Design Commission to Review Plans For Mixed-Use Structure Near Heritage Square

The Pasadena Design Commission will deliberate at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 9, on a proposal to build a new three-story, 109,006 square-foot, mixed-use building, with 70 supportive housing residential units and approximately 2,200 square feet of commercial flex space, at 710 N. Fair Oaks Ave. in Pasadena. 

The project, currently in the preliminary consultation phase of the city’s approval process, will be a companion development to the existing three-story Heritage Square Senior Apartments that are directly north of the project site. Like Heritage Square, the city of Pasadena owns the project, with Bridge Housing Corp. appointed as the project manager. 

Earlier reports said the project will be called Heritage Square South Apartments when completed. 

A report by the Department of Planning and Community Development showed all existing non-historic structures on the site will be demolished to give way to the construction. 

The project site is located in the Fair Oaks Orange Grove Specific Plan, specifically within the Limited Commercial District 3, Sub-district “a,” or the FGSP-C-3a zoning district. This sub-district is intended to build on the historical function of this area as a commercial and neighborhood center, create a pedestrian-oriented and transit-oriented district to support businesses and residential uses in the area, provide for commercial and mixed-use development along Fair Oaks Avenue to maintain compact urban character, and provide for commercial retail and office, residential, and mixed-use development at the intersection of Fair Oaks Avenue and Orange Grove Boulevard, and along Orange Grove. 

The Planning Department said there are trees on and around the site, but a tree inventory has not been submitted with the application. Staff will review if any of the trees are protected under the city’s tree protection ordinance when the project reaches the concept design review phase. 

In January, during a review of the pre-development plan for the mixed-use project, the project’s builders reaffirmed their commitment to local hiring and the use of local resources.

“We absolutely stand behind our initial commitment and ongoing commitment to upholding all the local hire, local benefit, local contracting that we committed to previously,” Ana Slaby, senior project manager with Bridge Housing Corp., told the City Council.

The Planning Department said the project site is across the street from a one-story shopping center that includes amenities such as a grocery store, restaurants and banking. North of the site is the three-story Heritage Square North Senior Apartments, to the south is a double-height CVS store with surface parking, and to the east is a two-story, mixed-use development with retail on the ground and residential above. 

Directly to the west is a nondescript one-story multi-tenant commercial building with surface parking. 

Members of the community can witness the discussion Tuesday through Zoom,  https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81584000273, or by calling (669) 900-6833 and using the webinar ID 815 8400 0273. 

To submit public comments, email them to mtakeda@cityofpasadena.net or submit through www.cityofpasadena.net/planning/public-comment.