City Council

13. APPROVE AMENDMENTS TO TITLE 17 (ZONING CODE) OF THE PASADENA MUNICIPAL CODE AND THE CITY’S SPECIFIC PLANS\nFOR PREDEVELOPMENT PLAN REVIEWS (PPRs), DESIGN REVIEW,\nSIGNS AND AWNINGS, OUTDOOR AND TEMPORARY USES, ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS (ADUs), PARKING AND TRANSITORIENTED DEVELOPMENTS (TODs), IMPLEMENTATION OF NEW STATE\nLEGISLATION, AND OTHER MISCELLANEOUS UPDATES (Planning Dept.)\nRecommendation: It is recommended that the City Council:\n(1)\nFind that the Zoning Code and Specific Plan Amendments are exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)\npursuant to State CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3), the “Common Sense” exemption that\nCEQA applies only to projects which have the potential for causing a significant effect on the environment. Where it can be seen with certainty\nthat there is no possibility that the activity in question may have a significant effect on the\nenvironment, the activity is not subject to CEQA;\n(2)\nAdopt the Findings for the Zoning Code and Specific Plan Amendments in Attachment A of the agenda report;\n(3)\nApprove the Zoning Code and Specific Plan Amendments as outlined in the agenda report and in Attachment B of the agenda report;\nand\n(4)\nDirect the City Attorney to prepare an ordinance for the Zoning Code and Specific Plan Amendments within 120 days consistent with\nthe provisions set forth in the agenda report and in Attachment B of the agenda report.\nRecommendation of the Planning Commission: On August 27, 2025, the Planning Commission voted to recommend the City Council approve\nthe proposed Zoning Code and Specific Plan Amendments as recommended by\nstaff, with the following changes:\n(1) Design Review – For new multifamily projects, maintain the existing threshold of 10 units for projects to be reviewed by the Design\nCommission. Staff supports this recommended change.\n(2) Parking – For existing buildings that are greater than 50 years old, do not require additional parking for additions necessary to meet\nbuilding, safety or fire requirements. Staff supports this recommended change.\nRecommendations of the Economic Development & Technology Committee and Design Commission: On June 18, 2024, staff presented\nrecommended changes to the Predevelopment Plan Review (PPR) Section to the\nEconomic Development and Technology Committee. On December 10, 2024, staff presented the recommended changes to the Design\nReview Section to the Design Commission. Both were supportive of the proposed changes.