Six-Story Senior Living Complex Proposed for Lake Avenue at Walnut Street, Former Conrad’s Site

A new six-story senior living facility with 80 units is proposed for construction at the corner of Lake Avenue and Walnut Street in Pasadena, replacing an existing vacant restaurant building and parking lot.

The Pasadena Hearing Officer will consider the project, proposed by HSB Pasadena LLC, at its meeting Wednesday, November 20 at 6:00 p.m.

The proposed 83,105-square-foot facility would include 50 assisted living units and 30 memory care units. The memory care section would be separate from the rest of the building with its own dining area, activity space and courtyard. According to staff reports, memory care residents would only be allowed to leave the facility when accompanied by caregivers or support staff.

The project requires several approvals, including a conditional use permit to establish the residential care facility and permissions for both tandem and valet parking arrangements in the planned underground parking garage. The developer is also seeking approval to combine three existing parcels into one and remove two mature fig trees from the property.

The facility would provide 43 parking spaces in one subterranean level, with a ground floor passenger drop-off area for valet services. Plans include over 12,000 square feet of common and publicly accessible open space, including courtyards along both street frontages.

Residents would have access to various services including three meals daily, weekly housekeeping, linen service, utilities, valet parking, a nurse call system and 24/7 staff support.

The project site is currently occupied by a vacant 5,755-square-foot single-story restaurant building and surface parking lot at 861 East Walnut Street. The property is zoned for mixed-use development and surrounded by a mix of residential and commercial uses including restaurants, retail, offices and multi-family housing.

A parking analysis conducted for the project determined that 40 spaces would be adequate based on expected usage patterns. Staff reports indicate that most memory care residents would not drive, and only about 25% of assisted living residents are expected to have personal vehicles.

The development would require some street dedications to widen sidewalks along both Lake Avenue and Walnut Street frontages, supporting the pedestrian-oriented goals for the area.

The public hearing will be held in the Permit Center Hearing Room at 175 North Garfield Avenue. Community members can attend in person or view the meeting through the city website at www.cityofpasadena.net/commissions/hearing-officer/.

Those wishing to comment can do so in person at the hearing or submit written comments ahead of time. To request meeting materials in alternative formats or other disability-related modifications, contact the Planning and Community Development Department at (626) 744-7479 or amartinez@cityofpasadena.net at least 72 hours in advance.