SATURDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2021 VOLUME 15 NO. 49VOLUME 15 NO. 49 
real estate 
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. 
THE 
WEBB-MARTIN GROUP 
IN ESCROW 
JUST LISTED 
143 East Highland Avenue 
Sierra Madre, 91024 
225 South Sunnyside Avenue 
Sierra Madre, 91024 
143EHighland.com225SSunnyside.com2 Beds | 1 Bath | 889 sf | 4,578 sf lot 
4 Beds | 2 Baths | 1,538 sf | 8,211 sf lot 
1923 Spanish-Style Bungalow 
Mid-Century Ranch 
Listed at $858,000 
Listed at $998,000 
We're doing very well for our clients in 
buying and selling homes. 
Call us today for a free home assessment 
with no obligations. 
In 2021, your patronage made 
all the difference. We want to 
thank you from the bottom 
of our hearts and we hope to 
see you soon! Best wishes for 
the New Year! 
HOLIDAYS 
HAPP Y 
Sincerely, 
Judy, Katie and Jan 
The Webb-Martin Group 
OPEN HOUSE | Saturday 12/4 From 1-4 & Sunday 12/5 From 1-3pm 
WISTARIA PROPERTY NOT PERMITTED… 
FOR NOW By Kevin McGuire 
The Sierra Madre Planning Commission put off approval of three permits al-
lowing for construction and demolition at 505 N. Hermosa Avenue, the property 
made famous by the “largest blossoming plant” which encompasses its yard—the 
127-year-old Chinese Wistaria Vine, despite recommendations from staff. 
The botanical wonder blooms gloriously in purple flowers, which serve as a can-
opy for thousands of visitors, who usually get a close-up view during the annual 
festival to honor it. Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic halted the festival in 
2020. The vine, named after botanist Casper Wistar, has become a significant part 
of Sierra Madre’s culture. It even appears on the logo for the City of Sierra 
Madre itself. 
Nel and Bob Solt maintained the vine for 47 years before selling the land-
mark property in April. The new owner, Vicky Mak, unfortunately has not 
been met with a warm, Sierra Madre welcome after a bit of pruning in Sep-
tember led some neighbors to believe the record-breaking vine was being 
chopped to bits. Residents took to the streets to express their anger. Mak 
stated that the vine needed trimming because it was overgrown, “crush-
ing the house” and creating a “fire hazard.” (http://mtnviewsnews.com/v15/
htm/n38/index.htm). The vine, which sits on private property, was a part 
of the sale. 
A FACELIFT FOR A CLASSIC PROPERTY 
Now, new branches of concern have grown concerning what changes the 
new owner will make to the property and their impact, if any, to the iconic 
Vine. Mak, who is moving back to the San Gabriel from the Bay area, re-
quested a Design Review Permit, Administrative Design Review Permit, 
and a Discretionary Demolition Permit , for the single-family, single-story,
Mid-Century Modern home. The Demolition permit request, does not 
stand for the destruction of the property, but rather stands for alterations 
and modifications, according to Vincent Gonzalez, Planning and Commu-
nity Preservation Director. 
The house was built in 1962. Does that make it historic? Not necessarily,
but it is eligible as a Historic Landmark due to its age and the notable his-
tory of the vine pre-dating the structure. No application has ever been filed 
from Mak or the Solts to register the property as historic. The humungous 
vine, which reaches 66 feet in height and 33 feet laterally, was planted on 
the grounds in 1894. 
THE PROPOSAL AND IMPACT 
A presentation was made by the planning department highlighting all pro-
posed construction and demolition, impacts, and design review findings. 
None of the construction or demolition is said to disturb the Mid-CenturyModern style. 
NO PROTECTION FOR THE VINE 
There would also be trimming done to the vine to make room for a floor 
area extension. The vine currently has five trunks in the back of the prop-
erty. One of those trunks would have to be removed. It’s listed as trunk #4 
in the arborist’s report. No one knows which trunk is the original, which 
raises concerns about removing one. 
(continued on page 3) 
SIERRA MADRE--GETTING BACK TO NORMAL, SNOW AND ALL!
Signs of normality were everywhere in Sierra Madre last week. From 
the return of the snow and Winter Festival to Santa, Mrs. Claus and the 
Rose Princesses in Kersting Court. The Sierra Madre Christmas Tree 
lighting also took place as well as the lighting of the Menorrah. The 
weekend started off with the Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast to the delight 
of the SMFD. Photos courtesy City of Sierra Madre and M.L. Caldwell 
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2021 VOLUME 15 NO. 49VOLUME 15 NO. 49 
real estate 
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. 
THE 
WEBB-MARTIN GROUP 
IN ESCROW 
JUST LISTED 
143 East Highland Avenue 
Sierra Madre, 91024 
225 South Sunnyside Avenue 
Sierra Madre, 91024 
143EHighland.com225SSunnyside.com2 Beds | 1 Bath | 889 sf | 4,578 sf lot 
4 Beds | 2 Baths | 1,538 sf | 8,211 sf lot 
1923 Spanish-Style Bungalow 
Mid-Century Ranch 
Listed at $858,000 
Listed at $998,000 
We're doing very well for our clients in 
buying and selling homes. 
Call us today for a free home assessment 
with no obligations. 
In 2021, your patronage made 
all the difference. We want to 
thank you from the bottom 
of our hearts and we hope to 
see you soon! Best wishes for 
the New Year! 
HOLIDAYS 
HAPP Y 
Sincerely, 
Judy, Katie and Jan 
The Webb-Martin Group 
OPEN HOUSE | Saturday 12/4 From 1-4 & Sunday 12/5 From 1-3pm 
WISTARIA PROPERTY NOT PERMITTED… 
FOR NOW By Kevin McGuire 
The Sierra Madre Planning Commission put off approval of three permits al-
lowing for construction and demolition at 505 N. Hermosa Avenue, the property 
made famous by the “largest blossoming plant” which encompasses its yard—the 
127-year-old Chinese Wistaria Vine, despite recommendations from staff. 
The botanical wonder blooms gloriously in purple flowers, which serve as a can-
opy for thousands of visitors, who usually get a close-up view during the annual 
festival to honor it. Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic halted the festival in 
2020. The vine, named after botanist Casper Wistar, has become a significant part 
of Sierra Madre’s culture. It even appears on the logo for the City of Sierra 
Madre itself. 
Nel and Bob Solt maintained the vine for 47 years before selling the land-
mark property in April. The new owner, Vicky Mak, unfortunately has not 
been met with a warm, Sierra Madre welcome after a bit of pruning in Sep-
tember led some neighbors to believe the record-breaking vine was being 
chopped to bits. Residents took to the streets to express their anger. Mak 
stated that the vine needed trimming because it was overgrown, “crush-
ing the house” and creating a “fire hazard.” (http://mtnviewsnews.com/v15/
htm/n38/index.htm). The vine, which sits on private property, was a part 
of the sale. 
A FACELIFT FOR A CLASSIC PROPERTY 
Now, new branches of concern have grown concerning what changes the 
new owner will make to the property and their impact, if any, to the iconic 
Vine. Mak, who is moving back to the San Gabriel from the Bay area, re-
quested a Design Review Permit, Administrative Design Review Permit, 
and a Discretionary Demolition Permit , for the single-family, single-story,
Mid-Century Modern home. The Demolition permit request, does not 
stand for the destruction of the property, but rather stands for alterations 
and modifications, according to Vincent Gonzalez, Planning and Commu-
nity Preservation Director. 
The house was built in 1962. Does that make it historic? Not necessarily,
but it is eligible as a Historic Landmark due to its age and the notable his-
tory of the vine pre-dating the structure. No application has ever been filed 
from Mak or the Solts to register the property as historic. The humungous 
vine, which reaches 66 feet in height and 33 feet laterally, was planted on 
the grounds in 1894. 
THE PROPOSAL AND IMPACT 
A presentation was made by the planning department highlighting all pro-
posed construction and demolition, impacts, and design review findings. 
None of the construction or demolition is said to disturb the Mid-CenturyModern style. 
NO PROTECTION FOR THE VINE 
There would also be trimming done to the vine to make room for a floor 
area extension. The vine currently has five trunks in the back of the prop-
erty. One of those trunks would have to be removed. It’s listed as trunk #4 
in the arborist’s report. No one knows which trunk is the original, which 
raises concerns about removing one. 
(continued on page 3) 
SIERRA MADRE--GETTING BACK TO NORMAL, SNOW AND ALL!
Signs of normality were everywhere in Sierra Madre last week. From 
the return of the snow and Winter Festival to Santa, Mrs. Claus and the 
Rose Princesses in Kersting Court. The Sierra Madre Christmas Tree 
lighting also took place as well as the lighting of the Menorrah. The 
weekend started off with the Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast to the delight 
of the SMFD. Photos courtesy City of Sierra Madre and M.L. Caldwell