Azusa Land Partners — a joint venture

Azusa Land Partners — a joint venture of PLC Land Company, Fieldstone Communities, Rockpoint Group, and Starwood Capital Group Global — will begin grading land this spring for a 517-acre development on the site of the Monrovia Nursery in Azusa, California. “The emphasis is on creating livable, walkable neighborhoods,” said Roy Bruckner, project manager for the city’s Department of Community Development. “Placement of neighborhood parks within a five-minute walk of homes is a priority,” Bruckner said. “Garages are set back from the street scene. There are features like porches and interior courtyards oriented to the street. On corner houses, we wrap porches around the corner. The design guidelines are fairly detailed.” The government of the 47,000-population city had EDAW and Torti Gallas & Partners collaborate on a master plan, which includes transit-oriented development next to a Gold Line station (see April 2002 New Urban News). The Gold Line currently runs from downtown Los Angeles to just east of Pasadena. Bruckner said extension of the line to Azusa, about 15 miles farther east, will probably begin in 2008. A transit plaza and up to 50,000 square feet of retail is envisioned as a gathering place. Hillsides will be preserved, leaving somewhat less than 300 acres for construction. Bruckner said. The densest area, called Promenade, will have 25, 22, and 18 units per acre. In less dense areas, where the topography is fairly steep, the street network will include departures from New Urbanism, such as cul-de-sacs, he said. “The first land sales will take place toward the end of this year or the first part of next year,” said Bill Holman, vice president of PLC Land in Newport Beach.