PRESERVATION UPDATE
Dear Friends of Claremont,
There is much happening in this great City of ours - and you can be part of it!
Historically Claremont Heritage has become involved in the type of issues that relate to our Heritage! OUR MISSION is to advance, preserve and celebrate the historic, architectural, natural and cultural resources of our community through collaboration, education and advocacy. We have helped to save a number of the iconic structures that were once threatened with demolition such as the Packing House, Ice House (Back Abbey), Claremont Depot (now home to the Claremont Museum of Art) and the Padua Hills Theatre. Our goal is to keep Claremont's history alive and honor the past to inform the future. One of the "big" topics that is being discussed by much of the community is the Pomona College Master Plan and EIR that will come before the Planning Commission (PC) tonight at City Hall. The PC will also review a zone change to make way for a new museum building on the west side of College Ave. where residential buildings currently reside. The PC must make a recommendation to the City Council to accept or deny or revisit any part of the plan. We encourage all community members to participate in this process - please see below for an overview of what will be discussed and the results of a Claremont Heritage Survey. Planning Commission Meeting
Tuesday, March 15, 2016 7:00 PM
City Council Chambers 225 Second Street, Claremont
As Margaret Mead once said: "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has.
Best regards,
David Shearer Executive Director
Urban Planning + Development
POMONA COLLEGE MASTER PLAN - EIR - ZONE CHANGE
The Planning Commission will review the Pomona College Master Plan and other documents that relate to it tonight in the Council Chambers at City Hall (see above). The process includes evaluating the location of a new Pomona College Museum of Art, and although only a small element of the overall plan, will most likely be a major topic of public comment. This issue has unfortunately divided the community even though ultimately we all want what is best for our community. At stake is giving up one part of our history (the historic residential character of College Ave. ) and replacing it with a cultural institution that will benefit the community - it is a tough call - and there are many elements that come into play - issues of logistics like parking and traffic. Issues like moving or demolishing historic structures. Issues of remaining true to our General Plan. It will not be an easy decision for the Planning Commission but we do trust in our system of government and that the outcome will be the right one for the community. What the commissioners decide will be presented as a recommendation to the City Council who will convene in April to review and ultimately make a final decision.
Click HERE to see the results of the Survey that Claremont Heritage compiled addressing certain elements of the plan. The matter is extremely complicated and our goal was to try and educate the public on the elements being reviewed and give them the opportunity to express their opinion - something we value here in Claremont.
There are many moving parts to all of this - typically a project like this is submitted in stages - the EIR needs to be certified before a Master Plan can be approved etc. In this case everything is being reviewed at the same time - thousands of pages of documents. It could be that additional evaluation and review may be warranted - we will see what happens tonight.
There are a number of potentially viable options for a new museum location on the east side of College Ave. including the original Myron Hunt Plan for Pomona College showing a museum where a new Thatcher Music Building is currently proposed.
Courtesy Pomona College
Moving the historic Renwick House (as is currently proposed) from it original site to the east side of College and building a large (32 - 40,000sf) institutional building on the west side of College may not be consistent with the established Village Design Plan or even Claremont's General Plan.
Helen Renwick House
Courtesy of Claremont Colleges Digital Library
Another option would be to put the museum on the northeast corner of College Ave. and First St. as has been suggested by some. This is a natural gate-way to Pomona College and would enable the College to have room for expansion in addition to being closer to parking and public transportation such as the Gold-Line that is expected to bring thousands of additional visitors to Claremont each month.
Heritage Preservation
PRESERVATION = CULTURAL HERITAGE TOURISM
Living in a city that has taken care to preserve its architectural legacy is wonderful until it is challenged. We have seen over the years the potential effect that development might bring to our town. If the old Santa Fe Depot or College Heights Packing House had been torn down as was once proposed, our city would lack some of the historic fabric that makes it so great!
By preserving our historic structures and neighborhoods, we attract visitors who will positively impact our community financially through Cultural Heritage Tourism! Just ask any Village merchant. Watch the Video HERE
Natural Resources+Urban Landscape
TREES REMAIN A CONCERN - Watch the Video HERE
Last summer, Claremont Heritage and other community groups rallied to try and help save hundreds of mature trees that were suffering due to drought and the watering restrictions put in place last year. Forming a Tree Coalition, the group worked with City Staff to implement emergency measures to both educate the public and supply the tools needed to try and keep our signature Urban Forest healthy. Unfortunately, It may have been too little, too late.
In the next few months, residents of Claremont may unfortunately become accustomed to the sound of chainsaws and wood chippers.
Even our stately 100 year old Historic Elm Grove on Indian Hill Blvd will not be spared. This month 43 of our Heritage Elm Trees will be trimmed to extend their lives and 8 will have to come down. The City has plans to replace them with saplings - unfortunately, until they mature, the canopy of trees that we often take for granted will be significantly reduced.
Claremont Heritage is working with the City to document these Heritage Trees before they come down and also to add additional Heritage Trees and Groves to a local Historic Register in order to bring attention of their value to our community.
Art+Culture
ANNUAL GALA | 40th Festivale | SAT APRIL 16th 5:30 - 10:00 PM
Padua Hills Theatre | 4467 Padua Ave, Claremont
Join Claremont Heritage as we celebrate our 40th year of Keeping Claremont's History Alive and help us honor our 2016 Awardees. The 2016 Bess Garner Preservation Award will go to Pilgrim Place for their outstanding stewardship of their campus. The 2016 Cultural Heritage Award will go to First Street Gallery and Art Center for their over 25 years serving as an exhibition resource and arts management center for adults with developmental disabilities. Through cultivation of artistic expression, people with significant challenges can develop creatively and make important contributions to the cultural and economic life of their communities.
|
