South Pasadena : Building Limits Proposed

City officials are considering limiting construction of multi-family residential units to 100 per year.

A proposed ordinance, which has been scheduled for a public hearing before the City Council on Nov. 5, would limit each year’s building permits to 50 the first six months and another 50 the second half of the year. Currently, there is no limit on such construction.

A study indicated that the city’s population of close to 24,000 could be doubled under current zoning codes if there is no ceiling on residential building, City Manager John Bernardi said.

City officials are trying to prevent unchecked condominium and apartment construction spurred by lower interest rates, Bernardi said, and hope to maintain slow, long-term growth.

Bernardi said that if the ordinance is approved, it will take about 20 years for the city’s population to double.

He noted that high interest rates a few years ago brought condo construction almost to a halt. “It looks good again for building,” he said, “but it’s causing us some concern. Gradual changes will give us time to make adjustments in city services as the population increases.”