Planning & Community Development Department
Application for Amendments to the
Bungalow Heaven Landmark District
Conservation Plan
City Council
June 16, 2025
Planning & Community Development Department
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Conservation Plans
• First three landmark districts:
o Bungalow Heaven;
o Garfield Heights; and
o Banbury Oaks.
• Established Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) review requirements for each landmark district.
• Historic Preservation Ordinance (HPO) subsequently
amended to create uniform procedures for all future
landmark districts.
• Conservation Plans remain in effect and may be
amended or rescinded according to procedures in the
Zoning Code.
Planning & Community Development Department
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• City’s first landmark district
(1989).
• Holliston Avenue added in
2004 (in red).
• Strong intact collection of
bungalows constructed
from “the turn of the
century through the
1930s.”
Washington Blvd.
Orange Grove Blvd.
Lake Ave.
Holliston Ave.
Hill Ave.
Mentor Ave.
Catalina Ave.
Wilson Ave.
Mar Vista Ave.
Michigan Ave.
Chester Ave.
Claremont St.
Mountain St.
Bungalow Heaven
Planning & Community Development Department
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Conservation Plan Amendment Process
• Eligibility Review:
o Determine if proposed amendments are eligible under
Pasadena Municipal Code (PMC) Sections 17.62.070.H.1 and
17.62.070.A.3.
o Prior to determination, a neighborhood meeting is held. o Eligibility Determination issued with a 10-day appeal period. o If found to be eligible, application can proceed to Formal Review step.
• Formal Review:
o Proposed amendments formally reviewed at public hearings:
Historic Preservation Commission (recommendation).
Planning Commission (if there are boundary changes). City Council (final decision).
Planning & Community Development Department
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Application Timeline
• November 16, 2023: Neighborhood Association submitted application for Conservation Plan amendments Eligibility Review • May 20, 2024: Notice of Pending Decision and Neighborhood Meeting issued
• June 20, 2024: Neighborhood Meeting held
• July 1, 2024: Staff issued Eligibility Determination of proposed amendments; determined to meet the findings for eligibility. • July 10, 2024: Two appeals were filed; both denied by the HPC on October 1, 2024.
• October 15, 2024: The Bungalow Heaven Neighborhood
Association initiated the Formal Review of the amendments. • December 17, 2024: The HPC voted to recommend City Council approve amendments as proposed.
Planning & Community Development Department
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Three Proposed Amendments:
1) Extending Period of Significance to 1956:
o Period currently interpreted to end approximately 1939 based on original designation report and conservation plan language which references “turn of the century through the 1930s.” o Extension would include Minimal Traditional and Ranch style bungalows constructed from the 1930s through 1956.
o Would result in 67 additional properties (6% of district properties) becoming contributing (numbers are approximate, no formal list of C/NC properties).
2) Pro forma and terminology updates to recognize 2004
expansion of district and 2021 revision to the HPO.
3) Addendum providing baseline list of contributing and non-contributing properties.
Proposed Amendments
Planning & Community Development Department
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Staff Analysis
• Amendments will bring the plan into greater consistency with the HPO.
• Expansion of period of significance will ensure all properties that represent the full development pattern of the district are protected.
• Inclusion of contributing/non-contributing list will ensure property owners and staff are fully aware of district
requirements and procedures.
• Staff agrees with applicant’s period of significance
justification and determinations of C/NC properties.
Planning & Community Development Department
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Required Findings
• Amendments are required to meet the findings in PMC
Section 17.62.070.H.5:
o The proposed amendments are consistent with the purposes of this Chapter; and
o The proposed amendments are in conformance with the
goals, policies, and objectives of the General Plan; and o The proposed amendments would not be detrimental to the public interest, health, safety, convenience, or general welfare of the City.
Planning & Community Development Department
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Staff Recommendation
• Find that the project is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act pursuant to Section 15308, Class 8 (Actions by Regulatory Agencies for
Protection of the Environment);
• Find that the proposed Conservation Plan Amendments
meet the findings for approval; and
• Approve the amendments to the Bungalow Heaven
Conservation Plan.
Planning & Community Development Department
Application for Amendments to the
Bungalow Heaven Landmark District
Conservation Plan
June 16, 2025
City Council