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Combined EditionBreaking News:Inside this Week: Conversations: Sierra Madre: SM Community Calendar: Altadena · So. Pasadena · San Marino: Arcadia · Monrovia · Duarte: The Good Life: Opinion: Support Your Local Businesses: Congratulations Seniors!: Education & Youth: Best Friends and More: Support Your Local Businesses: Columnists: Recent Issues: |
CONGRATULATIONS CLASS OF 2022! Section B dedicated to our graduating seniors! SATURDAY, JUNE 4, 2022 VOLUME 16 NO. 23VOLUME 16 NO. 23 InSIDE THIS WEEK SECTION B SALUTE TO THE CLASS OF 2022 PROM DREAMS COME TRUE AND MORE.... SECTION A Mt Wilson Trail Race Photo Memory Conversations. Sierra Madre News/ Calendar Pasadena/Altadena So. Pas./San Marino Arcadia/Monrovia/ Duarte News The Good Life Opinion Legal Notices SIERRA MADRE NEWS BRIEFS Jan Greteman 626.975.4033 lic #01943630 Judy Webb-Martin 626.688.2273 lic #00541631 Katie Orth 626.688.0418 lic #00942500 webbmartingroup.com real estate SUNDAY, JUNE 19th IS PROUD TO SPONSOR ELVIS IS BACK! We are Proud to announce the return of our very own Harry Shahoian CONCERT IN THE PARK | 6:00-8:00 pm Memorial Park Bandshell 222 West Sierra Madre Boulevard Please Join Us! Listed at $1,899,000 | Sold for $2,251,000 1125 East Mariposa Street Listed at $2,399,000 | Open Sunday 2-4pm 471 Auburn Avenue | 471Auburn.com 5 beds | 2 baths | 2,744 sqft | 17,217 sqft lot 4 beds | 4 baths | 3,679 sqft | 11,179 sqft lot JUST SOLD NEW PRICE CLIENT REVIEW “ “ Katie (and, more recently, Jan) have helped us with at least 7 real estate transactions, which included locating highly desirable rental properties, purchasing 2 beautiful residences, and profitably selling 3 homes. They have been unfailingly attentive to our needs and desires, and their professional knowledge of the local market is extraordinary. Above all, they are patient, honest, kind, and deeply humane. I can’t imagine working with any other realtor. Caroline McManus After close to five hours of discussion, disagreement, and disappointment, the Planning Commission chose to approve nothing and continue the “Meadows at Bailey Canyon Specific Plan” conversation next month. This is the third public hearing con- tinuation following the sessions on April 7 and May 5, 2022. Though not as packed as prior proceedings, many seats were filled for this hearing on June 2nd. Chair, William Pevsner, moved public comment until after all discussions were complete. Representatives from New Urban West, Inc., the real estate developers, and the Passionists at Mater Dolo- rosa (The Monastery) were present and hoping to push through approval of the project, which aims to build 42 residential homes and a park on the site at 700 N. Sunnyside Avenue. Their goal was to get the approval of the following: A. Certify the Environmental Impact Report (EIR) and adopt theMitigation Monitoring and Report- ing Program pursuant to Resolution22-10; B. Approve the Specific Plan; C. Approve amendments to the General Plan and Land Use Mapand Zoning Code and Zoning Mapto change the project site from Insti- tutional to Single-Family ResidentialSpecific Plan Overlay; D. Approve the Lot Line Adjust- ment, andE. Approve the Development Agreement, pursuant to Resolution22-11. If those items were approved, the next step would be to send it to City Coun- cil for final consideration. During the May 5 proceeding, the Commission allocated by priority the following Action Items in the review process of Phase 1 of “The Meadows” project: A. General Plan and ZoningCode Amendment and Land Use Mapand Zoning Map AmendmentB. Lot Line Adjustment C. Specific Plan D. Environmental Impact Re- port (EIR) Certification and adoption of Mitigation Measures and Monitor- ing Program E. Development Agreement. The Commission decided on a straw poll vote for each item to determine if they were able to support the requested entitlements. The Battle for Open SpaceItem A would allow the Land Use and Zoning on the Monastery property to be changed from “Institutional” to “Residential.” This would also require a General Plan Amendment. The latter item lead to the proceedings’ wheels to get ‘stuck in the mud’. Commissioner John Hutt pointed out that though he agrees that chang- ing the Land Use from “Institutional” to “Residential” is fine, he stated that the property should be three parcels with the lower being “Residential,” the middle being “Institutional,” and the upper remaining “Open Space.” Hutt noted that this could quickly be done through a Lot Line Adjustment (Ac- tion Item B). Vice-Chair, Thomas Denison agreed with Hutt’s assessment. Senior Coun- sel, Matthew Summers, suggested add- ing a conservation easement to protect the area's conservation values to the north of the Retreat Center. The Com- mission wants to add the language “no habitable structures” in the Develop- ment Agreement. But, to the contrary, Jonathan Frankel of New Urban West, Inc., enthusiasti- cally mentioned that though he wasn’t familiar with the zoning codes, The Monastery may one day wish to use the upper, open space area for a “shrine or place of prayer” and the Commission should add their recommendations for City Council to review. Commissioner John Hutt told Frankel to “Go read the zoning code. I’m going to vote on three parcels. I’m going to make it really clear, OK,” Hutt firmly stated. Hutt did not want to add this as a recommenda- tion to City Council. In addition, Michael Cunningham, O.F.S., Retreat Center and Director, CEO, spoke on behalf of the Passion- ists at Mater Dolorosa. “Our intention here is to try to keep the area behind the Retreat Center to be a continued part of the retained parcel, which is zoned “Institutional.” We are not going to build any habitable units right be- hind. We want to retain our property rights the same way they were previ- ously. Behind the property, it is quite possible in the future we may want to extend the gardens and build shrines or paths…who knows what the situ- ation is going to look like in 50 years from a construction perspective,” he said. Hutt, obviously upset to hear this, fired back, “Sadly, I’m going to change my straw vote to no on these three items. I, in good conscience as a citizen of Sierra Madre, who’s looking out for the city’s best interest, want to use a process that achieves the mutual oath that we say we have and that is actuallyeffective,” he firmly stated. “I can’t sup- port the project…this is a deal-breaker for me.” Gridlock. The item was tabled. You Want to Make it How Big? Jonathan Frankel addressed nine ac- tion items presented to the developers during the May 5 public hearing re- garding the Specific Plan Design Re- view, which included: elevation sizes, maximum flooring areas, angle plane measurement, and height fences for the proposed park safety and privacyfor neighbors. But the hot topic was the square foot- age proposed for some of the proper- ties in a town that is quite anti-man- sion. Frankel mentioned that the most prominent properties could reach up to 4,250 square-foot (counting garage), two times the allowable square footage for R1 lots in the area, as pointed out by Commissioner Peggy Dallas. “We’re looking at large houses on smaller lots…crammed together…and all of those are what we pushed back on and tried in the past to mitigate,” Commissioner Bob Spears noted. Those on Sierra Keys Drive can view sightlines, fencing heights, and loca- tions of proposed trees and shrubs on the city website (cityofsierramadre. com). The goal is to have a safe park for children to play while maintain- ing privacy for adjacent neighbors. Residents in these areas are pretty con- cerned about privacy and keeping their beautiful mountain views. The project proposes that 493 trees be planted on the property. When Push Comes to Shove After a break, Frankel offered to drop the square footage to 3775 but also firmly stated that this project was not an R1 project. “We just want to be clear that this will not be possible for this project,” Frankel noted. “The project we proposed is what we are proposing. We cannot redesign the project. And we are not open to going on a lot-by-lot basis. And developingindividual development standards,” he sternly stated. Frankel suggested that all recommendations from the Plan- ning Commission be sent on to the City Council and pushed to advance the project. Frankel’s comments were not met graciously. “You want us to vote on the whole project tonight?” Commission Spears asked of Frankel. Counsel Summers confirmed the developer’s intention but stated plainly, “There will be no final vote tonight.” Commissioner Dallas seemed visibly upset by Frankel’s comments. “I have to say that this makes me really un- comfortable,” Dallas said. She suggest- ed Frankel wanted the Commission to vote down on the project because he believes he has reasonable assurances that City Council will pass it anyway. “It just goes to the whole unsettling mood of this whole project from the MOU on. It’s something I haven’t felt on any other project here in town,” she said. Dallas continued, her voice sounding shaky, “We talk about maintaining the character of Sierra Madre, the small-town character… it’s not the sizes of the houses that make it a small town. It’s how ev- erybody treats each other.” The saga will continue on July 7. Stay tuned. “THE MEADOWS” PROJECT GRIDLOCK Proceeding pushed to third month as tug of war continues with developers/owners and Planning Commission. By Kevin McGuire Sierra Madre VFW 3208 resumed their an- nual Memorial DayObservance at Pioneer Cemetary last week. It was the first time since the Pandemic that the ceremonies have been held. Pictured above (r to l) are Councilmem- ber Robert Parkhurst, VFW leader Dave Loera, Councilwoman Rachelle Arizmendi, VFW Leader Dun- can MacGillivray and Congresswoman JudyChu. In the inset with Arizmendi are Korean War Vet Joe Pergola and WWII Ken Anhalt who recently celebrated his 99th birthday. SIERRA MADRE POLICE INVESTIGATE THREAT AT SIERRA MADRE MIDDLE Sierra Madre, CA. – June 2, 2022 The Sierra Madre Police received information from a con- cerned parent about a potential threat to students and staff at Sierra Madre Middle School, that were made to other students and on social media. Officers immediately investigated the incident and were quick- ly able to locate the student in question. Officers also contacted the student’s parent and determined that the student does not have access to any firearms. School officials were notified and are conducting their own in- vestigation to determine what consequences the student will face. Detectives at the Sierra Madre Police Department are continuing to investigate this matter and will determine if and what charges may be filed with the District Attorney’s Office. The Sierra Madre Police Department have determined that there is no threat to any student, or staff at Sierra Madre Mid- dle School. In an abundance of caution, SMPD has increased patrols and their presence surrounding all other schools in Sierra Madre. PALMDALE $539,999 TEMECULA $625,000 SIERRA MADRE $1,100,000 4 bed 3 bath 1,948 sf 3 bed 2 bath 1,689 sf 3 bed 1.5 bath 1,282 sf Pool Home on large corner lot with Single Level Home with Open Traditional Home with Remodeled gated RV access. Floorplan in Temeku Hills Kitchen and Mountain Views | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Mountain Views News 80 W. Sierra Madre Blvd. #327 Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024 Office: 626.355.2737 Fax: 626.604.4548 www.mtnviewsnews.com |