Tuesday, November 6, 2001 Pasadena Star News Council approves condominium complex Plans include renovation of Vista del Arroyo bungalows By Elizabeth Lee, Staff Writer Pasadena – The City Council voted Monday night to approve the development of a 45 unit condominium complex that includes the rehabilitation of eight historic Vista del Arroyo bungalows. By a 7-0 vote, with Chris Holden absent, the council approved a zoning change and in environmental review that paves the way for Grand Vista Partners to construct the complex off Grand Avenue. The abandoned bungalows, which sit on the east bank of the Arroyo Seco, are next to the Colorado Street Bridge. They were build in the 1920s and `30s on the grounds of the former Vista del Arroyo Hotel, which now houses the 9th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals. Grand Vista Partners will repair the eight bungalows according to historic preservation standards and incorporate them into the complex. Twenty-nine units will be new, and 16 will be located in the bungalows. Abut 6 percent of the units, or 6 condos, will be affordable to moderate-income families. Council members applauded the plan to restore the bungalows, which have deteriorated over the years from fires and neglect. A suspected arson fire gutted one of the bungalows in August. "It's not an understatement to stay that at least in West Pasadena, this (development) is historic," said Councilman Steve Madison, who represents District 6, where the bungalows stand. "For many years these structures have been all at once a source of pride and quite irksome in terms of (their) future. I think that this is a good project, given all of the competing element here." Two West Pasadena residents asked the council to reject the plan, saying it would spoil the hillside and snarl traffic. "I'm not a NIMBY," said Barbara Dahn. "But I am one among many in the community who are really aghast at all our overdevelopment. "Pasadena always touts the phrase, `city of neighborhoods' and quality of life, and we're destroying both left and right with all the tacky structures that are going up all over the city." Hamilton de Jong claimed the project "wasn't fair" to residents who lived in the neighborhood, because Arroyo Boulevard, which bounds the project area to the west, is only two lanes and Grand Avenue, which bounds the area to the east, is a dead-end street. "This is not a wise thing, and I think you should study it (more) before you move any further," he said. But city staff said a limited environmental review determined that the project would not significantly increase traffic. Vince Farhat, president of the west Pasadena Residents Association, said his group supports the plan. "We believed this project …is an example of thoughtful and balanced development. The property is zoned Public/Semi-Public, a land use category that doesn't allow housing. But the City's West Gateway Specific Plan for the area recommends reasoning the site to allow for development, and the council tentative approved that zone change Monday. Some observers were worried at first the project would significantly harm views of the historic Colorado Street bridge, because some new units will be built on the bridge's north side. But the environmental review says that the new units will sit beside only 15 percent of the length of the bridge and will only "minimally" affect views of the landmark. -30- Elizabeth Lee can be reached at (626) 578-6300 Ext. 44651 or by e- mail at elizabeth.lee@sgvn.com.
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