The South Pasadena Cultural Heritage Commission on Dec. 18 approved a certificate of appropriateness for a 379‑square‑foot rear addition at 930 Indiana Avenue, staff said.

Steven Peterson, a planner with the community development department, told commissioners the addition would add a primary bedroom suite, walk‑in closet and bathroom to an existing 954‑square‑foot single‑story house on a 4,000‑square‑foot lot in the El Centro/Indiana historic district. Peterson said the addition is tucked behind the house and “would be almost completely hidden from public view” except from a driveway or narrow side view. He also said the addition’s roof would be lower (about 12 feet) than the existing home (about 16 feet) and that materials—including Timberline HDZ Birchwood shingles and a slightly different sand‑grain stucco—are chosen to be compatible yet distinct from the existing house.

The staff report finds the project complies with RS zoning standards for height, setbacks and lot coverage and concludes it meets the commission’s certificate‑of‑appropriateness findings. Staff recommended, and the commission accepted, a finding that the project is exempt from CEQA under the categorical exemptions noted in the staff report. No members of the public spoke on the item during the hearing.

Commissioners asked the applicant about interior bathroom access and other minor plan details; the homeowner and the architect were present to answer questions. After discussion a commissioner made a motion to approve the project subject to the conditions listed in the staff report; the motion carried on a roll call vote with all present voting yes. Chair Lopez announced that the decision is final unless an appeal is filed within 15 days and that no construction may begin during the appeal period.

Project details provided at the meeting: the existing house is 954 sq. ft. with a 205‑sq.‑ft. detached garage; the proposed addition is 379 sq. ft.; the lot size is about 4,000 sq. ft.; roof pitch will match the existing 4:12 pitch; side setbacks on the addition are greater than the original home (one foot more on the north side and about 10 feet on the south side). The staff report and attachments were available in the agenda package for more technical findings.

The commission closed the public hearing on the item after the vote; appeals information and forms were available from the city clerk’s office.