Design review board continues proposed 7,360-square-foot house after tree, massing and drawing discrepancies raised

The South Pasadena Design Review Board on March 6 continued review of a proposed new single-family residence in the Altos De Monterey zone and formed a subcommittee to work with the applicant, after public comment raised concerns about tree removals and board members pressed the design team for clearer, up-to-date drawings and conditions to limit construction eyesores.

Staff recommended approval of the project subject to conditions, saying the proposal complies with applicable development standards and the city’s design guidelines and that staff finds the project exempt under “sequel guidelines section 15 3 0 3 class 3 for new construction” as presented in the packet. The board, however, asked for additional detail on elevations, massing and sequencing before granting final design approval.

Why it matters: The project is a demolition and full rebuild on a hillside lot in a residential neighborhood. Neighbors and board members said the combination of large floor area, tree removals and current drawings could set a visible precedent for future new construction on similar lots.

What the project proposes: The staff presentation described a two-story single-family dwelling with a 470-square-foot attached garage and a 1,824-square-foot basement for a total of 7,360 square feet of floor area. The presentation included: a first floor with one bedroom, a living room, kitchen, dining room, an office, one and a half bathrooms and a laundry room; a second floor with four bedrooms,…