All Saints Church walked away Wednesday from its controversial Safe Parking permit, but the move did little to end a legal battle over whether the city ever had a valid permit to relinquish.
The permit would have allowed homeless people living in their vehicles to sleep overnight in a parking lot near the church. The church said it was relinquishing the permit due to a lack of funding.
However, an attorney for a local resident says the hearing officer did not have the authority to hold the hearing because the Conditional Use Permit (CUP) was never valid in the first place.
“With its pro forma hearing last night, the City of Pasadena continues to commit further acts in violation of state and local law, which could have been addressed months ago with the requested acknowledgment that the MCUP permit was not valid,” said Attorney Jordanna Thigpen. “Even a high school debate team member could tell you that the set of parliamentary procedures known as ‘Robert’s Rules of Order’ do not control over contrary provisions of local, state and federal law.”
Thigpen represents Martin Truitt, who lives near the church. According to Thigpen the hearing never should have happened because it assumes the permit is valid while that very question is pending before Los Angeles County Superior Court.
“The residents of Pasadena are entitled to know why they are funding a City Council, a City Attorney. and City staff that do not understand that. Also deeply concerning is that anyone — even those who do not own a property in question — can apply to relinquish permits involving land rights, without establishing proof of ownership and permission from the property owner. My client will continue to fight to ensure that the City’s procedures conform to state law, for the benefit of all current and future residents of Pasadena.”
The Safe Parking program would have allowed as many as 25 unhoused individuals or families living in up to 25 vehicles to park overnight at All Saints. The permit was initially approved by a Hearing Officer in June 2025 and upheld by the Board of Zoning Appeals in September.
The item led to two contentious City Council meetings and triggered a lawsuit by Truitt, who claimed the City Council could not legally approve the item after it was shot down when a procedural vote on the item failed.
In that instance, a motion to approve environmental findings received four votes, one short of the five required for council action with Councilmember Steve Madison absent. A subsequent effort to reopen and continue the hearing also failed 4-3.
Despite that, the city maintained no final decision had been reached and the item returned to the dais on March 9, this time before a full City Council.
Opponents argued the council lacked legal authority to reconsider the permit. Despite the objections, the City Council voted 5-2-1 in favor of the permit after another contentious debate. Mayor Victor Gordo and Councilmember Justin Jones voted against it, and Councilmember Tyron Hampton abstained.
That dispute is now part of Truitt’s Superior Court case. He filed an amended petition in April seeking to have the March 9 actions declared void and challenging the city’s use of Robert’s Rules of Order to reopen the matter.
The political fight did not end with the vote. Opponents pursued litigation challenging the city’s decision to reopen the proceedings and approve the permit. Ultimately, however, the program never opened.
Last month, Pasadena Now reported that the church was withdrawing its permit. The city has made no formal announcement on the matter.
Supporters argued Safe Parking would provide people living in vehicles with security, restrooms and access to services instead of forcing them to sleep on streets and in scattered locations throughout Pasadena.
But the proposal drew fierce opposition from some nearby residents and the Maryland Homeowners Association.
All Saints Church could apply for another CUP to host the program in the same parking lot.
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