City Council to Consider Time Limit Extension on YWCA Building Renovation Conditional Use Permit

The Pasadena City Council on Monday will consider granting a time extension for a conditional use permit (CUP) for rehabilitation of the famed Julia Morgan YWCA building.

Developers plan to turn the nearly 100-year-old structure, designed by Morgan, California’s first licensed female architect, into a two-to-six-story, 91,000 square-foot building for use as a hotel at 78 N. Marengo Ave., 155 E, Union St., and 95 N. Garfield Ave.

The CUP dates back to Aug. 16, 2016, when the City Council approved a series of zoning entitlements for a hotel building, which included rehabilitation of the original building. 

Approvals required by the city zoning code on properties in districts outside single-family residential zones are valid for an initial period of three years unless an extension is granted.

On Sept. 22, developers conducted a virtual presentation of their proposed developments for the site. On Nov. 23, the council directed staff to enter into exclusive negotiations with HAI Properties, LLC, for a new development on the site, which would include substantial renovation of the YWCA building and construction of a separate, adjacent building for use as a 179-room hotel (14 rooms in the YWCA building and 165 in the proposed new building).

“In light of these actions, it is likely that the proposed project would utilize some or all of the previously approved entitlements, with modifications that may be necessary to reflect the specifics of the new proposal. As such, it is in the city’s best interest to extend the entitlements’ time limit to accommodate the entitlement process for the project, which may include such applications as changes to an approved project to modify these entitlements in accordance with the new proposal, as well as design review,” according to a city staff report. 

The city acquired the building through eminent domain 10 years ago and is seeking an injunction against the former owner of the famous but neglected structure.

According to that lawsuit, the city is asking for “issuance of a temporary restraining order, preliminary injunction, and permanent injunction restraining and enjoining defendants from interfering with city’s attempts to pursue an ENA [exclusive negotiating agreement], lease and development agreement with potential developers in regard to the YWCA Building.”

Angela Chen-Sabella, who owns Trove Investment Co., contends the city must sell the building back to her on claims that the city has not put the structure into use since it acquired the building.

“As a result of the wrongful conduct of the defendants, and each of them and because real property is unique, an injunction is therefore necessary to allow the city to continue its efforts to pursue an ENA, lease and development agreement with potential developers in regards to the YWCA building,” the lawsuit states.

According to section 1245.245 of the code of civil procedure, seized property is to be offered back to the original owner if it is not put to its public use – or the taking is not reauthorized – within 10 years.

The city is suing for quiet title and declaratory and injunctive relief. Pasadena Now was unable to contact Chen-Sabella or Trove Investments.

The city is also asking for a declaration that the city used the property for a public use stated in the resolution within 10 years of its adoption, and/or that Trove waived its right of first refusal to repurchase it.

The city originally claimed it was seizing the building for historic preservation, but attorneys contested that claim in 2010.

According to the lawsuit, the city has spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on studies, rehabilitation and preservation of the building.

Chen-Sabella acquired the building in 1996 for less than $2 million. She was forced to sell it to the city in 2010 for $8.3 million.

According to reports, Chen-Sabella is the daughter of Din-Hwa Chen, a Hong Kong billionaire and philanthropist who died in 2012.