The City Council Dark for Two Weeks, Will Reconvene in July

The City Council will get a much needed summer break over the next two weeks.

There are no meetings scheduled until July 11.

When the council reconvenes it is scheduled to continue its public hearing on a zoning code amendment that will allow the affordable housing on religious facilities.

Since last year, the city has been discussing the use of church properties for affordable housing to help the city mitigate an affordable housing crisis that has not only rocked Pasadena but the state.

The Planning Commission voted 7-2 in April to recommend the amendments to the City Council.

The amendment allows a maximum of 75 dwelling units “by right,” but requires a Minor Conditional Use Permit for projects that will exceed the threshold.

“By right” projects are only subject to a review by the Design Commission — no hearing officer or Planning Commission bearings are required for a Conditional Use Permit or other discretionary entitlement.

In previous public hearings, some members of the Planning Commission recommended allowing affordable housing not just on church property but on property held by institutional facilities, such as schools and nonprofit facilities, but the final proposal that was voted upon by the commission recommended allowing affordable housing only on religious sites as a pilot program.

The City Council will also continue the public hearing on the South Fair Oaks Specific Plan update.