The South Pasadena Planning Commission will discuss making zoning law changes at its Tuesday meeting that would allow developers to automatically qualify for building higher density buildings if they contain state-mandated percentages of affordable housing units.
The rule change would bring South Pasadena in compliance with a 2004 state law regarding "density bonus," which allows for developers to exceed density zonings by up to 35 percent depending on how many units of affordable housing they are willing to build in the development.
Currently, South Pasadena rules permit a 25 percent density bonus award that is contingent on the developer getting a conditional use permit. Under the new rules, the developer would not require that permit, according to the city's staff report on the issue.
The Planning Commission discussed the issue in May and members had asked the staff if it would be possible to retain the CUP requirement.
The staff report notes that the ordinance changes are designed to "retain local control to the extent possible."
More on the proposed changes can be found in the staff report on the ordinance change. If approved by the Commission, the changes would then go in front of the City Council.
The Planning Commission meets Tuesday night at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall.
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