Mountain Views News          Saturday, December 18, 2010

Mountain Views News 80 W Sierra Madre Blvd. No. 327 Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024 Office: 626.355.2737 Fax: 626.609.3285 Email: editor@mtnviewsnews.com Website: www.mtnviewsnews.com

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Mountain Views-News Saturday, December 18, 2010 

URGENCY ORDINANCE NO. 1314-U

AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF SIERRA MADRE AMENDING TITLE 15.24 OF THE SIERRA MADRE 
MUNICIPAL CODE RELATING TO THE ADOPTION AND AMENDMENTS TO THE 2009 INTERNATIONAL FIRE 
CODE AND THE 2010 CALIFORNIA FIRE CODE.

The City Council of the City of Sierra Madre does hereby ordain as follows:

SECTION I. Section 15.24.010 of the Sierra Madre Municipal Code is hereby amended to read as follows:

SECTION 15.24.010 ADOPTION OF THE INTERNATIONAL FIRE CODE AND 

 THE CALIFORNIA FIRE CODE

There is hereby adopted by the City Council of the City of Sierra Madre for the purpose of prescribing regulations governing 
conditions hazardous to life and property from fire or explosion, that certain Code known as the International Fire Code, 
published by the International Code Council, being particularly the 2009 edition thereof, including Appendix Chapters with 
errata, and Title 24, part 9 of the California Code of Regulations, except such portions as are hereinafter deleted, modified 
or amended by Section 15.24.070 of the Sierra Madre Municipal Code. From the date on which this ordinance shall take 
effect, the provisions of the International Fire Code and the 2010 California Fire Code shall be controlling within the limits 
of the City of Sierra Madre.

SECTION II Section 15.24.070 of the Sierra Madre Municipal Code is hereby amended to read 
as follows:

SECTION 15.24.070 AMENDMENTS TO THE INTERNATIONAL FIRE CODE

Section 307.4.2 is amended to read as follows: 

307.4.2 Recreational fires. Recreational fires shall not be conducted within 25 feet (760mm) of a structure or combustible 
material. Conditions which could cause a fire to spread within 25 feet (7620 mm) of a structure shall be eliminated. 

Discontinuance. The fire code official or his representative is authorized to require that recreational fires be immediately 
discontinued if such fires are determined by the chief to constitute a hazardous condition or if atmospheric conditions reach 
critical levels as specified in the policies and procedures of the fire prevention bureau.

Section 503.2.1 is amended to read as follows due to local topographical conditions as identified in the 2010 Fire Code 
Findings of Fact as filed with the California Building Standards Commission:

503.2.1 Dimensions. Fire apparatus access roads shall have an unobstructed width of not less than 20 feet. (6096 mm), except 
for approved security gates in accordance with section 503.6, and an unobstructed vertical clearance of not less than 13 feet 
6 inches (4115mm).

1. When fire hydrants are required, fire apparatus access roads shall have an unobstructed width of not less than 26 feet 
(4114 mm) within a linear distance of 25 feet (7620 mm) each side of the hydrant.

Section 903.2.1.1 is amended to read as follows due to local topographical, geographic and climatic conditions as identified 
in the 2010 Fire Code Findings of Fact as filed with the California Building Standards Commission:

903.2.1.1 Group A-1. An automatic sprinkler system shall be provided for Group A-1 occupancies in accordance with 
Code section 15.24.120. 
Section 903.2.1.2 is amended to read as follows due to local topographical, geographic and climatic conditions as 
identified in the 2010 Fire Code Findings of Fact as filed with the California Building Standards Commission:

903.2.1.2 Group A-2. An automatic sprinkler system shall be provided for Group A-2 occupancies in accordance with 
Code section 15.24.120.
Section 903.2.1.3 is amended to read as follows due to local topographical, geographic and climatic conditions as identified 
in the 2010 Fire Code Findings of Fact as filed with the California Building Standards Commission:

903.2.1.3 Group A-3. An automatic sprinkler system shall be provided for Group A-3 occupancies in accordance with 
Code section 15.24.120.
Section 903.2.1.4 is amended to read as follows due to local topographical, geographic and climatic conditions as identified 
in the 2010 Fire Code Findings of Fact as filed with the California Building Standards Commission:

903.2.1.4 Group A-4. An automatic sprinkler system shall be provided for Group A-4 occupancies in accordance with 
Code section 15.24.120.
Section 903.2.1.5 is amended to read as follows due to local topographical, geographic and climatic conditions as identified 
in the 2010 Fire Code Findings of Fact as filed with the California Building Standards Commission:

903.2.1.5 Group A-5. An automatic sprinkler system shall be provided for Group A-5 occupancies in the following areas: 
concession stands, retail areas, press boxes, and other accessory use areas in accordance with Code section 15.24.120.
Section 903.2.2 is amended to read as follows due to local topographical, geographic and climatic conditions as identified 
in the 2010 Fire Code Findings of Fact as filed with the California Building Standards Commission:

903.2.2 Group B. An automatic sprinkler system shall be provided throughout all buildings containing a Group B 
occupancy in accordance with Code section 15.24.120.

Section 903.2.3 is amended to read as follows due to local topographical, geographic and climatic conditions as identified 
in the 2010 Fire Code Findings of Fact as filed with the California Building Standards Commission: 

903.2.3 Group E. Except as provided for in Sections 903.2 .2 .1 for a new public school campus and 907.2 .3.6.1 (fire 
alarm and detection) for modernization of an existing public school campus building(s), an automatic sprinkler system 
shall be provided for Group E occupancies in accordance with Code section 15.24.120.

Section 903.2.4 is amended to read as follows due to local topographical, geographic and climatic conditions as identified 
in the 2010 Fire Code Findings of Fact as filed with the California Building Standards Commission:

903.2.4 Group F-1. An automatic sprinkler system shall be provided throughout all buildings containing a Group F-1 
occupancy in accordance with Code section 15.24.120.

Section 903.2.5 is amended to read as follows due to local topographical, geographic and climatic conditions as identified 
in the 2010 Fire Code Findings of Fact as filed with the California Building Standards Commission:

903.2.5 Group H. Automatic sprinkler systems shall be provided in high-hazard occupancies as required in Sections 
903.2.5.1 through 903.2.5.3. 
903.2.5.1 General, An automatic sprinkler system shall be installed in Group H occupancies. in accordance with Code 
section 15.24.120.

Section 903.2.6 is amended to read as follows due to local topographical, geographic and climatic conditions as identified 
in the 2010 Fire Code Findings of Fact as filed with the California Building Standards Commission:

903.2.6 Group I. An automatic sprinkler system shall be provided throughout buildings with a Group I in accordance with 
Code section 15.24.120.

Section 903.2.7 is amended to read as follows due to local topographical, geographic and climatic conditions as identified 
in the 2010 Fire Code Findings of Fact as filed with the California Building Standards Commission:

903.2.7 Group M. An automatic sprinkler system shall be provided throughout buildings containing a Group M occupancy 
in accordance with Code section 15.24.120.

Section 903.2.8 is amended to read as follows due to local topographical, geographic and climatic conditions as identified 
in the 2010 Fire Code Findings of Fact as filed with the California Building Standards Commission:

903.2.8 Group R. An automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with Section 903.3 shall be provided throughout 
all buildings with a Group R in accordance with Code section 15.24.110.

Section 903.2.9 is amended to read as follows due to local topographical, geographic and climatic conditions as identified 
in the 2010 Fire Code Findings of Fact as filed with the California Building Standards Commission:

903.2.9 Group S-1. An automatic sprinkler system shall be provided throughout all buildings containing a Group S-1 in 
accordance with Code section 15.24.120.
Section 903.2.9.1 is amended to read as follows due to local topographical, geographic and climatic conditions as identified 
in the 2010 Fire Code Findings of Fact as filed with the California Building Standards Commission:

903.2.9.1 Repair garages. An automatic sprinkler system shall be provided throughout all buildings used as repair garages 
in accordance with the California Building Code.
Section 903.2.9.2 is amended to read as follows due to local topographical, geographic and climatic conditions as identified 
in the 2010 Fire Code Findings of Fact as filed with the California Building Standards Commission:

903.2.9.2 Bulk storage of tires. Buildings and structures with an area for the storage of shall be equipped throughout with 
an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1. 
Section 903.2.10 is amended to read as follows due to local topographical, geographic and climatic conditions as identified 
in the 2010 Fire Code Findings of Fact as filed with the California Building Standards Commission:

903.2.10 Group S-2. An automatic sprinkler system shall be provided throughout buildings classified as enclosed parking 
garages in accordance with Section 406.4 of the California Building Code or where located beneath other groups. 

Section 903.2.10.1 is amended to read as follows due to local topographical, geographic and climatic conditions as 
identified in the 2010 Fire Code Findings of Fact as filed with the California Building Standards Commission:

903.2.10.1 Commercial parking garages. An automatic sprinkler system shall be provided throughout buildings used for 
storage of commercial trucks or buses.

 
SECTION III Section 15.24.120 of the Sierra Madre Municipal Code is hereby amended to read 
as follows:

 15.24.120 Automatic fire extinguishing systems.

An Automatic fire sprinkler systems shall be installed in the following occupancies;

1. In all new buildings within the City of Sierra Madre except group U. 

2. All new Group U as classified in the International Fire Code, which are located within thirty five (35) feet of any exposure.

3. All buildings classified as a Group A, B, E, F, H, I, M, S, U when renovated over seventy five percent (75%) of their 
existing square footage

4. All buildings classified as a Group A, B, E, F, H, I, M, S, U were an addition of fifty percent of their existing square footage 
is being accomplished.

5. All Group R occupancies shall install an automatic life safety fire sprinkler system in accordance with Code Section 
15.24.110.

6. All occupancies utilizing roof truss framing as part of new or renovated building construction shall install a fire sprinkler 
system to protect the integrity of the truss components during a fire.

SECTION IV. Repeal of Conflicting Ordinances. All existing ordinances or parts thereof conflicting or inconsistent 
with the provisions of this ordinance or the International Fire Code adopted are hereby repealed.

SECTION V. Findings of Urgency. The Council finds that unless the Council adopts this ordinance to take urgent 
action, effective January 1, 2011, the California Fire Code will become effective in Sierra Madre without any Sierra Madre 
specific amendments applying to those codes. If that were to occur, Sierra Madre could be required to issue permits for 
construction that is not up to the city’s fire and life safety standards, and there could be a gap in the law that would apply in the 
window between January 1, 2011 and the date that a permanent ordinance goes into in effect. Failure to mandate compliance 
with these important safety and public health standards could allow potentially unsafe buildings and living conditions. This 
urgency ordinance is necessary to immediately preserve the public peace, health, and safety.SECTION VI. Effective 
Date. This Urgency Ordinance is adopted by 4/5 vote of the City Council and shall take effect immediately. Although the 
ordinance is immediately in effect, it does not immediately cause an effect. This is because the ordinance is intended to 
amend the 2010 Building Standards Codes when they become effective until January 1, 2011. No portion of this ordinance 
shall cause any effect until January 1, 2011. 

PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 14th day of December, 2010 by the following roll call vote that meets the 
minimum 4/5 vote requirement: Yes: Mosca, Buchanan, MacGillivray, Moran Absent: Walsh

CITY OF 
SIERRA 
MADRE 
CALENDAR OF 
EVENTS

Unless otherwise noted, all 
meetings listed below are 
held at the Sierra Madre 
City Hall

232 W. Sierra Madre Blvd.
Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024

626-355-7135

NEXT CITY COUNCIL 
MEETING:

January 11, 2010

6:30 pm

Arts Commission

2nd Wednesday @ 6:30

Community Services

3rd Monday @ 6:00

Library Trustees

4th Wednesday @ 7:00

Planning Commission

1st & 3rd Thursdays

7:00

Senior Community

1st Thursday @ 3:00

Tree Advisory

3rd Wednesday @ 7:00

January 8, 2011

Parks and Facilities 
Master Plan Committee

Special Joint Meeting 
with Community 
Services

9:00 AM – Community 
Recreation Center

Remembrance

Maureen (Coburn) McAdam 

Maureen (Coburn) McAdam 
was born January 23rd, 
1956, in Riverside, New Jersey. 
She moved to California 
in 1966 and was a longtime 
resident of Duarte. She married 
her husband Wayne in 
1976. Maureen worked for 
more than thirty years as a 
medical transcriptionist, a 
job which allowed her to take 
care of her daughter Heather 
at home. She greatly enjoyed 
her long walks along Duarte’s 
bike path and teaching 
aerobics at the Duarte Fitness 
Center. Camping was 
one of her favorite things to 
do and she has seen a majority 
of the United States while traveling with her husband. 
This past summer she was able to enjoy a two-month trip 
across the country to visit friends and family. As a caring, 
loving wife, mother, sister, and friend she valiantly finished 
her fight with cancer on Friday, December 10, 2010. Visitation 
will be on Thursday, December 16, from 6:00-8:00 
P.M. at Douglas & Zook Chapel of Remembrance 600 E. 
Foothill Blvd., Monrovia. A Memorial Service will be held 
Friday, December 17 at Immaculate Conception Church, 
740 S. Shamrock Ave., Monrovia. Maureen is survived by 
her husband, Wayne, daughter and son-in-law Heather and 
David Sark, and nine brothers and sisters, their spouses and 
children. 


Christmas 

Eve Service 

Sierra Madre United 
Methodist Church 

Celebrate the birth of Jesus 
at Sierra Madre United 
Methodist Church , December 
24, 7:30 p.m. The 
service will feature scripture 
lessons, familiar carols, 
a brief homily and the 
warm glow of candlelight 
as “Silent Night” is sung. 

 The Sierra Madre UMC 
is located at 695 W. Sierra 
Madre Blvd. , on the northeast 
corner of Michillinda 
and Sierra Madre Blvd. 
There is ample parking in 
the church’s parking lot, 
accessed off Michillinda. 

 For more information 
or directions, please call 
(626) 355-0629. 

And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.

SIERRA MADRE FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS

Sunday, December 19, 2010

As the sun slowly disappears and the light surrenders us to 
winter, and the weather further dashes us toward that icy chill. 
The season of Christmas stands ready to remind us of that 
glorious place of enchantment. The Season of Cheer and The 
Festival of Lights join together on a very special night.

For as a trumpet readies from a heralded city on high, Sierra 
Madre, and they prepare to furnish the vacuum of night and the 
void of darkness with the ballads of Christmas and the heavenly 
stars of candlelight. Our friends, churches, children and a 
community will once again embrace the miracle of Christmas. 

We salute the heavenly thinking of Pastor Bob VanderZaag 
and Pastor Richard Anderson as the founders of this unique 
tradition. Each man held a lasting hope of bringing a community 
together and shepherding in a small town sensibility to the 
deeper meanings of the Christmas Season. For the last thirty-
five years, The Candlelight Walk has faithfully strengthened 
the Christmas Spirit and loyally seeded the imagination of our 
dearest children. 

The Candlelight Walk is held each Christmas season to celebrate 
the journey Joseph and Mary made to Bethlehem where Jesus was 
born over 2000 years ago. The procession will begin at St. Rita’s 
Catholic Church in Sierra Madre, with “Mary and Joseph” leading 
the way and other participants holding candles and singing 
traditional Christmas carols. The procession will end at Kersting 
Court in the center of town where the Christmas Story will be read 
from Scripture.

Begins at St. Rita traveling down Baldwin to Kersting Court. It 
is recommended that you arrive at 6:45pm so that the walk can 
begin promptly at 7:00pm


Sierra Madre Police Blotter

During the week of Sunday, December 5th, to Saturday December 11th, the Sierra Madre 
Police Department responded to approximately 309 calls for service. See crimereports.
com for updated information.

Monday, December 6th:

08:04 AM- Residential Burglary, 2000 blk. N. Vista Avenue. Sierra Madre resident 
notified the Sierra Madre Police department that two suspicious males were entering a 
neighbor’s house. The suspects were out of the house within two minutes and left in a 
silver Honda Civic. An Officer then observed a car that matched the exact vehicle and 
male descriptions. The officer detained the suspects, the neighbor then consented that 
both males (Altadena and Pasadena residents) were the ones that went inside the house. 
The home owner did not find anything missing, just electronics items moved. Both males 
were transported to Pasadena Police Department jail.

Tuesday, December 7th:

02:02 AM-Possession of Marijuana/1oz or less, Cynthia Ave and Sierra Mare Blvd. 
Motorist was stopped for a Vehicle Code violation. Investigation revealed that the rear 
passenger was currently on parole and with possession of marijuana. The Pasadena 
resident was cited and released on the field.

Thursday, December 9th:

11:08 AM-Commercial Burglary, 180 blk. S. Baldwin Ave. This case involves a 
caregiver stealing a credit card from a Sierra Madre resident. The Altadena resident used 
the credit card without permission and bought clothing items worth $230.38. 

Friday, December 10th:

12:42 AM- Disorderly Conduct/Drunk in Public, 70 blk. W. Sierra Madre Blvd. 
While an officer was conducting a traffic stop, a male walked up to the vehicle stopped 
and interfered with the officer’s investigation. Further investigation revealed that the 
male was intoxicated and unable to care for himself. The Sierra Madre was arrested and 
transported to Pasadena Police Jail.

03:06 AM-DUI Alcohol/Drugs, 660 blk. W. Sierra Madre Blvd. Motorist was stopped 
for a Vehicle Code violation. Investigation revealed that the driver was driving under 
the influence of alcohol and also with an expired license. The Redondo Beach resident 
refused all driving under the influence test and was transported to the Pasadena Police 
Department Jail. 

09:46 AM- Vandalism/Graffiti, 40 blk. W. Sierra Madre Blvd. Unknown suspect(s) 
vandalized a business property by writing on the walls. 

Saturday, December 11th:

07:19 PM- Use Another’s Personal Identification to Obtain Credit/Etc, Plymouth, 
United Kingdom. Van Nuys resident checked his banking account and noticed four 
purchases were made without his consent totaling $1889.23 from an unknown address in 
the Plymouth, United Kingdom.