Mountain Views News          Saturday, February 28, 2015

SIERRA MADRE LEGALS

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Mountain Views-News Saturday, February 28, 2015 

OUR KIDS AND COMMUNITY FIRST:

LARRY TORRES FOR DISTRICT 6

SUSAN Henderson

ORDINANCE NO. 1362-U

AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SIERRA MADRE, CALIFORNIA EXTENDING 
AN INTERIM MORATORIUM ORDINANCE PURSUANT TO GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 65858 ON THE 
DEMOLITION, IN PART OR IN WHOLE, OF SINGLE-FAMILY HOMES AND DUPLEXES CONSTRUCTED 
PRIOR TO A DESIGNATED DATE AND DECLARING THE URGENCY THEREOF

WHEREAS, the City of Sierra Madre, which was incorporated over 107 years ago, is proud of its eclectic 
mix of residential architectural styles reflected in its existing neighborhoods, predominated by the natural terrain 
and mountain view, which lend to is character as the “village of the foothills;” and

WHEREAS, this existing housing stock—some examples of which have been deemed a historic resource and 
many of which may be considered potential historic resources--help to create the identify and atmosphere of 
community, and the City actively encourages historic preservation through the use of Mills Act contracts; and

WHEREAS, the historic and potentially historic quality and character of Sierra Madre’s neighborhoods directly 
contributes to a healthy and safe life for residents, who walk, congregate, play and want to live in neighborhoods 
that have character and history; and

WHEREAS, it is estimated that 77% of the existing housing stock within Sierra Madre is 45 years old or older, thus 
reflecting the community’s value in preservation; and 

WHEREAS, in recognition of this resource, the City Council has authorized the request for proposals for the 
preparation of a “historic resources survey,” by a professional consultant and such historic resources survey is not 
anticipated to be ready until mid-2015 or early 2016; and

WHEREAS, the City is simultaneously updating its General Plan and reviewing its existing zoning and development 
codes for protection of its resources, including water given the extraordinary drought conditions, and during this 
period, no new construction or development on property which does not already have existing water service 
connections is permitted; and 

WHEREAS, the City has observed a trend in the San Gabriel Valley where developers purchase property and 
demolish the existing home, regardless of the home’s potential historic value, in favor of new construction which, 
due to its style and lot coverage, does not preserve or reflect the community character and values or its potential 
historic resources; and

WHEREAS, in 2014, the City of Sierra Madre received applications for 14 demolitions—more than twice the 
average it has experienced in prior years; and in January 2015, the City has already received four applications to 
demolish four residential structures, including structures over 100 years old; and

WHEREAS, the City Council intends to review and update the provisions of its development and zoning code to 
implement new zoning and development requirements and conditions of approval which will enhance protection of 
its potential and historic resources, such as revisions to Chapter 17.82 regarding historic preservation and Chapter 
15.04 regarding building code and permit requirements; and 

WHEREAS, The dwindling number of potentially historic buildings in the City and the region, and the risk that 
more potentially historic buildings will be lost, represent a true danger to the health and safety of the community. 
If demolition of existing structures which may otherwise be considered potential or actual historic resources is 
allowed to occur prior to the completion of the historic resources survey and broader review of the development 
code (including the historic preservation ordinance building code and permit requirements), the loss of these 
potentially historic resources will be permanent and defeats the purpose of conducting a historic resources survey 
and intended preservation efforts; and

WHEREAS, these issues constitute a current and immediate threat to the public health, safety, and welfare, within 
the meaning of Government Code Section 65858; and

WHEREAS, Government Code Section 65858, a provision of the State Planning and Zoning Law, authorizes 
an interim, urgency zoning ordinance to prevent development which may be inconsistent with a plan under 
development—such as the City’s intended survey of historic resources and current update of its General Plan and 
development and zoning codes to enact regulations which are protective of the City’s need to preserve existing 
housing stock and potential and existing historic resources--pending adoption of that plan.

WHEREAS, on January 27, 2015, the City Council adopted Urgency Ordinance 1360U imposing a forty-five (45) 
day moratorium on the issuance of any demolition permit , in part or in whole, of any single-family dwelling or 
duplex which was constructed on or prior to December 31, 1940 on any lot in any zone within the City.

WHEREAS, Ordinance No. 1360U would have expired on its own terms on March 13, 2015; and

WHEREAS, as directed by the City Council on January 27, 2015, staff has commenced a review of the zoning and 
development codes to identify possible amendments to the City’s Municipal and Zoning Code and to comply with 
General Plan policies for clear, consistent and uniform regulations related to preservation of potentially significant 
local historic resources. Staff needs additional time to develop the actual regulations and have the regulations be 
reviewed by the Planning Commission, where required, prior to considered by the City Council; and

WHEREAS, the City Council has conducted a properly noticed public hearing in accordance with Government 
Code section 65090 and has duly considered all written and verbal testimony during the hearing; and 

WHEREAS, the City Council finds that the current and immediate threat to the public health, safety and welfare, as 
described in the findings herein, and as set forth in Ordinance No. 1360U still exists, and that a moratorium on the 
issuance of any new demolition permit for the demolition, in part or in whole, of any single-family dwelling or duplex 
which was constructed on or prior to December 31, 1940 on any lot in any zone within the City shall remain in effect 
pending completion of the City’s study and adoption of amendments to the City’s Municipal and Zoning Code.

NOW THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SIERRA MADRE FURTHER FINDS that the 
adoption of this Ordinance is necessary to protect the public safety, health and welfare by ensuring well-planned 
development of properties in the City necessary to preserve existing housing stock and potential and existing 
historic resources and that it should adopt this interim urgency zoning ordinance as authorized by Government 
Code Section 65858 and

THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SIERRA MADRE DOES ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:

Section 1. Notwithstanding any provision of the Sierra Madre Municipal Code or any other ordinance of 
the City of Sierra Madre, and except as otherwise provided in this Ordinance, no person shall cause the demolition 
of and no demolition permit or combined building and demolition permit shall be issued for the demolition, in part 
or in whole, of any single-family dwelling or duplex which was constructed on or prior to December 31, 1940 on 
any lot in any zone within the City.For purposes of this Ordinance, “demolition” is defined as the destruction and 
removal, in part or in whole, of the foundation, exterior walls or roof structure, including supporting members of a 
single-family dwelling or a duplex.

Section 2. The provisions of Section 1 of this Ordinance shall not apply to any of the following:

(a) Demolition of any interior walls of any structure for the purpose of remodel, repair or maintenance, subject 
to any required permits;

(b) Removal and replacement, subject to any required permits, of exterior windows, doors, roof covering, 
foundation or exterior siding where the materials used for maintenance and replacement do not alter the 
appearance, size or character of the existing structure;

(c) Demolition, in whole or in part, where the City Engineer or Building Official or his or her designee makes 
a written determination that demolition is necessary to immediately abate an imminent hazard to public safety;

(d) Demolition of up to 25% or less of a structure built prior to 1940 for the purpose of limited remodeling/
addition, when all of the following conditions exist:

 (i) the demolition is required for an addition/alteration to the structure;

 (ii) the addition is permitted at the same time as the required demolition; and

 (iii) neither the demolished portion of the structure nor the addition will be visible from the public 
right-of-way or any public property.

 (iv) the site plan and all required permits for the remodel have been approved by the applicable City 
reviewing authority.

(e) Any project for which all necessary discretionary approvals have been granted and for which a demolition 
permit has been issued by the Building Department before the close of business on the day this Ordinance takes 
effect;

(f) Any project for which a demolition permit application and an accompanying development proposal has 
been deemed complete before the close of business on the day this Ordinance takes effect, when all the following 
conditions exist:

 (i) a written historic assessment completed, at the applicant’s cost, by a licensed, certified 
architectural historian selected from a list maintained by the City is provided which concludes that the property 
proposed to be demolished is not a local historically significant resource. 

Section 3. Taking. If a person can demonstrate that the application of this ordinance to his or her 
property would constitute a taking in violation of the federal or California Constitution or would otherwise be 
unlawful, an exception to this moratorium can be made pursuant to a variance approved under Section Chapter 
17.60 of the Sierra Madre Municipal Code. No variance application shall be required if the Director, in consultation 
with the City Attorney, determines that an exception to this Ordinance is legally required. In such case, an approval 
may be granted only if the approving officer or body of the City finds that the exception is legally required.

Section 4. CEQA Finding. The City Council hereby finds that it can be seen with certainty that there is no 
possibility the adoption of this Ordinance, and establishment of a moratorium hereby, may have a significant effect 
on the environment, because the moratorium will impose greater limitations on development in the City, and protect 
the aesthetic character of Sierra Madre, thereby serving to reduce potential significant adverse environmental 
impacts. The adoption of this ordinance is therefore exempt from California Environmental Quality Act review 
pursuant to Title 14, Section 15061(b)(3) of the California Code of Regulations.

Section 5. Severability. Should any provision of this Ordinance, or its application to any person, parcel or 
circumstance, be determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to be unlawful, unenforceable or otherwise void, 
that determination shall have no effect on any other provision of this Ordinance or the application of this Ordinance 
to any other person, parcel or circumstance and, to that end, the provisions hereof are severable. 

Section 6. Effective Date. This Ordinance is adopted by a 4/5 vote of the Sierra Madre City Council, shall 
take effect immediately upon its adoption as provided by Government Code Section 65858, and shall be of no 
further force at 11:59 p.m. on September 22, 2015, unless extended or terminated by further action of the City 
Council. 

Section 7. Certification. The City Clerk shall certify to the passage and adoption of this Ordinance and 
shall cause the same to be published or posted according to law.

PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED, this 24th day of February, 2015 by the following vote:

AYES: Mayor John Harabedian, Mayor Pro Tem John Capoccia, Council Members Rachelle Arizmendi, Denise 
Delmar, and Gene Goss

 
There is one thing that every registered voter is Sierra Madre needs 
to do on March 10th - VOTE! Whether you have children or not, 
your voice is important in this, and every election.

 Although this is an election for a seat on the Pasadena Unified 
School District Board, and although you may be thinking that 
because you don’t have kids in the district you don’t need to 
participate, such thinking is flawed. Your vote is still very important.

 As indicated earlier in this edition, having good representation 
on the Board is a voice that will help us maintain our way of life in 
Sierra Madre. And when we choose who that voice is, we need to 
make that decision based upon whom you think is best qualified to 
do so. In my opinion, we need a representative that can articulate 
our concerns, has a demonstrated passion supporting public education, has proven leadership skills, 
understands the intricacies of large organizations and how they work, and has the ability to negotiate 
with others in order to accomplish their goals. And above all, they cannot be petty and indifferent. 
They also need to have a clear vision of how to accomplish those things.

 Last week, when the two candidates attended a Kiwanis forum the candidate that displayed the qualities 
listed above became very apparent. Larry Torres, spoke like a man with a very serious commitment to 
our children and our community. “Schools are the centerpieces of our community” he said, “I want 
every child to be successful and have a clear path after High School. I want every child to know that 
what they do matters and what is good about them matters”. Torres who is an educator by profession 
responded to questions with clarity and conviction. He has been an educator for almost 30 years and 
very involved with public schools as a teacher, a parent and community member. He is a National Board 
Certified Teacher-—The highest level of education certification in the country, held by less than 3% of 
all teachers.

 Larry has a long list of endorsements including (partial listing), Bill Bogaard, Pasadena City Mayor, 

 Carole Liu, State Senator from the 25th district*, Mikala Rahn, Current PUSD Board Member, Chris 
Holden State Assembly 41st District, John Harabedian, Mayor of Sierra Madre , John Buchanan, Former 
Mayor of Sierra Madre, Bart Doyle, Former Mayor of Sierra Madre, Rob Stockly, Former Mayor of Sierra 
Madre, Tonja Torres, Former Member of Sierra Madre City Council, Tom Selinske, Current PUSD School 
Board Member as an individual, Ty Gaffney, Former Principal of Sierra Madre Elementary School, 
Gayle Bluemel, Retired Principal of Sierra Madre Elementary School, United Teachers of Pasadena, 
Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA), Pasadena Star News, San Gabriel Valley Tribune, 
SierraMadreNews.Net, Pasadena/Foothills Association of REALTORS and now the MOUNTAIN 
VIEWS NEWS ENDORSES LARRY TORRES FOR PUSD DISTRICT 6.

 Larry’s opponent, Realtor Sandra Siraganian known by many in Sierra Madre for her early association 
with Greg Galetly, the original developer of 1 Carter after the Maranatha project failed, identified 
herself during the forum as qualified to serve on the board because she was, “A Mother, Classroom 
Volunteer, Donor and PTA Board Member at Don Benito”. While those things are admirable, given 
the level of responsibility required to effectively serve on the PUSD board, in my opinion it just is not 
enough. Larry will not need a learning curve to get started. He is well prepared. (Go to his website at 
http://www.torresforschoolboard.org/ for his complete bio.)

 Further, Larry has not stooped to the trash and burn political tactics of his opponent. In one mailer I 
received Siraganian points out the fact that the school Larry teaches at has a very low performance level. 
She failed to mention that the school is an alternative school that attempts to provide a good education 
to children with a myriad of problems, some behavioral, some emotional and some physical. The school 
exists because the children attending are having difficulties and it takes very special and committed 
teachers to try to help these children. That half truth in and of itself made my decision for me. 

To see and hear the two candidates and their responses in the forum for yourself, go to www.villagevine.
org.

So, as the product of public schools, as the mother of successful children who are all also products of 
public schools, and as the grandmother of students in public schools, and as a resident of Sierra Madre 
who wants to keep our schools the most desirable in the district, I beg you, on Tuesday, March 10th, 
please take the time to vote for a responsible, committed educator, Larry Torres. 

YOUR VOTE WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE. TORRES FOR PUSD DISTRICT 6

City of Sierra Madre

PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE

From: The City of Sierra Madre

Subject: MUNICIPAL CODE TEXT AMENDMENT 15-02 (MCTA 15-02) 

Applicant: City of Sierra Madre

Project Location: Properties in the City of Sierra Madre, County of Los Angeles, State of California

The City of Sierra Madre gives notice, pursuant to State of California law, that the City Council will conduct a public 
hearing to consider an Ordinance amending Title 15, the Building and Construction Codes, and Title 17, the Zoning Code 
of the Sierra Madre Municipal code. 

The following chapters of the Municipal Code are proposed to be amended: Chapter 15-04 (“Building Code and Permits), 
Section 15.04.115 (“Demolition Permits”) to create a discretionary demolition permit process for certain demolitions and 
to revise the demolition permit requirements; Chapter 17.60 (“Variances and Conditional Use Permits”) by adding new 
section 17.60.056 (“discretionary Demolition Permit”), and amending Chapter 17.82 (“Historic Preservation”), Section 
17.82.090 (“Certificate of Appropriateness”) to add additional requirements for the demolition of historic landmarks. 

 

DATE AND TIME OF HEARING PLACE OF HEARING

City of Sierra Madre City of Sierra Madre

City Council meeting City Council Chambers

Tuesday, March 10, 2015 232 W. Sierra Madre Blvd.

(Hearing begins at 6:30 p.m.) Sierra Madre, CA 

All interested persons may attend this meeting and the City Council will hear them with respect thereto.

ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINATION: The project qualifies for an exemption from the California Environmental 
Quality Act review pursuant to Title 14, Section 15061(b)(3) of the California Code of Regulations as it can be seen with 
certainty that there is no possibility the adoption of this Ordinance may have a significant effect on the environment, because 
it will impose greater limitations on development in the City and protect the aesthetic character of Sierra Madre, thereby 
serving to reduce potential significant adverse environmental impacts. 

APPEAL: If in the future anyone wishes to challenge the decision of the City Council in court, one may be limited to raising 
the issues that were raised or presented in written correspondence delivered to the City Council at, or before, the scheduled 
public hearing. For further information on this subject, please contact the Planning Department at (626) 355-7135. 

ORDINANCE NO. 1361

AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF SIERRA MADRE AMENDING CHAPTER 15 
– BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION, ARTICLE 15.20 CALIFORNIA PLUMBING 
CODE OF THE SIERRA MADRE MUNICIPAL CODE TO ADD A NEW SECTION 
15.020.080 - “GRAYWATER SYSTEMS”

WHEREAS, the State of California has experienced a historic drought and the City of Sierra Madre has experienced a shortage 
of water; and WHEREAS, the City has identified over two dozen policies that can help conserve water resources in the City; 
and WHEREAS, the California Plumbing Code Chapter 16A, which Sierra Madre has adopted, provides requirements for the 
installation of graywater re-use systems in residential development; and WHEREAS, graywater is a valuable resource as it 
makes “double use” of water that otherwise goes down the drain and into the sewer system; and WHEREAS, the installation 
of stub-outs at the time of construction greatly facilitates the use of gray water in residences; and WHEREAS, the installation 
of a stub-out during the construction phase is significantly less expensive than retrofitting an existing system at a later date; 
THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SIERRA MADRE, 
CALIFORNIA, AS FOLLOWS:

SECTION 1. This ordinance shall be known and referred to as the “Residential Graywater Ordinance.”

SECTION 2. The Sierra Madre Municipal Code, Chapter 15 Building and Construction, Article 15.20 California Plumbing 
Code, is hereby amended by adopting a new Section 15.020.080 – Graywater Systems, as set forth in “Attachment A” to this 
ordinance incorporated here as if fully set forth herein.

SECTION 3. The Director of Planning and Community Preservation is authorized to adopt appropriate rules, regulations and 
development standards necessary to implement the provisions of this ordinance.

SECTION 4. The provisions of this ordinance may be modified or waived when it can be satisfactorily demonstrated to the 
Building Official that compliance with these regulations is impractical due to construction or other physical constraints and an 
acceptable alternative method of compliance that allows gray water usage is proposed.

SECTION 5. The provisions of Sections 1 through 4 of this ordinance shall apply to construction of new single-family 
dwelling units and multi-family residential developments built pursuant to permits issued after January 1, 2015.

SECTION 6. The various City officers and employees are authorized and directed to perform all acts necessary or desirable 
to give effect to this ordinance, including but not limited to, providing an instructional pamphlet setting forth in plain language 
the requirements of this ordinance.

SECTION 7. If any of the provisions of this ordinance or the application thereof to any person or circumstance is invalid, the 
invalidity shall not affect other provisions of this ordinance which may give effect with the invalid provision or circumstance, 
and to the end the provisions of this ordinance are severable.

NOW THEREFORE, the City Council does ordain as follows:

Section 1. Municipal Code Amendment. Chapter 15 Building and Construction, Article 15.20 California Plumbing Code, is 
hereby amended by adopting a new Section 15.020.080 – Graywater Systems, as set forth in “Exhibit A.

Section 2. Effective Date. This Ordinance shall take effect thirty days after its passage and adoption pursuant to California 
Government Code section 36937.

Section 3. Certification. The City Clerk shall certify to the passage and adoption of this Ordinance and shall cause the same to 
be published according to law.

PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED, this 27th day of January, 2015.

I, NANCY SHOLLENBERGER, CITY CLERK of the City of Sierra Madre, do hereby certify that Ordinance No. 1361 was 
introduced at the regular meeting of the City Council on the 27th day of January, 2015, and was thereafter adopted and passed 
at the regular meeting of the City Council held on the 10th day of February, 2015, by the following votes:

AYES: Mayor John Harabedian, Mayor Pro Tem John Capoccia, Council Members Rachelle Arizmendi, Denise Delmar, and 
Gene Goss

EXHIBIT A.

304.2 Graywater Systems

304.2.1 All new single-family dwelling units and multiple-family residential projects shall include either a 
separate multiple pipe outlet or a diverter valve, and outside “stub-out” installation on clothes washing machine 
hook-ups, to allow separate discharge of graywater for direct irrigation. 

304.2.2 All new single-family dwelling units and multiple-family residential projects shall include a building 
drain or drains for lavatories, showers, and bathtubs, segregated from drains for all other plumbing fixtures, and 
connected a minimum of three (3) feet from the limits of the foundation, to allow for future installation of a distributed 
graywater system.

304.2.3 All graywater systems shall be designed and operated according to the provisions of the applicable 
permit authorized by California Plumbing Code Title 24, Part 5, Chapter 16.


WATCH THE KIWANIS SPONSORED PUSD 
DISTRICT 6 ELECTION FORUM

www.villagevine.org