South Pasadena : Building Ban Extended

The City Council approved a 10 1/2-month extension of its across-the-board building moratorium last week, but softened the impact of the emergency measure on several property owners whose building plans were derailed when the original 45-day moratorium was adopted May 2.

After hearing protests from about 20 residents during a 1 1/2-hour public hearing, the council agreed to exempt any projects that met city codes and were in the process of being checked by the city Planning Department before the moratorium was enacted.

Council members said that to be exempted, the affected projects also have to meet a 35% maximum floor-to-land area ratio. That effectively excludes several controversial housing plans, labeled “monstrosities” by Mayor Evelyn Fierro, that had fueled the “anti-mansionization” movement in the city.

Although the moratorium was extended for 10 1/2 months, the council expects to have the new building standards for commercial and residential developments in place by September.

A public hearing is scheduled June 20 in council chambers to discuss the city’s proposed anti-mansionization ordinance.