The luxury auto dealer is a family-owned, 61-year-old business that operates a number of dealerships in Old Pasadena.
During its meeting on Wednesday, July 18, the Planning Commission unanimously voted to postpone a decision on the list of city staff recommendations that in effect would allow the construction of a new Porsche dealership at the site and the demolition of commercial buildings and surface parking.
The move would also pave the way for the city’s vacation of Nina Street and its incorporation into the project site.
Significantly, Pasadena Heritage asked the commission to reject the requested entitlements, saying the former Swanson and Peterson Furniture Factory building, which would be demolished under the plan, should be determined an eligible landmark and be preserved.
According to Pasadena Heritage, the factory is an eligible historic resource and is the best example of an industrial-daylight factory in Pasadena.
“A successful project on this site would preserve the factory and better engage the Colorado Boulevard street frontage, in conformance with Specific Plans.”
“We understand the need for a new modern car dealership, and think it can be accomplished, but we find the current proposal in conflict with many of Pasadena’s planning objectives,” Pasadena Heritage said.
Some members of the public sent messages and attended the virtual meeting to voice their opposition to the project. The concerns are mostly related to the possible noise impact of the project to nearby neighborhoods, possible congestion and traffic issues, among others.
“Rusnak clearly has the funds to pay for a big dealership and the city will clearly favor them because of the tax revenue their business will generate, not to mention that big fish like them always seem to be able to get things done in their favor with cities, but it’s not right,” Marina Baktis who owns a business near the site said.
“We already have Home Depot, LOLM church and Super 8 motel causing major congestion and traffic issues, we don’t need one more business to kill ours,” she added.
Members of the commission likewise expressed the need to amend Rusnak’s plan.
“I’m certainly concerned about this project. It doesn’t look like a Pasadena project to me. I know that that requires definition but I think we can get there,” said Commissioner Lambert Giessinger.
“I would say that the analysis and research that the team did would really point to the fact that the Peterson Furniture Factory is actually an excellent and a rare example of a daylight factory. Preserving that building actually helps ground this project to the neighborhood,” Giessinger added.
“If there’s no other building like this in Pasadena then this building should be preserved,” said Commissioner Carol Hunt Hernandez, referring to the former Swanson and Peterson Furniture Factory.
Commissioner Julianna Delgado expressed concerns as to the size of the building.
“It’s the size of a small Walmart. They need 60,000 square feet to sell luxury cars?”
“I have no problem with the vacation if we’re going to get something from it but I think we need to ask, aside from sales tax which really isn’t our concern, what are we getting from this building?” Delgado added.
The commissioners gave Rusnak 60 days to amend its plans in response to comments of commissioners from the Planning Commission, the Design Commission and members of the community.
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