South Pasadena Unified School District Holds Scoping Meeting Tuesday for ‘Mission Project’

If all goes according to plan, completion of a mixed-used development inside the parking lot of the South Pasadena Unified School District is still about three years away, according to Superintendent Geoff Yantz.

Community members will get an opportunity to weigh in on the project on Tuesday, July 21, during a 6 p.m. scoping meeting at district headquarters, 1020 El Centro St., in the school board meeting room.

A presentation by the developer, Legacy Partners, will be made regarding the 91-unit residential project, also calling for a series of storefronts along Mission Street, filling as a long-awaited gap in what many refer to the “missing tooth.” Currently, a 6-foot wall along Mission Street hides the district parking lot for one long block from Fairview to Diamond avenues. Underground parking will also be found in the center of the project.

The scoping meeting is a required step as part of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), and held prior to an Environmental Impact Report. Yantz explained that an initial study on the project was completed by the developers earlier this year. Although the study does not require it, Legacy Partners will pay roughly $140,000 for a full-blown EIR. An initial study leading up to next week’s scoping meeting focused on noise, traffic, and other elements, including potential archeological findings, and a variety of other issues.

The environmental consultants for the project, Michael Baker International and headed by John Bellas, have been brought in to complete the CEQA process.

“They’re willing to pay for it and the funds (for the EIR) and it will not come out of the school district,” emphasized Yantz, pleased that the school district will not be faced with the hefty bill.

Residents will be given an opportunity to make public comment during Tuesday’s scoping meeting.

“This is an important meeting for the public to get involved in the process,” explained Yantz. “It’s an important next step in the CEQA process, which will take at least a year, perhaps a year and a half.”

Construction of the project is expected to take about year and a half on top of that,” explained the Yantz, making it approximately three years before the one and two bedroom apartments become available to the public.

The project is designed to become a revenue stream for the South Pasadena Unified School District, generating roughly $375,000 annually and increasing over the years based on the agreement between the developer and SPUSD officials.

Through rental of its parking lot for movie productions and commercials shot in town, the school district receives approximately $100,000 to $150,000 yearly to offset expenses, said Yantz.