write a news story in Associated Press inverted pyramid style based on this information from the city of Pasadena CA: The pasadena design commission will hear on Tuesday, Sept. 26, an APPLICATION FOR TIME EXTENSION (DHP2023-00248) FOR FINAL DESIGN 
REVIEW #PLN2019-00319 – FOR NEW CONSTRUCTION OF A MIXED-USE PROJECT WITH 7,389 SQUARE FEET OF COMMERCIAL SPACE AND 48 RESIDENTIAL UNITS.

here's the background: 

On September 10, 2019, the Design Commission approved an application for Final Design 
Review for a new two-to-three-story mixed-use project with 7,389 square feet of commercial 
space, 48 residential units and subterranean parking located at 690-700 N. Orange Grove 
Boulevard. As part of that action, the Design Commission also affirmed the Hearing Officer’s
November 7, 2018 environmental determination for Affordable Housing Concession Permit 
#11873, that the same project was categorically exempt from CEQA. 
Pursuant to §17.64.040.A.2 of the Zoning Code, Final Design Review approvals are valid for an 
initial period of three years except where a Time Extension is granted pursuant to “subsection 
C” of the same section. This subsection specifies that two one-year time extensions may be 
granted, that the original decision maker is the review authority for time extensions and, that a 
public hearing is required except in cases where the Director was the decision maker. In this 
case, the Design Commission was the original review decision body; therefore, a public hearing 
before the Design Commission is required for the requested time extension.
Pursuant to §17.64.040.B, a permit for a new development project is deemed exercised when:
1. A building permit for the subject property has been issued, and construction diligently 
pursued to completion; or
2. A Certificate of Occupancy has been issued by the City.
The Final Design Review application became effective on September 24, 2019 and was set to 
expire on September 24, 2022. On March, 30, 2020, by Resolution No. 9774, the City Council 
ratified the Third Supplement to the Declaration of Local Emergency Authorizing the City 
Manager to Suspend Limits of Time Imposed by the Pasadena Municipal Code, which granted a 
one-year time extension to projects approved prior to July 1, 2020. This action automatically
extended the expiration of the project to September 24, 2023. An application for Time Extension 
was filed on August 25, 2023, before the expiration of the Final Design Review approval. The 
current request is the first of the two one-year extensions allowed in the Zoning Code and would 
establish a new expiration date of September 24, 2024. If neither of the two events listed above 
occurs before this date, the applicant can request a second one-year extension, which would 
establish a new expiration date of September 24, 2025. If a building permit hasn’t been obtained 
AND construction initiated for the project or a Certificate of Occupancy hasn’t been issued 
before the expiration date, the Final Design Review approval will expire and a new design 
review application would be required to construct a new project on the site. To date, the project 
has not been submitted for building plan check. ANALYSIS:
The Design Commission must make the following findings to approve a Time Extension:
1. The findings and conditions of the September 10, 2019 Design Commission approval 
still apply; and 
2. The proposed project meets the current height, setbacks, and floor area ratio 
requirements of the Zoning Code and is consistent with the General Plan, the Fair Oaks-
Design Commission
Time Extension – 690-700 N. Orange Grove Boulevard
September 26, 2023
Page 3 of 3
Orange Grove Specific Plan, and the Zoning Map.
Since the project was approved in 2019, there have been no changes to the design guidelines 
that apply to the project; to the height, setbacks or floor area ratio requirements of the Zoning 
Code or to the Zoning Map as they relate to the property. The project was found to be consistent 
with the purposes of design review, the design-related goals and policies in the Land Use Element 
of the General Plan and the Design Guidelines in the Fair Oaks-Orange Grove Specific Plan, 
which also have not changed since the project was approved.
In the application (Attachment B), the applicant states that the project was delayed due to 
construction financing issues. If this request is approved, working drawings will be prepared and 
submitted for building plan check.
CONCLUSION:
It is staff’s assessment that the findings necessary for approving the requested Time Extension
can be made. The project remains consistent with the Zoning Code and with the applicable 
design guidelines, which have not changed since the project’s original approval. Therefore, staff 
recommends approval of the Time Extension. 

In order to facilitate public participation at meetings the City will accept public comment 
in the following manner:
1. Whether participating in-person or virtually at the meeting, members of the public 
may provide public comment by submitting a speaker card prior to the start of public 
comment on that item, at the following webpage: 
www.cityofpasadena.net/planning/public-comment
If a public comment speaker wishes to speak on more than one agenda item, 
please indicate which items on the online form. Public comments are limited to 3 
minutes each, and the Chair may limit this time if reasonable under the 
circumstances.
2. In-person Meeting Participation: Complete an online speaker card at the 
following website: www.cityofpasadena.net/planning/public-comment
After submitting a public speaker card, members of the public may attend the 
meeting in-person by coming to the Pasadena City Council Chamber, Room S249 
at City Hall at the date and start-time of the posted meeting.
Alternatively, a member of the public may attend the meeting in-person and 
complete a physical speaker card, available at the meeting, and provide it to the 
Recording Secretary.
Virtual Meeting Participation: For virtual participants, you may attend by 
connecting to the meeting using a computer, other electronic device, or by 
telephone. Please review the agenda to identify the published start time for the 
meeting and connect to the meeting just prior to, or at the start of the meeting. 
To participate in public comment for an item and to be recognized to speak, it is 
required that the speaker login to the meeting using the same name or telephone 
number used on the Speaker Card form. This will allow City staff to locate and 
promote the speaker into the meeting when it is time for their public comment. 
Participants’ phone calls to the meeting will be recorded as part of the meeting. By 
staying on the line and making public comment during the meeting by phone, you 
are agreeing to have your phone call recorded. Following is the connectivity 
information for virtual participation: 
Computer or electronic devices, join the meeting at: cityofpasadena.net/cczoom
Telephone only dial-in: <PRESIDIO_ANONYMIZED_PHONE_NUMBER>, Meeting ID: 161 482 446.

the meeting begins at 6 p.m.