Correspondence continues to pour into the City Council ahead of Monday’s meeting, as residents weighed in on a proposed safe parking program at All Saints Church that would allow people living in their vehicles to stay overnight in the church’s parking lot.
The council is scheduled to revisit an appeal challenging approval of the program, which would allow up to 25 participants — individuals or families living in their vehicles — to park overnight at the church at 202 N. Euclid Ave.
Supporters argued the program would provide a safer and more stable option for people already living in their cars.
“For individuals already living in their cars, a designated safe place to park overnight can provide a small but meaningful sense of security while they work toward permanent housing,” wrote Donna M. Lee.
Others claimed that safe parking programs have already proven effective locally.
“Every delay to this application means that 25 unhoused people have a less safe place to sleep,” wrote Daniel James. “Our neighbors — your constituents — deserve at least this small dignity.”
The idea does have its detractors.
Opponents raised concerns about neighborhood safety and quality of life.
Pasadena resident Sarah Reade urged the council to reject the proposal, saying she has seen public safety deteriorate in recent years.
“Over the past seven years, I have personally witnessed a significant and alarming decline in public safety in our neighborhoods,” Reade wrote, adding that approving the program “will only exacerbate these issues.”
Reade also said the proposal risks attracting more vehicle activity and associated problems to the area. “As a woman living in Pasadena, I find this proposal deeply troubling and incompatible with preserving the character and security of our community,” she wrote.
The dispute centers on a minor conditional use permit approved by Pasadena’s Board of Zoning Appeals that would allow All Saints Church to operate the program on its existing parking lot.
City planners say the site contains 109 spaces and the program would require no construction or physical alterations. Portable restrooms and handwashing stations would be installed to support participants.
The permit application was submitted in March 2025 by Erica Tamblyn on behalf of All Saints Church. A hearing officer approved the permit in June, and the Board of Zoning Appeals later upheld that decision in September.
The City Council first considered the appeal in November but failed to reach a final decision after a motion related to environmental exemption findings received only four votes. Under Pasadena’s city charter, at least five affirmative votes are required for council action.
A subsequent motion to reopen the hearing and continue the item also failed to receive five votes, leaving the appeal unresolved.
In February, the council voted to rescind the earlier closure of the hearing and schedule the matter for reconsideration.
City staff say the proposed activity qualifies for exemptions under the California Environmental Quality Act because the program would operate in an existing parking lot and would not involve significant physical changes.
Planning staff recommend the council uphold the Board of Zoning Appeals’ approval of the permit.
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