Housing Density Concerns
The State has mandated that Pasadena build 9,000 additional housing units by the year 2030. We are concerned that East Pasadena is perceived as the area most able to absorb the majority of these units. We would like to see these additional units distributed evenly throughout the city of Pasadena and not disproportionately located in our area. We do not want East Pasadena to become a “downtown” area with 5 and 6 story condominiums and apartments, since many if not most of us choose to live here because of our neighborhood’s distinct character, and we feel that we are already becoming inundated with increased traffic and pollution.
Active Development Projects
Panda Inn
The Panda project is a remodeling of the existing Panda Inn Restaurant, which will result in a 5-story above-ground parking structure with 5,570 square feet of ground-level commercial space and three 6-story residential buildings with a total of 233 residential units.
Space Bank
The Space Bank project, at 3200 E Foothill Blvd, consists of 550 residential units and 9,800 square feet of retail and restaurant space.
Halstead Street
A Design Review application was approved for the construction of a new 6-story multi-family project, with 48 affordable units at 170 N Halstead St, located behind the fire department and across the street from the Gold Line parking structure. At this time, no application for a building permit has yet been submitted.
The East Pasadena Specific Plan
The East Pasadena Specific Plan (EPSP), originally adopted in 2000, regulates design and land use in our neighborhood. The EPSP is currently undergoing revision and is likely going to change the character of East Pasadena. The current schedule calls for a draft plan to be presented to the Planning Commission as a study session in the spring of 2025. A study session allows for the Commission and community to review the latest draft and to provide comments as a sort of “pre-public hearing”. If the schedule holds, the Commission will finalize the plan in the summer of 2025 and present it to the City Council in late 2025. We will keep you updated on EPSP-related developments.
