Pasadena's City Council will decide Tuesday whether to allow denser housing along North Fair Oaks Avenue and create four named districts honoring the area's Black and Latino roots.

The proposed Fair Oaks Orange Grove Specific Plan would replace rules adopted in 2002 for roughly 171 acres in northwest Pasadena. It covers North Fair Oaks Avenue between Montana and Maple streets and Orange Grove Boulevard between Lincoln and Oakland avenues. The public hearing is set for 6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 29, in Council Chambers at City Hall, 100 North Garfield Ave., Room S249.

Under the plan, density along Fair Oaks north of Claremont Street could reach 48 homes per acre. The higher density could create more housing opportunities, including affordable units, city planners told Pasadena Now.

The plan's most distinctive feature is four named subareas. The Black Legacy District would honor northwest Pasadena's Black history through public art, signage and gathering places while supporting locally owned businesses.

Two districts, Robles and Arboleda, take Spanish names reflecting the area's Latino heritage. A fourth, the Robinson District, honors Jackie Robinson and his older brother Mack Robinson. Jackie Robinson broke Major League Baseball's color barrier, and Mack Robinson finished second to Jesse Owens in the 200 meters at the 1936 Berlin Olympics.

The Pasadena Planning Commission recommended approval on a 7-0 vote on April 22. City staff incorporated most of the commission's eight suggested changes, including moving public art and decorative crosswalks into a nearer-term category of zero to five years.

One disagreement remains. Commissioners recommended allowing new small-scale industrial businesses throughout the plan area without a special permit. City planners propose requiring a minor conditional use permit in areas where housing would be allowed.

The plan also calls for wider sidewalks, street trees, safer crossings and storefront designs that engage pedestrians rather than long stretches of blank walls. Longer-term steps include studying bus shelters and transit service and exploring a community-led business association.

Adopting the plan alone would not build those improvements.

Community engagement on the update began in July 2018 and continued through virtual workshops in 2020 and two Planning Commission study sessions in 2025. The plan draws on community proposals, including one that called for revitalizing North Fair Oaks while protecting longtime businesses and residents from displacement.

If the council approves the plan, it would also amend the city's General Plan land-use map and direct the city attorney to prepare zoning changes within 120 days. An environmental review found no new significant impacts beyond those already analyzed in the 2015 General Plan report.

Residents can submit written comments to [email protected] before the Sept. 29 meeting or speak during the hearing.