VOLUME 6 NO 41

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2012

CITY APPROVES SECOND UNIT AMNESTY PROGRAM

GEORGE MAURER TURNS THE BIG 90!

By Bill Coburn

Sierra Madre is initiating a Second Unit Amnesty 
Program for a six month period, from October 
15, 2012 to April 15, 2013. The City recognizes 
there are a number of second units in the 
community built without permits; these can be 
counted towards meeting the State-mandated 
regional housing needs allocation (the state requires 
the City have a certain number of affordable 
housing unit available to residents). Second 
Unit Amnesty Program offers incentives to property 
owners registering existing, non-permitted 
second units demonstrating safe and habitable 
conditions. Incentives for the property owner 
include a full waiver of the building application 
fee, a 50% break on building permit and planning 
fees if necessary, and relaxation of zoning 
standards. 

What is a Second Unit?

A second unit is a self-contained residential 
dwelling unit either attached to the main house 
(with separate entry from the outside), or in a 
separate structure on the property. A second 
unit provides complete independent facilities for 
living, sleeping, eating, cooking, and sanitation.

The City’s goals in establishing the amnesty program 
are: 

1) To encourage healthy and safe conditions in 
existing housing units.

2) To meet the City’s share of affordable housing 
units required by the State. 

3) To reduce or eliminate the requirement to 
establish zoning for higher density multi-family 
housing.

Survey 

A Citywide survey was mailed to all households, 
to help the City gather information on how many 
second units exist, what are the rent ranges, size 
of the units, and who lives in them. The survey 
is completely anonymous and no identifying information 
is required. If you received a survey, 
please fill it out and return it in the self-addressed 
stamped envelope by October 18, 2012. 

Why Would I Want A Second Unit Amnesty 
Permit?

A legal second unit can increase your property 
value and make it more attractive to potential 
buyers.

Provides an opportunity to register existing second 
units with the City.

Allows for the relaxation of development standards 
during the amnesty period, such as reduced 
setbacks, and increased height and square 
feet limits.

 

City staff can provide additional information regarding 
eligibility requirements and other zoning 
standards. The City stresses that property 
owners who inquire about the amnesty program 
will not be penalized for their non-permitted 
second unit. Information applicants provide on 
the Amnesty Permit application will not be used 
as the basis for enforcement action unless there 
is a clear and imminent danger to public safety 
and/or environmental health.

For additional information please contact the Sierra 
Madre Development Services Department 
at (626) 355-7138.


Dozens turned 
out last Saturday 
night at the Lodge 
in Sierra Madre to 
help George Maurer 
and his family 
celebrate his 90th 
birthday. Friends 
and family from as 
far away as Arizona, 
Texas, Florida and 
Pennsylvania were 
treated to a lasagna, 
ravioli and eggplant 
parmesan dinner 
catered by Villa Italia, 
a PowerPoint show 
about George’s life, 
several family created 
“JibJab” e-card videos, 
including one “starring” a very limber, long black 
haired George roller disco dancing, and a delicious 
cake created by George’s neighbor Ernesto Rojas, a 
pastry chef at the Pacific Palms Resort, featuring 
a re-creation of George’s golf cart, complete with 
photos of George.

George Alfred Maurer (above with good friend 
Gary Hood), was born in Burlington, NJ, on 
October 5, 1905, to George and Jenny Maurer, 
their middle child. He attended Burlington 
High School (in a coincidence of somewhat epic 
proportions, one of his schoolmates was my 
father, John Coburn). Living just blocks from 
the Delaware River, George enjoyed sailing as a 
young man, so it’s not surprising that shortly after 
graduating high school, he joined the Navy to 
serve his country during WWII, in 1943.

The following year, he married his sweetheart, 
Mary, in Norfolk, VA, and they remained married 
until her death fifty-nine years later. George 
shipped out shortly after the wedding, and 
undertook training as a diver in San Diego, while 
Mary stayed in Philadelphia and waited for his 
return. It was during this time in San Diego that 
George fell in love with California, and hoped 
someday to bring Mary west with him. George 
was discharged in 1945, and in 1946, they finally 
got to honeymoon in New York City.

In 1951, at the age of 29, George moved with Mary 
to a home in Pennsauken, NJ, that had been built 
by family and friends. He was able to walk to 
work at the local paper “The Community News,” 
following in the footsteps of his father, who had 
been a linotype operator and editor of a local 
newspaper.

George and Mary had four children, daughters 
Mikki and Linda, and twin sons, George and Bill. 
Mikki, Linda and Bill were at the party, son George 
passed away in 2009. The family later moved to 
Covina, CA before settling in Sierra Madre. George 
worked for the Los Angeles Herald-Examiner and 
the Pasadena Star News before being hired at the 
Sierra Madre News, where he worked for nearly 
thirty years.

George served for thirty years as a volunteer 
firefighter, eleven of them back east, and nineteen 
years with the Sierra Madre Fire Dept. He was 
instrumental in bringing the Emergency Medical 
Technician (EMT) service to the Sierra Madre 
department, as well as spearheading the Kiwanis 
Club’s efforts to raise money to purchase the City’s 
first ambulance.

George has served three times as Mayor of Sierra 
Madre during twelve years on City Council. He 
also chaired the Senior Housing Committee and 
spent time on the Planning Commission.

George is a longtime member of Sierra Madre 
Kiwanis, and for several years was the only person 
ever to also serve with the Sierra Madre Rotary 
Club. He is currently on the Board of the Chamber 
of Commerce. 

In addition to the big birthday celebration, he has 
been honored by the CA State Senate, Supervisor 
Michael Antonovich, Sierra Madre Little League, 
Pasadena City College, Arcadia Methodist 
Hospital, the American Heart Association, and 
others. He was named Citizen of the Year by the 
Sierra Madre Chamber of Commerce in 1974, and 
currently sits on their Board of Directors. When 
the City began honoring volunteers, organizations 
and City employees with their “Sierra Madre 
Honors” awards, in 2006, George received the first 
lifetime volunteer award, which has ever since 
been called the “George Maurer Lifetime Service 
Award.”

After dinner, the crowd sang happy birthday to 
George, after which he spoke briefly, thanking 
the crowd for being there, and adding that “…
you’ve made my day, and a good start for the 
next year,” (see video at www.SierraMadreNews.
Net/?p=10852).

SM CHAMBER CHANGES STRATEGY & OFFICES

In his latest communique to Chamber Members, 
Board President Ed Chen was proud to announce 
recent activities that have all helped inject new 
energy into the organization.

 Says Chen, “Your new “All-Volunteer” Sierra 
Madre Chamber of Commerce is hard at work! 
Last month we hosted a very successful breakfast 
event with State Senator Carol Liu. Thanks 
to member restaurant CORFU for catering a 
delicious breakfast. We were grateful to have 
Mayor Moran, Mayor Pro Tem Walsh, as well as 
Councilman Harabedian joining us at the event. 
Also in September, we partnered with the City 
of Sierra Madre Senior Community Commission 
and put together a fantastic Health Fair. With 
the generous support of new chamber member 
Kensington Assisted Living Facility, this health 
fair featured health screenings, information tables, 
and health care practitioners around town. 
County Supervisor Mike Antonovich’s office was 
a big help in securing three county health agencies, 
as well as 20 nursing students from the Los 
Angeles County College of Nursing and Allied 
Health that assisted on the day of the event. We 
are excited about this new partnership and we 
look forward to future years of working together.

We rounded a very busy month of September 
with a Chamber Mixer/Ribbon-Cutting/Grand 
Opening Event at T. Boyle’s located at 322 W. Sierra 
Madre Blvd., formerly Cafe 322. Owner Joel 
Chavarin did a fantastic job with this location. 
Flat screen TVs, a very appetizing spread, and 
delicious beer tastings are just among the amenities 
at the grand opening of the newest sports bar 
in town. This event was very well attended by 
our members as well as owners of many popular 
restaurant well known to us in the San Gabriel 
Valley who are friends of Joel. It was a time 
for celebration! Mayor Moran and Councilman 
Capoccia helped us cut the ribbons at this great 
grand opening event. 

In the upcoming weeks, we have an ambitious 
calendar ahead of us. In case you have not heard, 
WE HAVE MOVED! Our new office space is in 
the two-story professional office building off Suffolck 
just east of Baldwin (across the street from 
the Post Office). Please be on the lookout for our 
own mixer/grand opening at this new chamber 
office space.

This Saturday is the first annual COMPOST 
GIVEAWAY event hosted by the City of Sierra 
Madre in partnership with Athens Services, one 
of our longtime member/annual sponsor. As 
Athens’ representative to the city, I am excited to 
be bringing this popular event to Sierra Madre 
and I hope the residents and businesses can enjoy 
quality organic compost for their gardens and 
plants.

 For the month of November, something new is 
coming to Sierra Madre! On the Saturday after 
Thanksgiving, Dickens Village and the City of Sierra 
Madre is turning into WhoVille! Complete 
with snow, carriage rides, shopping and fun for 
everyone! If you would like to help us, please call 
the chamber office at 355-5111.


Chamber Board Member Noah Green chats with Girl Scout Emma Martinez who offered Senior Disaster Preparedness Kits at the recent Health Fair.

This Week’s Highlights: 

Plant Pink During Breast Cancer Awareness Month.........Page 13

Calendar Page 2

Sierra Madre News Page 3

Pasadena/Altadena Page 4

Around San Gabriel Valley Page 5

Arcadia Page 6

Monrovia/Duarte Page 7

Education and Youth Page 8

Good Food & Drink Page 10

Best Friends Page 11

Arts/Health Page 12

Homes & Property Page 13 

The Good Life Page 14

Business Today Page 15

Sports Page 16

Ballot Box - Election 2012 Page 17

Opinion /Left Turn-Right Turn Pages 18-19

SIERRA MADRE NEWS

AROUND SG Valley

3

5

Sierra Madre Search & Rescue

ARCADIA NEWS

6

PASADENA/ALTADENA

4

MONROVIA/DUARTE

7

2013 Rose Court Chosen


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