Pasadena Board of Zoning Appeals to Consider Conditional Use Permit for Maxwell House Events

The Board of Zoning Appeals is set to review a Conditional Use Permit that would allow the Western Justice Center (WJC) to host up to 28 special events annually at the historic Maxwell House, located at 55 South Grand Ave. The hearing follows an earlier approval by the Hearing Officer Paul Novak in June, which was subsequently appealed by local residents.

The proposed permit would enable the WJC, a nonprofit organization focused on alternative conflict resolution, to use the building for private events such as weddings and celebrations, which would occur exclusively on weekends.

The events are expected to generate revenue that would help support the organization’s mission and maintain the historic campus.

Nearby residents claim that the weddings would be a nuisance due to noise impacts.

However, the CUP includes conditions of approval which limit the number of events to no more than 28 events per year in Calendar Year 2025 and thereafter, prohibit events on consecutive weekends, establish a schedule/parameters for the hosting of events, proscribe hours for events, limit the hours of amplified music and microphones, and require the applicant to keep the site, street, sidewalk, and immediate vicinity clean of trash and debris.

“From my perspective, these and other conditions will ensure that the wedding event schedule does not negatively impact adjacent and nearby residents,” Novak wrote in a memo to the BZA ahead of Thursday’s meeting.

The Maxwell House, built in 1929, has a storied past, having served various functions from a residential bungalow to an army hospital during World War II.

The WJC intends to enhance its primary use as administrative offices while also preserving the building’s historical integrity. The proposed events would be confined to specific areas within the house, including the foyer and conference room, and would take place between 9 a.m. and 11 p.m.

Public sentiment surrounding the permit has been mixed. At the initial public hearing, staff received six comments prior to the meeting, with five supporting the project. However, the appeal, filed by Anita Yagjian and others, raises concerns primarily from nearby residents who are worried about potential noise and disruption.

The Board of Zoning Appeals previously scheduled the discussion for August 22 but opted to continue the hearing, allowing further examination of the issues raised in the appeals. Staff continues to recommend upholding the hearing officer’s decision based on prior analyses and conditions of approval.