Planning Commission TUESDAY | Major 625 Fair Oaks Development Central Focus

Senior Living Complex Readies for Planning Commission March 10

PHOTO: Eric Fabbro | SouthPasadenan.com News | South Pasadena Chamber of Commerce Chair, Sam Hernandez, looks over renderings of the proposed project on 625 Fair Oaks Ave

An 86-unit senior living complex proposed for a 2.6-acre site at 625 Fair Oaks Ave. will offer a first-of-its-kind luxury housing option that includes affordable apartments.

The four-building project featuring a Spanish Colonial design is scheduled to go before the city’s Planning Commission March 10.

Located in the vital center of South Pasadena’s commercial corridor, the proposed complex is pedestrian-friendly with a major grocery store and numerous retail shopping and restaurant locations within one block.

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The complex would occupy a large parking lot facing Mound Avenue south of Grevalia Street, which currently provides parking for the three-story red brick office building at 625 Fair Oaks Avenue.

RENDERING: Stamps & Stamps | SouthPasadenan.com News | A design concept for the development on 625 Fair Oaks Ave. in South Pasadena

According to Project Manager and former South Pasadena Mayor Odom Stamps, the senior living project represents the city’s first attempt to process a multi-family development application under new state laws that offer a streamlined approval process that bypasses certain municipal ordinances and conditional use permitting.

“This project would be a beautiful and much-needed addition to our community to house our seniors once they are ready to sell their homes,” Stamps said. “This project also demonstrates a new way of doing business in our city, given the latitude provided by new state laws.”

PHOTO: Eric Fabbro | SouthPasadenan.com News | Project Manager and former South Pasadena Mayor, Odom Stamps

The existing brick office building and parking lot was purchased for $30.7 million in May 2018 by Los Angeles-based Greenbridge Investment Partners, a full-service commercial real estate firm.

Greenbridge has worked closely with Stamps and his design firm, Stamps & Stamps, and two architects, Brian Knight and former South Pasadena Planning Commission member Tony George of George Architecture. Stamps, George and Knight are all residents of South Pasadena. The developers have engaged Clearwater Senior Facilities Management Co. to operate the facility.

The facility will offer residents multiple dining experiences, gym and spa facilities, a rooftop pool, decks, landscaping and a coffee shop. The structure will feature a generous compliment of Spanish and Portuguese Colonial mosaic tile work embedded in its fountain and paving, which will be accessible to the public.

PHOTO: Eric Fabbro | SouthPasadenan.com News | Doug Yokozimo, who works an attorney on the project

Spanish Colonial is the architectural style preferred by seniors for housing, according to a market study undertaken by Greenbridge and Clearwater.

The complex comprises one five-story, one four-story, one three-story and one two-story multi-family residential buildings plus a three-level basement podium.

Underground parking included in the project proposal will be shared by residents of the senior living complex and tenants of the adjacent red brick office building.

While the South Pasadena General Plan calls for development that is “accommodating, inspiring, inviting and enduring and should reflect cultural values of the community,” Stamps said the aesthetics of the design of the proposed senior living complex and its intended use well meet this standard. “The project in its entirety respects the small town character that makes South Pasadena such an appealing place to live and work,” Stamps said, adding that the complex could employ 60-70 employees upon completion.

PHOTO: Eric Fabbro | SouthPasadenan.com News | Residents and business-owners alike review blueprints and plans for the 625 Fair Oaks Ave. development at a January meeting

The project design was “deemed complete” by the city in December. Following two public meetings to review the plans, the project is now scheduled to go before the South Pasadena Planning Commission.

With Planning Commission approval and entitlements, Stamps said ground could be broken on the project by February 2021. Construction is expected to take another 24-36 months, according to Stamps.