Pasadena’s Department of Planning and Community Development will deliver a presentation before the Planning Commission on Wednesday, Feb. 23, about a large planned development encompassing 465 through 577 South Arroyo Parkway.
A proposed project on that site would demolish six of nine existing buildings there and build two new buildings: a seven-story medical office building with ground-floor commercial uses and a seven-story assisted-living building with assisted living uses and independent living uses, including up to 95 senior housing units.
Called the Affinity Project, the planned development encompasses a 3.3-acre site that consists of five existing parcels bound by East Bellevue Drive on the north, South Arroyo Parkway on the east, East California Blvd. on the south, and the Metro Gold (L) Line on the west.
As described in the Planning and Community Development Department’s report, the planned development would retain the Whole Foods Market outlet 465 South Arroyo Parkway and an associated 275-space subterranean parking structure, and two historic structures at 501 and 523 South Arroyo Parkway.
The proposal requires reclassification of the project site from CD-6 (Central District Specific Plan, Arroyo Corridor/Fair Oaks subdistrict) to a PD (Planned Development) zoning district, and the adoption of a PD Plan, which should establish the applicable land use and development requirements.
A draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR) related to the project was prepared to identify the potential environmental effects associated with the project. The draft, posted on the CEQA website at
https://ceqanet.opr.ca.gov/
is available for comment through March 3. Among the potentially significant environmental impacts listed in the draft relate to Cultural Resources, Noise, and Tribal Cultural Resources.
The Planning Commission at this time is only being asked to comment on the Draft EIR and associated environmental matters. A formal recommendation from the Planning Commission is expected at a later date.
Members of the public may access the deliberations at the Planning Commission meeting on Wednesday through https://us02web.zoom.us/j/
Public comments may be sent by email to htam@cityofpasadena.net, although live comments may also be entertained during the virtual meeting. The meeting begins at 6:30 p.m.