Environmental Impact Report Addendum (EIR State Clearinghouse No. 2013091009) for the Central District Specific Plan (CDSP)

Environmental Impact Report Addendum (EIR State Clearinghouse No. 2013091009) for the Central District Specific Plan (CDSP)

The purpose of this Addendum to the Pasadena General Plan Environmental Impact Report (GP EIR) is to evaluate the environmental effects associated with the proposed Central District Specific Plan (CDSP) Update and to determine whether these impacts are consistent with the evaluation presented in the GP EIR in compliance with CEQA (Public Resource Code Sections 21000 et seq.) and the State CEQA Guidelines (California Code of Regulations Section 15000 et seq.). The proposed project would update the CDSP to implement the Pasadena General Plan (General Plan). This project proposes to update the following components of the CDSP to bring it into alignment with the General Plan: • Specific Plan Area boundary • Vision, objectives, goals and policies • Zoning districts regulating allowed land uses • Density, intensity, and height of new development • Urban design standards • Vehicle access and parking standards • Types and amount of open space and landscaping requirements • Public realm standards (sidewalks, parkways and street trees) • Implementation programs Updates to the CDSP primarily focus on refining and/or establishing land uses and zoning districts, as well as objective development and design standards to achieve the goals and vision of the General Plan. This includes building upon the CDSP area’s existing strength as a vibrant downtown with a mix of uses, walkable areas with shopping, entertainment, restaurants, offices, and housing connected by multiple modes of transit. Updates to the CDSP seek to stimulate economic development, encourage pedestrian-oriented retail and services, support pedestrian mobility, and target housing opportunities in a contextually sensitive manner. Through incremental development, the CDSP would strengthen Pasadena’s urban core, providing a wider variety of amenities, services, and housing options to residents, employees, and visitors. To support the land use and zoning district updates, the CDSP Update includes urban design standards related to scale, frontages, open space, and parking to encourage quality architecture that enhances the community’s unique character. Standards for the public realm are also included in the CDSP Update to address and regulate pedestrian infrastructure and amenities to support a safe, accessible, and comfortable pedestrian experience, including sidewalks, parkways, and street trees. The CDSP Update does not address roadway (curb-to-curb) modifications or improvements, which are within the purview of other City-wide documents. The General Plan leaves the more detailed development and design standards to be identified in the Specific Plan. The proposed CDSP Update establishes the regulatory tools needed to implement the General Plan through the identification of development and design standards suited to the CDSP area. An EIR was prepared for the General Plan in compliance with CEQA and adopted by the City Council on August 17, 2015. This addendum to the General Plan EIR has been prepared to compare the environmental impacts of the proposed CDSP Update to those analyzed in the GP EIR.

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