Pasadena Condo Project Appeal Denied by City Council

Pasadena officials sided with housing production over neighborhood resistance, clearing the way for a contentious 46-unit condominium project despite months of design complaints.

On Monday, the Pasadena City Council unanimously denied an appeal against a proposed four-story development at 511 South Oak Knoll Avenue, upholding an October approval by the Design Commission, Pasadena Now reported.

While the decision allows the project to move forward, developer K27 Capital cannot proceed without abiding by one stipulation. K27 must revisit parts of its design to better align with Pasadena’s “City of Gardens” ordinance and reduce impacts on a prominent canyon live oak tree bordering the site.

The appeal, filed by neighboring homeowners, argued the nearly 60,000-square-foot project was out of scale with the surrounding neighborhood. Critics took issue with possible traffic concerns, the building’s narrow setbacks and its height being two stories taller than any structures next to it. They also warned construction could damage the nearby protected tree. City staff had already determined the project complied with local design rules and that impacts to the tree could be mitigated through conditions of approval, including a formal tree-protection plan.

Supporters framed the project as a necessary addition in a tight housing market, citing Pasadena’s roughly 4 percent vacancy rate and median rent of $2,700. The development includes six below-market-rate units, which helped sway officials reluctant to derail new supply. Pasadena’s Regional Housing Needs Allocation calls for the city to plan for 9,429 new residential units by 2029.

Despite the city council’s unanimous approval, some council members took issue with the design, the Pasadena Star-News reported. Council Member Rick Cole, who introduced the motion to deny the appeal, pushed for added scrutiny, arguing the project meets baseline requirements but falls short of the city’s broader design intent with the City of Gardens ordinance. The approved condition on K27 Capital’s plans forces the developer to demonstrate whether improvements like reconfiguring garden space or corridors can be made without reducing unit count.

With opponents’ appeal now denied, K27’s project will move on to the final design review phase. As part of that process, officials will address additional refinements and conditions before construction can begin.

— Chris Malone Méndez