SATURDAY JULY 14, 2012

VOLUME 6 NO 28

KENSINGTON ASSISTED LIVING 

FACILITY MOVES FORWARD

by Bill Coburn

 

The Sierra Madre City Council approved the Mitigated Negative Declaration 
for the proposed Kensington Assisted Living Facility project 
unanimously this evening. They also instructed the City Attorney to 
draft simple language for an amendment to Measure V that would exempt 
the two project parcels from the density aspects of Measure V.

 

The discussion of the project opened with an early suggestion from 
Council member John Capoccia that perhaps the Council could bypass 
the entire discussion of whether or not the project conforms to Measure 
V, and the discussion of what constitutes a dwelling unit by simply putting 
an amendment on the ballot to exempt the two parcels from Measure 
V. There was consensus among the other Council members that 
that seemed like a practical, positive way to move the project forward. 
There was extensive public comment, with nearly all the residents who 
spoke calling for a Measure V vote. In a dramatic plea to the Council to 
move the project forward, resident Tom Brady spoke of a friend that has 
been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer who may no longer be alive by 
the time the vote takes place, noting that “It’s about dignity, not density.”

 

That quote was brought forward later in the meeting by Mayor Josh Moran 
in discussing the right of residents to have microwaves in their units, 
which had been a bone of contention for the Planning Commission, because 
the Commission was trying to avoid having the suites classified as 
dwelling units. The Council’s decision to amend Measure V made that 
issue moot, so the Council chose to remove the language that restricted 
the developer from providing microwaves for its residents.

 

The Council came to agreement on the Specific Plan, but chose not to 
vote on it until they’ve had a chance to review changes to the document, 
including one to add an expiration date to the Plan.

 

The Council also tabled the Text Code Amendment to the Municipal 
Code, because it referenced the Specific Plan, which had been tabled, 
and the Amendment could not be passed until the Specific Plan had 
been passed.

 

The Council chose to continue the Conditional Use Permit to the next 
meeting as well. 

TEST RUN SUCCESSFUL - FULL SPEED AHEAD FOR SIERRA 
MADRE 2013 ROSE FLOAT ENTRY

 
The Sierra Madre 
Rose Float Association 
introduced “The 
Sky’s The Limit” to 
the community at 
this year’s 4th of July 
Parade. It was a real 
test for the chasis and 
main components 
(rainbow and kite 
picture below). And, 
despite being a work 
in progress it worked 
perfectly.

 The full artists 
rendering (above) 
conveys the design 
concept that was submitted 
by Maria Murray 
and Kait Walsh. 
The designer for our 
2013 float is Charles 
Meier, who also created 
the beautiful 
rendering. 

 Construction of the float is in full swing. The float barn is open Sunday's, 10AM till 5PM through the summer. 
Stop by the barn (next to the City Yards) and watch this magnificent work in progress.


Above, the rendering. Below, the ‘main frame’ in the July 4th Parade

WE ALL SCREAM FOR 
ICE CREAM

 

Celebrating Democracy at an 

Ice Cream Social

Saturday, July 15 

To celebrate democracy and just for fun and friendship, 
the League of Women Voters Pasadena is 
holding a family ice cream

 social open to the public on Sunday, July 15 in Memorial 
Park in Sierra Madre from 3-5 p.m. Memorial 
Park is in the center of the foothill village, the 
one with a cannon on the corner.

Music, a fancy-hat contest and activities for children will add to the event 
featuring Fosselman’s ice cream in waffle bowls with many choices of 
toppings – and a cherry on top. The tickets are an affordable $10 for one, 
$15 for two, $5 for students. Children 12 and 

under are free. The public is welcome to join in the fun. 

Further information is available by calling 626-798-0965

SIERRA MADRE FREE CONCERT IN THE PARK SERIES - 
Presented by Athens Services and the Sierra Madre Issei Memorial Foundation

Join the City of Sierra Madre this summer for the Concerts in the Park, beginning Sunday, July 8, 2012 and occurring 
every Sunday through August 26, 2012. The concerts are FREE thanks to the support of Athens Services and the Sierra 
Madre Issei Memorial Foundation, along with numerous community hosts. Concerts begin at 6:00pm and run through 
8:00pm. All concerts will be held at the Memorial Park Bandshell, 222 W. Sierra Madre Blvd. next to City Hall. Seating 
is on the green so remember to bring blankets and lawn chairs. Alcohol is prohibited. Spectators are encouraged to 
support local organizations that may provide refreshments. For additional information please contact the Community 
Services Department 626-355-5278.

Concerts in the Park Schedule:


July 8 – Elvis (rock ‘n roll), sponsored by the Rotary Club of Sierra Madre

• Food available


July 15 –Gem City Jazz Cats (Big Band) sponsored by the Spero Foundation

• Carne asada tacos, drinks and ice cream for purchase


July 22 – Silver Beatles (Beatles Tribute Band), hosted by the Senior Community Commission

• Free popscicles 


July 29 – Aluminum Marshmallow (Classic Rock) sponsored by the Sierra Madre Civic Club

• Hot dogs and home-made pie with ice cream for purchase


August 5 – TAIKOPROJECT (American Taiko Drummer Ensemble), hosted by L.A. County Arts Commission

• Concert and “learn taiko” segment with hands- on demonstration


August 12 – JJ Jukebox (60’s and 70’s Rock) sponsored by Kiwanis and Friends of the Library
August 19 – The Grove (Classic Oldies) sponsored by Sierra Madre Volunteer Firefighters Association 
The Subs (Mainstream Acoustic) opening act

August 26 – Take Two (Top 40’s) sponsored by Dr. Roger Joe, DDS, The Lodge at Sierra Madre, and Crosslife 
Community Church


Help us find ‘Snowshoe’ a beloved lost cat - Page 10

This Week’s Highlights: 

Calendar Page 2

Sierra Madre News Page 3

Pasadena/Altadena Page 4

Around San Gabriel Valley Page 5

Arcadia Page 6

Monrovia/Duarte Page 6

Education Page 7

Food & Drink Page 8

The World Around Us Page 9

Best Friends Page 10 

Homes Page 11

Arts & Entertainment Page 12 

The Good Life Page 13

Health & Fitness Page 13

Business Today Page 14 
Opinion Page 15

LeftTurn -Right Turn Page 16

Legal Notices Page 17-19

SIERRA MADRE NEWS

AROUND SG Valley

3

5

SM Search & Rescue Log

ARCADIA NEWS

6

PASADENA/ALTADENA

4

Police Crackdown On 
Speeders

MONROVIA/DUARTE

7


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