^1=3
wf^EIVED
1-^-
85 S. GRAND AVE, PASADENA, CA 91105626-578-9315
August 15,2024
City of Pasadena
Planning & Community Development Department
175N.GarfieldAve.
Pasadena, CA 91101
Re: Letter of Support for:
Western Justice Center Foundation
55 South Grand Avenue
Pasadena, California 91105
Case No. ZENT2023-00033
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Cl'TY Cl.£FU\,
CITY OF PASADENA
Dear Honorable Commissioners:
We are members of the Western Justice Center Foundation Non-profit Campus Community, which is located at 65, 75 and 85 S Grand Avenue, Pasadena, CA 91105. We are writing to express our support for the Conditional Use Permit that was issued to the Western Justice Center ("WJC") in June (the "Permit"). As we understand it, the Permit allows WJC to rent its space at The Maxwell House for a limited number of weddings each year which provides for the necessary funds needed for WJC to maintain the WJC Campus.
Our organization has been members of the WJC Campus since 2017. We want you to know what a unique and valuable resource WJC is providing to our nonprofit community. We have office space that allows us to serve the students of California in a beautiful neighborhood that we could never otherwise afford to be in and we are so grateful.
We also have use of The Maxwell House, which is invaluable. Staff meetings, donor cultivation events and board meetings are a few of the ways that we benefit from being a part of the WJC Campus. The subsidized rate that WJC can offer us for these events would otherwise be cost prohibitive if we had to rent that space elsewhere.
The WJC Campus is more than just an office space. It is a community for us and for all the people we serve. For those that have been on WJC Campus longer, we have noticed a marked improvement in campus management and building maintenance that allow us a safe, healthy, welcoming place to work in. We hope that the City will affirm the Permit and allow WJC to have the means to continue supporting this WJC Campus and maintaining it as beautifully as they do.
We urge you to decide in WJC's favor and thank you for your consideration of this matter.
With kind regards,
r\,
2/10/2025
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•)JUv l^llwS
Amber Collins-Lopez
Finance & Operations Manager
Create CA
MORRIS & BERGER
Connecting today's nonprofits to tomorrows bade,
RECEIVED
2825 FEB 10 PM 4: 29
CiTY CLERK
C(TY OF PASADENA
August 14, 2024
City of Pasadena
Planning & Community Development Department
175 N. Garfield Avenue
Pasadena, CA 91101
Re: Letter of Support for:
Western Justice Center Foundation
55 South Grand Avenue
Pasadena, CA 91105
Case No. ZENT2023-00033
I am a longtime Pasadena resident and co-owner of Morris & Berger, an executive search firm employing nine people and located at 390 E. Walnut Street, one block from City Hall. I am also involved in the Network of Nonprofit Search Consultants, a group of 80+ highly acclaimed North American executive search professionals working in the nonprofit space.
Our company, together with three other local members, hosted the April 7-8, 2022 semi- annual meeting in Pasadena bringing 50+ people to our beloved city. I arranged for group rate accommodations at the Langham Huntington Hotel and dinners at local restaurants.
We hosted an evening cocktail party in our office using local caterers. The meetings were held for the two-day event at The Maxwell House and local caterers were used for breakfasts and lunches on both days. Local members provided carpools to reduce the number of cars in the residential area.
Not surprisingly our members loved The Maxwell House and it suited our needs perfectly.
Western Justice Center staff were welcoming and well organized and the facility was well maintained. Our group loved the charm of the grounds and the facility and remarked how much nicer it was to be there rather than in a hotel which is normally the case. They got to explore Pasadena and many people stayed for the weekend, following the event. They ,/1C
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City of Pasadena
Planning & Development Department
loved Pasadena and many visited Huntington Library & Gardens, the Norton Simon Museum, and enjoyed walking around and shopping in Old Town and on South Lake Avenue.
The Maxwell House is a true treasure and we are fortunate to have it and the Western Justice Center in our community. I certainly endorse providing them with a Conditional Use Permit to allow for weddings and other events at this wonderful facility.
Respectfully,
Jay V. Berger, Ph. D.
LLLEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS^ EC ES V ED
PASADENA AREA
2025 FEB 10 PH 4:30
Alhambra Attadena Arcadia Bradbury Duarte La Caftada Flintridge Monrovia fi^,/ f'j f:y, Monterey Psrt< Pasadena San Gabriel San Marino Sierra Madre South Pass August 15, 2024
City of Pasadena
Plaiming & Community Development Department
175N.GarfieldAve.
Pasadena, CA 91101
Re: Letter of Support for:
Western Justice Center Foundation
55 South Grand Avenue
Pasadena, California 91105
Case No. ZENT2023-00033
Dear Honorable Commissioners:
We are members of the Western Justice Center Foundation Non-profit Campus Community, which is located at 65, 75 and 85 S Grand Avenue, Pasadena, CA 91105. We are writing to express our support for the Conditional Use Pemiit that was issued to the Western Justice Center ("WJC") in June (the "Pemiit"). As we understand it, the Pemiit allows WJC to rent its space at The Maxwell House for a limited number of weddings each year which provides for the necessary funds needed for WJC to mamtain the WJC Campus.
Some of us have been members of the WJC Campus for a short period of time. Some of us have been here for decades. We want you to know what a unique and valuable resource WJC is providing to our nonprofit community. We have office space that allows us to serve the people of Pasadena in a beautiful neighborhood that we could never otherwise afford to be in.
We also have use of The Maxwell House, which is invaluable. Fellowship graduations, conunuaity health fairs, niediations, delivering of our programs, summer camp for children in need, donor cultivation events, board meetings and community award ceremonies are just a few of the ways that we benefit j&om being a part of the WJC Campus. The subsidized rate that WJC can offer us for these events would otherwise be cost prohibitive if we had to rent that space elsewhere.
The WJC Campus is more than just an office space. It is a community for us and for all the people we ser/e. For those that have been on WJC Campus longer, we have noticed a marked improvement m campus management and building maintenance that allow us a safe, healthy, welcoming place to work in. We hope that the City will affimi the Permit and allow WJC to have the means to continue supporting this WJC Campus and mamtaining it as beautifully as they do. 2/10/2025
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We urge you to decide in WJC's favor and thank you for your consideration of this matter.
With kind regards,
-^a^^^ ^^'^i-^y^-L.'
Karen Roberson
President
League of Women Voters Pasadena Area
August 18, 2024
To Whom It May Concern,
RECEIVED
202EFE810 PH 4:30
CtTY CLERK
CITY OF PASADENA
We wanted to share why we picked The Maxwell House as our wedding venue. From the moment we saw it, we knew it was the perfect spot for us! The Maxwell House is simply beautiful. The venue itself has such a warm, welcoming vibe. We were looking for a place that felt special and unique, and this venue checked all the boxes! It's hard to find an accessible venue with so much history and character in the area. To bring all our guests together in a venue like this was a very special thing and we hope many more couples and events get to feel the same way.
Another big plus was knowing that our deposit went towards supporting a nonprofit organization. It felt great to know that our special day was also helping a good cause.
Our wedding was perfect and guests are still talking about the venue months later.
Everyone we worked with was so kind and helpful, making sure every detail of our day went off without a hitch. They really went above and beyond to make our wedding unforgettable.
Sincerely,
Jenna Anderbery & Aron Benon
2/10/2025
Item 7
To Whom it May Concern,
RECEIVED
2025 FEB 10 PH ^ 30
CITY CLLRK
CITY OF PASADENA
August 16th, 2024
We hope this letter finds you well. We, Ileana and Chris, are writing to express our deep appreciation for the Maxwell House in Pasadena, California where we had the privilege of celebrating our wedding.
Our wedding day on June 1st, 2024 was nothing short of magical. The venue provided a perfect backdrop for our celebration, allowing us to create lasting memories with our loved ones.
The staff's professionalism and the venue's ambiance were instrumental in making our day truly special. The unique layout and long history of the Maxwell House contributed significantly to the emotional resonance of the occasion, setting the stage for the beginning of our married life together.
Beyond our personal experience, we believe the Maxwell House holds a special place in the hearts of many couples who, like us, are embarking on one of life's most significantjourneys.
The opportunity to host such an event at a venue like the Maxwell house adds immeasurable value to the occasion. It offers an indoor and outdoor setting, customizable wedding options for small and large gatherings, rentals, a full kitchen, a bridal and groom suite, a security guard for guest safety, rules on music levels and guest conduct, and a great price in the heart of Los Angeles for money conscious couples like us.
In a time when so much of our lives feels transient, places like the Maxwell House provide a sense of continuity and tradition that is increasingly rare and invaluable. By allowing the venue to continue hosting weddings, you are not just supporting a non-profit; you are preserving a space where countless couples begin their lives together. The memories created within its walls are cherished by so many, and we believe that its continued operation as a wedding venue on the weekends will ensure that future couples can experience the same joy that we did.
Thank you for taking the time to consider our perspective. Feel free to check out pictures from our joyous day on ileanachriswedding.com to see the happiness it brought us.
Sincerely,
Ileana & Chris
2/10/2025
Item 7
RECEIVED
Date: ^^'/^-/
%CCE8(0 PM li: 30
CITY CLcRK
CITY OF PASADENA City of Pasadena
Planning & Community Development Department
175N.GarfieIdAve
Pasadena, CA 91101
Re: Letter of Support for:
Western Justice Center Foundation
55 South Grand Avenue
Pasadena. California 91105
Case No. ZENT2023-00033
Dear Honorable Commissioners:
We are members of the Western Justice Center Foundation Non-profit Campus Community, which is located at 65, 75 and 85 S Grand Avenue, Pasadena, CA 91105. We are writing to express our support for the Conditional Use Pennit that was issued to the Western Justice Center ("WJC") in June (the "Pennit"), As we understand it, the Permit allows WJC to rent its space at The Maxwell House for a limited niunber of weddings each year which provides for the necessary funds needed for WJC to maintain the WJC Campus.
Some of us have been members of the WJC Campus for a short period of time- Some of us have been here for decades. We want you to know what a unique and valuable resource WJC is providing to our nonprofit community. We have office space that allows us to serve the people of Pasadena in a beautiful neighborhood that we could never otherwise afford to be in.
We also have iise of The Maxwell House, which is invaluable. Fellowship graduations, community health fairs, mediations, delivering of our programs, summer camp for children in need, donor cultivation events, board meetings and community award ceremonies arejiist a few of the ways that we benefit from being a part of the WJC Campus. The subsidized rate that WJC can offer us for these events would otherwise be cost prohibitive if we had to rent that space elsewhere.
The WJC Campus is more than just an office space. It is a community for us and for all the people we serve. For those that have been on WJC Campus longer, we have noticed a marked improvement in campus management and building maintenance that allow us a safe, healthy, welcoimng place to work in. We hope that the City will afifinn the Permit and allow WJC to havethe means to continue supporting this WJC Campus and maintaining it as beautifully as they do.
We urge you to decide in WJC's favor and thank you for your consideration of this matter.
With kind regards,
^
fr^^'^^ ^5^^^ ^^A^r^^w^^^
Date: 08/14/2024
City of Pasadena
Planning & Community Development Department
175N.GarfieldAve.
Pasadena, CA 91101
Re: Letter of Support fbf:
Western Justice Center Foundatiott
55 South Grand Avenue
Pasadena, California 91105
Case No. ZENT2023-00033
RECEIVED
202CFEB10 PM ^30
CITY CLERK
CJTf OF F?ASADENA
Dear Honorable ComTnissioners:
We are members of the Western Justice Center Foundation Non-profit Campus Cominunity, which is located at 65, 75 and 85 S Grand Avenue, Pasadena, CA 91105. We are writing to express our support for the Conditional Use Permit that was issued to the Western Justice Center ("WJC") in June (the "Permit"). As we understand it, the Permit allows WJC to rent its space at The Maxwell House for a limited number of weddings each year which provides for the necessary funds needed for WJC to maintain the WJC Campus.
Some of us have been members of the WJC Campus for a short period of time. Some of us have been here for decades. We want you to know what a unique and valuable resource WJC is providing to our nonprofit eominunity. We have office space that allows us to serve the people of Pasadena in a beautiful neighborhood that we could never otherwise afford to be in.
We also have use of The Maxwell House, which is invaluable. Fellowship graduations, commimity health fairs, mediations, delivering of our programs, summer camp for children in need, donor cultivation events, board meetings and community award eeremonies at-e just a few of the ways that we benefit from being a part of the WJC Campus, The subsidized rate that WJC can offer us for these events would otherwise be cost prohibitive if we had to rent that space elsewhere.
The WJC Campus Is more than just an office space. It is a commumty for us and for all the people we serve. For those that have been on WJC Campus longer, we have noticed a marked improvement in eampus management and building maintenance that allow us a safe, healthy, welcoming place to work in. We hope that the City will affirm the Permit and allow WJC to have the means to eontinue supporting this WJC Campus and maintaining it as beautifully as they do.
We urge you to decide m WJC's favor and thank you for your consideration ofthisinatter.
With kind regards,
2/10/2025
Item 7
^
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-5?f^c4^ fcw7 R^^o^9
Qartssa Weinck
3900 Durham Place, U Canada. CA 91011
October 8, 2024
RECEIVED
2025 FEB iO PH ^30
CiTY CLERK
CITY OF PASADENA C(ty of Pasadena
Board of Zoning
Re: Westein Justice &nter ~ Condiyonal Use Pemiit for The Maxwdl House To Whom ft May Ccmcern:
I am an attorney who was fonnerty on the boxd of The Western JusBce Centef ("WfC") and I hawserved on a number of boards ot local charitaUte organizatiotis, including the fwmer PasAdena Museumof California Art FPMCA"), ^ans, and Ctescanso Gardens Foundation (''Dwcanso"), where I was head ofthe AiKtit Committee. I am writtng in svpport of WICs application for a Contfe'tt'oruil Use Permit to rentthe Maxwell House for weddings and other events:
tt is my understandw^ that there have been some issues raised about the appropriateness and/orcommonalitv of a non profit enttty Bte WK raNsing funds from a rental bustness unrrlaled to (t$charitable purpose, teavfr^ aside the issue that a Board of Zoning hearing a dearly an tnappropnateforum in whwh to raise such a corxern (sinc^ it has no jur«sdiction over wtwther the acUwty of any non-profit is (»rmnsibte), I can attest from my knowledge and experience that it is, in fact, qurtc commof) fornon-profit enttttes to raise furwte to %uf)port thfw artivfties fro«n sources unrdated to their (wlmarvcharrtable purpos«s- Descanso Gardens (tilte The Huntintfon and other museums and faotAn»cal gardens) rents out portiom ofits space for weddings, parties and other events, and operates restaijrants and » gift slwp on ftspremis®$. They, like alt ncm-proftt entitfes. are requ«red to report revenue received from all of theseadditional actiwtjes in com^unce with the IRS rules governing unrdated buuness taitAle income("UBTI"), whvch were established expressty to deal with wurces of rcwnue not directty retated to a non-profit's charitaMe mission. CNw*ouriy. the IRS would not have had to estabM&ti a rule gove»ning thetn^ment of U8TI if tt were not both a lc^ and very commcm practice among non-ix-ofits to raise fundsfrom these unrelated sourcw.
When the PMCA was operational at to (ocatton at 4W Union Street in Pasadena, it obtained acondtUanal u&e permit to allow it to rent out its rooftop space fw weddif^s and other event&, eventhough s-uch ewnts were ctearty unrdated to te m sion of showcasing art and design or^inati^ fromCaltfornia artists. There n no legitimate argument th^ WtC A»s not have tf»e same right to rent <%it itssp»c.e for weddings and other events, espcdally gxwn thM ttw rental Income it rece»ves from wdhsources is wtal to rna«ntainin( the historK properties It occupJe& and to furth«*ng its nilssion ofcultivating a culture <rf peace and justice through wortong with vouth and educrtors.
Respectfully sutmiitted,
^^.,...,...i€/-/^
aari»aWarick
-2/10/2025
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McMillan, Acquanette (Netta)
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
Alex.'
Monday, February 10, 2025 4:28 PM
PublicComment-AutoResponse
CUP for Western Justice Center
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Pasadena City Council,
I am writing in support of the Western Justice Center's ("WJC") application for a Conditional Use Permit, to allow the WJC to continue funding its important work by offering short-term rental of its main campus building. The Maxell House, for weddings on a limited number of weekends.
I am a Pasadena native, having been born and raised here. My parents and sister still live in Pasadena, as do the majority of my friends, and my children attend Polytechnic School in Pasadena. It was in part because of my Pasadena roots that I chose last year to get involved in WJC, which is providing critical services to Pasadena Unified and other public schools in our area. Being a part of the organization has been immensely fulfilling; in addition to learning about all the great work they are doing at schools, I have participated in mediation sessions myself (and will be doing so again in two weeks) and have seen firsthand what an impact the organization is making on our local youth.
It is particularly valuable that the WJC have access to its campus, which is located adjacent to the Ninth Circuit courthouse. The WJC was founded by Judge Dorothy Nelson of the Ninth Circuit, and we have been fortunate to have many federal judges from both the Ninth Circuit and the United States District Court sit on the organization's board of directors. Access to this campus is only feasible if the WJC can continue to fund its maintenance through the modest revenue that the WJC earns by occasionally renting out The Maxwell House for weddings on a limited number of weekends.
I fully support WJC's application for a CUP and hope that the City Council will as well.
Thank you for your consideration.
Alex
Alex Wyman
LATHAM&WATKINSLLP
355 South Grand Avenue, Suite 100
Los Angeles, CA 90071-1560
Direct Dial:+1.213.891.8825
Email: [email protected]
https://www. lw.com
2/10/2025
Item 7
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