Staff from the Department of Planning and Community Development will hold a study session Wednesday with the Planning Commission to discuss potential policy and process changes for planned developments in the City.
The study session is part of Wednesday’s Planning Commission meeting which begins at 6:30 p.m. and is accessible online to members of the community. No decisions are expected to be made about the planned changes during the session.
In earlier meetings of the Planning Commission, some members have raised concerns about planned developments (PDs) in the City and about the ability for projects approved with a PD to deviate substantially from Zoning Code requirements.
As of June 14, the Planning Department has listed a total of 35 planned developments throughout Pasadena.
Last May, the Planning Department presented an overview of the Planned Development process in the City’s Zoning Code and updated the Commission on the PD applications that the City is currently processing. The Commission asked the Planning Department to return with potential code amendments that could be made to the PD regulations.
According to a preliminary report for Wednesday’s meeting, planned developments are grouped into PD zoning districts that are intended for sites where an applicant proposes and the City desires to achieve a particular mix of uses, appearance, land use compatibility, or special sensitivity to neighborhood character.
A PD district is established so as to set up a procedure for the development of large parcels of land, generally from a minimum of two acres, in order to reduce or eliminate delays and inequities that otherwise would result from application of land use regulations and administrative procedures designed primarily for small parcels, the report said. It is also supposed to ensure orderly and thorough planning and review procedures that will result in quality urban design, and to encourage variety and avoid monotony in large developments by allowing greater freedom in selecting the means to provide access, light, open space, and amenity.
The rezoning of a site to the PD district requires simultaneous approval of a PD Plan which should prescribe development standards and conditionally allow uses in the PD.
The creation of a PD is a legislative action by the Pasadena City Council.
To access Wednesday’s Planning Commission meeting, go to https://us02web.zoom.us/j/
Public comment may be submitted by email to tvarsh@cityofpasadena.net before Wednesday, or through https://www.cityofpasadena.