42-Unit Apartment Complex Returns to Pasadena Design Commission After Major Redesign

A contested three-story apartment complex project on North Mentor Avenue will return to the Pasadena Design Commission on Tuesday, Nov. 25, after undergoing significant design changes to address concerns about its appearance and neighborhood fit. 

The 42-unit residential project at 555-577 North Mentor Avenue first appeared before commissioners in August. They continued the hearing, citing worries about the building’s style and scale. 

The Department of Planning and Community Development now recommends approval following extensive revisions guided by a three-member subcommittee. 

The contemporary-style building would rise on three vacant parcels totaling nearly one acre, according to plans submitted for approval. One level of subterranean parking would provide 68 spaces beneath the structure. 

Developers Home Silk Shop Inc. propose a courtyard design with a 30-foot opening to the street. The project includes affordable units and uses State Density Bonus Law to exceed standard height and length limits. 

The site sits immediately south of Mary Louise Court, a Spanish Colonial Revival bungalow court listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The 1928 landmark influenced design modifications. 

Architects simplified the building’s massing and materials in response to commission feedback. They added setbacks at the northeast corner near the historic property. The color palette shifted to warmer tones. 

The revised design eliminates projecting frames and complicated rooflines that commissioners found too busy. Smooth stucco and fiber-cement siding now dominate the exterior. 

A significant environmental trade-off remains. The project requires removing 18 protected trees, including four native specimens and 14 mature palms. Eight on-site trees would stay.

Planning staff concluded the tree removal meets city ordinance requirements. Replacement plantings must follow the Tree Protection Ordinance matrix or an approved alternative method. 

The building would include a tiled courtyard fountain and loggia-style columns as required craftsmanship elements. Final details await review if the concept wins approval. 

The Transportation Department determined the project falls below thresholds requiring traffic analysis. Environmental consultants found no significant impacts to air quality, noise or water quality. 

The site carries Medium-High Density Residential designation allowing up to 32 units per acre. Surrounding properties mix single-family homes, commercial buildings and multifamily developments of varying ages. 

The Saunders House, a designated landmark Craftsman bungalow from 1905, sits directly west across the specific plan boundary. 

City departments including Public Works, Fire and Housing reviewed the application. Their conditions are incorporated into the Planning Department recommendation. 

The Design Commission meets at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday in City Council Chambers at City Hall. The meeting is open to the public. 

If approved at the Concept Design stage, the project would return for final design review before construction could begin.