Planning Commissioners Sour on Large Development Plans for Site of George L. Throop Company, Defer Decision

Pasadena’s Planning Commission deferred any decision for a Planned Development (PD) District to facilitate the building of a large mixed-use development on two adjacent parcels on North Fair Oaks Avenue, but not before airing criticisms.

The plans for the 213,826 square-foot were submitted by  Summerhill Apartment Communities Investments, LLC,

During its meeting on Wednesday, August 10 the commission voted on a 30-day continuance. 

The commission also agreed to the creation of a subcommittee that will work with staff and the applicant to incorporate all the recommendations of the Design Commission and the Planning Commission and make recommendations on whether or not to approve or deny the application for a PD. 

The development, planned at 444 North Fair Oaks Avenue and 425 North Raymond Avenue, would consist of 206 multi-family dwelling units and 3,000 square feet of commercial space.

Development on the first parcel on North Fair Oaks Avenue will include residential units, an internal courtyard with a pool and spa and a fitness room while development on the second parcel on North Raymond Avenue would consist of seven townhouse units in a two- to three-story building.

The developments proposed on the first parcel would replace George L. Throop Company, which supplied lumber and building materials throughout the city while developments planned for the second parcel would replace a three-story multi-family residence built in 1947. 

The commissioners unanimously voted for a continuance after they expressed concerns as to the project’s height, massing and density, among others.

At the public hearing, Commissioner Julianna Delgado also pointed out the Design Commission’s recommendation for the Planning Commission and the City Council to approve the application based on the finding that the proposed architectural design of the PD is contextual and of high quality is “flawed.” 

“If you take a look at the plans, what you see is what you are basically going to get. There is nothing that says Pasadena about these plans, there is nothing that pays any kind of respect to any of the historic districts, there is nothing that says we want Fair Oaks Avenue to be lively, pedestrian-oriented, walkable. There is nothing in those plans and the applicant did not budge on that. Their concept is whatever their concept is and they are not working with anybody to change that except in very small tweaks,” Delgado said. 

“A big thumbs down for me when it comes to this project,” added Delgado. 

“I think what is very crucial for me is the uniqueness of this particular neighborhood. Every structure in that neighborhood has a story,” Commissioner Mic Hansen remarked. 

“There are treasures in that neighborhood and I think what I want not to forget is the respect we must have of what is there and how we can work with what is there to come up with a potentially very viable, vibrant and compatible plan that needs to be integrated into that area. That’s what I did not see happening,” she added. 

Before ending the discussion with a vote, the commissioners decided to schedule the meeting to discuss the sub committee’s upcoming recommendations regarding the PD application on September 14.