The WPRA requests that the City delay implementation of the current options for suicide-deterring Vertical Barrier Enhancements to the Colorado Street Bridge, and continue to conduct an in-depth review of alternatives, including any technologies that could replace the physical barriers, or enhance a reduced height of those barriers.
21_6_8-WPRA-Ltr-to-Mayor-Gordo-about-the-Colorado-St-Bridge-Pasadena City Council
Pertaining to issues addressed by the City Council or the previous Pasadena Board of Directors
The 2021 West Pasadena Residents’ Association Annual Meeting
On May 27, 2021, the West Pasadena Residents’ Association held its virtual annual meeting and informational program. This year we took a deep dive into the current topic many people are concerned about: our state’s housing shortage and how it severely affects California’s urban centers.
Two video program versions were placed on YouTube for public viewing.
CLICK HERE for the replay of the entire annual meeting.
CLICK HERE for the housing content only without WPRA’s business segment.
We kicked off our meeting with Dan Beal’s president’s message…
…and then we presented WPRA’s Community Service Awards to Rosa Laveaga, former Arroyo Seco Project Supervisor and to Priscilla Taylor who recently retired from our board after serving 26 years.
WPRA Board Director, Joan Hearst & Rosa Laveaga 
WPRA President Dan Beal & Priscilla Taylor
We elected our 2021 to 2022 Board of Directors and moved on to our discussion topic: The Housing Crisis: How do we build our way out of the housing shortage, and especially affordable housing?
We started our focus on our local planning challenges within Pasadena, expanding the conversation to the LA County area and then widening the analysis even further to state legislation. Moderating was Avram Gold, WPRA Vice President of Communications. WPRA Treasurer, Blaine Cavena handled the webinar engineering as Tech Director.
Avram Gold, Moderator 
Blaine Cavena, Tech Director
Our lineup of introductory speakers were:
Pasadena Mayor, Victor Gordo
Pasadena District 6 Councilmember, Steve Madison
LA County Supervisor, Kathryn Barger
and our State’s District 41, Assembly member Chris Holden
Mayor Victor Gordo 
Council member Steve Madison 
LA County Supervisor,
Cathryn Barger
State Assembly member,
Chris Holden
We then followed these four reports with a panel discussion. Our special guest panelists were:
Our District 25 State Senator, Anthony Portantino
Pasadena’s Director of Planning and Community Development, David Reyes
Executive Director of nonprofit Heritage Housing Partners, Charles Loveman. Jr.
and nonprofit Abode Communities President & CEO, Robin Hughes.
Senator Anthony Portantino 
Pasadena Planning Director,
David Reyes
Non-profit developer,
Robin Hughes
Non-profit developer,
Charles Loveman
Topics discussed were: more production vs the reach for more land, the lack of current state funding and existing county subsidies, the struggle to finance affordable housing, state vs local control, gentrification, communication breakdowns in Sacramento, developer influence and lobbying, and ending with the question: Will there really be a reduced demand for cars in the future?
WPRA Mansionization Letter to Council & Planning
WPRA advises Mayor Tornek, Council (& Planning) for Phase 2 of the “Mansionization” Zoning Code Amendment stating very specific suggestions & potential guidelines
2020.10.19-Mansionization-Ltr-to-CouncilWPRA News Spring 2020
2020-B-WPRA-Spring
In this issue
COVID-19 hits home – WPRA postpones 2020 annual membership meeting
President’s message – We’re making changes to improve communications and engagement
Mayoral, District 6 council candidates debate the issues – Candidate Forum
Q&A with David Reyes, Director of Pasadena Planning & Community Development
Voters go to the polls to select candidates in party primaries and local races
A major project proposed at Arroyo and California
Huntington Hospital and Cedars-Sinai sign a letter of intent to merge
Will city’s new vision for parks raise or raze the bar?
LA and local cities changing single-use plastic recycling rules
A summary of Arroyo Seco news
Little-known facts about America’s first Busch Gardens
Former Fenyes home destroyed by fire! Was it arson?
Officers
| President | Dan Beal |
| Vice President, Administration | Evan Davis |
| Vice President, Communications | Avram Gold |
| Secretary | Kenyon Harbison |
| Treasurer | Blaine Cavena |
| President | Dan Beal |
| Vice President | Avram Gold |
| Secretary | Evan Davis |
| Treasurer | Blaine Cavena |
Letter to City Council endorsing Staff's IHO changes
Regarding Public Hearing item #11: Zoning Code Amendments relating to Inclusionary Housing and Affordable Housing Concession Menu and Adjustments to Inclusionary In-lieu Fee Rates
2019-08-16-WPRA-letter-to-CC-endorsing-Staffs-IHO-changesWPRA letter zoning amendments for IHR & affordable housing
WPRA letter to Planning Department supporting staff’s proposals for zoning code amendments to update inclusionary housing requirements and establish an affordable housing concession menu
2019-08-07_WPRA-letter-zoning-amendments-for-IHR-affordable-housingWPRA requests public hearings on inclusionary housing requirements be continued
WPRA requests the Commission’s deliberations and the public hearing on inclusionary housing requirements and an affordable housing concession menu be continued to a future date
2019-05-04-Request-More-Time-to-Review-Housing-Concessions-ProposalWPRA supports Council’s review of the Desiderio Park design and restroom
WPRA supports efforts to call for Council review the Desiderio Park design, restroom and funding issues
2018-09-12-Desiderio-Restroom-ObjectionsWPRA wants the Desiderio public toilet’s location be carefully evaluated
WPRA requests that the Desiderio public toilet’s location be carefully evaluated and the final placement be the least intrusive and most safe for its neighbors and users alike
2018-07-19-Desiderio_ltr_to_CouncilWPRA accepts the Art Center Master Plan with the exception of the digital sign
WPRA accepts the Art Center Master Plan and the certification of the EIR, with the exception of the proposed digital sign and opposes any zoning signage amendments that allow the sign
2018-07-15-Art-Center_ltr_to_Council