The Pasadena Planning Commission will consider extensive amendments to the city’s zoning code when it meets Wednesday evening.
These changes target development review processes, signs, temporary uses and housing regulations.
The proposals follow two years of zoning updates focused on encouraging housing development and improving review processes.
The most significant change would make predevelopment plan reviews optional for new multifamily projects with 10 or more units.
The Planning Department, in a report for Wednesday’s meeting, says it found that requiring these preliminary reviews for residential projects does not always provide benefits to applicants.
“Residential projects already go through the Preliminary Consultation process,” the report states.
Making two preliminary reviews “becomes duplicative for applicants,” it added.
The amendments would also raise thresholds for Design Commission review.
New multifamily projects requiring commission review would increase from 10 units to 20 units.
This aims to reduce meeting time for smaller projects and streamline the review process.
For major building rehabilitations, the threshold for Design Commission review would increase to 25,000 square feet in the Pasadena Central District.
Outside the Central District, the threshold would rise to 50,000 square feet.
Sign regulations would be updated to provide better clarity and streamline certain review processes.
The Planning Director would become the review authority for sign exceptions, replacing the current Hearing Officer process.
Assembly Bill 1308 prohibits cities from requiring additional parking for single-family home additions.
Assembly Bill 2632 requires cities to allow thrift stores as permitted uses wherever retail sales are allowed.
The accessory dwelling unit ordinance needs updates following comments from the California Department of Housing and Community Development, the report said.
The state agency identified six areas where Pasadena’s current accessory dwelling unit rules do not comply with state law.
Parking requirements would be expanded citywide to two spaces per 1,000 square feet for most office, retail, restaurant and service uses.
Currently, parking standards vary between specific plan areas and other commercial zones.
The amendments also address temporary uses, animal grooming facilities and various definitions in the zoning code.
Planning Director Jennifer Paige is recommending approval of the amendments to Title 17 of the Pasadena Municipal Code.
City staff incorporated feedback from Planning Commission and Design Commission study sessions held in October and December.
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