion of this Case Study states that this new development is a "response to California's rising housing demand and the need for more affordable housing in Altadena..." [Really?]

December 11, 2021: PSARA held its Eleventh Annual Holiday Food and Toy Drive on Palm Street, with our donations given to local families in need. Toy donations were delivered to the Altadena Sheriff's Station, and food donations were distributed to Friends in Deed.

January 11, 2021: A Zoom meeting was hosted for the PSARA neighborhood by representatives from Warmington Residential, Inc., the future developer of the "Palm Heights" property at 183 - 205 East Palm Street in Altadena. Escrow on the property is expected to close on March 31, 2021. Tree trimming and tree removal work is scheduled for late January 2021; demolition of existing buildings is expected to begin in early April 2021, followed by grading. The new developer has provided a Plot Plan and Architectural Plans and Landscape Plans for the 16 homes allowed by the Conditional Use Permit for Project R2014-01586.

December 12, 2020: PSARA held its Tenth Annual Holiday Food and Toy Drive on Palm Street, with our donations picked up by the Altadena Senior Center, for distribution to local Altadena families in need. As usual, this event was held no matter the weather ("rain, shine, or winds!") This year's event was documented in this photo collage from Hugo.

July 3, 2020: The property at 183 - 205 East Palm Street is in the process of being sold, by current owner Philip Clarke of Arroyo Pacific Academy in Arcadia, to a residential development company. If this sale does successfully complete, this could be "good news" for the neighbors, as this development company appears to be quite experienced in building residential housing, and likely bears no animosity against the neighbors for successfully blocking a proposed high school on this property back in 2012. The existing Conditional Use Permit (CUP) on this property would still apply to any new property owner.

December 14, 2019: PSARA held its Ninth Annual Holiday Food and Toy Drive on Palm Street, to benefit the Altadena Sheriff's Station. As usual, this event was held no matter the weather ("rain, shine, or winds!") This year's event was documented in this photo collage from Hugo.

November 26, 2019: A Public Hearing by the Board of Supervisors on the appeal of Project R2014-01586 was held in downtown Los Angeles. Many concerned neighbors spoke during the Public Comment portion of this hearing. After several additional conditions were applied to the Conditional Use Permit, the appeal was denied, and the Project can proceed.

October 26, 2019: A Public Hearing by the Board of Supervisors on the appeal of Project R2014-01586 will be held on Tuesday, November 26, 2019 at 9:30 AM in Room 381B at the Kenneth Hahn Hall of Administration, 500 West Temple Street, in downtown Los Angeles.There will be opportunity for Public Comment at this hearing.

July 29, 2019: An appeal on Project R2014-01586 has been submitted to the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors.

July 17, 2019: A Public Hearing was held at the Department of Regional Planning in downtown Los Angeles, for the Regional Planning Commission to take action on Project R2014-01586. Several neighbors spoke during the Public Comment portion of this hearing. The Regional Planning Commission voted to approve the Project.

December 18, 2018: A full meeting of the Altadena Town Council was held, with an item on the Agenda to discuss the Land Use Committee's October 2018 recommendation concerning Project R2014-01586. The Altadena Town Council voted to send a letter to the Los Angeles County Department of Regional Planning, recommending approval of Conditional Use Permit (CUP) 201400179, associated with Project R2014-01586, with multiple conditions. Concerns expressed by the neighbors, along with agreements made by the developer, will be included along with that letter.

December 8, 2018: PSARA held its Eighth Annual Holiday Food and Toy Drive on Palm Street, to benefit the Altadena Sheriff's Station. As usual, this event was held no matter the weather ("rain, shine, or winds!") This year's event was documented in this photo collage from Hugo.

November 20, 2018: A full meeting of the Altadena Town Council was held, with an item on the Agenda to discuss the Land Use Committee's October 2018 recommendation concerning Project R2014-01586. The Altadena Town Council voted to table the Agenda item until the next Altadena Town Council meeting, to be held on December 18, 2018.

October 16, 2018: A full meeting of the Altadena Town Council was held, with an item on the Agenda to discuss the Land Use Committee's recent recommendation concerning Project R2014-01586. Several PSARA neighbors spoke during the Public Comment portion of the Agenda item. Following extended discussion, the Altadena Town Council voted to table the Agenda item until the next Altadena Town Council meeting, to be held on November 20, 2018.

October 2, 2018: A meeting of the Land Use Committee of the Altadena Town Council was held. Several PSARA neighbors spoke during the Public Comment portion of the agenda. The Land Use Committee voted to make the following recommendation to the Altadena Town Council: that the Altadena Town Council write a letter to the Los Angeles County Department of Regional Planning, recommending approval of Conditional Use Permit (CUP) 201400179 associated with Project R2014-01586, but with several Conditions. At its next meeting on October 16, 2018, the full Altadena Town Council is expected to take action on its Land Use Committee's recommendation.

September 4, 2018: A presentation was made by developers Philip Clarke and Austin Richey to the Land Use Committee of the Altadena Town Council, describing the current plans for the proposed residential "Palm Heights" development at 183 - 205 East Palm Street. 16 homes are being proposed, with 7 oak trees to be removed, 2 of which are healthy trees. Several PSARA members spoke during the Public Comment portion of this meeting. Still absent from this presentation are 3-D views showing renderings of the proposed homes as would be seen from the existing homes on Highview and Raymond; these 3-D representations have been requested repeatedly, beginning with the Land Use Committee meeting held on September 1, 2015. At its next meeting on October 2, 2018, the Land Use Committee is expected to take action on this project, by making a recommendation to the full Altadena Town Council..

December 9, 2017: PSARA held its Seventh Annual Holiday Food and Toy Drive on Palm Street, to benefit the Altadena Sheriff's Station. As usual, this event was held no matter the weather ("rain, shine, or winds!"); it turned out to be sunny and 80 degrees! This year's event was documented in this photo collage from Hugo.

August 1, 2017: A presentation was made by developers Philip Clarke and Austin Richey to the Land Use Committee of the Altadena Town Council, describing the current plans for the proposed residential "Palm Heights" development at 183 - 205 East Palm Street. 16 homes are being proposed, with 7 oak trees to be removed, 2 of which are healthy trees. Several PSARA members spoke during the Public Comment portion of this meeting. Still absent from this presentation are 3-D views showing renderings of the proposed homes as would be seen from the existing homes on Highview and Raymond.

June 8, 2017: A Subdivision Committee Review was held at the Los Angeles County Department of Regional Planning, to review the revised Tract Maps for the proposed "Palm Heights" development at 183 - 205 East Palm Street, Project No. R2014-01586-(5) / Tentative Tract Map 072939. This was the eighth submittal of Tract Maps in a 3-year period, starting with the first submittal in June 2014. The number of proposed homes remains at 16. The Tentative Tract Map and its associated "Exhibit A" map were finally approved, after a few "red-line" corrections had been made. Details can be found in the SCM Report dated June 8, 2017. Within the next several months, this Project will come before the Altadena Town Council and its Land Use Committee for their recommendations, prior to a Public Hearing, not yet scheduled, in front of the 5-member Regional Planning Commission (RPC) in downtown Los Angeles.

February 9, 2017: A Subdivision Committee Review was held at the Los Angeles County Department of Regional Planning, to review the revised Tract Maps for the proposed "Palm Heights" development at 183 - 205 East Palm Street, Project No. R2014-01586-(5) / Tentative Tract Map 072939. This was the seventh submittal of Tract Maps since the first submittal in June 2014. The number of proposed homes remains at 16. Additional modifications to these submitted Tract Maps will still be needed prior to their approval. Details can be found in the SCM Report dated February 2, 2017.

December 15, 2016: A Subdivision Committee Review was held at the Los Angeles County Department of Regional Planning, to review the revised Tract Maps for the proposed "Palm Heights" development at 183 - 205 East Palm Street, Project No. R2014-01586-(5) / Tentative Tract Map 072939. This was the sixth submittal of Tract Maps since the first submittal in June 2014. The number of proposed homes remains at 16. Additional modifications to these submitted Tract Maps will still be needed prior to their approval. Details can be found in the SCM Report dated December 8, 2016.

December 10, 2016: PSARA held its Sixth Annual Holiday Food and Toy Drive on Palm Street, to benefit the Altadena Sheriff's Station. As usual, this event was held no matter the weather ("rain, shine, or winds!"). This year's event was documented in this photo collage from Hugo.

October 20, 2016: A Subdivision Committee Review was held at the Los Angeles County Department of Regional Planning, to review the revised Tract Maps for the proposed "Palm Heights" development at 183 - 205 East Palm Street, Project No. R2014-01586-(5) / Tentative Tract Map 072939. This was the fifth submittal of Tract Maps since the first submittal in June 2014. The number of proposed homes remains at 16. Additional modifications to these submitted Tract Maps will still be needed prior to their approval. Details can be found in the SCM Report dated October 13, 2016.

October 4, 2016: A presentation was made by developers Philip Clarke and Austin Richey to the Land Use Committee of the Altadena Town Council, describing revised plans for the proposed residential "Palm Heights" development at 183 - 205 East Palm Street. 16 homes are currently being proposed, with 7 oak trees to be removed, 2 of which are healthy trees. Several PSARA members spoke during the Public Comment portion of this meeting. Notably absent from this presentation were 3-D views showing the size of the proposed homes relative to the existing adjacent homes; these 3-D renderings have been requested repeatedly by PSARA members, as well as by the Land Use Committee during its September 1, 2015 meeting.

May 29, 2016: A Subdivision Committee Review was held at the Los Angeles County Department of Regional Planning, to review the revised Tract Maps for the proposed "Palm Heights" development at 183 - 205 East Palm Street, Project No. R2014-01586-(5) / Tentative Tract Map 072939. This was the fourth submittal of Tract Maps since the first submittal in June 2014. The number of proposed homes remains at 16. Additional modifications to these submitted Tract Maps will still be needed prior to their approval. Details can be found in the SCM Report dated May 12, 2016.

February 11, 2016: A Subdivision Committee Review was held at the Los Angeles County Department of Regional Planning, to review the revised Tract Maps for the "Palm Heights" Project No. R2014-01586-(5) / Tentative Tract Map 072939. This was the third submittal of Tract Maps since the first submittal in June 2014. The number of proposed homes has now been reduced from 18 to 16. Additional modifications to these submitted Tract Maps will still be needed prior to their approval. Details can be found in the SCM Reports.

December 12, 2015: PSARA held its Fifth Annual Holiday Food and Toy Drive on Palm Street, to benefit the Altadena Sheriff's Station. As usual, this event was held no matter the weather ("rain, shine, or winds!"). This year's event was documented in this photo collage from Hugo, as well as in this AltadenaNow article.

September 1, 2015: A presentation was made by developers Philip Clarke and Austin Richey to the Land Use Committee of the Altadena Town Council, describing revised plans for the proposed residential "Palm Heights" development at 183 - 205 East Palm Street. 17 homes are currently being proposed, with 8 oak trees to be removed, 3 of which are healthy trees. Many significant questions were asked by the members of the Land Use Committee. Several PSARA members spoke during the Public Comment portion of ths meeting. Major concerns of the neighbors continue to be density, trees, buffers, and compatibility with the existing neighborhood. Requests have been made for 3-D views and renderings, to determine just what will be seen from the neighboring streets and yards.

January 29, 2015: A Subdivision Committee Meeting was held at the Los Angeles County Department of Regional Planning, to review the revised Tract Maps for 18 homes under Project No. R2014-01586-(5) / Tentative Tract Map 072939. This was the second submittal of Tract Maps since the first submittal in June 2014. Additional modifications to these submitted Tract Maps will still be needed prior to their approval. Details can be found in the SCM Reports.

December 13, 2014: PSARA held its Fourth Annual Holiday Food and Toy Drive on Palm Street, to benefit the Altadena Sheriff's Station. As usual, this event was held no matter the weather ("rain, shine, or winds!"). This year's event was documented in this photo collage from Hugo, as well as in this AltadenaPoint article.

October 27, 2014: PSARA representatives met with Philip Clarke and Austin Richey of "Palm Heights Development, Inc." to discuss revised plans, based on conditions requested by PSARA neighbors. No progress was made.

September 4, 2014: PSARA sent a response to Philip Clarke and Austin Richey of "Palm Heights Development, Inc.", listing several additional neighborhood conditions, and expressing concern that most of the conditions already proposed by the neighbors have been denied. A request was made for an in-person meeting to discuss a revised set of plans that will substantially address the major concerns of the neighbors.

August 5, 2014: A response to PSARA's list of conditions was received from Philip Clarke and Austin Richey. The name for the proposed development is "Palm Heights." PSARA neighbors were asked to review and comment on this response from "Palm Heights Development, Inc."

July 17, 2014: A Subdivision Committee Meeting was held at the Los Angeles County Department of Regional Planning, to review the revised Tract Maps for 18 homes under Project No. R2014-01586-(5) / Tentative Tract Map 072939. This was the first submittal of Tract Maps, in June 2014. Additional modifications to these submitted Tract Maps will be needed prior to their approval. Details can be found in the SCM Reports.

June 30, 2014: Following significant discussion at a PSARA meeting, PSARA expressed conditional support for the residential development of the 183 - 205 East Palm Street property. A list of 11 conditions was sent to Philip Clarke, along with requests for clarification on several unresolved issues. Many of the open issues involve trees, density, and buffers.

May 21, 2014: Philip Clarke of Arroyo Pacific Academy, owner of the 183 - 205 East Palm Street property, invited PSARA neighbors to a Community Meeting at Saint Elizabeth's School in Altadena, to provide an update on his plans for developing the Palm Street property. A site plan and an oak tree exhibit were provided by Austin Richey of Victory Contractors.

December 7, 2013: PSARA held its Third Annual Holiday Food and Toy Drive on Palm Street, to benefit the Altadena Sheriff's Station. As usual, this event was held no matter the weather (rain, shine, or winds!), and it certainly was cold and wet this year, as shown in this group of photos, as well as in an Altadenablog article.

October 29, 2013: Philip Clarke of Arroyo Pacific Academy, owner of the 183 - 205 East Palm Street property, met with some neighbors at the Altadena Community Center to describe his plans for residential development of the property. Preliminary sketches for the project are shown here. A CUP will be required for this project, as there are 18 homes projected for his 2 parcels. Mr. Clarke stated that his property is no longer for sale on the real estate market.

August 3, 2013: Members of PSARA gathered together in Farmsworth Park to attend a summer concert by PSARA member Brian Hughes and his Band. Altadenablog noted that we wore our red shirts, and Brian wore his red shoes.

May 2, 2013: Both Loopnet and Showcase report that the 183 - 205 East Palm Street property is "Off-Market". But this may simply reflect a switch to a multiple listing service, as the property can still be found on various realtors' websites, under MLS# 320590. Prudential is one such website.

February 2013: The 183 - 205 East Palm Street property has again been put up for sale by Philip Clarke of Arroyo Pacific Academy, for a current asking price of $4.9 million. Commericial real estate listings can currently be found on Loopnet and on Showcase. The Showcase listing also contains an old marketing flyer, with a June 2012 asking price, which correctly points out that a CUP will be needed for approved commerical use of this property.

January 25, 2013: PSARA was informed by a representative from The Olson Company that they will not be moving forward on their residential development project at 183 - 205 East Palm Street, because they have been unable to come to an agreement with the seller, Mr. Philip Clarke of Arroyo Pacific Academy. A planning meeting held with the County in December 2012 had identified a maximum number of 19 single-family homes that could be built on this 3.3 acre site.

December 8, 2012: PSARA held its Second Annual Holiday Food and Toy Drive on Palm Street, benefitting the Altadena Sheriff's Station. Altadenablog posted a photo of several PSARA "elves". This year, the Altadena Sheriffs stopped by as the PSARA event ended, and filled the back of their truck with many bags of food and toys, all donated by PSARA members. Each bag was marked with this holiday greeting, designed by PSARA member (and host for the PSARA Food and Toy Drive) Hugo Arteaga:

December 2012: Now that filming permits have been applied for, PSARA knows that Abominable Pictures will be filming the TV Sitcom "Childrens Hospital" at 183 East Palm Street during December 2012 and January 2013. A "Dear Neighbor" letter, a "Filming Survey", and a "Notice of Filming" provide additional details. Any neighborhood concerns about the filming process should be directed to FilmLA at (213) 977-8600.

November 2012: PSARA members have noticed some unusual activity at 183 East Palm Street. It turns out that there is preparation being made for a 2-month filming project, but no filming permit has yet been applied for.

November 1, 2012: Today is the day that the Bienvenidos Conditional Use Permit (CUP), number 92023 - (5), originally issued on October 29, 1992, is terminated. There is now no existing CUP for the 183 - 205 East Palm Street property.

October 30, 2012: PSARA members again met with a representative of The Olson Company at the Altadena Community Center, in order to view a conceptual site plan for the property to be developed at 183-205 East Palm Street. Many of the concerns expressed at the October 4 meeting were addressed in the conceptual plan, including preservation of the oak trees. Neighborhood concerns were expressed, including density (again); trees (again); excavation and grading; parking; characteristics of the new homes and the new street; block walls; pedestrian access and easement to Raymond Avenue; deconstruction and construction impacts. At least one more meeting is planned, with additional details to be presented by The Olson Company, before the "due diligence" period of the escrow ends in mid-December 2012.

October 4, 2012: PSARA members met with a representative of The Olson Company at the Altadena Community Center, in order to provide neighborhood input into the site plan being developed for the 183-205 East Palm Street property. The concerns most often expressed by the neighbors were: ensuring "low density residential" use of the property (no more than 6 homes per acre); preservation of the existing trees on the site; having a buffer between the new homes and the existing homes; avoiding vehicle access via Raymond Avenue, a narrow private street; maintaining the existing character of the neighborhood; following the principles outlined within the Altadena Community Plan document, along with the setback and height restrictions defined within the Altadena Community Standards District document. PSARA appreciates the opportunity to express the concerns of the neighbors at this early stage of the project, and looks forward to reviewing the initial site plan when it becomes available within the next several weeks.

September 10, 2012: Good news! PSARA has learned that The Olson Company, a residential development company based in Seal Beach, has entered into escrow on the property at 183 - 205 East Palm Street. They plan to build detached single-family homes on the site. The purchase is contingent upon getting the necessary permits and plan approvals from the County, which could take perhaps 18 months.

August 25, 2012: PSARA members attended an outdoor evening concert up in Altadena's Farnsworth Park Amphitheater, featuring Jazz Guitarist and Composer (and fellow PSARA member) Brian Hughes with his Band. PSARA members in the audience wore red, as had been a tradition during our successful "No School on Palm" campaign. Altadenablog described Brian's concert, along with a mention of the PSARA members in attendance. Brian's website, with sample tracks from his many CDs, is here.

June 2012: The 183 - 205 East Palm Street property has been put up for sale by Philip Clarke of Arroyo Pacific Academy, for an asking price of $5.5 million. Commericial real estate listings can currently be found on Loopnet and on Showcase. The Showcase listing also contains a marketing flyer which points out that a CUP will be needed for approved commerical use of this property.

April 19, 2012: PSARA's long-running "No School on Palm" campaign has now ended successfully. As reported in both Altadenablog and Altadena Patch, Arroyo Pacific Academy will not appeal the Conditional Use Permit (CUP) denial decision made by the Los Angeles County Department of Regional Planning during its April 4, 2012 Public Hearing. PSARA has actively participated during all phases of this CUP application process. A precedent has now been set, making it unlikely that a school would ever be permitted to operate on the 183 - 205 East Palm Street property in this quiet residential area of Altadena. For background information and a chronology of PSARA's 2008-2012 "No School on Palm" campaign, click here.

December 3, 2011: Just 2 days after the disastrous windstorm hit Altadena, PSARA held its First Annual PSARA Holiday Food and Toy Drive on Palm Street, using the motto "rain or shine or power failure." A carload of food and toys, all donated by PSARA members, was delivered to the Altadena Sheriff's Station. Altadenablog posted a photo of several PSARA "elves", and specifically made note of their red shirts.

November 15, 2011: The Altadena Town Council recognized the many Altadena Neighborhood Watch and Neighborhood Associations at the November Town Council meeting. PSARA was one of several neighborhood organizations honored with a Community Service Award.

Call To Action:

Please click here to view our "Hello Neighbor" flyer; this pdf file contains a brief introduction to PSARA, including who we are, our history and background, our current areas of focus, and our ongoing activities.

If you are interested in helping your Palm Street Area neighborhood in maintaining its current peaceful and tranquil character, please send e-mail to info@AltadenaPSARA.org, and include your name and your street address, so that we at PSARA may contact you, to keep you up-to-date on our areas of focus, and to discuss various ways in which you can help. Thanks!

ACONA:
PSARA participates in the Altadena Coalition of Neighborhood Associations (ACONA), whose website can be found here.

ACONA Logo

AltadenAlert:
PSARA is included within "AltadenAlert", the Altadena Sheriff's Station interactive Altadena Neighborhood Watch & Association Map, which can be found here.

Contact:
For additional information about PSARA, please send e-mail to

info@AltadenaPSARA.org