[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6265477,"mediaKeyId","3090883-1bb7809a1fe6d6dcc573be1f224a5204","parentId",3090883,"title","Preservation specialists, residents urge South Pasadena panel to keep demolition review and reject larger minor-project threshold","audioSeconds",944,"startMs",160000,"endMs",1104000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3090883-1bb7809a1fe6d6dcc573be1f224a5204&start=160&end=1104","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3090883-1bb7809a1fe6d6dcc573be1f224a5204/thumbnail_160000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6265477/South-Pasadena-City/Los-Angeles-County/California/Preservation-specialists-residents-urge-South-Pasadena-panel-to-keep-demolition-review-and-reject-larger-minor-project-threshold","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6265477-145a07d1c70008a3ac0aa2ba0c0e89e7/orig.mp4?Expires=1774812995&Signature=aEE-ZgSQPpePg6c-T3U5OXbv7hgdcH9FQmZBLgxnkq6bOYlOqPqAwAlVAZXlRgu37LTrkEcUw6sp0eC-LiwVAHA4WxO11ElMU41OSZmc7a1uzcLzxPvhX02SummqZo20gIvHKoQw96nOTh65oin07fjdhI3et~Q9NcyhYOw97axhhOLA4yRGEDbHvrT0ncL6eVS1OaArnA1zLzZYhYbNWvE0MiMBAdNNNZeUH~Jh0k3GwNq7ZyzANhQI-g8dfuABganur0EKRCxpoI4EF1xCij5b2LZpT22H-eBatODrbm6JGCqWuBw-0cXurnNuS~CTfnereO~OX~eopUJnsQ3Ojg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of South Pasadena, California","date","2025-04-23T08:57:19.157Z","article","At its April 17, 2025 meeting, the South Pasadena Cultural Heritage Commission heard public comments urging commissioners to retain a requirement that triggers historic‑resource evaluations before demolition and to reject a proposed expansion of the minor‑project review threshold from 200 to 500 square feet.

Debbie Howell, a preservation specialist and former CHC member, told commissioners she helped draft the city’s Cultural Heritage Ordinance and said two edits under consideration would “reverse important policies that were put in place for a good reason.” Howell said one proposed change would let the director, rather than a clear ordinance requirement, decide whether to require a historic‑resource evaluation before demolition. “Demolition is a discretionary action, and therefore, it’s a project under CEQA,” Howell said, adding that the proposed language would put the city “back to the old days when the director would decide if and when we would commission an evaluation.”

Howell said she raised those concerns at the City Council’s second reading of the updated ordinance and that councilors “agreed and voted unanimously to send this back to you for your reconsideration.” She urged the commission to retain the existing language that requires an evaluation for certain demolitions and major alterations, and to avoid a blanket numeric increase for minor projects. Instead of raising the minor‑project threshold to 500 square feet, Howell suggested using a proportional measure (for example, 25 percent of a home’s footprint) so that a 500‑square‑foot addition on a 2,500‑square‑foot house would be treated differently than the same addition on a 1,000‑square‑foot bungalow.

Resident Vance Sanders described a locally listed property he lives near at 325/327 Pasadena Avenue, saying the parcel is on the city’s historic resources map and that he was told it appears on the National Register. Sanders said the lot contains a century‑old oak and three cottages and asked whether the new owners could demolish and build a five‑story apartment building. Chair Lopez responded that demolition would require permits and earlier staff review steps and that the city would likely require a historical analysis and a public process before demolition could proceed. Commissioner Dean also noted that notice would be required and that the public could comment during that process.

No formal action on the ordinance changes was taken by the commission at the meeting; Howell said the City Council had remanded the draft edits back to the commission. Commissioners and staff discussed nuances — for example, whether accessory structures such as garages should be treated the same as primary structures — and how to build flexibility into code while preserving consistent demolition review.

Why it matters: South Pasadena is a Certified Local Government with the State Office of Historic Preservation; local rules about when evaluations are required affect how the city complies with the California Environmental Quality Act and how it protects historic resources. The city’s proposed edits would change administrative discretion and the threshold for projects handled by abbreviated (chair or staff) review. Public speakers at the meeting urged preserving the ordinance’s existing clarity for demolition review and using a proportional rather than flat numeric approach for minor‑project thresholds.

What’s next: Howell said the City Council voted at second reading to send the revisions back to the commission for reconsideration. Commissioners asked staff to continue work on the draft and to return with clarifications; no date for further commission review was set during the meeting.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Cultural Heritage Commission Meeting 4/17/2025","oneSentenceSummary","At its April 17, 2025 meeting, the South Pasadena Cultural Heritage Commission heard public comments urging commissioners to retain a requirement that triggers historic‑resource evaluations before demolition and to reject a proposed expansion of the minor‑project review threshold from 200 to 500 square feet.","taxTitle","South Pasadena City, Los Angeles County, California","taxId",70853,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6265466,"CHC approves 455‑square‑foot additions at 2053 Primrose Ave; finds project exempt from CEQA",1284,2092000,3376000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3090883-1bb7809a1fe6d6dcc573be1f224a5204&start=2092&end=3376","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3090883-1bb7809a1fe6d6dcc573be1f224a5204/thumbnail_2092000.jpg","/articles/6265466/South-Pasadena-City/Los-Angeles-County/California/CHC-approves-455squarefoot-additions-at-2053-Primrose-Ave-finds-project-exempt-from-CEQA","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6265466-cde987d7a5812ba2c9d6645c3517fc39/orig.mp4?Expires=1774812995&Signature=EnOjE4GSJ3-VVxw2ut8XWv94jU79GCDMQv3hLlXPPFPSEvHYhpzvbHFctdUPkHYZdwsgXqnyV-qVp6CRJ5JSjfHgh8-kJRfOBzAFMy3aPlG0QBl3mJ19Fm4mG1-AmMGaa5~AeJJGg45akXVsoLxB8znG1w2NIDIgrRLemT9OZe0avxtCvWENuZ7JmTUqkHT4BTfaZYQvj3UqanUPco7aQcyA5bZVcNVDqrZH~kDY~x4bJTaep7ev0V8nz9oN2Mk7M1G7ObB7OprsZaprLb9qwfXqiEzEen4HoWRYqM860LWkb2JtjluF0r3k5~Zcy-RZN1JEYcfPG0~IK989Zbhc1Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The South Pasadena Cultural Heritage Commission on April 17 approved a certificate of appropriateness for additions at a 1924 English‑revival cottage at 2053 Primrose Avenue.

Planning staff presented the project as two additions visible from the public right of way: a rear addition of 308 square feet and a smaller side addition of 47 square feet (the staff report and plans list the smaller addition as 47 square feet; the staff presentation described an enclosed side yard totaling the combined area). Together the changes will add 455 square feet of living space to the existing roughly 1,700‑square‑foot residence. The property is a potential contributor to the eligible Oneonta Park Historic District, and the application required a certificate of appropriateness because the proposed work exceeds the 200‑square‑foot threshold for abbreviated review and is visible from the public right of way.

The staff report described design details: the proposed roof pitch and gables will match existing forms, overall building height will not increase, and new stucco and shingles will be used to differentiate new work from historic fabric by material condition and roof articulation rather than a stark stylistic departure. The existing detached garage was converted to a 630‑square‑foot accessory dwelling unit in 2024.

Planning staff recommended that the commission find the project exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act pursuant to Guidelines §15301 and §15331 and approve Project 202051‑COA subject to conditions.

Commissioner Dean moved to approve the project, making the required findings and finding the project exempt from CEQA; Chair Lopez seconded. The roll call vote was: Commissioner Dean — yes; Commissioner Aperlo — yes; Vice Chair Severson — yes; Chair Lopez — yes. The motion carried unanimously.

Commissioners commented that the massing and roofline treatment were sensitive to the existing house. Vice Chair Severson praised the project for modernizing the interior while respecting historic character: “I would just applaud you for, homeowner and designer for figuring out how to modernize this property, while meeting a lot of the things that we, typically, look at,” Severson said. Commissioners discussed whether the new stucco should be visually differentiated from the original stucco; staff said differentiation would be expressed through new materials and roof articulation rather than contrasting base stucco.

The decision is final unless an appeal is filed within 15 days, and staff reminded the applicant that no construction may begin during the appeal period.","The Cultural Heritage Commission approved a certificate of appropriateness for additions totaling 455 square feet at a 1924 English‑revival cottage at 2053 Primrose Avenue, finding the project meets Secretary of the Interior standards and exempting the project from CEQA (Guidelines §15301 and §15331). The vote was unanimous.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6265472,"South Pasadena launches site‑plan study for Library Park campus to explore combined library and senior services",847,1127000,1974000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3090883-1bb7809a1fe6d6dcc573be1f224a5204&start=1127&end=1974","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3090883-1bb7809a1fe6d6dcc573be1f224a5204/thumbnail_1127000.jpg","/articles/6265472/South-Pasadena-City/Los-Angeles-County/California/South-Pasadena-launches-siteplan-study-for-Library-Park-campus-to-explore-combined-library-and-senior-services","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6265472-049d0673aa95c646652b8565ae26ae65/orig.mp4?Expires=1774812996&Signature=euTkyHhZWD8hCpTW4IH8S8VhlYlkjFgHzgBaLF3AQHBTQVawEPxqLsRW98H9913LpzRNDUPy8qSK-DdQclBh~HFppziV-Cg6W-3kyEQMqmlzemsZsIZhWRC7XduEp29sSaxYBWLOHmSYjB1X5rEFktuP2nxoN6fX0vJ~aCOyAv2SvO80Gk166L7uQmcfBEu7R1UTaridTznfrRuaxx645yrvSuOEtX3XEJAejGiVdXGcv7FsxjIInOxCHNd4x4aWlS5RxcRXW5qXTnLgsjW8fxPatakQxdLI7Fg~UVBYF2c4-ExIBiXQrE0HDrlC8jYB1dHk5KWDJ~UEBjeo62jfNQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At the April 17, 2025 Cultural Heritage Commission meeting, Library Director Kathy Billings presented the city’s site‑plan study for the Library Park campus, which will assess options for library services, senior services and shared community space.

“Is the community finds that this is a need to move forward and realize that vision,” Billings said, describing a multi‑step community engagement process that launched publicly on March 17. The consultant on the project is Group 4; Page & Turnbull is conducting the historic analysis and John Lisack is listed as a consultant from that firm.

Billings said the existing buildings facing Oxley date from 1982 and are functionally limited, with accessibility and technology shortfalls. The 1930 Mediterranean‑style building that faces El Centro is a local cultural‑heritage landmark and must be considered in any plan. She summarized the project goals as assessing community needs, exploring spatial options on the small campus footprint, and producing a site plan that can be used to pursue funding.

Community outreach is under way: Billings said the project team’s kiosk at public events has engaged more than 800 people, the online survey will remain open through May, and two rounds of public engagement are planned — a needs assessment now and space‑concept feedback in the summer. The project team expects to return to the community in the summer with options and to present a final site plan to City Council in October.

Billings reviewed historical context identified by Page & Turnbull: the original Carnegie library (1907) was altered and largely removed by 1982; in 1930 the city consolidated parcels to create Library Park and built the 1930 community center building. She said the current effort will carefully consider historic materials on the site and significant landscape features such as large trees.

Why it matters: The city’s two older facilities have accessibility, space and condition deficiencies that affect library programming and senior‑service operations. The site‑plan study is intended to produce a fundable, community‑backed plan that balances preservation of historic elements with modern accessibility and program needs.

What’s next: The consultant will analyze survey and technical data, return to the community this summer with space concepts and design values, and present a final site plan to City Council in October. Staff encouraged commissioners and the public to take the survey, engage with pop‑ups and open houses, and provide feedback to staff (Library Director Kathy Billings or Community Services Director Lucy Hakobian).","Library director Kathy Billings presented a site‑plan study being led by consultant Group 4 to assess options for the Library Park campus, including combined library and senior center facilities, accessibility upgrades, and community engagement; the final site plan is scheduled for city council review in October.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Preservation specialists, residents urge South Pasadena panel to keep demolition review and reject larger minor-project threshold

CHC approves 455‑square‑foot additions at 2053 Primrose Ave; finds project exempt from CEQA

South Pasadena launches site‑plan study for Library Park campus to explore combined library and senior services