City Hearing Officer OKs Use Permit for Sales Office of Electric Vehicle Maker Lucid Motors in Pasadena

A city hearing officer on Wednesday approved a permit that paves the way for electric vehicle manufacturer Lucid Motors to open an Old Pasadena sales office.

According to the report of staff from the Planning and Community Development Department, the proposed Lucid Motors would be located on the first floor of a 4,386 square-foot three-story commercial building, previously occupied by fast food restaurant, Yogurtland, at 32 West Colorado Boulevard.

A Minor Use Conditional Use Permit (MCUP) is required for Vehicle Services – Sales and Leasing, limited land uses within the Old Pasadena, a subdistrict intended to maintain and reinforce the historic character of the area, and to support its long-term viability as a regional retail and entertainment attraction.

Hearing Officer Paul Novak approved the application based on city staff’s findings that the proposal is consistent with the general plan and that the establishment of Lucid Motors in the area will not be detrimental to the neighborhood.

“The new business would bolster a diverse economic base and would be a long-term economic contribution to the City and CD-1-AD-1 zoning district which encourages a full range of retail and service businesses,” the staff report stated.

The establishment is proposed to operate from Monday through Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and Sunday from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

According to the applicant Michael Vogt, the proposal includes an interior showroom displaying a maximum of two vehicles and an incidental area devoted to office space.

Within the showroom, customers would be able to discuss pricing, place vehicle orders.

Customers can also experience driving Lucid Motors’ vehicles. The six vehicles proposed to be used for the test drive component of the business would be parked in an off-site structure at the City parking structure at 33 East Green Street.

According to staff, the Department of Transportation has determined that the parking structure has sufficient capacity to accommodate the vehicles.

The hearing officer adopted the staff recommendation that the business owner shall secure parking agreements with Pasadena Parking Division prior to the issuance of any Building Permit. Novak also adopted the 30 other conditions for approval listed in the staff report.