Mountain Views News, Combined Edition Saturday, December 12, 2020

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Mountain Views-News Saturday, December 12, 2020 

City of Sierra Madre

SUMMARY NOTICE

From: The City of Sierra Madre

Subject: Parking Code Update - Ordinance 1432

Applicant: City of Sierra Madre

Project Location: Properties in the City of Sierra Madre, 

 County of Los Angeles, State of California

On December 8, 2020, the City Council of the City of Sierra Madre introduced for second reading Ordinance 1432, recommending 
adoption of Municipal Code Text Amendment 20-04 (MCTA 20-04). 



The purpose of MCTA 20-04 is to amend Chapter 17.08 (Definitions), Section 17.20.015 (Definitions), and Chapter 17.68 (Parking). 
The amendments replace the list of specific uses and corresponding parking requirements with requirements for residential 
and non-residential uses; reduces the total number of required parking spaces for non-residential uses; allows for shared parking 
arrangements involving separate properties in the commercial zone; updates standards for development of parking facilities, 
provides relief from required parking in connection with the reuse of existing structures and residential additions.

This summary is published pursuant to Government Code Section 36933(c)(1) and a full and complete certified copy of the text 
of Ordinance is available at the Sierra Madre City Manager’s Office located at City of Sierra Madre City Hall, 232 W. Sierra 
Madre Blvd., Sierra Madre, CA. Ordinance 1432 becomes effective on January 8, 2020. For further information on this subject, 
please contact the Planning and Community Preservation Department at (626) 355-7138.

ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINATION: The subject ordinance is exempt from California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) 
under Section 15301, of Title 14 of the California Code of Regulations and is also exempt from review because it does not meet 
the definition of a project under CEQA Guidelines sections 15061, subdivision (b)(3), and section 15378, subdivision (a) and 
subdivision (b)(5). The proposed changes to Chapter 17.68 have no potential for resulting in physical changes to the environment 
because the amendments are intended to establish standards to ensure the use, activity, and operations of residential and 
non-residential uses provide adequate parking facilities for the intended use. Any particular proposed project will be required to 
undergo the City’s entitlement process and appropriate review under CEQA.

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 and Community Preservation Department at (626) 
355-7138.

WALKING SIERRA MADRE - The Social Side 

by Deanne Davis

“I seen a peanut stand, heard a rubber band
I seen a needle that winked its eye
But I think I’ve seen about ev’rything
When I see an elephant fly.

I said when I see an elephant fly!

I seen a front porch swing, heard a diamond ring
I seen a polka-dot railroad tie
But I think I’ve seen about ev’rything,

When I see an elephant fly!”

(Ned Washington, Oliver Wallace)

Many of you…well, some of you out there might be old enough to remember the 1941 Disney 
animated feature, Dumbo, a great movie featuring a baby elephant with ears like the wings on 
a Stealth Bomber. He realizes with the help of his mouse friend, Timothy, that these ears enable 
him to fly. Eventually, he runs into a bunch of crows that sing the above song…that will now be 
stuck in my mind for days.

OK, you’re saying, well, that’s special, but what’s it got to do with anything? Well, friends and 
neighbors, I thought I’d seen just about everything until last week when Christmas decorated 
dinosaurs were seen frolicking and cavorting through town. These three were having the best 
time imaginable and were spotted by a number of folks, even though their dance through town 
was on the late side. Their picture was snapped and here it is. Yes, indeed, I think I’ve seen about 
everything when I see dinosaurs dancing through Sierra Madre. We do have a very special town, 
don’t we!

“As we struggle with shopping lists, to do lists and 
invitations, plus our own unreal expectations for all we 
expect ourselves to do, it is good to be reminded that there are people in our lives who are worth 
this aggravation, and people to whom we are worth the same.” Donald E. Westlake

One of my favorite authors, Michelle Griep, who describes herself as, “an author, blogger, and 
occasional super-hero when her cape is clean,” at one time published a daily blog, Writer Off the 
Leash. Here’s what she shared a while back and it’s so good I want to pass it along, with many 
thanks for this good advice, to all of you dear friends and neighbors. In this time of pandemic 
where none of us are having much fun, removing a little stress from your life can’t hurt a bit!

FIVE WAYS TO SLAY HOLIDAY STRESS

Change Your Perspective

Sometimes all that needs to be slain is your mindset. This season take a good, hard look 
at all that you’re doing and then question everything. You could be stressing yourself out 
because of expectations and values that aren’t really yours. Examine what your core beliefs 
are and live those out, not some totally imaginary Hallmark Christmas movie ideals.
LetGo

Who says you need to do it all? Unless you’re Martha Stewart, you don’t have to. Choose 1 item to 
cut from your must-get-done-before-Christmas list and just say no. I’m not talking simply crossing 
it off your list. I’m saying cut it out and throw it away for good. Maybe you’ll decide not to do cards 
anymore or give up baking 6 different kinds of cookies. Whatever. The point is to stop doing 1 activity.
Plan Ahead

Obviously you’re not going to cut everything from your holiday season. Decide on what you’ll 
keep (remember, you’re being proactive by choosing what you will keep and what you won’t) then 
whip out your calendar and plan those things into your schedule. If you fail to plan, you plan to 
fail. Putting things off until the last minute causes undue anxiety. As none of us are doing much 
socializing currently, this one won’t be too difficult. Decorating for Christmas inside and out seems 
to be one of the things that’s at the top of just about everybody’s list so go ahead and enjoy that.
Shop Online

Books make great gifts and are just a click away. So is just about everything you can 
imagine. You’ll avoid the crowds and save time driving to and from the store. And save 
unnecessary contact, too. Yeah, you might end up paying for shipping but in the long run 
if it saves you time and keeps you out of stores, it’s totally worth it. Unless, of course, you 
happen to be an Amazon.com Prime customer, then you pay no shipping ever! Woo hoo! 
Say No

This one is the hardest of all because you want to have fun as much as the next guy, right? Or your 
heart is big and you want to help everyone who has a need. Or you just plain old don’t want others 
to think badly of you. Well, dear friend, in order to lessen your stress you just might need to start 
saying no. And if you do, guess what? You’ll find that your “yes’s” have a whole new meaning. Life 
is short. 

Live intentionally, whether it’s Christmas or not.

There now, don’t you feel better? Take a breath, or two or three, drive ‘round town and enjoy 
everyone’s lights and decorations and remember this precious truth: Jesus is the reason for the 
season! Go to a virtual Christmas concert. Watch one of the Christmas movies on the Hallmark 
channel. Tell someone you love them. And smile. A lot! And wear your mask, and wash your 
hands, and stay safe and pray for our Nation to come out of this difficult season.

Speaking of difficult seasons, last Monday, December 7th was Pearl Harbor Day, observed annually 
to remember and honor the 2,403 Americans who were killed in the surprise attack on Pearl 
Harbor in Hawaii on December 7, 1941, which led to the United States declaring war on Japan the 
next day and thus entering World War II. “A date that will live in infamy.” 

I’m hoping all your Christmas memories this year are merry and bright, and all the gifts you 
receive are exactly what you wanted and all the gifts you give are exactly what they wanted, too.

And may dinosaurs dance through Kersting Court leaving laughter in their wake.

“Christmas, it’s almost here! My favorite, favorite time of year!”

My book page: Amazon.com: Deanne Davis

Christmas is just a few short weeks away and my books:

“A Tablespoon of Love, A Tablespoon of Laughter” and

“Sunrises and Sunflowers Speak Hope” 

Would be really nice gifts for everyone you know.

You can find them on Amazon.com

“Star of Wonder” a delightful Christmas Kindle story is there, too.

If you’d like a little preview, take a look at: https://youtu.be/Ka1KYrONrd0


The Anonymousauruses 


PLEASE STAY SAFE!

SOCIALLY DISTANCE!

WEAR A MASK!

Mountain Views News 80 W Sierra Madre Blvd. No. 327 Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024 Office: 626.355.2737 Fax: 626.609.3285 Email: editor@mtnviewsnews.com Website: www.mtnviewsnews.com