100% Affordable Housing Project Comes Before Design Commission

The Pasadena Design Commission was scheduled to consider an application for review of a 100% affordable residential development at 274-282 N. Oakland Ave. on Tuesday, March 9.

The project would require the demolition of four non-historic residential units and associated garage structures and construction of a six-story, 181-unit single-room occupancy (SRO) building with 25 at-grade parking spaces.  

The meeting begins at 4:30 p.m. today.

The micro-units would range from 220 to 315 square feet.

“It is good to see 274 N. Oakland up for approval at the March 9 meeting,” wrote Ferne Hayes. “I hope this 100% Affordable Housing Project will be approved without delay. When completed, the city will have 181 more units for low-income residents, possibly to help some of the unsheltered students in our city.” 

Ten percent of the units would be for low-income tenants, with the rest for moderate-income residents.

“I am a longtime Pasadena resident. This project, at 274 N. Oakland Ave., with 100% affordability, is an extraordinary opportunity for our city to increase its affordable housing. Staff is recommending approval with conditions. The project, which I understand attained the highest possible score for tax-exempt bonds and tax credits, is likely to get an award of bonds and credits in mid-April. The developer will then have six months from the award date to get the project approved and construction underway,”  said local activist Sonja Berndt.

“It is imperative that the commission approve the project on Tuesday with no delays or continuations if the developer is to meet the six-month deadline,” Berndt wrote. 

“It is my understanding that if the Design Commission does not approve the project at its meeting March 9th, the project will still go forward, but at higher income levels. We need to ensure that the developer can do the most good for the most financially disadvantaged Pasadena residents,” she wrote.

Because 10% of the units are set aside for low-income residents, the project is allowed a 20% density bonus.

The meeting can be viewed at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81584000273