Design Commission to Review Draft of East Pasadena Specific Plan

Pasadena’s Design Commission on Tuesday will conduct an advisory review of the East Pasadena Specific Plan, specifically the draft design, development standards and guidelines to be enforced, as part of the third round of a community engagement process.

The commission meets virtually in a special session at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday.

According to the agenda, feedback received from this advisory review will help the Department of Planning and Community Development in the preparation of the plans that will be presented later to the Planning Commission and City Council.

Under the city’s Our Pasadena program initiated in 2018, the Planning Department is required to update the specific plans for Pasadena’s eight specific plan areas in order to implement a number of goals within the General Plan.

Specifically on urban design, these goals are intended to achieve a built-environment that evolves while maintaining Pasadena’s unique sense of place, character, and the urban fabric; to encourage an architecturally distinguished city with a diversity of building styles; to further contribute to a safe, well-designed, accessible city with a diversity of uses and forms that are walkable, cohesive, and unique; and to encourage new development that contributes to pedestrian vitality and facilitates bicycle use within specific plan areas.

Since its launch, the Our Pasadena program has encouraged a growing number of community members to engage in the process by viewing the program website, www.OurPasadena.org, signing up for email updates, following Our Pasadena on social media, participating in a pop-up event or youth activity, and attending plan-area workshops or participating in virtual open houses.

Round 1 and 2 of the Specific Plan area workshops were held in open public sessions in 2018 and 2019, but Round 3 had to be conducted virtually because of the pandemic, as were all open houses, webinars and commission discussions since last year related to the specific plans.

On Tuesday, the Planning Commission continues Round 3 of the community engagement process for the East Pasadena Specific Plan. During this phase, the program team will present a draft of the development and design standards for the plan, which can be viewed through ourpasadena.consultation.ai/eastpasadena.

Members of the community are encouraged to take part in the consultation process and access the Design Commission meeting on Tuesday through https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83350438411 or by calling (669) 900-6833 and using the webinar ID 833 5043 8411.

Public comment may be submitted by email to mtakeda@cityofpasadena.net before Tuesday, or through www.cityofpasadene.net/planning/public-comment.