Pomona · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Pomona public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Historic significance of 1087 East Phillips Boulevard
Another owner is seeking a formal ruling that their 1087 East Phillips Boulevard house is not historic. Staff agrees, pointing to bungalow-architecture context materials and building permits.
Historic significance of 1836 South White Avenue
A property owner is asking the city to formally decide whether their 1836 South White Avenue house is historic. Staff reviewed permits, photos, and the city's historic context statement and believes it isn't — which would free the owner from historic-review requirements.
Masonic Hall exterior modification at 395 South Thomas Street
An owner in the Landmark Quarter Historic District wants to change the south exterior stairs and make changes to the north side of the building. Since it's in a historic district, the changes need a Certificate of Appropriateness with a modification. Staff is recommending the commission approve it.
Streetlight lamp color in Pomona
The commission is discussing what color of light the city should use in its streetlights — warm or cool tones matter a lot in historic neighborhoods. It's a discussion item, so no decision yet, but the outcome eventually shapes nighttime character citywide.
Citywide tree maintenance contract delayed
Street trees are great until their roots crack sidewalks or their canopies tangle with utilities. The commission is discussing how the city should handle these conflicts over the long term.
Complete Streets Ordinance overview
Clean and Green Pomona's president brought a memorial bouquet of 70 roses — one for each pedestrian killed in Pomona from 2014 to 2024 — and urged the council to support road diets and slower speeds through Complete Streets.
Oak tree removal at 878-898 N. Garey Avenue
Seven protected oak trees are proposed for removal from a commercial property in the Downtown Gateway area. Pomona's tree preservation rules require a major permit for this, and the public hearing lets residents weigh in before a decision.
Industrial project time extensions
Two already-approved industrial projects — a distribution building on S. Reservoir Street and two industrial buildings on E. Second Street — got extra time before their permits would expire. It keeps the projects alive but doesn't guarantee construction.
Newly adopted commission bylaws
The Commission discussed updates to its own by-laws — internal rules on how it operates.
RLUIPA and local land use
The Commission discussed the federal Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act, which limits how much cities can restrict religious institutions' use of land. It matters for how Pomona handles houses of worship and similar projects.
November and December meeting schedule
The commission had to choose between holding a special meeting in November or going dark through the end of the year. The decision affects how much commission business gets done during the holiday season.
Holiday Christmas Parade 2026 participation
The commission was set to discuss its role in the city's 2026 Holiday Christmas Parade. Participation could shape the community's experience of the annual event.
Mobile Stage Decal Mural
The Commission considered a draft Call for Art for a mural on the city's mobile stage, which appears at community events. The artwork would give local artists a visible public canvas.
LA28 Cultural Olympiad
An update on how Pomona could participate in LA28's Cultural Olympiad, the arts program surrounding the 2028 Olympic Games. The briefing explores opportunities for local visibility and cultural programming.
Code of Ethics for City Officials
Pomona's Ethics Commission was scheduled to review the final draft of a Code of Ethics and Conduct that would set standards for how city officials behave. If approved, it goes to the City Council, which would decide whether to adopt it.
Rent Stabilization Expiration
A resident said ordinance 4359's exemption for post-1995 buildings leaves her Serenity Villas community without rent stabilization, with rents rising about $118 and maintenance declining.
Homelessness and shelter capacity
The council approved $2.77 million to install modular housing units, part of the city's interim housing efforts. A resident criticized the lack of a presentation; council members said the project had been discussed multiple times.
Proposed Rental Registry for Rental Properties
A rental registry would require landlords to register units, giving the city data on rents, conditions and violations. Staff recommended it, but the council split 3-4 against it, with skeptics citing cost, unproven benefits and only nine months of program data.
Orange Grove Avenue Lane Reductions and Emergency Access
A resident warned that recent lane narrowing on Orange Grove between the 10 Freeway and newer modifications creates gridlock that could block fire, police and medical response. Councilmember Martin echoed severe peak-hour congestion and asked for a left-turn solution at White Avenue.
Tobacco Retail Licensing and Retailer Density
A dozen advocates, including youth as young as 14, urged the council to pass a long-delayed tobacco retail licensing ordinance. Pomona has 118 tobacco retailers and an F grade from the American Lung Association; the mayor promised the ordinance in two to three months.
Manufacturing Sector in Pomona
A Manufacturing Month presentation highlighted 180 manufacturers, 7,100 manufacturing workers, and companies from Siemens to Superior Duct Fabrication, plus a tribute to Mars Automation's COVID-era test tube production.
Holt Avenue Peak-Hour Bus and Bike Lanes (SGV Jump Start)
A $5,000 community benefit from the Temple Avenue liquor license will fund a business needs assessment and restoration plan for Holt Avenue, where 12 off-sale alcohol/tobacco retailers operate as legal nonconforming uses.
Flock Surveillance Cameras and Privacy
Multiple residents demanded accountability over the city's Flock license plate cameras — citing a reported case of Pomona PD data reaching DHS and an $87 million police budget. The police oversight commission is reviewing the contracts.
Western University VPD parking license amendment
The commission was set to consider amending the parking license agreement with Western University of Health Sciences for student, faculty and staff parking, but the meeting was adjourned before any discussion. The item now waits until November 12.
Youth Substance Abuse and Social Host Ordinance
Teachers, students, and the Pomona Youth Prevention Coalition urged the council to amend the Social Host Ordinance to cover drugs — not just alcohol — and add education workshops instead of just fines, to protect kids from vapes and overdoses.
Cal Poly Pomona Partnership
New university president Vanya Quinones laid out how Cal Poly drives the local economy — $1.2 billion in activity, 11,200 jobs — and flagged student housing expansion, a transit hub, and the Lanterman development as shared priorities.
Permanent Supportive Housing Funding
The city is buying $2.2 million in prefabricated modular units to house homeless individuals and families with Pomona ties on city-owned land next to the family stabilization hub. Neighbors worry about security, loitering, and the poor condition of the alleys serving the site; a public design review hearing with 10-day notice is still to come.
City Council Election Candidate
Victor Preciado is running for Pomona City Council District 2 in 2026 and answered a candidate questionnaire. If you live in District 2, it’s a quick way to see where he stands before you vote.
Pomona ACTS Climate Grant Progress
The $22 million state climate grant is delivering: a new scramble crosswalk and medians on Garey, nearly 1,000 free transit passes, free solar and battery storage for homes, 750 trees, resilience centers at two parks, and e-bike lending — with an extra $7.3 million coming from Prop 4.
Park and Soccer Field Rehabilitation Projects
The city is investing in local recreation by rehabilitating soccer fields at Washington and Palomares parks and restriping parking lots to improve community facilities.
Blighted V Red Gas Station at 2295 North Garey
After years of resident complaints, the city is finally taking legal action on the abandoned gas station — authorizing nuisance abatement and possibly a court-appointed receiver to fix up the property. A neighbor told the council she has felt 'traumatized for six years' looking at it.
Parks and Recreation Commissioner removal
The commission was scheduled to consider removing one of its own members, which would change the composition and leadership dynamics of the volunteer body. The reason for the proposed removal and the outcome are not documented in the materials provided.
East Holt Avenue PBID investigation
Pomona set aside money five years ago to create a business improvement district on East Holt Avenue, but it still doesn’t exist. A new investigation is asking where the money went and why consultants keep getting paid while the corridor waits.
Proposed police substations on Holt Avenue
Councilmember Ontiveros-Cole said two Holt Avenue business owners offered donated office space for police substations and asked to agendize the idea.
Illegal dumping and city cleanliness
Two council members blasted the trash piling up on city streets and urged residents to use their six free bulky-item pickups and the PomonaGo app.
Deteriorating city streets
Pomona's pavement score dropped from 68 to 55 — nearly half the network needs major repair, and it would take about $25 million a year just to keep from getting worse.
Construction site security at new homes
A builder representative said the new Persimmon community on Mission Boulevard has suffered break-ins and vandalism — $170,000 in private security so far — and police response times of 90 minutes. He asked for parked patrol cars and increased patrols like other cities provide.
Street vendor ordinance reform
Several vendors said the 909 Tacolandia organizer is passing the city's $25,000 fine onto them, intimidating and excluding those who complain. They asked the city to investigate and consider a new market operator.
Speed hump moratorium and street safety
Pomona is stepping up traffic safety with a new action plan and investing $2.42 million to repave streets across the city.
Restoring frozen positions and shrinking the deficit
Measure Z passed in last week's election, locking in funding for youth programs and city services. Councilmembers celebrated but Garcia pressed the city manager to hire back frozen positions so residents get their money's worth.
Fairplex local historic district
Part of the Fairplex is now Pomona's sixth local historic district, protecting grandstands, exhibit halls, the show barn and other 1922-1961 structures. The site's history includes the WWII Japanese American assembly center and a POW camp, and council members want National Register status pursued.
Shade for People Project community feedback
The commission planned to hear a presentation from doctoral student Melody Ng on the Shade for People Project, which gathers community feedback about shade and public spaces. Residents will have to wait until the August 25 meeting to participate.
Homeless impacts and police response on West Monterey
Residents described trash, human waste, and safety problems from encampments on Arrow Highway and elsewhere; the mayor shared his own experience with a transient break-in and pledged more support.
Safety around domestic violence shelters
A domestic violence survivor described exploitation and trafficking activity around a Pomona shelter and asked the city to evaluate shelter surroundings and create survivor navigators.
Pedestrian safety at Eleanor and Alvarado near Lincoln Park
A resident reported cars speeding through the Eleanor/Alvarado intersection near Lincoln Park and not yielding to pedestrians; neighbors want a four-way stop or yield signs. Staff will follow up on area traffic work.
$195,000 settlement in Almanza litigation
The council settled a lawsuit against the city for $195,000, with Councilmember Martin dissenting.
Parking and code enforcement on Yorkshire Way
Residents near Arrow Highway say three mechanic shops park dozens of vehicles on their street, leaving no parking for apartment dwellers, and code enforcement responses have been slow.
Nudity and public indecency ordinance along Holt corridor
Police say state law changes left them unable to address public nudity and sex-work-related activity near schools and businesses. The new ordinance gives officers a tool to contact potential trafficking victims and clean up the Holt corridor.
Delinquent trash bills to property tax liens
If you're behind on your Athens Services trash bill, the city can now send it to the county property tax roll as a lien. About 1,073 property owners got final notices; pay or set up a payment plan by July 31 to avoid it.
Senior meals program funding shortfall
LA County cut about $100,000 from the funding it gives Pomona's senior meals program, which serves packed lunch sites at parks like Palomares and Washington. Councilmember Garcia wants staff to lean on state legislators to fill the gap so no senior loses a meal.