Pasadena Design Commission to Review Objective Standards for High-Density Housing

Pasadena’s Department of Planning and Community Development will discuss new objective design standards for high-density residential projects during a study session on Tuesday at a meeting of the Design Commission. The study session comes in response to recent state legislation that has significantly impacted local control over housing development.

Explaining the background for the session, the Planning Department said Senate Bill 330, enacted in 2019, mandates that cities can only enforce objective design standards for multi-family and mixed-use projects established before Jan. 1, 2020. The law defines “objective” as criteria that involve no personal judgment by officials and are uniformly verifiable.

In response, the Pasadena City Council earlier directed the Planning Department to develop new objective design standards for high-density residential and mixed-use projects exceeding 48 dwelling units per acre. These standards should aim to address design and aesthetics while complying with state requirements. 

In the memorandum, the Planning Department said the proposed standards will build upon existing regulations, including the “City of Gardens” standards established in 1989 for projects up to 48 dwelling units per acre. They will also complement the Design Guidelines for Neighborhood Commercial and Multifamily Residential Districts adopted in 2009, which still apply to projects above 48 dwelling units per acre.

The new standards will create criteria specific to high-density developments, distinguishing between buildings on “major corridors” and “neighborhood streets,” and establishing associated building typologies for each street type. They will also augment development standards in recently updated Specific Plans for Lincoln Avenue, East Colorado, South Fair Oaks, and Central District areas.

The memorandum from the Planning Department said changes in State Density Bonus Law now require cities to allow maximum densities specified in their General Plan, Zoning Code, or Specific Plans when calculating density bonuses. This has led to permitted densities of up to 87 units per acre, with potential bonuses of up to 80 percent in many areas of Pasadena.

The Planning Department said the city has retained Moule and Polyzoides, a local firm with international expertise in architecture and urban design, to assist in developing these standards. The firm has previously authored several of Pasadena’s existing design guidelines and has extensive knowledge of the city’s neighborhoods and code requirements.

At the upcoming meeting, commissioners will review sample standards grouped into themes such as garden spaces, public realm definition, building mass shaping, and environmental responsiveness. Special conditions for large sites and historic districts are also under consideration.

The Design Commission’s feedback will inform the ongoing development of these standards. 

Following the Design Commission’s input, Planning Department staff will refine the draft standards and submit them for legal review to ensure compliance with state law. The Planning Commission will then hold a public hearing to make recommendations to the City Council, which will ultimately consider the standards for adoption.

Tuesday’s meeting of the Design Commission is open to the public and begins at 6:30 p.m. in the City Council Chamber, Room S249 at City Hall.