Pasadena’s Planning Commission Will Consider Amending Zoning Codes to Address Mansionization in Pasadena’s Hillside Districts

The City of Pasadena’s Planning Commission meets on Wednesday, November 30, to act on recommendations to amend the Zoning Code to address the potential impact of mansionization in both the eastern Upper Hastings Ranch area and in the western San Rafael area, both hillside districts.

The commission will also hear recommendations to include two new projects in the city’s Capital Improvement Program for fiscal years 2017 through 2012.

The two issues are among the expected highlights on the public hearing agenda for the regular meeting which starts 6:30 p.m.

On the issue of mansionization, the City’s Planning and Community Development Department is recommending that the City Council, through the Planning Commission, approve amendments to the Hillside District regulations of the Zoning Code that govern development within the three Hillside District overlays: HD, HD-1 (Upper Hastings Ranch), and HD-SR San Rafael Area.

The amendments, according to Planning and Community Development Director David Reyes, are intended to address the majority of concerns earlier stated by residents in a series of community meetings since 2015 when the issues of mansionization was extensively discussed.

The problem of mansionization – where overly large residential dwellings were cropping up in various areas in Pasadena and elsewhere in Los Angeles County and dwarfing most other single-family residences – has been acknowledged over the past several years and communities have been trying to find a balance between private property development and community concerns about view protection, privacy, impacts of noise and lighting, and overall aesthetics in their neighborhoods.

The Planning Department is recommending that amendments to the Zoning Code that pertain to regulating basement size and location, color requirements, and the number and location of accessory structures be approved. The department is also proposing that a maximum floor area for Upper Hastings Ranch residences be standardized to be consistent with the neighborhood’s base zones.

Amending that specific section in the Zoning Code (Section 17.29) will effectively change the Hillside Development Permit process to require two forms of visual analysis – story poles and visual renderings – which are not currently required in the Code. The amendment would also require new development in the area to show how a proposed project would affect the property’s surroundings in terms of building scale, massing, orientation, setbacks, visibility, privacy and aesthetics, the Planning Department said.

To make sure a proposed development does not obstruct the natural view from neighboring residences, a property owner who intends to enlarge or remodel his residences will be required to send out a notice of application after erecting story poles (temporary structures that indicate how high a new project is envisioned to be) so that surrounding property owners are aware of the project and have an opportunity to review the plan.

About the other important item on the Planning Commission’s agenda, the Planning and Community Development Department said it is recommending that the Robinson Park Recreation Center Pool and Pool Building Renovation project, and the Jackie Robinson Center Kitchen Remodel project, be included in the Capital Improvement Program for fiscal year 2017 through 2021.

Inclusion of these projects in the CIP ensures that they are consistent with the implementation of the Pasadena General Plan and received appropriate funding until completion.

At the Robinson Park Recreation Center, the project involves a new pool design and replacement of the current pool building, to include accessible shower and restroom facilities, energy efficient lighting and water conservation measures. Planning said the park remains to be one of the most heavily used facilities in the City, serving about 400 users a day.

The project will cost approximately $300,000.

Remodeling the kitchen at the Jackie Robinson Center will cost about $115,000, with 2017 funding to initially come from Community Development Block Grant funds. Work will include installation of a new stove hood ventilation system, floor sinks, and wet-pipe fire suppression systems at the stove and hood. It will also involve replacement of existing cabinets at the kitchen, new countertops, lighting and appliances. The ceiling and walls also need to be repaired and new security access doors need to be installed.

The Planning Department said the kitchen is used as a community service area and has been supporting many community outreach programs especially in Pasadena’s northwest sector.

The Planning Commission meets every second and fourth Wednesday of the month at the City Council Chambers, Room S249 at the Pasadena City Hall.