Church Seeks Approval to Open in Residential Neighborhood

A Christian congregation wants to transform a commercial building into a house of worship in a residential area in Pasadena.

The Church in Pasadena is seeking city approval to operate a religious facility at 463 Martelo Avenue in Council District 2. The Hearing Officer will consider the request Wednesday, Nov. 5, 6 p.m. in City Hall.

The proposal involves a 3,625-square-foot building at the corner of East Villa Street and Martelo Avenue. The applicant, Anthony Tam, represents the church in the permit process.

The building sits in a multi-family residential zone. Single-family homes and apartments surround the property on three sides. A commercial use borders it to the west.

The Department of Planning and Community Development recommends approval with conditions. The church would operate daily from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.

According to the application, the facility would host worship meetings, prayer services and testimonials. Sunday school for children would run during services. Religious education and ministry training would serve as accessory activities.

A 949-square-foot seating area would anchor the interior. The building would also contain a children’s room, storage, kitchen, office and restrooms.

The project includes an interior remodel that reduces the building to 3,540 square feet. Exterior doors would open to the north and south. No other changes to the structure are planned.

A parking lot south of the building would provide 19 spaces. That meets zoning requirements. Workers would repave and restripe the lot.

New block walls would line the south and east property lines. The walls would screen the parking lot from neighboring homes.

The church would abandon an existing driveway entrance from East Villa Street. Access would come solely from Martelo Avenue.

City planners say the use fits residential area policies. The General Plan supports religious facilities that enrich residents’ lives.

Planning staff added conditions to protect nearby homes. All activities must occur indoors. Exterior doors must stay closed during services.

The facility must comply with city noise restrictions, the Planning Department said. Any expansion would require permit modification.

The Planning Department said other city departments have reviewed the application, with Building and Safety, Transportation, Fire, Public Works, Water and Power, and Police all weighing in.

The Design and Historic Preservation Section flagged one issue in that the building is more than 45 years old. Creating a new street-facing opening would require a historic evaluation, it said.

If the building proves historically significant, a Certificate of Appropriateness would be needed. That would come before any building permits issue.

The public hearing takes place in the Grand Conference Room, S038, in the City Hall basement.