Pasadena Considers Allowing Private Events at Historic Maxwell House – Pasadena Now

(Photo credit: Maxwell House Facebook)

The city of Pasadena will consider granting a conditional use permit to the Western Justice Center, a nonprofit organization, allowing it to host private events at the historic Maxwell House, a city-owned property that the center has occupied since 1989. The permit would allow the center to host weddings, celebrations and other events for up to 175 people.

The city’s Planning and Community Development Department recommended approval of the permit, saying in a staff report that revenue generated from the proposed events “would allow WJC to continue to maintain the property” and offer below-market rental rates to other nonprofit organizations.

Maxwell House, built in 1929, is part of a four-building campus located north of the former Vista Del Arroyo Hotel.

The WJC’s mission is “to increase opportunities for peaceful conflict resolution in order to shift the power of violence in society,” according to the report. It said the events would be “incidental to the use of existing offices and would constitute a negligible expansion”.

Wednesday’s hearing is part of the city’s standard approval process for conditional use permits.

Under the terms of the proposed permit, events would be limited to Saturdays and Sundays between 9 a.m. and 11 p.m., with a maximum of 28 events per year. Amplified music would only be allowed indoors and would have to end by 10 p.m.

The city’s zoning code requires a conditional use permit for clubs, clubhouses and private meeting rooms in areas zoned for public and semi-public uses. Some residents in the area had expressed concerns about noise and parking, according to the staff report, which also concluded that, subject to certain conditions, the use will be “compatible with current and future land uses.” He said the permit would be consistent with the city’s general plan and would not be detrimental to the health, safety and general welfare of residents in the immediate area.

The WJC assumes responsibility for the maintenance, preservation and restoration of the Maxwell House and three other historic campus buildings under its lease with the city. The staff report said the events would allow visitors and locals to enjoy the monument.

“The services of small businesses and local vendors will be used for the events, thereby benefiting the local community and contributing to the success of local businesses,” the report states.