McMillan, Acquanette (Netta)
From: Sophia Patricio
Sent: Sunday, May 22, 2022 1:15 PM
To: PublicComment-AutoResponse
Subject: Rezone religious land for affordable housing
[Some people who received this message don't often get email from : . Learn why this is important at https://aka.ms/LearnAboutSenderldentification.] CAUTION: This email was delivered from the Internet. Do not click links or open attachments unless you know the content is safe. Report phish using the Phish Alert Button. Learn more...<https://mydoit.cityofpasadena.net/sp?id=kb_article_view&sysparm_article=KB0010263> Hello,
I attend Pasadena Foursquare Church, and I am writing to say that I support the proposal to religious land for affordable housing.
There is so much potential for change within the change of the zoning amendment. We must have change in order for our city to thrive. What I love about Pasadena is the location, the diversity of people, the neighborhoods, and the feeling of a tight knit community. Without affordable housing all of that will deteriorate. Because of a lack of affordability families are being forced to move. Those of lower economic status are huddling in spaces much too small, in neighborhoods where they are disregarded by society. Affordable housing will slowly, but surely, eliminate these scenarios and quickly house families and family members who are living on the streets. Please rezone religious land for affordable housing!
Thank you for your time and consideration,
Sophia Patricio
05/23/2022
Item 18
1 McMillan, Acquanette (Netta)
From:
Sent: Monday, May 23, 2022 9:57 AM
To: PublicComment-AutoResponse; Gordo, Victor; Madison, Steve; Kennedy, John J.; Rivas, Jessica; Hampton, Tyron; Masuda, Gene; Williams, Felicia Subject: Letters in support of rezoning congregational land for affordable housing Attachments: Letters to Council May 23 b.pdf; letters to council may 23 c.pdf; Letters to Council May
23.pdf
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Dear Mayor and City Council members,
I am writing on behalf of your constituents and Making Housing and Community Happen (MHCH).
Attached are additional letters of support for rezoning religious land for affordable housing that were gathered this weekend from residents of Northwest Pasadena, where there is broad support for this zone change among the churches and residents.
95% of churches surveyed by MHCH support a Congregational Land Zoning amendment. The Clergy Community Coalition, which comprises 76 congregations, supports this zoning amendment, as does the Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance and the Pasadena Affordable Housing Coalition. This Coalition includes ACT, Abundant Housing LA, Affordable Housing Services, All Saints Church, Clergy Community Coalition, Democrats of Pasadena Foothills, Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance, League of Women Voters-Pasadena, National Day Laborer Organizing Network, Complete Streets Coalition, Pasadena Foursquare Church, Pasadenans Organizing for Progress, Pasadena For All, Social Justice Committee of Pasadena Jewish Temple and Center.
When the Planning Department held a public zoom meeting on rezoning congregational land for affordable housing a year or so ago, only one person was not in support, among the hundred in attendance supported it.
Please listen to the voice of your constituents!
Rezoning congregational land for affordable housing is an idea whose time has come. Ten other cities in Southern California are considering rezoning religious property for affordable housing, including Sierra Madre, which was the first to approve such a policy. By approving this amendment with changes suggested by MHCH, Pasadena will encourage other cities to follow our example.
The city of Seattle has rezoned religious property throughout the city because they see this rezoning as a racial equity issue, as they make clear in their website:
"Allowing additional density for long-term, income-restricted affordable housing on religious property helps us address Seattle's affordability crisis and supports the many faith- based organizations eager to use their land to create homes for their low-income neighbors.
When paired with the support of public funds and tools like community preference, these land use policies help address historic and ongoing inequities in housing access by supporting community-driven and community-owned development."
05/23/2022
Item 18
We feel that this zoning amendment will help address historic inequities in Pasadena as well as address gentrification and displacement of low-income residents, many of whom are people of color.
Anthony Manousos
Co-founder of MHCH
Date: 05: 15: 22 Date: 5/15/2022
Dear City Council, Dear City Council,
I attend Orange Grove Friends (Quaker) Meeting, which approved a 1 attend Orange Grove Friends (Quaker) Meeting, which approved a statement last year in support of reoning congregational land for statement last year in support of rezoning congregational land for affordable housing. I personally support this innovative and much affordable housing. I personally support this innovative and much needed zone change because it will benefit the whole city. We needed zone change because it will benefit the whole city. We desperately need more affordable housing in Northwest Pasadena as desperately need more affordable housing in Northwest Pasadena as well as other parts of our city since our part of the city has become well as other parts of our city since our part of the city has become gentrified. This has led to the displacement of many of our African gentrified. This has led to the displacement of many of our African American neighbors. American neighbors.
Churches would like to be part of the solution to this problem. Several Churches would like to be part of the solution to this problem. Several churches in Pasadena would like to have affordable housing built on churches in Pasadena would like to have affordable housing built on their property but cannot do so because of current zoning. That's why their property but cannot do so because of current zoning. That's why we need this zoning changed as soon as possible! we need this zoning changed as soon as possible! When affordable housing is built in Pasadena, preference is given to When affordable housing is built in Pasadena, preference is given to those who live or work here, or who have been displaced because of those who live or work here, or who have been displaced because of soaring housing costs. That helps alleviate displacement and keeps soaring housing costs. That helps alleviate displacement and keeps our city diverse and vibrant. our city diverse and vibrant.
Today I urge you to listen to the voice of the people in our community Today I urge you to listen to the voice of the people in our community who are clamoring for affordable housing. who are clamoring for affordable housing.
Sincerely. Sincerely,
"MMen
Name: _ Opal Hetheringtes Name:
Orange Grove Friends (Quaker) Meeting Orange Grove Friends Meeting RachelAllen Pasadena, CA 91104 Pasadena, CA 91104
Date: May 15,2022 5/15/22
Date:
Dear City Council,
Dear City Council,
1 attend Orange Grove Friends (Quaker) Meeting, which approved a | attend Orange Grove Friends (Quaker) Meeting, which approved a statement last year in support of rezoning congregational land for statement last year in support of rezoning congregational land for affordable housing. I personally support this innovative and much affordable housing. I personally support this innovative and much needed zone change because it will benefit the whole city. We needed zone change because it will benefit the whole city. We desperately need more affordable housing in Northwest Pasadena as desperately need more affordable housing in Northwest Pasadena as well as other parts of our city since our part of the city has become well as other parts of our city since our part of the city has become gentrified. This has led to the displacement of many of our African gentrified. This has led to the displacement of many of our African American neighbors.
American neighbors.
Churches would like to be part of the solution to this problem. Several Churches would like to be part of the solution to this problem. Several churches in Pasadena would like to have affordable housing built on churches in Pasadena would like to have affordable housing built on their property but cannot do so because of current zoning. That's why their property but cannot do so because of current zoning. That's why we need this zoning changed as soon as possible! we need this zoning changed as soon as possible! When affordable housing is built in Pasadena, preference is given to When affordable housing is built in Pasadena, preference is given to those who live or work here, or who have been displaced because of those who live or work here, or who have been displaced because of soaring housing costs. That helps alleviate displacement and keeps soaring housing costs. That helps alleviate displacement and keeps our city diverse and vibrant.
our city diverse and vibrant.
Today I urge you to listen to the voice of the people in our community Today I urge you to listen to the voice of the people in our community who are clamoring for affordable housing
who are clamoring for affordable housing.
Sincerely,
Sincerely,
Name Kathy Capenter Sorah Burke
Name:
Orange Grove Friends (Quaker) Meeting Orange Grove Friends (Quaker) Meeting Pasadena, CA 91104
Pasadena, CA 91104
Date: 5/22/22
Dear Pasadena City Council,
We appreciate our city's commitment to affordable housing. As you know, one of the biggest obstacles to building affordable housing is a lack of sites. About ten churches in Pasadena would like to have affordable housing built on their underutilized land. Yet most of these churches are not properly zoned for this use. For this reason, 1 ask that the city create a citywide religious land zoning amendment that will permit housing and make it possible for projects to qualify for funding sources like tax credits, and that will streamline the approval process. This will assure that these projects will succeed with funding and provide well-designed, beautiful housing in a timely fashion.
The housing crisis is real, and the need is urgent, as evident from these statistics:
• 521 in our last homeless count (2019)
• 700 students considered homeless in PUSD
• 19% of all PCC students have experienced homelessness.
Please allow interested Pasadena congregations to serve our city in this way. We ask that you do all you can to pass this amendment as soon as possible. Thanks for your consideration.
Aorala Gaurzçan
Signed
Printed
RonaLD Beauvecard
name:
Address:_
Cell (optional): _
Da 5/22/22 Date 5/22,20
Dear Pasadena City Council,
Dear Pasadena City Council,
We appreciate our city's commitment to affordable housing. As you We appreciate our city's commitment to affordable housing. As you know, one of the biggest obstacles to building affordable housing is a know, one of the biggest obstacles to building affordable housing is a lack of sites. About ten churches in Pasadena would like to have lack of sites. About ten churches in Pasadena would like to have affordable housing built on their underutilized land. Yet most of these affordable housing built on their underutilized land. Yet most of these churches are not properly zoned for this use. For this reason, / ask churches are not properly zoned for this use. For this reason, I ask that the city create a citywide religious land zoning amendment that that the city create a citywide religious land zoning amendment that will permit housing and make it possible for projects to qualify for will permit housing and make it possible for projects to qualify for funding sources like tax credits, and that will streamline the approval funding sources like tax credits, and that will streamline the approval process. This will assure that these projects will succeed with funding process. This will assure that these projects will succeed with funding and provide well-designed, beautiful housing in a timely fashion. and provide well-designed, beautiful housing in a timely fashion.
The housing crisis is real, and the need is urgent, as evident from The housing crisis is real, and the need is urgent, as evident from these statistics:
these statistics:
521 in our last homeless count (2019) • 521 in our last homeless count (2019) • 700 students considered homeless in PUSD
• 700 students considered homeless in PUSD
• 19% of all PC students have experienced homelessness. • 19% of all PC students have experienced homelessness.
Please allow interested Pasadena congregations to serve our city in Please allow interested Pasadena congregations to serve our city in this way. We ask that you do all you can to pass this amendment as this way. We ask that you do all you can to pass this amendment as soon as possible. Thanks for your consideration.
soon as possible. Thanks for your consideratio
Signed
hilading Signed
Printed
name: LILa KiNg maste tallonent
Address. Address:
Cell (optional):
Cell (optionall e
5/22/22
Date: -
Dear Pasadena City Council,
We appreciate our city's commitment to affordable housing. As you know, one of the biggest obstacles to building affordable housing is a lack of sites. About ten churches in Pasadena would like to have affordable housing built on their underutilized land. Yet most of these churches are not properly zoned for this use. For this reason, I ask that the city create a citywide religious land zoning amendment that will permit housing and make it possible for projects to qualify for funding sources like tax credits, and that will streamline the approval process. This will assure that these projects will succeed with funding and provide well-designed, beautiful housing in a timely fashion.
The housing crisis is real, and the need is urgent, as evident from these statistics:
• 521 in our last homeless count (2019)
• 700 students considered homeless in PUSD
• 19% of all PC students have experienced homelessness.
Please allow interested Pasadena congregations to serve our city in this way. We ask that you do all you can to pass this amendment as soon as possible. Thanks for your consideration.
sona honda Baugar ()
Printed
Ronaro Beauvecard
name:
Address:_ -=
Cell (optional): _
Date: 5/17/2022:
Dear City Council,
As a resident of Northwest Pasadena, I am aware that we have an acute shortage of affordable housing that is impacting our community.
That's why I support a zoning change that would enable interested and like parise affordable housing built on their underelized It's encouraging to learn that churches would like to be part of the solution to this problem because we desperately need more affordable housing. Several churches in Pasadena would like to have affordable housing built on their property but cannot do so because of current zoning. That's why this zoning change is needed as soon as possible!
Because the zone change applies only to commercial and
public/semipublic zones, it will not negatively impact single family neighborhoods. We will benefit from having churches provide housing for low-income and unhoused residents of our city, and thereby help reduce our homeless count.
Today I urge you lo listen to the voice of the people in our community who are clamoring for affordable housing.
Sincerely,
Name: /
Street
cil Passedena Cot 91123
Summit HISAA.
Neighborhood Association:
Date: _ 5/17/22
Dear City Council,
As a resident of Northwest Pasadena, I am aware that we have an acute shortage of affordable housing that is impacting our community.
That's why I support a zoning change that would enable interested congregations to have affordable housing built on their underutilized land, like parking lots.
It's encouraging to learn that churches would like to be part of the solution to this problem because we desperately need more affordable housing. Several churches in Pasadena would like to have affordable housing built on their property but cannot do so because of current zoning. That's why this zoning change is needed as soon as possible!
Because the zone change applies only to commercial and
public/semipublic zones, it will not negatively impact single family neighborhoods. We will benefit from having churches provide housing for low-income and unhoused residents of our city, and thereby help reduce our homeless count.
Today I urge you to listen to the voice of the people in our community who are clamoring for affordable housing.
Sincerely,
Name: Daried Mark
Street
Pasadeva
City
Neighborhood Association:
Summit Heights
Date: 05-17-2022
Dear City Council,
As a resident of Northwest Pasadena, I am aware that we have an acute shortage of affordable housing that is impacting our community.
That's why I support a zoning change that would enable interested congregations to have affordable housing built on their underutilized land, like parking lots.
It's encouraging to learn that churches would like to be part of the solution to this problem because we desperately need more affordable housing. Several churches in Pasadena would like to have affordable housing built on their property but cannot do so because of current zoning. That's why this zoning change is needed as soon as possible!
Because the zone change applies only to commercial and
public/semipublic zones, it will not negatively impact single family for low-income and unhoused residents of our city, and thereby help neighborhoods. We will benefit from having churches provide housing reduce our homeless count.
Today I urge you to listen to the voice of the people in our community who are clamoring for affordable housing.
Sincerely.
Name: Zissy Pudzemis
Street_
City Pasading
Neighborhood Association:
Date: 05-172022
Dear City Council,
As a resident of Northwest Pasadena, I am aware that we have an acute shortage of affordable housing that is impacting our community.
That's why I support a zoning change that would enable interested congregations to have affordable housing built on their underutilized land, like parking lots.
It's encouraging to learn that churches would like to be part of the solution to this problem because we desperately need more affordable housing. Several churches in Pasadena would like to have affordable housing built on their property but cannot do so because of current zoning. That's why this zoning change is needed as soon as possible!
Because the zone change applies only to commercial and
public/semipublic zones, it will not negatively impact single family neighborhoods. We will benefit from having churches provide housing for low-income and unhoused residents of our city, and thereby help reduce our homeless count.
Today I urge you to listen to the voice of the people in our community who are clamoring for affordable housing.
Sincerely,
Name: VIDIZ PUDZEMIS
Street
PASTDENA
City.
Neighborhood Association:
Date: 5-17-2022
Dear City Council,
As a resident of Northwest Pasadena, I am aware that we have an acute shortage of affordable housing that is impacting our community.
That's why I support a zoning change that would enable interested congregations to have affordable housing built on their underutilized land, like parking lots.
It's encouraging to learn that churches would like to be part of the solution to this problem because we desperately need more affordable housing. Several churches in Pasadena would like to have affordable housing built on their property but cannot do so because of current zoning. That's why this zoning change is needed as soon as possible!
Because the zone change applies only to commercial and
public/semipublic zones, it will not negatively impact single family neighborhoods. We will benefit from having churches provide housing for low-income and unhoused residents of our city, and thereby help reduce our homeless count.
Today I urge you to listen to the voice of the people in our community who are clamoring for affordable housing.
Sincerely.
буду. Fanternali
Futh
any paradana ca 91103
Neighborhod Associaton: Summit Heighte
5/17/2022
Date:
Dear City Council,
As a resident of Northwest Pasadena, I am aware that we have an acute shortage of affordable housing that is impacting our community.
That's why I support a zoning change that would enable interested congregations to have affordable housing built on their underutilized land, like parking lots.
It's encouraging to learn that churches would like to be part of the solution to this problem because we desperately need more affordable housing. Several churches in Pasadena would like to have affordable housing built on their property but cannot do so because of current zoning. That's why this zoning change is needed as soon as Because the zone change applies only to commercial and
public/semipublic zones, it will not negatively impact single family neighborhoods. We will benefit from having churches provide housing for low-income and unhoused residents of our city, and thereby help reduce our homeless count.
Today I urge you to listen to the voice of the people in our community who are clamoring for affordable housing.
Sincerely,
Name: Evelyn tragese Mastoratis
Street
Pasadena
City
mass Heights
McMillan, Acquanette (Netta)
From: Melissa Spolar
Sent: Thursday, May 19, 2022 2:31 PM
To: PublicComment-AutoResponse
Subject: Rezone Religious Land for Affordable Housing
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Dear Mayor and City Council,
My name is Melissa Spolar. I live in district 3. I wanted to express my strong support for the proposal to rezone religious land in Pasadena for affordable housing.
Like many others, housing costs are a constant stressor for me. I hope that one day that will not be a common reality, especially for fully employed people like myself. As a local pastor, I am part of a large group of the local faith community with a desire to help address the lack of affordable housing.
There are ways that this zoning amendment can be written that will assure that it will work and actually produce affordable housing, and there are ways that it can be written that will assure that it will not work. For example, if the amendment allows for sufficient density at each site, then projects will be financially feasible, and the zoning amendment will work. But if it does not allow enough density at each site, then projects won't be financially feasible, and the zoning amendment will be virtually useless.
There are other factors, such as the process of approval for each project, that will have bearing on whether the zoning amendment will work or not. Making Housing and Community Happen (MHCH) has addressed these factors in their letter, so I recommend that the council seriously consider what MHCH has proposed.
We desperately need more affordable housing in Pasadena. Please pass a zoning amendment that works to create more affordable housing.
Thank you.
-Rev. Melissa Spolar
05/23/2022
Item 18
McMillan, Acquanette (Netta)
From: John Jay Alvaro
Sent: Thursday, May 19, 2022 4:24 PM
To: PublicComment-AutoResponse
Subject: Rezone religious land for affordable housing
[Some people who received this message don't often get email from . Learn why this is important at https://aka.ms/LearnAboutSenderldentification.] CAUTION: This email was delivered from the Internet. Do not click links or open attachments unless you know the content is safe. Report phish using the Phish Alert Button. Learn more... https://mydoit.cityofpasadena.net/sp?id=kb_article_view&sysparm_article=KB0010263>.
Dear Mayor and City Council,
I am the Pastor of First Baptist Church of Pasadena, and I support the proposal to rezone religious land in Pasadena for affordable housing.
There are ways that this zoning amendment can be written that will assure that it will work and actually produce affordable housing, and there are ways that it can be written that will assure that it will not work. For example, if the amendment allows for sufficient density at each site, then projects will be financially feasible, and the zoning amendment will work. But if it does not allow enough density at each site, then projects won't be financially feasible, and the zoning amendment will be virtually useless.
There are other factors, such as the process of approval for each project, that will have bearing on whether the zoning amendment will work or not.
Making Housing and Community Happen (MHCH) has addressed these factors in their letter, so 1 recommend that the council seriously consider what MHCH has proposed.
We desperately need more affordable housing in Pasadena. Please pass a zoning amendment that works to create more affordable housing.
Thank you.
John Jay Alvaro
05/23/2022
Item 18
McMillan, Acquanette (Netta)
From: Mario Seth Morales Segura
Sent: Monday, May 23, 2022 10:34 AM
To: PublicComment-AutoResponse
Subject: CHRUCH LAND ZONINNG FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING
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Dear Mayor Gordo and City Council members,
Thank you for considering the proposal to rezone congregational land for affordable housing. I am writing in support of this innovative and much-needed zone change.
My name is Pastor Mario-Seth Morales. I have been part of Pasadena's history since the early gos when I graduated from Fuller Theological Seminary. For the last four years working as Hospice Chaplain in South Pasadena and presently working with Making Housing and Community Happen with the North Fair Oaks project.
I first want to thank all the embers of this Council for your commitment to ending homelessness in Pasadena: To Jess Rivas for supporting rent control; We recognize that John Kennedy has been a champion of affordable housing; Mayor Gordo for appointing a Housing Task Force for affordable housing. I am also thankful that the Council unanimously supported affordable housing at Heritage Square South and the Civic Center. We all agree that affordable housing will help raise healthy children who contribute to our society when they become adults.
Second, 1 want to express my unconditional support for t the proposal to rezone church land for affordable housing. I urge you to adopt a zoning policy that will work to allow congregations to have affordable housing built on their underutilized land. The staff recommends zone changes only for commercial and public/semi-public zones, which excludes most congregation communities in our city. Please make sure that you pass an ordinance that works by increasing the number of units per acre from 32 to 36, only four additional units, so that we can get affordable housing into all parts of the city and not perpetuate racist and classist exclusionary zoning.
I want to close by recognizing that the need for affordable housing is "desperate," as Mayor Gordo has pointed out. Soaring housing costs drive low-income residents, especially people of color, out of our city. Even middle-class people can't afford Pasadena's spiraling rents or median home price, over one million dollars. Allowing congregations to address this crisis is in keeping 05/23/2022
1 Item 18
with the city's mission: "All Pasadena residents have an equal right to live in decent, safe, and affordable housing in a suitable living environment for the long-term well-being and stability of themselves, their families, their neighborhoods, and the future of our community." Allowing congregations to have affordable housing built on their underutilized land will help the city meet its state-mandated goal of 6,000 units of affordable housing in the next eight years.
Rezoning church land for affordable housing is one way the city can correct the past sins of racial inequities that displaced people of color.
Respectfully,
Pastor Mario-Seth Morales
McMillan, Acquanette (Netta)
From: ccod66 -
Sent: Monday, May 23, 2022 10:36 AM
To: PublicComment-AutoResponse
Cc: [email protected]
Subject: Rezone Religious Land for Affordable Housing
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Dear Mayor and City Council,
I support the proposal to rezone religious land in Pasadena for affordable housing.
There are ways that this zoning amendment can be written that will assure that it will produce affordable housing. For example, if the amendment allows for sufficient density at each site, then projects will be financially feasible, and the zoning amendment will work. But if it does not allow enough density at each site, then the zoning amendment will be virtually useless.
There are other factors, such as the process of approval of each project, that will have a bearing on whether the zoning amendment will work or not.
Making Housing and Community Happen (MHCH) has addressed these factors in their letter; I recommend that the council seriously consider what MHCH has proposed.
I want to emphasize the "by right" aspect since this will make it possible for nonprofit affordable housing developers to invest time and money in predevelopment without the risk of denial. This is a very important consideration and a key factor for the success of the effort.
Thank you for considering this matter, which would make a significant difference in the lives of many Pasadenans. I urge you to pass a zoning amendment that works to create affordable housing.
Sincerely,
Connie O'Donnell
Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone
05/23/2022
Item 18