Commissioners press consultants for clearer, more consistent ADU preapproved plans

The South Pasadena Planning Commission on July 14 reviewed draft preapproved accessory dwelling unit (ADU) plans intended to speed permitting and reduce costs for homeowners.

Olivia Arena, senior urban planner for the consultant team, described the program as three preapproved plan sets aimed at preserving South Pasadena’s architectural character while offering options for seniors, growing families and multigenerational households. "These are 3 draft plans, which we'd love to get your feedback on today," Arena said.

Erica Ramirez, the city’s community development director, framed the program as a tool to lower barriers to ADU construction while complying with state law. She and the consultant team presented three typologies — a cottage (accessibility-focused), a loft (flexible one‑bedroom with a mezzanine) and a townhouse (largest unit within state limits) — each in three style treatments: craftsman, Spanish/mission and modern.

Commissioners raised detailed technical and design questions. Commissioner Jason Claypool and others pressed whether plan deviations (for example, reduced square footage to fit smaller lots) would still receive expedited review; staff said deviations could speed planning review but often trigger building plan-check and structural review. "When there's new structurals, then building will have to review it as if it was a new plan," Ramirez said.

On style and materials, several commissioners asked the consultants to avoid overly specific color prescriptions and to prefer cost‑effective materials where appropriate. Commissioner Gallatin urged caution about suggesting brick veneer and recommended stucco or cementitious siding as economical, fire‑rated alternatives. Commissioners also suggested simplifying some decorative trim to better match typical Craftsman traditions and to keep character while controlling costs.

Porch size and configuration drew sustained attention. Commissioners argued that larger, covered porches improve usability for seniors but can push units past fee and review thresholds or make them unbuildable on smaller lots. Consultants said porches are intentionally modest in some plans to fit a wide range of parcels but agreed to explore modest increases where feasible.

Accessibility features were generally supported. The "cottage" plan was designed with 36‑inch doorways and bathroom turning radii to accommodate aging‑in‑place, and the larger townhouse plan reserves a closet space that could be converted to an elevator in the future.

Consultants and staff warned of practical limits: the project has a defined contract and budget, and the consultant noted there will be a finite number of revision cycles. Commissioners asked the ADU subcommittee — now reestablished by the commission — to work with consultants on revisions and to bring substantial changes back to the full commission before final sign-off.

Next steps: staff said the subcommittee will continue refining the plan sets and that a final presentation of the approved plans (the set intended for public release and plan-check production) will come to the commission once consultants complete the revisions within contract limits.