r/pasadena

>The Pasadena City Council voted this week to clear the way for new apartments for low-income fire survivors. But some council members noted their hesitancy to approve the project, saying their hands were tied by state law.

The decision: Mayor Victor Gordo joined the rest of the council in denying an appeal from homeowners opposed to the project that would bring 133 units of low-income housing to East Pasadena. But he expressed reluctance, blaming state lawmakers for pitting local elected leaders against the interests of existing residents.

The details: The council vote upheld an earlier Design Commission approval for the developer’s plans, which include adapting a former office building into 50 units of permanent supportive housing for tenants including formerly unhoused people. A new five-story building will include another 81 units of income-restricted housing. Two units will be for property managers.

The pushback: Members of the Lower Hastings Ranch Association appealed the project’s design approval, arguing the project was too tall, too dense and unsuited to the neighborhood.

Hi all! Back in April, I asked this sub for restaurant recommendations. I was proposing to my girlfriend and wanted to have a nice surprise dinner planned.

I proposed at the Huntington Library, she said yes, and we went to Union with a party of 10. It was an excellent recommendation. They rolled out a fixed menu with four courses and the food was stellar, as was the service.

I thank you all for your help, and wish everyone a happy and safe Memorial Day weekend.

Drove by the Trader Joe’s on Fairview at around 8:30 this morning, and there was a line down the block.

Is this normal? Are people in Pasadena eager for their TJs shopping? I tried to Google to see if there was some sort of special event or something, but came up short.

Need a Gastroenterologist recommendation in Pasadena or nearby. Would appreciate any good experiences or referrals. Thank you

Is it still Walmart? Used to be about $50. I live on Colorado and Hill and am willing to drive about 15 minutes.

Thanks!

Are there any smaller swim centers/pools with lazy rivers near Pasadena? We are staying in the area, and would prefer not to do a big water park. We don't particularly LOVE the water slides, but our family could stay all day in a lazy river!! Thank you!

Where is it coming from?

There’s a bus rapid transit project planned to be operational by 2028 that would connect North Hollywood and Pasadena through Burbank and Eagle Rock.

Unfortunately, some in Burbank are trying to cancel construction permits for dedicated bus lanes which would slow down the whole system.

I’m looking forward to this one. If you are too, you can use the link to send a letter to Burbank city council asking them to move forward with dedicated bus lanes.

I feel like we’re all trying to make our dollar go further and I would like to know where you all feel you can get a good meal for around ~$20 in Pasadena? Here’s some of mine:

- King’s Row $20 burger and boilermaker: you get a single cheeseburger, onion strings, a Miller High Life and a shot of Jameson. Yea after tip and tax it’s more like $25 but still

- Korean street toast at Cordova Cafe. Under $20 without a drink and it’s big enough you can save a portion for dinner

- Ry’s Poke Shack: it’s been a while but I think the double portion with a couple of extras and no drink is under $20. Don’t take me at my word though and check the menu!

I am going to give birth next month at Huntington Hospital and I will be exclusively formula feeding. This is my first time giving birth at this hospital and I’ve heard from a couple people Huntington is designated “baby friendly” meaning they are not supportive of formula feeding unless medically necessary. Has anyone experienced labor there and given formula and what was the experience like? I’m wondering what I should do to prepare including if I need to bring my own formula and if they will agree to give me the suppressive medication for breastmilk.

As a comparison I gave birth at UCLA Westwood and they were amazing about supporting my decision on formula so I’m a little nervous it won’t be the same positive experience here.

Edit: thanks for all the positive responses this is such a relief!!

Like many others, my wife and I lost our house in Pasadena to the Eaton Fire. My wife and I are in our 80s and we are only now getting serious about rebuilding. One general topic that has been very difficult for us to get consistent and reliable answers to--including from professional contractors and architects we've spoken to--is how much bigger can we rebuild our house and what are the related property tax (and other) consequences.

(1) How will the existing size of our home that burned down be calculated? This one question affects the others below. Our home was built in the 50s and tax records say it was 1700 sq. ft. But about 60 years ago, the prior owners added a 400 sq. ft. room, which we believe was unpermitted. We have photos that prove this and also google earth images show the room from above. So is our "base" 1700 or 2100?

(2) Assuming our base is sq. ft. is 1700, how much larger can we rebuild and still keep our existing property tax bill (which is really low since we bought decades ago)? Is that limit the 10% we keep hearing about? So we can go up to 1870 without paying more in property tax?

(3) What happens if we exceed 10%? Suppose we build a 2200 sq ft home. (a) How would our property tax be calculated then? Treated like a new 2200 home or extra tax only on the difference between 2200-1700 (or 2200-1870)? (b) I think this would also mean that it's no longer a "like-for-like rebuild" but what are the real-life practical implications/downsides of that?

Thank you!

I am in search of someone who does custom cookies in the LA area - specifically sugar cookies with royal icing. Any suggestions?

Just posting for visibility.

It makes me sad that we have that ugly fence on both sides of the bridge. I was looking at photos of the bridges that cross the Seine in France and they all display their lovely styling and detailing with no ugly fence. I know that the bridges go over a river and that it is significantly lower/safer but it just feels like another example of “we just can’t have nice things”.. You know? Anyone else feel this way?

Show up or write into the Metro Budget Committee Meeting on May 21st, or show up at or write in for the Metro Board Meeting on May 28th to support Metrolink service in SoCal!

Show up at or comment via phone for the Burbank City Council Meeting on Wednesday 5/20 to protect the Burbank portions of the North Hollywood to Pasadena BRT!

Protect the strengthening of mass public transit across LA County for a chance at cleaner, safer, less trafficked streets!

Hi! I’ve been making my espresso at home and I want to continue buying local beans. Any recommendations on your favorite local cafes?