Council Upholds Revocation of Permit Allowing Events at Former Ambassador College

The third time was not the charm for an ownership group seeking to maintain a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) that would have allowed some events, such as weddings and receptions, to continue being held inside the former Ambassador College campus in Pasadena.

After two previous cancellations of the matter, the City Council on Monday night voted unanimously to uphold the Board of Zoning Appeal’s previous decision to revoke the CUP.

A city staff report had recommended the council take the action to uphold revocation of the seven-year-old CUP, “based on the changed circumstances caused by the applicant.’’

The CUP was originally granted in 2013, when four locations within the campus grounds – the Merritt Mansion, Terrace Villa, Italian Garden and Fowler Garden – were owned by the same organization. But since then, three have been sold, and only one, Fowler Garden, is still owned by the original applicant, Pasadena Lots 70, LLC.

The CUP had also allowed for parking in nearby areas, including Maranatha High School and the Elk’s Lodge, to accommodate events.

Area residents, including those from homeowners of the Ambassador Gardens Community Corporation, had complained of a “significant nuisance” from events at Fowler Garden. They had supported the CUP revocation.

The CUP issue does not relate to Ambassador Auditorium, which continues unaffected by outcome of the hearing.

“It is staff’s determination that there are reasonable grounds for revocation,” the city’s staff report said.

“Based on the changed circumstances caused by the applicant, the findings contained in the original CUP can no longer be made in a positive manner and public health, safety, and welfare require the revocation. Furthermore, staff has determined that the use allowed by the CUP has become detrimental to public health, safety, and welfare, and the manner of operation is creating a public nuisance.”

Councilman Victor Gordo said prior to the council’s 7-0 vote on the matter that “conditional use is just that” and that he was “convinced the conditions have changed.”

While the owners had argued they should keep the CUP despite selling off pieces of the property to which it was originally granted, Gordo countered the CUP was “not a right granted in perpetuity.”

The council’s move was the final step in the city’s handling of the matter. If the owners wish to seek a further appeal, it would have to be through a lawsuit, said city spokesperson Lisa Derderian.