Pasadena City Council To Consider Appeal Of Private Event Venue Permit At Historic Maxwell House

The Pasadena City Council will review an appeal challenging the Board of Zoning Appeals’ 4-1 decision to approve a Conditional Use Permit that would allow up to 21 private events annually at the historic Maxwell House, following years of unauthorized event operations at the site.

Located in a residential neighborhood at 55 S. Grand Ave., neighbors are appealing a decision by the Board of Zoning Appeals to uphold the CPU.

The appeal means the City Council will make the final decision on the CUP passed by the City’s Hearing Officer and upheld by the BZA in October.

The Western Justice Center, which has operated from the Maxwell House since 1989, seeks formal permission to host weddings and other private events at the property located at 55 South Grand Avenue. The 11,610-square-foot building, which includes a 2,456-square-foot basement, is part of a four-building campus owned by the City of Pasadena and leased to Western Justice Center. The nonprofit has been hosting approximately 47 events per year for the past 15 years without proper permits, according to City staff.

After receiving neighbor complaints, the City required Western Justice Center to obtain proper permits. The application process included multiple appeals, first to the Board of Zoning Appeals and now to the City Council. Nearby residents cite concerns about noise impacts and compliance with City ordinances.

Key conditions of the proposed permit include:

• Maximum of 21 events per year, down from current average of 47
• Events limited to Saturdays and Sundays between 9 a.m. and 11 p.m.
• 75% of events capped at 125 attendees; remaining events limited to 150 people
• Doors and windows must remain closed during events
• Amplified music restricted to indoor areas and must cease by 10 p.m.
• Required third-party security personnel at all events, with additional security required for events serving alcohol or exceeding 125 people
• Two outdoor patios (900 and 595 square feet) restricted to ceremonies and photography only, during three-hour periods between 1 p.m. and 6 p.m.
• Mandatory periodic monitoring by code compliance staff, with at least four unannounced inspections per year
• Western Justice Center staff must be present during all events to monitor compliance

No expansion or alteration of the building or site is proposed with the project. The events proposed would be ancillary to the existing office use, occur during a limited time period on weekends, and represent an annual reduction when compared to previous years.

The Planning Department recommends approval of the permit with conditions, noting the project is exempt from environmental review under state guidelines for existing facilities.

The West Pasadena site is surrounded by multi-family residential properties to the north and east, with the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit to the south and west.

The City Council hearing will be “de novo,” meaning the Council has authority to make an entirely different decision than previous approvals.