VOLUME 15 NO. 46VOLUME 15 NO. 46 
broker lic. #01514230 | source: CoreLogic, Freddie Mac, Bankrate 
Jan Greteman 626.975.4033 
jan@jangreteman.com 
jangreteman.com #01943630 
Judy Webb-Martin 626.688.2273 
jwmartin@dppre.com #00541631 
Katie Orth 626.688.0418 
korth@dppre.com #00942500 
Your Story. Your Home. Your Team. 
Together Stronger. 
THEWEBB-MARTIN GROUP 
We're doing very well for our clients in 
buying and selling homes. 
Call us today for a free home assessment 
with no obligations. 
SINGLE-FAMILY HOMES 
CONDOMINIUMS 
SIERRA MADRE 2021 
3RD QUARTER SALES 
WERE THROUGH THE ROOF 
Average sales price was up 20% to $1,523,731 and 
per square foot average is now $730! 
Average sale price went from $725k in 2020 to 
$792k this year. 
Over a 36 year period we have bought two homes and 
sold two homes with Judy Webb-Martin. Working with 
Katie Orth and Jan Greteman on the last three has been 
a pleasure. Each time - in three completely different 
housing markets - it was an excellent experience, 
personally and professionally. They listened, they advised 
and when a firm guidance was needed they gave it. 
They know what they are doing! They also know they 
are dealing with your home and respect that. They are 
not one size fits all realtors - and this last sale, we simply 
turned over to them knowing we were in good hands. 
Highly recommend them. 
The data indicates now is the time to sell…. Reach out 
to any of us to assist you in that process. If your home 
is priced right, we have consistently been able to get 
well over asking for our very happy sellers. 
Warmest regards, 
SharonWhat The Webb-Martin Group Clients Say... 
$1,431,600 $1,523,731 $730 
$1,282,322 $1,275,272 $606 
$732,500 $791,800 $562 
$716,500 $724,833 $498 
LIST PRICE SOLD PRICE PRICE SF 
LIST PRICE SOLD PRICE PRICE SF 
July-September 2021 3 3 2,187 12,204 
July-September 2020 3 3 2,212 10,786 
July-September 2021 2 3 1,419 
July-September 2020 3 3 2,212 
SFR AVERAGES BR BA SF LOT 
SFR AVERAGES BR BA SF 
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2021 VOLUME 15 NO. 46VOLUME 15 NO. 46 
broker lic. #01514230 | source: CoreLogic, Freddie Mac, Bankrate 
Jan Greteman 626.975.4033 
jan@jangreteman.com 
jangreteman.com #01943630 
Judy Webb-Martin 626.688.2273 
jwmartin@dppre.com #00541631 
Katie Orth 626.688.0418 
korth@dppre.com #00942500 
Your Story. Your Home. Your Team. 
Together Stronger. 
THEWEBB-MARTIN GROUP 
We're doing very well for our clients in 
buying and selling homes. 
Call us today for a free home assessment 
with no obligations. 
SINGLE-FAMILY HOMES 
CONDOMINIUMS 
SIERRA MADRE 2021 
3RD QUARTER SALES 
WERE THROUGH THE ROOF 
Average sales price was up 20% to $1,523,731 and 
per square foot average is now $730! 
Average sale price went from $725k in 2020 to 
$792k this year. 
Over a 36 year period we have bought two homes and 
sold two homes with Judy Webb-Martin. Working with 
Katie Orth and Jan Greteman on the last three has been 
a pleasure. Each time - in three completely different 
housing markets - it was an excellent experience, 
personally and professionally. They listened, they advised 
and when a firm guidance was needed they gave it. 
They know what they are doing! They also know they 
are dealing with your home and respect that. They are 
not one size fits all realtors - and this last sale, we simply 
turned over to them knowing we were in good hands. 
Highly recommend them. 
The data indicates now is the time to sell…. Reach out 
to any of us to assist you in that process. If your home 
is priced right, we have consistently been able to get 
well over asking for our very happy sellers. 
Warmest regards, 
SharonWhat The Webb-Martin Group Clients Say... 
$1,431,600 $1,523,731 $730 
$1,282,322 $1,275,272 $606 
$732,500 $791,800 $562 
$716,500 $724,833 $498 
LIST PRICE SOLD PRICE PRICE SF 
LIST PRICE SOLD PRICE PRICE SF 
July-September 2021 3 3 2,187 12,204 
July-September 2020 3 3 2,212 10,786 
July-September 2021 2 3 1,419 
July-September 2020 3 3 2,212 
SFR AVERAGES BR BA SF LOT 
SFR AVERAGES BR BA SF 
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2021 
HOUSING ELEMENT UPDATE ADOPTED! 

City Council Vote Unanimously Despite Citizen Opposition 

By Kevin McGuire 

After several rounds of ping-pong with the 
Planning Commission and some necessary 
updates incorporated, City Council has 
finally adopted the 6th Cycle, Year 20212029, 
Housing Element Update (HEU), almost 
four weeks over the deadline of October 
15, 2021. On Tuesday, November 9, the 
approval came during the granted 120-day 
grace period, and it was indeed a bumpy, 
frustrating, and sometimes confusing ride. 

This item was continued from the October 
26 meeting after it was realized that part 
of the Subsequent Environmental Impact 
Report (SEIR) was missing from the on-
line version. Additionally, language edits 
were requested for the Safety section of the 
HEU. Objective Hz-5b read: Avoid construction 
of new development on land currently 
unimproved and abutted by natural 
open space areas in Very High Fire SeverityZones. The words “unimproved” and “abutted” 
came into question during the October 
26 public hearing. 

On October 7, 2021, the Planning Commission 
recommended that the City Council 
adopt Resolution 21-59 approving the 
General Plan Amendment 21-03 to adopt 
the 2021-2029 Housing Element Update, 
including updates to the Land Use, Safety, 
and Circulation Elements and Adopt Resolution 
21-60 certifying the SEIR. 

During the November 9th Public Hearing,
Clare Lin, Senior Planner, also called for 
Council to adopt and direct Staff to continue 
to develop zoning ordinances and zone 
change for the residential high-density and 
religious housing overlay sites. 

Some Context 

Every eight years, Sierra Madre needs to update 
the General Plan's Housing Element as 
California State law requires. The HousingElement analyzes housing needs, considers 
all income levels, and provides strategies for 
meeting those needs. It is comprised of five 
major components. 

1. A review of the current HousingElement 
2. Assessment of existing housingneeds 
3. Identification of resources (land,
financial and administrative)
4. Evaluation of constraints to housing
5. Housing Plan: Goals, Policy, andPrograms. 
After a Regional Housing Needs Assessment 
(RHNA) by Karen Warner & Associ


ates, it was recommended that Sierra Madre 
come up with sites for 204 units. See chart 

These RHNA recommendations weren’t 
feasible without making some zoning adjustments. 
These rezoning suggestions include 
the 200 block of Mariposa Ave., 18100 
block of Suffolk Ave., 491 W. Sierra 
Madre Blvd., and 215 N. Baldwin. Ideally, 
this would pave the way for 90 units. 

In addition, there is a Religious Housing 
Overlay Zone to allow for affordable 
housing on congressional land. Old North 
Church and United Methodist Church are 
two congressional sites that can offer large 
parking lot areas for 51 units. 

Despite the recommendations, the city is 
under no obligation actually to build these 
204 units. But, choosing not to send an 
HEU to the state for approval could mean a 
fine of $100,000 to the City. 

The Updates 

Bethany Church was removed from the 
Religious Housing Overlay after concluding 
that they did not have the space in their 
parking lot. 

Since October 26, the Safety Element Update 
has become compliant with the Cal-
Fire Department of Forestry. The words 
“unimproved” and “abutted” were cut from 
Objective Hz-5b, which now reads: Avoid 
construction of new development in natural 
open space areas in Very High Fire Severity 
Zones. 

Certification of the Final SEIR 

The Draft Environmental Impact Report 
(EIR) circulated for 49 days between August 
3rd and September 21st. The final EIR 
includes comment letters and responses. 
Of the 30 comments received, only 16 addressed 
the SEIR. Fifteen of those were 
from private citizens, and one comment 
was from Caltrans. Answers were provided 
for all comments. However, some residents 
have commented that the responses were 
not adequate. 

Income Category Housing Units 
Very Low Income [<50% Area Median Income for LA County (AMI)] 79 
Low Income (50-80% AMI) 39 
Moderate Income (80-120% AMI) 35 
Above Moderate (>120% AMI) 51 
TOTAL 204 

below. 

Push and Pull 

Each of these HEU public hearings has had 
one thing in common; groups of concerned 
citizens approaching the mic to express 
their disapproval of elements of the HEU. 
One of the most significant issues lies within 
the Potential Housing Units chart, which 
covers the 2021-2029 period. The chart 
lists The Meadows proposal (42 units on 
the grounds at the Monastery) as a “Contemplated 
Project.” Mayor Rachelle Arizmendi 
has addressed this issue on several 
occasions; Tuesday night’s meeting was no 
exception. The Mayor emphasized that the 
HEU does not include The Meadows proposal, 
as it will have its own EIR when the 
time comes. But, the fact that The Meadows 
appears in the HEU has some folks crying“fowl.” 

Over the past year or longer, many residents 
have expressed their displeasure over the 
Monastery project for reasons, including: 

• It will change the small-town feel ofSierra Madre. 
• Traffic on Sunnyside and CarterAvenues will significantly increase. 
• The area surrounding theMonastery is a High Fire Area. 
• Water usage will increase duringa time of drought. 
Most of the comments made during the 
public comment section of the public hearing 
revolved around The Meadows project. 
Some feel the language in Objective Hz-5b 
was purposely changed to accommodate 
the Monastery. Co-Founder and Principal 
of EcoTierra Consulting, Inc., Curtis Zacuto’s 
explanation that the founders’ “natural 
open space” language referred to the area 
above the Monastery. This semantics issue 
has citizens feeling that the cards are being 
stacked against them. 

These concerns and opinions will most certainly 
extend well into 2022. 

Approval 

City Council unanimously approved the 
General Plan Amendment 21-03 to adopt 
the 2021-2029 Housing Element Update, 
including updates to the Land Use, Safety, 
and Circulation Elements; certify the Subsequent 
Environmental Impact Report; and 
direct Staff to continue to develop zoning 
ordinances and zone change for the residential 
high density and religious housing 
overlay sites. 

The approval was meant with some grunts 
and outbursts from attendees, which Mayor 
Arizmendi quickly shut down. 

The HEU is available to review on the City’s 
website at cityofsierramadre.com. 

STAY SAFE! 

VACCINATE 

WEAR A MASK!