Happy Thanksgiving


SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2014

VOLUME 8 NO. 47

LOCAL GROUP CITES APPROXIMATELY 39 
REASONS WHY COUNCIL SHOULD REVERSE 
PLANNING COMMISSION DECISION ON 
STONEGATE DEVELOPMENT By Susan Henderson

40TH ANNUAL PRAYER BREAKFAST CELEBRATED

 
On Tuesday, November 25, 2014, the Sierra 
Madre City Council will take on what may very 
well be one of the most controversial decisions 
in the city’s history. On the agenda is a Public 
Hearing on the call for a review of the Planning 
Commission’s decision to approve the plans for 
the first of 29 homes to be built at Stonegate 
(formerly known as 1 Carter.). As reported in 
an earlier news story in the Mountain Views 
News (http://mtnviewsnews.com/v08/htm/n44/
index.htm), there is a considerable amount of 
community outrage over the development.

 The review, requested by Councilpersons John 
Capoccia and Denise Delmar will scrutinize 
the decision to allow contruction of a 3,125 
square foot, two story, single family home at 
610 Baldwin court. The procedure is in lieu of 
a formal appeal being filed by residents at a cost 
of $7,500.00.

 Earlier this week, the grass roots organization, 
Preserve Sierra Madre, in preparation for 
the review ,sent the entire council, as well as 
the city manager an 11 page document for 
their consideration. It appears to be a rather 
comprehensive, well written argument that gives 
approximately 39 reasons why the Planning 
Commission’s decision should be reversed. 

 The group lists the following violations that they 
have deemed reasons to reverse the decision:

 9 assertions that the approval violates 
the 1 Carter/Stonegate Settlement Agreement;

 9 assertions that the approval violates 
the Stonegate Design Guidelines;

 7 assertions that the approval violates 
the city’s Hillside Management Zone;

 4 assertions that the approval violates 
the city’s Conditional Use Permit regulations 
and

 10 assertions that the approval violates the 
city’s existing 1996 General Plan. 

 Preserve Sierra Madre states on its website 
thatit’s objectives are sustainable slow-growth, 
limiting the quantity and size of new houses, 
keeping and maintaining the last remaining 
open spaces

preserving the small-town atmosphere. It also 
notes that its existence is the culmination of “A 
number of Sierra Madre groups are concerned 
about the threat of over-development in our 
village and about the water shortage. We have 
united to form the group Preserve Sierra Madre.”. 

To learn more about Preserve Sierra Madre, go 
to: http://www.preservesierramadre.com/.

 
On Wednesday, the Sierra Madre 
Woman’s Club held its 40th Annual 
Prayer Breakfast in the historic 
Essick House. The event, attended 
by a crowd that filled every room 
of the house, was a mixture of 
Clergy, residents, city officials, 
city staff and guests. It was a 
wonderful gathering of the diverse 
population of Sierra Madre. The 
breakfast also marked the beginning 
of the holiday season for many.

 The event was presided over by current SMWC President Barbara Lampman with Past President 
Mary Carney serving as Mistress of Ceremony. Longtime Sierra Madre resident Eunice Banos 
(inset) provided the music. The Very Rev. Canon Michael Bamberger Rector, Sierra Madre Episcopal 
Church of the Ascension, Pastor Linda Marshall of the Sierra Madre United Methodist Church, 
Pastor Cynthia Crowell of Trinity Presbyterian Church of Pasadena all spoke to the audience briefly 
on the topic of being thankful. A musical selection was played on the guitar by Cantor Richard 
Schwartz of Temple Beth David of Temple City. Also in attendance was Steve Licata of the Bahai Faith.

 Guests were treated to a free breakfast served by members of the Woman’s Club included their 
famous special recipe quiche, an annual favorite. 

 The Sierra Madre Woman’s Club, established as a voice for women in Sierra Madre in 1907. It’s 
purpose “is to promote charitable, civic and educational advancement and social activities.” 

For more information on SMWC, go to: https://www.facebook.com/SierraMadreWomansClub.

DON’T FORGET: EVERY DROP COUNTS! 

KNOW YOUR W’S: NO WATERING WEDNESDAYS & WEEKENDS

Be aware of the new restrictions on watering. Even-numbered addresses are limited to landscape irrigation on 
Mondays and Thursdays. Odd-numbered addresses and addresses ending in fractions are limited to landscape 
irrigation on Tuesdays and Fridays. 

 If you would like to report water waste you can now do so on the City’s website or by emailing water@
cityofsierramadre.com. 

 Please describe how water is being wasted, include the location, and a photo if available. We will then send a 
courtesy notice to the property so the issue can be fixed. 

 You can also send an Email to water@cityofsierramadre.com OR use the form on the city’s website: www.
cityofsierramadre.com 


Inside this week: 

CALENDAR Pg. 2

SIERRA MADRE NEWS 
Pg. 3

PASADENA/ALTADENA

 Pg. 4

ARCADIA NEWS 

MONROVIA/DUARTE 

 Pg. 5

EDUCATION & YOUTH

 Pg. 6

FOOD & DRINK

 Pg. 7

BEST FRIENDS

 Pg. 8

HEALTHY LIFESTYLES

 Pg. 9

THE GOOD LIFE

 Pg. 10

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

 Pg. 11

SECTION B 

AROUND SGV Pg. B1

THE WORLD AROUND US

 Pg. B2

 BUSINESS NEWS Pg. B3

 OPINION Pg. B4

 LEGAL NOTICES Pg. B5

THANKSGIVING RECIPES 
Pg. B9