Controversial Space Bank Project Gets City Extension as Environmentalists’ Lawsuit Continues

The Planning Commission unanimously approved the renewal of the Planned Development (PD) Plan for a 500-unit housing and retail project at 3200 E. Foothill Blvd., the Space Bank site formerly used for weapons testing by the Navy.

The project has caused controversy over the years by critics who claim the land beneath the site contains harmful chemicals.

The approved request renews the previous plan submitted by developer Trammell Crow with no changes.

“The Plan includes the demolition of 29 existing structures on the approximately 8.53 acre project site [currently the Space Bank mini-storage site]; and construction of eight separate residential and mixed-use buildings, subterranean and above-ground parking structures, and landscaping,” according to a city staff report. “The proposed buildings would include a total of 550 apartment units and 9,800 square feet of retail and restaurant space.”

The District 4 Predevelopment Plan was originally approved by the City Council on July 16, 2018 and became effective on August 26, 2018, per Ordinance No. 7328.

The PD Plan became effective that year, but was scheduled to expire two years from the effective date of the ordinance, unless a building permit has been issued and construction diligently pursued to completion.

The project was opposed by Councilman Gene Masuda, who represents the area where the project site is located, and Councilmember Tyron Hampton and then Councilmember, Now Mayor, Victor Gordo.

On March 30, 2020, the City Council authorized the City Manager to suspend the time limit due to the pandemic, and allowed an automatic 24- month extension to the expiration time limits of a PD Plan. As established by the 24-month extension under the City Council resolution, the project’s expiration date was extended to August 26, 2022.

The request would renew the plan for two additional years and move the expiration date to August 26, 2024.

Trammel Crow asked for the extension of the PD Plan to 2024 due to pending legal action against the project related to the project’s Removal Action Workplan.

The litigation has resulted in delay of building permit submission. The litigation will not be resolved for some time after the August 26, 2022 expiration date, as per staff report.

Pasadena environmentalists have filed an appeal in federal court to earlier litigation in an effort to block the project’s construction. If the appellate court rules against the environmentalists, they could yet appeal to the state Supreme Court. If the Supreme Court declines to hear the case, the appellate court ruling would stand.

“We’re extremely excited about developing this oustanding development that will provide a lot of housing for the city of Pasadena but unfortunately we’ve been caught up in a CEQA litigation,” said project applicant representative Bradley Cox.

Members of the public who spoke at the meeting expressed support for the housing project.

“I’m really happy that we focus on affordable housing and I think this is truly, truly, urgently needed and no time should be wasted,” public commenter Margaret Wong said.

“The planned development previously approved on the Space Bank property will increase local property values, it will create hundreds of jobs,” said Bill Ukropina. “Most importantly, it will create 69 affordable housing units that we desperately need.”

“I think it’s a pretty good project. I do believe they deserve an extension,” said Commissioner Andrea Rawlings before making a motion.