Duarte Station Specific Plan Receives Economic Development Award
The City of Duarte has received the 2014 Economic Planning and Development Award from the American Planning Association – Los Angeles Chapter (APALA) for the Duarte Station Specific Plan and EIR. The award was presented on June 12 at the APALA awards gala in Los Angeles. The specific plan was recognized for its forward thinking approach to planning with a focus on both economically feasible development and high quality design standards.
The Duarte Station Specific Plan was adopted by the Duarte City Council on December 10, 2013 and establishes the economic and land use framework for an innovative, transit oriented development adjacent to the future Duarte Gold Line Station scheduled to begin service in 2016. The Plan provides for mixed-use development of up to 475 residential units, 400,000 square feet of office, 12,000 of commercial, and 250 hotel rooms in the 19-acre planning area. RBF, the Dahlin Group and Economic and Planning Systems assisted in the drafting of the plan.
One unique element of the plan was its incorporation of a Fiscal Impact Analysis that analyzed both the financial impacts of plan and the economic feasibility of development in the area. Community Development Director Craig Hensley explained, “From the beginning of the project, the City set the goal to develop a plan that would promote development at the Duarte Gold Line Station area. To accomplish this, the plan needed to allow for a mix of uses and densities that would be feasible for development. The plan also required excellent architectural designs so that development near the Gold Line station would be special and create a positive sense of place. It is great that the APALA has recognized the quality work that was done in Duarte.”
This award is another indicator that Duarte is dedicated to quality economic development and the City Council and City Staff are on the right track. “This is a great follow up to the Most Business Friendly City award,” Hensley said. For additional information on the Duarte Station Specific Plan and EIR visit www.accessduarte.com or call (626) 357-7931, ext. 230.