Pasadena Design Commission to Review Mixed-Use Developments

The Pasadena Design Commission will consider approval of two significant mixed-use developments that could add 58 new residential units to the city’s housing stock at its meeting this Tuesday, March 25.

Leading the agenda is a consolidated design review for a new mixed-use building at 130-140 N. Fair Oaks Avenue in Council District 3. The project, submitted by Ten Rung Properties LLC and designed by Steven Chen of TAG Design Works, features ground-floor commercial space, 38 residential units, and at-grade and podium parking.

According to city staff reports, the Fair Oaks project was previously granted a Categorical Exemption from environmental review in January 2018 during its concept design phase. Staff is now recommending approval of the consolidated design review, subject to conditions that will be reviewed prior to the issuance of a building permit.

Also up for consideration is a concept design review for a project at 2771 E. Foothill Boulevard in Council District 4. Developer Tom Christopoulos of Speed Shop Holdings, LLC proposes demolishing two existing buildings to construct a new three-to-four-story, 34,357-square-foot mixed-use development. The project would include 4,318 square feet of ground floor commercial space and 20 residential units with both at-grade and subterranean parking.

City staff has determined the Foothill Boulevard project application for Concept Design Review is exempt from environmental review pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act guidelines as a Class 32 Infill Development Project. If approved at the concept stage, the project would return to the commission for final design review at a later date.

The Design Commission meeting will be held in the Pasadena City Council Chamber, Room S249 at City Hall (100 N. Garfield Ave.) on Tuesday, March 25 at 6:30 p.m. Residents may attend in person or participate virtually through the city’s online platform.

Those wishing to provide public comment must submit a speaker card prior to the start of public comment on the relevant item. Speaker cards can be submitted online at www.cityofpasadena.net/planning/public-comment or in person at the meeting. Public comments are limited to three minutes per speaker, though the Chair may limit this time if reasonable under the circumstances. Anyone needing assistance completing a speaker card can contact the help line at mtakeda@cityofpasadena.net.

Members of the public may also submit correspondence of any length prior to the start of the meeting via email at commentsDC@cityofpasadena.net. All correspondence will be forwarded to the Design Commission, posted online, and made part of the legislative record for the item.

Virtual participation is available by connecting to cityofpasadena.net/cczoom or by telephone at 1-669-900-6833 with Meeting ID 161 482 446. For those unable to attend, a livestream with captioning will be available at www.pasadenamedia.org and www.cityofpasadena.net/commissions/agendas.

Individuals requiring disability-related modifications or accommodations to participate in the meeting should contact the Planning & Community Development Department at (626) 744-7135 or mtakeda@cityofpasadena.net at least 72 hours in advance. Language translation services are also available with 72-hour advance notice by calling the same number.

The meeting will also include reports from various committees including Urban Forestry Advisory, Historic Preservation, Planning, Transportation Advisory, and Arts & Culture commissions. The Design Commission typically meets on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month. Complete meeting materials are available for public review on the city website at https://www.cityofpasadena.net/commissions/design-commission/.