City planners question local impact of transit housing mandates, Riverside offers micro luxury escapes and the city debuts AI assistant Rivy on its website.
City planners question local impact of transit housing mandates, Riverside offers micro luxury escapes and the city debuts AI assistant Rivy on its website.
Luchadores in full flair turned the ring into a stage at the Mucho Gusto festival. (Ken Crawford) Have a photo that captures the spirit of Riverside? Share it with us and help celebrate the beauty of our community!
Tuesday Gazette: September 23, 2025
Hello Riverside, and Happy Tuesday! Today is Great American Pot Pie Day. While it might feel a little warm outside to turn on the oven, it’s still a perfect excuse to make this classic comfort food. A stop at the Magnolia Avenue Farmers Market for fresh veggies can turn your pot pie into a seasonal delight. Even in summer temps, it’s hard to beat that golden crust and hearty filling.
Riverside May Have Escaped New Housing Regulations - for Now
City planners believe transit development mandates don’t apply locally, but uncertainty remains as state pressure for infill housing intensifies.
The Metro Gateway Apartments On Indiana, near La Sierra, share a driveway with the metrolink station. This offers convenient location near transportation with more accessible pricing than similar OC apartments. (Ken Crawford)
Senate Bill 79, which overrides local zoning near transit stations, may not apply to the City due to county-level thresholds in the legislation.
Driving the news: City planners believe the law's requirements for counties to have at least 15 passenger rail stations and individual stations serving 48 trains daily aren't met locally.
This could exempt the City from mandates allowing buildings up to seven stories within a half-mile of Metrolink stations.
Why it matters: The City faces one of California's most challenging housing situations, with rising home prices pushing families to distant communities.
Geographic constraints make infill development essential but contentious, especially in historic neighborhoods crucial to tourism and community identity.
The big picture: California's housing shortage has prompted increasingly aggressive state intervention in local planning decisions.
Other recent reforms, like AB 130 and SB 131, still affect the City by streamlining environmental review for infill housing projects.
What's next: City planning staff caution their interpretation remains preliminary and subject to further legal analysis.
The City is preparing for future development pressure regardless, considering a pilot program to transfer housing density to areas better equipped for growth.
From historic hotel lounges to palm-lined drives, the city offers accessible alternatives to expensive wellness retreats.
The view of Tio’s Tacos from the mezzanine at the Main Library highlights the transportive feel of the city treasure. (Ken Crawford)
Self-care has become cultural shorthand for the ways we try to find breathing room in busy lives. While the concept often gets attached to expensive getaways and luxury treatments, genuine respite can happen in much smaller moments.
Riverside offers micro luxuries and tiny pilgrimages that provide real restoration without requiring weekend plans or significant expense. The city's combination of historic spaces, natural areas, and neighborhood institutions creates opportunities for brief interludes that shift perspective and offer genuine calm.
These aren't elaborate wellness experiences but rather ordinary places approached with intention. A library mezzanine becomes a quiet refuge. A familiar taco shop transforms into a grounding ritual. A palm-lined drive shifts from routine commute to contemplative journey.
The key lies in recognizing that meaningful respite often happens through small, repeated acts of attention. Riverside provides settings for these brief escapes, accessible to anyone willing to slow down long enough to notice them.
Rivy helps navigate the City’s expansive online services.
Rivy is Riverside’s new AI website assistant. (Ken Crawford)
The City of Riverside has introduced an AI chatbot named Rivy to its website, aiming to provide residents with quick access to city information and services. While Rivy excels in certain areas, it falls short in others, highlighting both the potential and limitations of AI in local government.
Driving the news: Mayor Patricia Lock Dawson touts Rivy as a 24/7 resource for residents to access city information and services without phone calls or in-person visits.
Rivy's performance was tested with a diverse range of questions about Riverside.
Why it matters: AI chatbots like Rivy are becoming increasingly common in local government, promising to streamline access to information and services for residents.
The big picture: Rivy demonstrates strong knowledge in specific city-related areas, such as Riverside's history and public art locations.
However, it struggles with broader queries about current events or urgent situations.
What's next: Mayor Dawson emphasizes the need for careful planning and community trust to ensure AI tools like Rivy bring tangible benefits to residents.
For now, Rivy serves as a starting point for simple queries but cannot replace human assistance for complex issues.
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No City Council meeting this week; other agendas include $1.44M for Wilderness Substation upgrades and affordable housing updates. Plus, the Museum of Riverside explores how repatriation and museums can collaborate.
Buena Vista Bridge endures as a gateway to Riverside’s past, Neighbor of the Week features Eliel Quiles of Knitters Hideout, and this week’s creative prompt takes inspiration from the blinking cursor.
Annual DeaFestival returns to City Hall Sept. 20, Council targets false emergency calls with new fees, and trims Budget Engagement Commission to resolve quorum issues.
New La Sierra food hub connects local farmers and restaurants, undefeated Ramona Rams face Riverside Poly in Friday’s Solar Bowl, and Fire Department seeks input on its 10–15 year master plan (survey open through Sept. 29).
