McMillan, Acquanette (Netta)
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Monday, March 23, 2026 4:01 PM
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Support for Item #19
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Dear Mayor and City Council members,
We are writing in support of the ordinance for objective design standards. We commend the Design Commission for working on these standards which are crucial for affordable housing as they provide a clear and predictable framework for development. By using objective standards, Pasadena can streamline the approval process, making it easier for developers to understand and meet the requirements for affordable housing projects. This predictability helps to reduce delays and increases the likelihood of successful project approvals, which is essential in addressing the housing crisis and ensuring that affordable housing is available for those in need.
Anthony Manousos and Jill Shook
Making Housing and Community Happen
3/23/2026
Item 19
1 McMillan, Acquanette (Netta)
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Jonathan Kelly
Monday, March 23, 2026 5:19 PM
PublicComment-AutoResponse
Rob Tyler
PUBLIC COMMENT: 03/23/26 Council Meeting
2026-03-23 Public Comment on Objective Design Standards.pdf Some people who received this message don't often get email from j. Learn why this is important [ 1 ] CAUTION: This email was delivered from the Internet. Do not click links or open attachments unless you know the content is safe. Report phish using the Phish Alert Button. For more information about the Phish Alert Button view article "KB0011474" on the DolT portal.
Good Afternoon,
My name is Jon Kelly, I am a Principal at Tyler+Kelly Architecture in Pasadena. I serve as the Vice President of the American Institute of Architects' Pasadena-Foothill Chapter. Please see the attached public comment on the Objective Design Standards agenda item #19 to be read at tonight's Council Meeting.
Thank you for your consideration,
-Jon
Jon Kelly AIA LEED AP
Principal
Vice President, AIA Pasadena-Foothill Chapter
714.742.1525 (cell)
80 South Lake Avenue, Suite 500
Pasadena, CA 91101
TYLER+KELLY
ARCHITECTURE
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1 3/23/2026
Item 19
TfLER+KELLY
ARCHITECTURE
March 23rd, 2026
Re: PUBLIC COMMENT on Objective Design Standards for High-Density Housing Agenda Item #19
Dear Council,
Tyter+Kelly Architecture has been based within the City of Pasadena for almost 40 years, focusing on mixed-use multi-family urban infill projects. Recently we reviewed the City of Pasadena's Objective Design Standards for High-Density Housing. We agree the intention of codifying objective standards is a step in the right direction for the City and would like to submit additional comments to be considered at tonight's public reading. Our suggestions are as follows:
D.5.a(8)(b) "Balconies/railings [...] shall be an opaque material other than stucco..." This regulation does not allow for traditional iron or tile railings commonly found on many of Pasadena's most notable and iconic buildings. We suggest removal of this requirement.
D.6.0 "The exterior solid wall area of all buildings shall have no more than two materials [chosen from] the Administrative guidebook."
Only two exterior colors allowed, to be chosen from a preselected palette, seems unnecessarily limiting, promoting sameness and conformity in the urban fabric when an attractive diversity could be a more desirable attribute. The statement proceeds to direct the size & quantity of stone, concrete, tile & brick embellishments used on these facades, which is similarly limiting in nature. We suggest reconsideration of this requirement.
D.6.C "All storefront frames, window frames and doors shall each be of the same material and color throughout the building exterior..."
On large buildings, there should be design flexibility to choose window and door colors compatible with the surrounding surfaces. We suggest reconsideration of this requirement.
E.l.b(2) "An uncovered outdoor staircase from the ground to a second-floor entrance [...] shall have terra cotta treads and decorative tile risers."
This describes a very specific finish for a traditional outdoor staircase in the Mediterranean architectural context, leaving little room for contemporary interpretation. We suggest removal of this requirement.
E.3 Fenestration & Solid-to-Void
The entire way this portion is written appears overly cumbersome and likely to produce monotony within the urban fabric. We suggest reconsideration of this requirement.
Please take into consideration these comments and let us know if you have any questions.
Respectfully,
^-
Jon Kelly, Principal, Tyler+Kelly Architecture
Vice President, AIA Pasadena-Foothill Chapter
80 S. Lake Avenue | Suite 500 ] Pasadena [ California 91101 626.396.9599 | www.TylerKellyArchitecture.com