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ARCADIA -MONROVIA-DUARTE & MORE

Mountain View News Saturday, March 9, 2024 

Here’s What’s Going On Around Town in March!
Brought to you by Sue Cook 
DRE# 02015404
DUARTE APPROVED THE PICKLEBALL 
COURT CONVERSION AT ROYAL OAKS 
PARK

Did you know the 
number of dedicated 
pickleball players in 
the City of Duarte 
has almost tripled 
this year? Good 
news! The City 
has new pickleball 
courts on the way 
for our community 
to enjoy. This 
much-anticipated 
addition to the City’s 
recreational facilities 
comes as a response 
to the voices of community members who have expressed their love for 
the sport.

At the regular City Council meeting on Tuesday, February 13, 2024, the 
Duarte City Council approved the full conversion of one existing tennis 
court at Royal Oaks Park (2627 Royal Oaks Drive) to two permanent 
pickleball courts, and to paint pickleball lines on the other tennis court 
side to allow it to be used as a tennis court and/or pickleball courts.

In Duarte, there has been an increase in participation for its free Senior 
Center pickleball program at the Duarte Sports Park (1401 Central Ave). 
The program has grown to a three day a week, two-hour program offered 
at the six temporary pickleball courts, which will continue at Royal Oaks 
Park even with the addition of the new courts. With the approval of 
the Pickleball Court Conversion at Royal Oaks Park, there will be four 
additional pickleball courts: two permanent and two interchangeable. 

The Royal Oaks Park Courts Resurfacing project is an approved Capital 
Improvement Project this Fiscal Year 2023/24, which means that this 
conversion will have no fiscal impact. 

The City will provide updates on accessduarte.com and social media 
platforms as information becomes available. If you have any questions, 
please contact the Duarte Parks and Recreation Department at (626) 
357-7931.


COURTS ISSUE RULING ON 600 FOOTHILL PROPERTY 
DEVELOPMENT: CITY TO WEIGH LEGAL OPTIONS TO 
COURT’S DECISION

La Cañada Flintridge, CA 

 A court has found that the City of La Cañada Flintridge should process the proposed development at 600 
Foothill Blvd. as a Builder’s Remedy project. Builder’s Remedy is a legal provision of the State Housing 
Accountability Act that prohibits cities from disapproving development proposals that are inconsistent with 
local zoning and general plan requirements if a city does not have a State-certified Housing Element. The 
City has claimed that the Builder’s Remedy application for the development was not valid as the City had 
a “substantially compliant” housing element at the time the application was filed. The City Council will 
consider whether it should appeal the ruling or evaluate other legal options as it continues to defend itself 
and the community.

“I am proud of the work done by our City Council and City staff to implement a housing element which 
zones for 689 additional units, including 482 low-income housing units,” said Mayor Gunter. “We have acted 
as a partner to the State to be a part of the solution to the housing crisis, and while I disagree with the court’s 
decision in relation to this particular development, I respect the legal process and our City Council will work 
with City staff and legal counsel to decide on next steps.”

The City of La Cañada Flintridge is committed to supporting statewide efforts to tackle the high cost of 
housing. The City has repeatedly demonstrated its willingness to work with the community, stakeholders 
and the State to ensure that the City can fulfill its share of the State’s much-needed housing and the City 
stands ready to implement its identified housing programs and partner with the community and the State 
on this critical mission.

Importantly, the ruling affirmed that the City of La Cañada Flintridge did not act in bad faith. Moreover, 
the Court denied the petitioners’ causes of action that claimed the City violated California’s Density Bonus 
Law and the Subdivision Map Act.

“While I believe that our housing element complies with every request made by the State’s Department of 
Housing and Community Development, we respect the legal process and we will now consider our next 
steps,” said City Manager Daniel Jordan. 

The City will continue to keep residents informed about developments in this legal matter. 


ABOLITIONIST GRAVESITE IN ALTADENA GETS 
HISTORICAL LANDMARK NOMINATION

 The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a motion last week introduced by Supervisor 
Kathryn Barger, that nominates renowned abolitionist Owen Brown’s gravesite to be designated as a Los Angeles County 
Historical Landmark. 

 A commemorative rustic stone and additional stones placed to mark the presumed outline of Mr. Brown’s body currently 
identify his final resting place in Altadena, on a hilltop at the northern end of El Prieto Road. 

 “It is a great honor to nominate Owen Brown’s gravesite as a historical landmark,” said Supervisor Kathryn Barger. “His 
fight against slavery and unwavering commitment to treating all human beings with dignity, respect, and equality reflects 
his courage and vision. Preserving his gravesite will help future generations pay homage to his memory.”

 Supervisor Barger also thanked members of the Altadena community who have formed the Owen Brown Committee 
and have served as advocates for the historic landmark designation. Committee member and local Altadena resident 
Michele Zack provided public testimony during the Board of Supervisors’ meeting. “It’s a long time coming,” Zack stated. 
“Altadena Heritage first nominated the site in 1989, but it was turned down. We have kept alive efforts to honor this sacred 
site – a memorial to those who fought to end slavery in America – for over 35 years.”

 Owen Brown was born on November 4, 1824 in Hudson, Ohio – one of twenty children from his father’s (abolitionist 
John Brown) first family. At the time of his death, he was the last survivor of John’s Brown’s historic raid on Harpers Ferry. 
He died in Altadena on January 8, 1889. When his funeral was held, two days later in Pasadena, a local newspaper at the 
time reported, “It was a historic day in Pasadena.”


Mountain Views News 80 W Sierra Madre Blvd. No. 327 Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024 Office: 626.355.2737 Fax: