Design Commissioners Question Proposals That Would Reduce Public Notifications

Pasadena Design commissioners Tuesday examined proposed changes to the City’s development review process that would shift more projects to staff-level review, with Commissioner Lucinda Over raising concerns about maintaining public notification and input opportunities.

The changes, presented during a study session on zoning code amendments, would allow staff review rather than Design Commission review for residential projects of 10-20 units outside the Central District, affecting approximately 1-2 projects annually. The reforms respond to state housing legislation and local goals to streamline development processes.

“Well, for staff or director level reviews, there’s no public notification currently. But for Design Commission reviews, yes, there’s public notification. So … if we’re putting more things to staff, there would be less public review,” explained Principal Planner Kevin Johnson.

Commissioner Over voiced specific her concerns.

“The public may not know enough…. [there might not be] a forum like this for the public to actually see and make comments at the director level.”

City staff said that safeguards would remain in place, noting the public would have a 10-day period to call for Design Commission review of staff-level approvals. Projects can also be appealed to the Commission, and the public can still submit correspondence before decisions.

The changes are part of broader reforms including:

• Updating preliminary plan review processes
• Streamlining affordable housing reviews
• Modifying sign review requirements
• Removing the optional 50% advisory review
• Maintaining existing design guidelines from before 2020

Deputy Director of Planning & Community Development Jason Mikaelian said that City staff is developing new notification methods: “We’re looking at different interactive maps, really using technology to our benefit.”

The proposals will return to the Planning Commission in January or February before proceeding to City Council in spring, with implementation planned for summer.

Design guidelines established before 2020 will remain in effect, and thresholds for non-residential project reviews will not change.