MAY 2011DEPAR TMENT OF URBAN STUDIES AND PLANNING

CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSIT Y, NOR THRIDGE

PACOIMA WASH RIVER IMPROVEMENT OVERLAY (RIO) PROPOSAL

BACKGROUND

Approximately four miles of channelized concrete, the Pacoima Wash has served the residents of the Northeast San Fernando Valley as an unsightly fl ood control tributary while simultaneously dividing dynamic communities between Pacoima and the City of San Fernando.

This project is a collaborative eff ort between students enrolled in the Community Based Urban Design course at California State University Northridge in the fall semester of 2010 and the non-profi t organization Pacoima Beautiful, to produce design guidelines appropriate for development along the Pacoima Wash.

Focus Area: A two mile segment from San Fernando Rd. to the Pacoima Spreading Grounds. Approximately 1/4 mile radius from the Pacoima Wash

Soccer Fields

Basketball Courts

Pacoima WashRIO Boundaries

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The intent of this project was to (1) identify lack of public open space in Pacoima, (2) analyze three years of previously researched data, and (3) establish design guidelines and aerial maps for a River Improvement Overlay (RIO) project. The focus was a two mile segment from San Fernando Road to the Pacoima Spreading Grounds.

This project was intended to assist Pacoima Beautiful’s Pacoima Wash Vision Plan, outlining concepts for revitalizing the Pacoima Wash as a recreational amenity that includes bike and pedestrian trails and enhances connectivity to parks and open spaces such as the Angeles National Forest in the north east San Fernando Valley.

Another purpose of this project was to encourage residents to utilize public spaces in their neighborhoods. Cumulative impacts from industries and highways in Pacoima create toxic environments in a region where 17% of residents are obese, 20% suff er from asthma, and 6% with diabetes.

The existing 54 acres of park space in Pacoima misrepresents the needs of a community comprised of over 90,000 residents living within 7.14 square miles. Developing a riverfront along the Pacoima Wash alleviates what is considered a ‘park poor’ neighborhood, serves as a way to create connections between communities, and increases public access to natural resources.

PURPOSE

Industrial trucks in neighborhood streetsPhoto: 2008 Mixed Use Development Proposal

Auto Dismantlers in PacoimaPhoto: 2011 Marcos Zamora-Sanchez

Highway intersectionsPhoto: 2011 Carlos Hernandez

PROCESS

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The fi st study was conducted in May 2008 and focused on developing a Mixed Use Development Proposal for the neighborhood of Pacoima. This study established the need for public open spaces as well as other uses in the area, and introduced community members to the process of urban planning. This study included 339 community member interviews and 35 workshop attendants. The charts outline how the community chooses to spend their leisure time and weather it is done so in Pacoima or not.

The second study took place during May 2009 and focused on developing a Public Open Space Proposal in an area occupied by an asphalt recycling center. The intent was to propose an alternative to the existing asphalt recycling plant and ease the adverse eff ect of industries adjacent to residential areas. This study included 156 community member interviews and 35 workshop attendants. The 2009 interview outcomes outlined the need for public open space in Pacoima.

2008 Interview Outcomes

2009 Interview Outcomes

This project is the culmination of three years of research by students in Urban Design/Urban Problems Seminar courses and the residents of Pacoima. Students of the Fall 2010 session analyzed three research reports as well as a walking tour/mobile workshop facilitated by members of Pacoima Beautiful.

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Pacoima Beautiful conducted a walking tour within the restricted areas of the Pacoima Wash and distributed pamphlets. Residents who participated were then able to visualize and document the needs of the community for potential development of the Pacoima Wash. There were 50 participants fi n the walking tour. The chart describes needs along future development of the Pacoima wash with emphasis on designated opportunity areas. Results of the walking tour highlight elements of open space, circulation, and connection.

The last study focused on proposing Walkable Streets around San Fernando High School; a public High School on the border of Pacoima and the City of San Fernando. This project examined accessibility, safety, and comfort for students walking to and from school and was completed in 2010. A total of 391 High School students participated in identifying frequently used streets in their neighborhood. The student walking paths identifi ed Laurel Canyon Boulevard as the most used thoroughfare, a main street that crosses a major highway intersection and the Pacoima wash.

PROCESS

2010 Student walking paths

User preference diagram

Walking tour outcomes

The students of the CSUN Urban Planning courses then developed user preference diagrams to address needs of the community according to the previously researched data. The user preference diagram helped develop appropriate Design Guidelines for future development of the Pacoima wash.

DESIGN GUIDELINES

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CirculationAll paths should be accessible for all users and lead to designated activity areas.

PedestriansDevelop walking paths along the wash to increase circulation and encourage walking for residents.

Increase pedestrian access from buildings and neighborhoods adjoining the River Greenway.

Paths are to consist of smooth, hard surfaces to encourage accessibility for strollers and wheelchairs.

ConnectionResidents should have easy access to the Pacoima wash and its accompanying amenities.

BridgesLand along the Pacoima wash should accommodate additional bridges to connect residents, paths, and amenities on either side of the wash.

Existing bridges should be revitalized and increase accessibility for residents and commuters.

EntrancesAll entrances should be prominent and easily accessible.

All critical nodes and intersections should have entrances to the wash.

Signage should be prominent and near entrances.

Land along the Pacoima wash should include incorporate gateways.

Classifi cation of Streets

Principal Arterial Streets provide long distance, continuous routes within urban areas typically used by commercial trucks.

Minor Arterial Streets are continuous routes through urban areas used mostly for touring purposes.

Connector Streets gather traffi c from local streets and deliver to and from arterial streets.

Local Streets are short in length and frequently interrupted by traffi c control devices. These streets are typically short in distance and cater to both residential and commercial zones.

Land along the Pacoima Wash should enhance mobility for the surrounding residents. According to the 2008

leisure time activity outcomes, a high percentage of residents enjoy walking and do so in Pacoima.

MOBILITY

BicyclesDesign and develop bicycle lanes for increased mobility, transportation, and recreation.

Areas of the Pacoima wash should be connected by shared use paths that promote multi modal traffi c including walkers, joggers, skateboarders, bicyclists, and other non-motorized users.

Bicycle racks should be provided to promote the use of multi modal traffi c.

AutomobilesStrict parking regulation and accessibility should be considered within the outlined ¼ Mile distance of the wash; protecting the current parking requirements and facilitate needs for non-neighborhood residents.

Mobility design

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DESIGN GUIDELINES

Extent of the River Improvement Overlay (RIO)All streets leading to the wash should consider design guidelines described herein.

Planning for the Pacoima Wash should not be limited to the river channel itself, but should include open and natural space, transportation, housing, business, community development, art, and other existing infrastructure.

Development of the Pacoima Wash should serve as a regional destination; contributing to the economic vitality of the city and the region.

The Pacoima Wash should improve neighborhood connection, providing opportunities for increased recreation/less auto dependent streets.

Development along the Pacoima Wash should include existing parkways and other open spaces such as the Pacoima spreading grounds.

SocialResidents along the Pacoima Wash should have access to social activities.

PlaygroundsDevelopment along the Pacoima Wash should accommodate children’s playgrounds. Benches should accompany playgrounds for parental supervision.

PicnicSeveral designated picnic areas will outline the length of the wash and are to include tables, benches, and an outdoor grill.

Community GardenResidents should have access to a common community garden to interact with others, cultivate the land, and harvest crops.

A community garden should facilitate 20 or more plots with dimensions of 100 square feet for each plot.

Dog ParkDesignated dog pocket-parks should accommodate pet owners and leash-free dogs.

Athletic RecreationLand along the Pacoima wash should accommodate the athletic needs of the community.

SportsGiven the limited space, parkways should facilitate soccer fi elds and basketball half-courts where space and accessibility is available.

Exercise CourtDesignated exercise areas should accommodate the fi tness and health requirements for surrounding residents.

Youth friendly exercise stations should be included in the development of the Pacoima wash.

Skate ParkAn outdoor skate park should be encouraged where space and accessibility is available.

Land along the Pacoima wash should facilitate activity areas and encourage community participation. The 2009 public open space proposal listed the majority of residents wanted children’s playgrounds and picnic areas.

ACTIVITIES

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DESIGN GUIDELINES

Street FurnitureDevelopment along the Pacoima Wash should contain street furniture.

BenchesRest areas and benches along the wash will provide comfort and attraction to pedestrians.

Recycling/Waste ContainersRecycling and waste containers are should help reduce visible pollution and adhere to formal and informal sectors of recycling initiatives.

Recycling and waste containers should be placed every 200 feet along paths and at critical nodes/intersections.

Recycling and Waste Containers are to be located near activity areas especially picnic, community garden, and rest room facilities.

Rest roomsAll rest rooms should be connected by paths or activity areas.

LightingAll paths and activity areas should include adequate lighting, ensuring visibility at night.

Photovoltaic lighting should be encouraged as the main source of night visibility in the Pacoima wash.

Public ArtPublic art, such as murals, mosaics, and sculptures, should be encouraged and introduced to the Pacoima RIO.

All public art is to represent the character of Pacoima.

SignageAll entrances should be well defi ned including signage, a bulletin announcing events, and a map of the many activities to be found in the RIO.

Plaques should be installed to describe monuments and the history of Pacoima.

Distance indicators should be visible on all paths.

PlantsDevelopment of the Pacoima RIO should include comprehensive planting guidelines.

Landscaping should be used to separate paths and distinguish activity areas.

All landscape fl ora should consist of drought tolerant, native plants to conserve water and re-establish the character of the community.

Water consuming trees are to be limited wherever possible and fruit producing trees are to be encouraged, especially near community garden locations.

A native plant riverfront should support the migration patterns of species.

Landscaping along the Pacoima wash should include native fl ora of Southern California as well as street furniture. The

walking tour outcomes listed trees, street furniture, and native landscaping as the most necessary elements for the wash.

LANDSCAPING

Prepared by the students of Community Based Urban Design course in the Department of Urban Studies and Planning at California State University, Northridge during the Fall semester of 2010:

Carlos Hernandez*

Haneefah AbdullahMatthew Azpilicueta

Loriel CachoAudel Contreras

Saud DahamArsen DervishianHugo Figueredo

Aaron GudeljSarah HaneyJulie Irabon

Paul McClaren Lilyana Morejon

Janae MorrisTania Oronoz

Gail PittersRalph SansanoDaniel Savala

Joshua Schroder

*Responsible for preparation of the fi nal booklet

Under the supervision of:Zeynep Toker, PhD.Associate Professor

Urban Studies and Planning DepartmentCalifornia State University, Northridge

In collaboration with Pacoima Beautiful

CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, NORTHRIDGE18111 NORDHOFF ST.

NOR THRIDGE CA, 91330