Pasadena : General Plan Grant Refused

The City Council on Tuesday turned down a $190,000 plan to get citizens involved in revising the city’s General Plan, a formal document stating long-range planning goals and land-use aims.

Under terms of an out-of-court agreement with a group of litigants, the city must complete the plan by next August. “It’s a very short timetable,” City Manger Philip Hawkey said.

The 11-member General Plan Coordinating Committee had recommended that the council hire the Berkeley-based firm of Moore, Incafano, Goltsman Inc. to prepare written materials, hold community meetings and publicize the planning process.

But Councilman Chris Holden, complaining about the expense, suggested that the city use more imaginative approaches. Holden and others said that the costs of involving community groups in the lengthy planning process could include an additional $300,000 for mailings and materials.

The council voted 4 to 3 to turn down the consultant contract.