Planning Commission to Weigh Expansion of Safe Parking Sites Across Pasadena

The Planning Commission will hold a study session Wednesday on whether the city should expand where safe parking programs for people living in their vehicles can operate, including the possibility of allowing the programs on some city-owned properties and adopting new operational standards.

The discussion follows direction from the Housing, Homelessness and Planning Committee to examine ways to increase the number of eligible safe parking locations while avoiding an overconcentration of sites serving unhoused residents in any one area.

“The next step will be to conduct further analysis and return to the Commission at a later date with findings and a formal recommendation,” the staff report states, noting that the current study session is informational only and no decision will be made Wednesday.

Any changes would ultimately require approval by the City Council.

Two permits have been approved to date: one for Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, which is operating with space for up to 10 vehicles, and another for All Saints Church, approved for up to 25 vehicles but not yet in operation.

Public concerns were raised during the City Council’s consideration of a safe parking permit for All Saints Church, where residents called for additional security requirements.

The permit was opposed by some local residents living near the site.

Staff is asking commissioners to consider whether safe parking should be allowed on additional city-owned properties, including some parking garages, parks, libraries, city yards, the Rose Palace site and certain vacant parcels with vehicle access.

City staff estimates there are about 81 sites currently eligible for safe parking under existing regulations, while approximately 182 city-owned properties are not currently eligible, although many would be unsuitable because of existing infrastructure or lack of access.

The report also outlines several potential changes to existing regulations, including requirements for secured gates, buffers between safe parking sites and nearby residential neighborhoods, and new findings intended to prevent an overconcentration of safe parking facilities or other homeless service uses.

Current regulations allow safe parking as an accessory use with a Minor Conditional Use Permit (MCUP) at religious facilities in nonresidential zones, transit facilities and certain college campuses.

Staff stressed that expanding eligible locations would not eliminate the city’s review process for individual sites.

Existing rules require safe parking operators to provide case management, restrooms, water, trash service and site monitoring, while participants must agree to restrictions that prohibit fires, outdoor cooking, excessive noise, tents and unauthorized guests.