Transit‑Oriented Investing Near San Dimas A‑Line Station

The A Line has arrived in San Dimas, and the opportunity window just opened. If you have been watching the Foothill corridor for transit‑oriented returns, this is your moment. You want clear guidance on what you can build, where the city supports growth, and how to manage timeline and risk. In this guide, you’ll learn the essentials to invest with confidence near the new San Dimas station. Let’s dive in.

Why the San Dimas A Line changes the math

The San Dimas station is now open as part of the Glendora to Pomona extension, placing Downtown San Dimas on the regional rapid‑transit map. The station sits just east of San Dimas Avenue near Bonita Avenue with an at‑grade island platform and a relocated freight track to the north. A park‑and‑ride facility of roughly 289 to 300 spaces, plus bike parking and drop‑off areas, supports rider access and first‑last mile connections. Estimated travel times position the station well for commuters, with about 28 minutes to Pasadena and about 58 minutes to Union Station in Downtown LA. See the project’s station page for current details and maps at the Foothill Gold Line Construction Authority.

• Learn more about the station features and travel time context on the San Dimas station page from the Construction Authority. San Dimas station overview

What this means for you: properties within a comfortable walk of the station can attract residents and tenants who value predictable commute times and a connected lifestyle. That tends to support mixed‑use and multifamily demand over the long term.

Where zoning supports TOD

San Dimas has been planning for station‑area growth. The City’s Downtown Specific Plan process outlines zoning, design standards, mobility, parking, and public‑realm upgrades around Bonita Avenue and the station. A designated Transit Village district focuses growth directly next to the station and identifies opportunity sites for infill and mixed‑use redevelopment.

• Review the Downtown Specific Plan materials, including opportunity‑site maps and design direction. City of San Dimas Downtown Specific Plan
• Local reporting summarizes how the plan contemplates mid‑rise buildings near the station while preserving the historic Town Core frontage. Urbanize LA coverage

Housing policy also supports new homes near transit. The City’s 2021 to 2029 Housing Element allocates a Regional Housing Needs Assessment of 1,248 new units across income tiers and identifies sites and rezoning strategies to meet that target. Downtown plan concepts show a higher long‑term buildout potential over many years, which guides both scale and affordability expectations.

• See the Housing Element for RHNA obligations and site inventory. San Dimas Housing Element

What to invest in near the station

Multifamily within a half‑mile

Compact mid‑rise apartments or condos within a 0.25 to 0.5 mile walk from the platform typically align with TOD demand. Prior projects along the Foothill corridor show that well‑designed buildings near stations can perform as commuters shift to rail.

Ideal traits to target:

• Parcels with supportive zoning under the Downtown Specific Plan
• Walkable access to Bonita Avenue and the station plaza
• Ability to reduce parking ratios where allowed to favor open space and amenity areas

Mixed‑use with ground‑floor retail

Small‑format retail that serves riders and neighbors can anchor an active ground floor. Think service, convenience, and food concepts that benefit from peak‑hour foot traffic and lunchtime activity.

Adaptive reuse of older centers and parking

Aging strip centers and large surface lots are classic TOD opportunity sites. The City’s planning materials identify potential redevelopment parcels where podium‑style mixed‑use could replace underutilized parking.

• For opportunity‑site context and preferred urban form, consult the Downtown Specific Plan. Plan materials

Incentives and partners to know

LA Metro’s Transit Oriented Communities policy and Joint Development program can support TOD outcomes, especially where public parcels are in play. These frameworks can enable parking reductions and added height or density in exchange for affordable units and community benefits.

• Explore Metro’s TOC guidelines and partnership pathways. Metro TOC and Joint Development

State and regional programs also align with transit goals. The Foothill Extension secured major state funding during construction through the Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program, illustrating the corridor’s eligibility profile for sustainable‑transportation investments.

• See coverage of Foothill Extension funding progress. TIRCP funding context

If you are adding affordable units, explore tax credit options and state grants that pair well with TOD locations.

Timeline and approvals

For private sites, expect a traditional entitlement path:

1. Early coordination with City planning staff and, if adjacent to the station, Metro staff.
2. Consistency check with the Downtown Specific Plan, General Plan, and Housing Element site inventory.
3. Environmental review under CEQA and community outreach.
4. Any needed zoning amendments or conditional use permits.
5. Building permits and construction.

• Start with the City’s planning page for current plan status, standards, and contacts. San Dimas planning materials

Risks and how to manage them

Every TOD corridor carries a few common risks. In San Dimas, factor in the following before you buy or build:

• Entitlement timing. Specific‑plan adoption, CEQA review, and hearings can extend timelines by 12 to 36 months or more. Build schedule flexibility into your pro forma.
• Community and legal dynamics. Past litigation over station parking illustrates how inter‑agency or neighborhood concerns can change scope or timing. Verify whether any obligations or agreements affect your target parcel. Background on parking dispute
• Affordable housing requirements. RHNA targets and state law shape inclusion, incentives, and financing. Align early on unit mix and affordability. Housing Element details
• Parking and access tradeoffs. Understand park‑and‑ride ownership, replacement obligations, and access design, which can affect what is feasible on or near a site. Station configuration
• Market absorption. Suburban TOD can lease or sell more gradually than urban cores. Validate demand with local comps and rent surveys, supported by community demographic data. San Dimas QuickFacts

Due diligence checklist

• Confirm parcel boundaries, ownership, and any Metro or City control.
• Download the latest Downtown Specific Plan and design standards.
• Verify Housing Element site status and affordability obligations.
• Check for easements, recorded covenants, and any station‑related access or parking conditions.
• Model absorption with current MLS comps and local rent surveys, then stress test with conservative lease‑up timing.

Getting started with local guidance

A transit investment is both a planning exercise and a neighborhood decision. You want a team that understands parcel‑level nuance, entitlements, and what will resonate with San Dimas residents and businesses. Our team advises investors across the Foothill communities, pairing on‑the‑ground insight with premium marketing and structured execution.

If you are exploring a site within the San Dimas station area, connect for a confidential consultation. We will outline viable concepts, timing, and a path to approvals tailored to your goals. Start the conversation with Maureen Haney.

FAQs

Is the San Dimas A Line station open for riders?

• Yes. The Glendora to Pomona segment, including San Dimas, began passenger service on September 19, 2025. For current schedules, check Metro timetables.

What types of projects fit next to the station?

• The Downtown Specific Plan anticipates mixed‑use, pedestrian‑oriented development with mid‑rise scale in select areas and a preserved historic core along Bonita Avenue.

Will I be required to include affordable units in my project?

• Affordable housing expectations apply through the City’s Housing Element and state law, and they often pair with incentives that can improve feasibility.

How does station parking affect development potential?

• Park‑and‑ride areas provide rider access but can also be future opportunity sites; verify ownership and any replacement obligations before underwriting redevelopment.

Who should I contact first about a TOD proposal?

• Start with San Dimas Community Development for plan consistency and then coordinate with Metro’s TOC or Joint Development team if your site is on or next to Metro‑related property.