The WPRA strongly urges City Council to approve the recommendations of the Planning and Community Development Department report of 12/6/2021, which would enact an Interim Urgency Ordinance in response to Senate Bill 9.
2021_12_6-WPRA-Ltr-re-SB9-Interim-OrdPasadena City Council
Pertaining to issues addressed by the City Council or the previous Pasadena Board of Directors
WPRA Letter to the Planning Commission regarding the SB 9 Study Session
WPRA Supports the Interim Development Standards in Response to SB9 (regarding lot splits and duplex construction in RS zones) and endorses the letter submitted by the Linda Vista-Annandale Association.
2021-11-10-WPRA-Letter-SB-9-Study-SessionPasadena Housing Draft Element – WPRA Letter to Council
WPRA’s comments on the July 14, 2021 Draft Housing Element – WPRA considers this draft to be an overall good start to a difficult task, one that provides a platform for further engagement and revision. We list 7 key points of focus & 3 appendixes.
2021-8-2-Pasadena-Housing-Element-WPRA-Ltr-to-CouncilThe WPRA Letter to Mayor Gordo about the Colorado Street Bridge Barriers
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-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 | 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-Proposal