South Pasadena Planning Commission Approves 60-Unit Mixed-Use Project

Last month, the South Pasadena Planning Commission approved a proposal to develop a 60 residential-unit mixed-use project located at 845 El Centro Street and 832 Orange Grove Place. 

DC El Centro Holdings, LLC, the project applicant, proposes to develop a project with two zoning districts on the 1.61-acre site. The Mission Street Specific Plan (MSSP) would consist of 57 residential units and 6,100 square feet (SF) of ground-floor commercial space in a 79,860 SF structure. The Residential Medium (RM) zoning district would consist of three, two-story Craftsman-style homes on 0.34 acres of the site fronting Orange Grove Street. The site currently consists of an office building and parking lot, both of which would be demolished to make way for the new project. 

The residential mix of the MSSP would be 3 studio units, 16 one-bedroom units, and 38 two- and three-bedroom units. The commercial space would front El Centro Street and would consist of 2,035 SF of restaurant uses and 4,065 SF of retail uses. On-site amenities would include a lobby, gym, bicycle storage, and common open space, all located on the ground level. The MSSP would also include about 21,791 SF of open space. 

The RM zoning district would consist of two 4-bedroom units and one three-bedroom unit with a maximum height of 30 feet.

Moule & Polyzoides Architects and Urbanists will design the buildings in a Mediterranean architectural style, in conformance with surrounding buildings and the historical styles of the area. The buildings will have varied rooflines, wall planes, and heights to break up massing. The project will contain interesting elements such as balconies, porches, covered arcades, detailed corbels, and tiles.

177 parking spaces would be provided in a parking garage. The open space of the project would consist of 16,747 SF for private residential use, and 2,391 SF for public use. Courtyards, landscaping, water features, decorative tiles, and pavers would be provided throughout the open space.