Defends Commission
Sam Hall Kaplan asserted (Oct. 26) that there had been inadequate consideration by the Pasadena Planning Commission in its recommendation to allow development associated with the Huntington Sheraton Hotel.
The commission spent over 40 hours of public hearings evaluating the proposal to replicate the existing Huntington Sheraton Hotel. Numerous individuals testified both in favor and in opposition to the proposal of the developer to replicate the Huntington. The commission reached its decision only after several consultants’ reports evaluating the structural integrity of the current facility were received in evidence.
The commission was advised by the city attorney that the state historical building code is not applicable to charter cities, such as Pasadena and, therefore, would have no application to a replication proposal.
Strict conditions require the developer to provide a performance bond sufficient to finish the replication. The detailed conditions are reflective of the commission’s membership, which includes a licensed civil engineer, an architect and a businessman with extensive experience in large-scale financial transactions.
WILLIAM D. ROSS
Pasadena
Ross is chairman of the Pasadena Planning Commission.
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