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Community organizer asks Pasadena to help resident who spent nearly $10,000 and still lacks utilities
Summary
A community organizer told the City Council that a long-time resident who moved a mobile home to a new lot has spent nearly $10,000 on permits and work yet still lacks electricity and running water; the organizer asked the city to list outstanding requirements, consider fee relief and clarify the permitting path.
Amaris Gonzalez, a community organizer, urged the Pasadena City Council on June 2 to help a long-time resident identified as Lucy who has been unable to secure utility connections after moving a mobile home to a lot on 2907 Burbly Road.
"She has spent nearly $10,000 on permits, inspections, and contracting services required to obtain those permits and complete the work requested," Gonzalez said, and added that Lucy still does not have electricity or running water.
Gonzalez told the council Lucy has complied with each step the city required but was repeatedly told additional requirements only after completing prior tasks. "We are respectfully here today asking the city to provide a complete reading list of any remaining requirements, explore options to reduce or wave additional fees where possible, and help establish a clear path forward so Lucy can access utilities as safely and live in her home," she said.
The organizer asked the council for transparency, fee waivers or reductions where possible, and an explicit checklist the resident can follow to achieve service connections. Gonzalez emphasized Lucy is not seeking special treatment but a fair opportunity to access a safe, livable home.
The council did not announce a specific follow-up during the public-comment period. The item was raised during the public-comment portion of the meeting; there was no recorded motion or formal direction to staff in the transcript excerpt.
Background: Gonzalez said Lucy moved her mobile home to the Burbly Road lot and then incurred substantial costs while attempting to meet permitting and inspection requirements. The speaker described a pattern in which completing one required step led to discovery of another step and additional expense. The transcript does not specify whether any fee waivers or expedited permitting options are available under current city rules.
