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MEHKO home kitchen pilot program→At a glance
- Public comments
- 16
- Last 30 days
- 0
Discussed at 2 meetings in the last 60 days; most recently Sep 16, 2026.
Public comments (16)
Opposed the MEHKO program, citing the $225,000 cost for few applicants, liability exposure for landlords and HOAs, and infrastructure and security problems in older buildings.
City Council Meeting: (Audio Description) - Sep 16, 2026 · 1:41:48 →The first MEHKO operator in the San Gabriel Valley said home kitchens pose no threat to restaurants and offered to mentor Pasadena MEHKO operators.
City Council Meeting: (Audio Description) - Sep 16, 2026 · 1:31:11 →He and his wife, who lost their home in the Eaton Fire, want to start an Indonesian coffee business under the MEHKO program.
City Council Meeting: (Audio Description) - Sep 16, 2026 · 1:33:42 →A local business owner urged quick approval so Pasadena doesn't fall behind neighboring cities, calling MEHKO a pathway to a restaurant enterprise.
City Council Meeting: (Audio Description) - Sep 16, 2026 · 1:35:41 →Said the program lets people without big capital try small food businesses and build community.
City Council Meeting: (Audio Description) - Sep 16, 2026 · 1:37:43 →Executive director of LEAF said the program has worked well across LA County and helps entrepreneurs transition to brick and mortar.
City Council Meeting: (Audio Description) - Sep 16, 2026 · 1:39:42 →A lifelong resident said she would apply to the pilot and urged the council to consider equity for residents without formal education backgrounds.
City Council Meeting: (Audio Description) - Sep 16, 2026 · 1:43:52 →Speaking for the Cook Alliance, cited research showing 97% of MEHKOs got zero complaints and that every pilot county made the program permanent.
City Council Meeting: (Audio Description) - Sep 16, 2026 · 1:45:58 →Opposed the home kitchen program, citing $225,000 cost for few applicants, liability exposure for landlords and HOAs, and infrastructure problems in older buildings.
City Council Meeting: - Sep 15, 2026 · 1:33:23 →The first MEHKO operator in the San Gabriel Valley said home kitchens pose no threat to restaurants and offered to mentor Pasadena operators.
City Council Meeting: - Sep 15, 2026 · 1:31:17 →Spoke with his barista wife in support, noting they lost their home in the Eaton Fire and see MEHKO as a chance to rebuild and start a business.
City Council Meeting: - Sep 15, 2026 · 1:33:40 →A local business owner urged quick approval, calling MEHKO a pathway to a larger restaurant enterprise.
City Council Meeting: - Sep 15, 2026 · 1:35:46 →Said the program enables small business creation for people who can't afford commercial space.
City Council Meeting: - Sep 15, 2026 · 1:38:04 →Executive director of LEAF, cited LA County's successful MEHKO rollout and said the program regulates activity already happening.
City Council Meeting: - Sep 15, 2026 · 1:39:40 →A lifelong resident said the program offers opportunity for people facing economic disparity and asked the council to give it a try.
City Council Meeting: - Sep 15, 2026 · 1:44:01 →Speaking for the Cook Alliance online, cited research showing 97% of MEHKOs received zero complaints and strong economic outcomes.
City Council Meeting: - Sep 15, 2026 · 1:45:56 →