Annandale Canyon Trail to Come Before Hearing Officer

A city hearing officer will consider an application for a conditional use permit (CUP) that would allow for the establishment of a “park and recreation facility” land use designation at 1410 Wierfield Drive.

Such a designation would facilitate pedestrian access to Annandale Canyon as part of the Annandale Canyon Open Space Trail Access Improvement Project.

The project includes a parking lot for six cars at the end of Wierfield Drive, a trailhead, a trail, and an observation point, according to a report in the proposal.

The trailhead would include informational signage, a bench, a combination trash/recycling receptacle, a series of boulders along both sides of the parking lot, and a security gate to prevent vehicle access after-hours.

The 23-acre project site is currently undeveloped and includes an abandoned unpaved graded access road extending to the north from Wierfield Drive that is overgrown in many areas.

The proposed trail would be approximately 2,350 feet in length and three to five feet in width depending on any given point along the trail and the terrain and vegetation constraints.

The proposed trail would incorporate the existing abandoned unpaved graded access road, with the exception of the proposed creek crossing, where the trail would utilize a portion of the existing trail.

A wooden pedestrian bridge would be built at one drainage site and a proposed observation point would be located atop the San Rafael Hills. The observation point would include installation of a bench, interpretive signs, perimeter railing, and boulders.

“The development would constitute a breach of the agreement between the city of Pasadena and the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy,” wrote Robert Johnson. “The conservancy agreed to provide $2.5 million for acquisition of the canyon property in issue. The city’s application for the money stated that the project consists of the acquisition of Annandale Canyon and the preservation of the site in its native, undisturbed state.”

Upon completion of the project, maintenance of the trail, trailhead, and observation point would occur on an annual basis. Such maintenance would include the removal of trash and debris, trimming of vegetation that may infringe on the accessibility of the trail, and minor trail repairs and improvements for the trail’s overall maintenance.

“The proposed project would provide for passive recreation and facilitate the use of an undeveloped area of the city by the general public and would be consistent with both the Land Use Element and Green Space, Recreation and Parks Element of the General Plan,” according to a city staff report.