[Updated] The Planning Commission on Wednesday conducted a study session on the potential Zoning Code amendments to attract new and retain existing life science facilities in Pasadena.
The potential amendments presented by City staff include simplifying the definitions for “Research and Development” (R&D) land uses to remove the distinction between office and non-office and modernize the definition to include current R&D uses.
“In our code right now we have research and development as the use and we have the distinction as office and non-office,” said Jennifer Paige, Director of the Pasadena Planning & Community Development Department. “We’re looking at possibly coming up with a new definition. It might be life science, it might be just research and development that does not have a distinction between office and nonoffice.”
The City staff has also raised the possibility of amending the Zoning Code to increase allowable rooftop area for equipment; exempt certain areas from floor area ratio requirements; reduce open space requirements, and allow the conversion of existing office space to life science use.
Stakeholders expressed support for the proposed amendments.
“Companies want to grow and stay here and they are looking to places like Pasadena where there is already a concentration of the industry and the employers can offer access to good schools, housing and transportation,” Casey O’Neil, Program Manage for Biocom California’s Greater LA Region said. “This package of policies aimed at attracting and retaining life science in Pasadena will send a message to our industry that this City is a welcoming place for all operations. It also sets Pasadena apart as a place that can act nimbly to progress its policies with our ever-advancing companies.”
“We really support some Zoning changes that would facilitate the development of additional life science organizations within Pasadena,” Deborah Ferrington, Chief Scientific Officer at Doheny Eye Institute said. “I think Doheny Eye Institute is an example of how you can transform a beautiful office building such as the Avery Dennison building into a laboratory space, a vivarium, and also in a future clinical space for our ophthalmologist.”
Terray Therapeutics CEO Jacob Berlin also expressed support for the potential Zoning Code changes, saying he has intentions to return to Pasadena.
“I got my PhD at Caltech over 15 years ago and love Pasadena. My company was there for the first 4 years but we moved to Monrovia this year as we grew to be 80+ people and needed more space, particularly chemistry workspace,” Berlin’s letter to the commission read. “Someday, we’d love to return to Pasadena if it makes sense and the biggest need is new life science space.”
The majority of the members of the Planning Commission support the potential amendments raised by staff.
“The definition [of research and development] right now is very broad,” said Commissioner Julianna Delgado. “To my mind, the definition distinguishes office and lab and I would advocate getting rid of that distinction because it does not make any sense.”
“I’m curious as to why there was a distinction in the first place with respect to office, non-office. It seems we have a consensus. That should be eliminated,” said Commissioner Steven Olivas.
“I am fully supportive of the many of the asks here in the report,” said Commissioner Lambert Giessinger.
The City staff will draft a zoning code amendment and return to the Planning Commission at a future meeting for a public hearing and recommendation to the members of the City Council, who will ultimately make the final decision on the ordinance.
Pasadena is home to life science institutions such as Pasadena City College, Caltech, Foothill Workforce Development Board, and The Pasadena Bio Collaborative.
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