Iraheta, Alba
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Friday, January 30, 2026 1:30 PM
Gordo, Victor; Rivas, Jessica; Cole, Rick; PublicComment-AutoResponse Re: We need safe parking!
Safe Parking Signatures.pdf
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On Friday,January 30, 2026 at 09:48:15 AM PST,wrote:
\ Dear Mayor Gordo and Councilmembers Jess Rivas and Rick Cole, I I am glad that you are focusing on homelessness, which needs to be a priority for our City. We urgently need a yeqr-round shelter, preferably at Trinity Lutheran Church which already has an excellent program in place. This facility is being modified to be in compliance with City code requirements at considerable expense to the City. It is wise policy to connect shelters and safe parking with a church since churches have a track record of providing compassionate support for our unhoused neighbors.
We have previously written you to let you know that we agree with Planning Commissioner Juliana Delgado that the Council has probably violated state law by rejecting the project through CEQA. Using CEQA to thwart a legitimate effort to provide needed services to our unhoused neighbors is not permitted under state law, for very good reason. CEQA shouldn't be weaponized in this way.
As Council member Lyon, Rivas, and Cole pointed out, this was supposed to be a judicial hearing about the merits of the application, not about the merits of the safe parking program. That policy was already approved by the city. Therefore, the action taken by the Council violated the rights of the applicant and may not have been legal.
I was disturbed by the lack of knowledge shown by some Council members regarding the safe parking program and feel compelled to correct the record.
I have been involved with the safe parking program at Trinity Lutheran since its inception and I know many of the parkers personally. They are mostly older women who pose no threat whatsoever to the neighborhood.
I was deeply offended when Council members kept bringing up number of "calls for service." This is I misleading. As Pastor Richter pointed out, no one in the safe parking program has been implicated in criminal behavior or posed any risk to their neighbors. Safe parkers have made some of these call of service when they have observed people from outside their program behaving inappropriately. Safe parkers are not defecating on the street because they have access to rest rooms. If the safe parking program is terminated, then where can elderly people living in their cars answer nature's call? Where can they go to be safe?
i 02/02/2026
ITEM 7
As Council member Cole pointed out, those living in their cars are not irresponsible people. They have to have a valid driving license and registration and insurance to qualify. They must have a drivable vehicle. That means that they have a good chance of becoming permanently housed Even if CEQA applied in this case, the argument made by some Council members made no sense.
Suggesting that parkers would idle their cars all night to heat or cool themselves assumes that they have money to burn. Let's be real. These people are barely making it on part-time, minimum wage jobs or GR or SSI. Therefore, the idea that they would run their engines and pollute the air with the car exhaust all night is absurd.
Some proposed as an alternative using the money designated for safe parking for motel vouchers.
The idea of using $350,000 for motel vouchers might sound good until you do the math. At $125 per night, this would provide motel vouchers for 112 days (or just under four months) for 25 people.
However, if you provide services to help them to become housed, then you probably could only provide a motel for two or three months. It is very hard to find permanent housing that quickly so most of those would end up back on the street. Providing motel vouchers would not serve the parkers as well as the safe parking program.
The Council members who say that they have compassion for the parkers but refuse to allow them to have a safe place to park are being disingenuous. Without this program what will happen to these people living in their vehicles? Over half of them are women who have no other place to go. Without a safe parking program, they are at risk of being sexually assaulted or robbed. And If they don't have a legal place to park, they could end up being fined and lose their vehicle.
Therefore, I urge you to reconsider your decision, show compassion and common sense, and approve the application, as the law requires.
Sincerely,
Anthony Manousos
2 We Support Safe Parking!
We strongly support Trinity Lutheran Church's highly effective Safe Parking Program and All Saints EpiscopalChurch's safe parking program application that was approved, then appealed and denied by Pasadenas City Council. We support safe parking for the following reasons; 1) Pasadena lacks year-round shelter beds or motel vouchers to accommodate the 581 in the last homelesscount Safe Parking shelters people in their own vehicles—all on the patti to become housed Seventeen peo-pie at Trinity Lutheran Church have been housed, thanks to r^se management currently provided by Friends In Deed.
2) People living in their vehicles tend to be oteler (over 55) and half are women. This is a very vulnerable popu- iation at risk of assault or being fined if they are not in a lega! safe pari<iny proyram. 3) Safe parkers have demonstrated that they are responsible by having a valid drivers license. registration andworking car Most work part-time, They pose no threat to adjacent neighbors; in fact. they sen/e as eyes on thestreet, making the area safer, There have been no police calls due to an issue with a Safe Parker
4. No Safe Parkers are coming from other cities; all have a connection to Pasadena. 5) There is no negative environmental impact for safe parking since few if any parkers can afford to run their engines all night to stay coo! or warm
We urge you to approve again the application by All Saints Episcopal Church to provide safe parking. All Saintsis offering a huge benefit to our city for which they deserve thanks. By taking care of our dty s unhoused residents.they are taking this burden off the city and futfitting their faith obligation as Christians.
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We strongly support Trinity Lutheran Church's highly effective Safe Parking Program and All Saints EpiscopalChurch's safe parking program application that was approved, then appealed and denied by Pasadena s City Council We support safe parking for the following reasons:
1) Pasadena lacks year-round shelter beds or motel vouchers to accommodate the 581 in the last homelesscount. Safe Parking shelters people in their own vehicles—all on the path to become housed Seventeen peo-pie at Tnnity Lutheran Church have been housed, thanks to case managemfint r-.urrentiy provided by Friends In Deed.
2) People living in their vehicles tend to be older (over 55) and half are women. This is a very vulnerable popu- Sation at risk of assault or be'ng fined if ut'iey aic not in a lcyai safe park.ing proyram 3) Safe papers have demonstrated that they are responsible by having a valid drivers' license, registration andworking car Most work part-time, They pose no threat to adjacent neighbors: in fact, they sen/e as eyes on thestreet, making the area safer, There have been no police calls due to an issue with a Safe Parker. 4, No Safe Parkers are coming from ott'ier cities; al! have a ronnectjon to Pasadena. 5) There is no negative environmental impact for safe parking since few if any parkers can afford to run their engsnes alt night to stay cool or wam-s.
We urge you to approve again the application by All Saints Episcopal Church to provide safe parking. Al! Saints(S offering a huge benefit to our city for whicti they deserve thanks By taking care of our city s unhoused residents, they are taking this burden off the dty and fulfilling their faith obligation as Christians.
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We Support Safe Parking!
We strongly support Trinity Lutheran Church's highly effective Safe Parking Program and Alt Saints EpiscopalChurch's safe parking program application that was approved, then appealed and denied by Pasadena's City Council. We support safe parking for the following reasons:
1) Pasadena tacks year-round shelter beds or motel vouchers to accommodate the 581 in the last homelesscount. Safe Parking shelters people in their own vehicles—all on the path to become housed. Seventeen peo-pie at Trinity Lutheran Church have been housed, thanks to case management currently provided by Friends In Deed.
2) People living in their vehicles tend to be older (over 55) and half are women. This is a very vulnerable popu- iation at risk of assault or being fined if they are not in a icya! safe parkiny program. 3) Safe parkers have demonstrated that they are responsible by having a valid drivers' license, registration andworking car Most work part-time. They pose no threat to adjacent neighbors; in fact, they serve as eyes on thestreet, making the area safer. There have been no police calls due to an issue with a Safe Parker.
4. No Safe Parkers are coming from other cities; all have a connection to Pasadena. 5) There is no negative environmental impact for safe parking since few if any parkers can afford to run their engines all night to stay cool or warm.
We urge you to approve again the application by All Saints Episcopal Church to provide safe parking. All Saintsis offering a huge benefit to our dty for which they deserve thanks. By taking care of our city's unhoused residents, they are taking this burden off the dty and fulfilling their faith obligation as Christians.
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Gao, Beilei
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Sunday, February 1, 2026 8:42 PM
PublicComment-AutoResponse
Item 7
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Dear City Council,
I am in favor of allowing the safe parking program at Alt Saints Church to proceed. The program at Trinity Lutheran has been successful with minimal disruption to the surrounding neighborhood. I believe the same would be true for the All Saints program. Until such time that there is permanent housing for all, temporary measures must be available.
Thankyou,
Jean Burns
102/02/2026
ITEM 7
Gao, Beilei
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Scott Chamberlain
Monday, February 2, 2026 12:07 PM
PublicComment-AutoResponse
Hayley Block
Safe Parking Support; Agenda Item #7, Old Business
SGVC-Safe Parking Support-Pasadena City Council.pdf
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City Staff and City Council Members,
Please find my letter of support for the Safe Parking program. As a home owner in Pasadena, a Pastor in Pasadena and Executive Director of a SGV non-profit, I fully support this existing program for those living out of their cars. Please contact me if you have any questions.
Scott
Scott Chamberlain | Executive Director
San Gabriel Valley Consortium on Homelessness
www.sgvc.org
Working to prevent and end homelessness in the San Gabriel Valley through education, collaboration and advocacy The Consortium
S^t GifaU V<A^ anortum in > wfwtNNN*
102/02/2026
ITEM 7
The Consortium
San Gabriel Valley Consortium on Homelessness
February 2, 2026
Re: Safe Parking Support
To Pasadena City Council,
As a resident and pastor in Pasadena, as well as the Executive Director of the San Gabriel Valley Consortium on Homelessness CSGVC), I urge you to support the Safe Parking Program at All Saints Church in Pasadena. There are key reasons to support this Safe Parking program:
As a resident near Old Town: As a condo owner on Orange Grove (404 S. Orange Grove), near Old Town, I am in support of the Safe Parking Program. I do not believe and have not seen any evidence that homeless services such as Safe Parking attract homeless people. I have only seen evidence to the contrary, that a program that provides the wrap around services that are needed, helps to end homelessness for our vulnerable populations.
As a pastor in Pasadena: As the Associate Pastor ofMontrose Church's Pasadena Bresee Campus (1480 E. Washington Blvd), I oversee our emergency assistance fund and collaborations with local non-profits. In this role I have seen many Pasadena/Altadena residents who are vehicularly homeless.
Most are working or disabled neighbors who lost their apartment or home. Their car is their last asset.
I especially have seen Pasadena Seniors living out of their cars. I believe in the moral responsibility of a city to have options for this population.
As a non-profit and community organizer: The SGVC, and our 2000+ stakeholders of non-profits, businesses, schools, hospitals and government entities, exist to educate communities, collaborate organizations and advocate to prevent and end homelessness in the San Gabriel Valley (SGV) of LA County. Across LA County, the Safe Parking results have proven successful for this unique population, especially the working poor and seniors. This is one piece of the flow chart of a response, as we have seen the amazing results when a city implements a comprehensive response to prevent and end homelessness, that includes Prevention, Outreach, Interim Housing and Permanent Supportive Housing, with support services for any unhoused neighbors. Safe Parking can be an effective model for prevention and interim housing for those that are vehicular homeless.
Please do the right thing, though it is not the easy thing with many ill-informed and boisterous neighbors.
Allow me to thank you in advance for your support of this application and any future plans that address affordable housing and homelessness! Myself personally, and the Consortium is committed to working with Pasadena to address any issues to prevent and end homelessness, as part of a comprehensive approach.
Please contact myself at [email protected], if I can provide additional support.
Sincerely,
Scott Chamberlain
Scott Chamberlain
Pasadena Homeowner; Pasadena Associate Pastor
Executive Director, SGV Consortium on Homelessness
(626) 590-2170
[email protected]
Working to end homelessness in the San Gabriel Valley through education, collaboration and advocacy P.O. Box 7783 [ La Verne, CA 91750-7783 | (626)590-2170 Gao, Beilei
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Donna Sider
Monday, February 2, 2026 3:28 PM
PublicComment-AutoResponse; Cole, Rick
Agenda item 7, A and 4
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City council members,
Item 7: I stand with all who affirm: We need to reinstate safe parking as planned at All Saints Episcopal church. This is a program that is working, successfully returning residents to job interviews, and housing!
A: No gas lines in new construction! This is not a time to move backwards. Pasadena needs to lead in rebuilding smart, meaning all electric construction, not rebuilding with fossil fuel gas lines! 4: Yes, on moving forward with all proposed solar installations on city structures.
Thank you,
Donna Sider
D2
102/02/2026
ITEM A, 4, 7
Gao, Beilei
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Cassandra Beale
Monday, February 2, 2026 4:14 PM
PublicComment-AutoResponse
Item 7
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To whom it may concern,
I am writing to express my support for item 7 on tonight's City Council meeting agenda, Safe Parking. We already fail our houseless neighbors every day by allowing them to continue to live on the streets, and we must not continue to fail them even further - safe parking should absolutely be allowed to live or sleep safely in their cars on all streets, but for the purpose of this meeting, specifically on private property such as churches. The city should and must vote yes to allow the safe parking program at All Saints Church.
Thank you,
Cassandra Beale
102/02/2026
ITEM 7
Iraheta, Alba
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Michael Canavan «
Monday, February 2, 2026 5:02 PM
PublicComment-AutoResponse
RE: Item 7, Safe Parking
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Good evening Mayor and councilmembers,
My name is Michael Canavan. I'm writing to support moving forward with safe parking at All Saints church. I first want to applaud the council's decision to explore additional sites for safe parking in Pasadena and to organize a year-round shelter for unhoused residents of Pasadena. Individuals experiencing homelessness face serious and life-threatening challenges on our streets every night, in good weather and bad, and a year- round shelter would be an important step to securing more permanent housing for these people.
That said, the fact that the council is pursuing further sites for safe parking should not remove this one at All Saints, which was all but completely decided in November last year, from consideration. As Councilmember Cole said in a previous hearing: "There's always somewhere else." These additional sites may have issues of their own that aren't visible on a first survey, and they too have neighbors who could object to their use as safe parking, sending us back to square one.
The process that the city pursued to deny the CEQA exemption for All Saints safe parking was also, if not illegal (though it may be!), then highly irregular and a betrayal of not just the individuals who could benefit from the program, but the dedicated faith organizations and nonprofits that do the vital work of caring for our unhoused population. How can our city expect to be trusted on this issue when we're violating an ordinance we passed not even three years ago to enable safe parking at religious sites? I also object to the legal threats of the Maryland HOA. It is not appropriate for an HOA to hold a citywide program hostage unless their demands for alternative sites are agreed to. Further, many of their issues, including the supposed environmental impact of overnight idling and concerns about vagrancy or crime, apply to virtually every site that could be used for this purpose. The city debated and adopted an ordinance to make safe parking an allowed use on religious sites in commercial zones. Staff, after extensive work on this subject, confirms that the use of church parking lots for safe parking programs is not a change of use that rises to the level of CEQA challenges.
I urge the council to take up a full vote on safe parking at All Saints and move this program forward. The program at Trinity Lutheran has been successful, with minimal or no service calls due to participants and the program and an impressive number of participants moved to permanent housing, which should be our ultimate goal. Please do the right thing by the 25 people who could enjoy some basic sense of security and normality by having a safe place to park their cars. Thank you for your time.
Sincerely,
Michael Canavan
02/02/2026
Item 7
1