Commission backs ADU plan at 405 Melissa Place with conditions to reduce tree loss

The South Pasadena Natural Resources and Environmental Commission on Jan. 28 voted to forward the tree-removal application for an accessory dwelling unit at 405 Melissa Place to the Planning Department with recommendations that staff review alternatives to reduce the number of trees removed.

Commissioners said they wanted planning staff to look at whether the ADU could be redesigned as a second story, or whether a no-driveway or single-car driveway option would be feasible to spare trees near the proposed driveway alignment. "I make a motion ... we approve for this to proceed to planning, with some additional caveats to look at the feasibility of a second story option, no driveway and with 1-car drive," the commissioner who moved the recommendation said. Commissioner Davis Jones seconded the motion, which commissioners voted to approve.

The item reviewed a revised site plan submitted in December that moved the proposed ADU footprint and added retaining…