Mountain Views News, Combined Edition Saturday, January 8, 2022

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Mountain Views-News Saturday, January 8, 2022 

AN IMPORTANT FOLLOW UP

We have been led to believe for over a year 
that were would be only five hearings related 
to the application from developer New 
Urban West and the Passionists for a 42 
unit housing development on the grounds 
of the Monastery Retreat House. In asking 
for clarification, we received this answer 
from our City Manager, Jose Reynoso. 

‘Please see the explanation and government 
code below.

 

Government Code section 65905.5 states that a City “shall not conduct more than five hearings 
… in connection with the approval of that housing development project.” The term “housing 
development project” has a special meaning under Government Code section 65589.5, subdivision 
(h)(2). The design review permit process and the tentative tract map process are both 
subject to the five hearing rule. However, for administrative convenience, staff has decided 
to separate those approvals out into the second phase of project approvals. That means that 
the first phase of the project consisting of the development agreement, general plan land use 
amendment, zoning map amendment, specific plan, EIR certification, and lot line adjustment 
would not be considered with the design review permit and tentative tract map.

 

Therefore, staff concluded that the first phase of this project will not be subject to the five, but 
the second phase of this project will be.’

To clarify, Phase one will not be subject to the 5 meeting limit:

• Development agreement

• General plan land use amendment

• Zoning map amendment

• Specific plan

• EIR certification

• Lot line adjustment

Phase two will be subject to the 5 meeting limit:

• Design Review Permit

• Tentative tract map

Why is this important? This means that the phase one aspect of the approval process can be 
discussed in a general town meeting and can also be discussed at various Commission meetings. 
We are asking that the City schedule the Community Services Committee in February 
to deal with the park and recreation aspects of this project such as the three-acre planned 
park, bicycle access on Carter, sidewalks to and from Bailey Canyon Park, etc.

The Energy Environment and Natural Resources (EENR) Commission should have a scheduled 
meeting to have a general discussion on the prospect of having 100 mature trees destroyed 
including 10 mature protected oaks. The mitigation plan for replacing these trees is 
to plant young trees in various parts of the development. Not only will immature trees be 
subject to the drought condition, but also will deny the wildlife in the area the habitat, food 
and protection they need. Wildlife that has been noted in the area are birds, bats, deer, and 
bears, to name a few. 

Other aspects that can be discussed in open meetings include safety (police, fire, and traffic), 
water use, the development agreement itself, land use, specific plan, and lot line adjustment.

The Preserve Sierra Madre Steering Committee has asked for Town Hall type meetings, to no 
avail. Resident comments are limited to five minutes before the Planning Commission and a 
mere three minutes before City Council. Not only are we limited, but they are not allowed to 
respond, and each individual is only allowed to comment one time. 

Additionally, a little over a year ago, City Council reduced the Planning Commission from 
seven to five members, and took away the majority of the design review responsibility and 
gave it to Staff. While Staff is qualified, this has taken away transparency, and we residents 
have no way of knowing what they are doing or what their rationale is for approving a project. 
Interestingly, we cannot remember a project that staff has not recommended for approval. 
The most recent example is the Planning Commission review of the Wistaria House design. 
The staff recommended approval; the Planning Commission found several areas of concern 
and requested additional review by an independent arborist and asked the owner to redesign 
the layout to avoid removal of one of the four wisteria trunks. 

We have been told that the final EIR certification will be released in February. This means the 
Commissions would be able to schedule their meetings shortly after to begin a very serious 
open discussion of the plans for this 42 home development. There should also be a Town Hall 
for an open question and answer session on all aspects of the development. Please let your 
thoughts be known.

City Manager: jreynoso@cityofsierramadre.com; 

Planning Director: vgonzalez@cityofsierramadre.com.


WALKING SIERRA MADRE - The Social Side 

 by Deanne Davis


“HAPPY NEW YEAR! 

A new year is more like closing an old chapter of 
life and beginning the new one. May this New 
Year bestow mirth, health and opulence on you!”

“It’s time to make way for the new, to reaffirm 
and dream afresh, to embrace new joys and embark 
on new voyages…”

“Year’s end is neither an end nor a beginning but 
a going on, with all the wisdom that experience 
can instill in us.” Hal Borland

2022 started fabulously with the Rose Parade. 
What a joy and delight to see this 133rd parade 
back on Colorado Blvd. where it belongs. 
My gosh but I missed it last year! And the best part of all was seeing our fabulous float, 
“Nature’s Classroom” roll by. We won the Judge’s Award and, of course, my picture today 
– Courtesy of Dr. Charles Seitz – is of our float. I couldn’t help myself. I just loved those 
toucans! John and I went to Costa Rica some years ago and there were toucans there turning 
their heads from side to side to look at us across those enormous beaks. There were 
also monkeys that pitched coconuts at us…but that’s another story. I loved the lizard doing 
pushups… and the flowers! The flowers were so beautiful, so exotic and so carefully applied. 
It couldn’t have been more exquisite.

Congratulations to the Sierra Madre Rose Float Association, all the volunteers who worked 
long, cold hours, and especially to Dick and Kay Sappington for all they contribute to make 
our float incredible every year. Again, rejoicing over seeing all the people along the parade 
route. Another small step toward normalcy!

Here are my favorite parts: 

• The Stealth Bomber flyover

• All 20 of the bands, especially the Band of band directors from all over the United 
States. So impressed with how they were able to separate onto both sides of the 
street to allow the Showmanship Award float, honoring band directors, to 
pass through their ranks. This band also included 70 Teachers of the Year. 

• The Arcadia Apache band

• The Louisiana “Feed Your Soul” float featuring American Idol winner, Laine Har 
dy, and the Hot 8 Brass Band performing on the float. That one took the Wrigley 
Legacy Award.

• The huge American flag that covered the entire street, unfurled by service personnel.

• The theme of the parade: Dream, Believe, Achieve

Speaking of Dream, Believe, Achieve – Betty White, who did all those things with joy, 
grace, dignity and humor – moved her residence to heaven on New Year’s Eve, just 17 days 
short of her 100th birthday. Reading the newspaper writeup about her, the quote that stood 
out to me was this one:

“When asked how she had managed to be universally beloved by humans throughout her 
life, not just by animals, she summed up with a dimpled smile, “I just make it my business 
to get along with people so I can have fun. It’s that simple.”

Not to be negative, but I could do without the pre-parade dancers and all songs and singers 
before, during or after the Parade. Just saying. I’m not alone in that. Lots of comments on 
various social media arenas.

The Christmas decorations are 97% put away. There are some lighted houses still up on top 
of the bookcases but putting them away will require getting out the step ladder and one 
needs to wait till one really feels like doing that before embarking on that task. Everything 
else is packed away in the bins in the storage garage. I’m sure you’ve noticed this, too: It’s so 
much fun to get out all the decorations and put them here there and everywhere and not 
nearly as much fun to retrieve them from here, there and everywhere and put them away. 

We went to the movies during Christmas break and saw “Sing 2” and the latest Spider-
Man, “No Way Home,” which featured all three of the guys who have played Spider-Man 
and all the villains, too. Benedict Cumberbatch played Dr. Strange, my favorite character. 
I just love seeing that guy! We went to lunch at P F Chang’s and had dumplings, went to 
Chili’s and had $5 margaritas and fajitas and a lot of fun. Opened presents on Christmas 
morning – the girls both got electric toothbrushes and my family all chipped in an gave 
me gift cards for an iPhone 13. I was overwhelmed and can’t wait till I can get to the Apple 
store and bring it home. 

It was a lovely Christmas and the greatest gift of all is, of course, that Baby in the manger. 
Grateful that we are all healthy and that everyone is back in school. I’m thinking about New 
Year’s Resolutions and will keep thinking till next week. And, yes, the first one will be to 
lose five pounds.

Happy New Year, dear friends and neighbors. 2022 will bring us all more joy, more laughter, 
more health and more happiness. Trust me!

 My book page: Amazon.com: Deanne Davis

Christmas is just a few days past and my book:

“Sunrises and Sunflowers Speak Hope” 

Would be a really nice gift for anyone you’ve suddenly remembered.

You can find it on Amazon.com and they’ll even send it for you!

“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

SIERRA MADRE POLICE BLOTTER


December 26, 2021, to January 1, 2022

During this period, the Sierra Madre Police Department responded 
to approximately 160 calls for service. This list is not 
intended to be considered exclusive or all-inclusive.

Sunday, December 26

December 26, 2021, at 10:00 pm to December 27, 2021, at 
7:00 am, an unknown suspect(s) stole an unlocked vehicle 
parked in the 2000 block of Liliano Dr. The Detectives' Bureau 
is following up on this incident.

Monday, December 27

A victim in the 600 block of Sierra Meadows Dr. made an online report of theft of their 

wallet and the illegal use of his credit cards in the amount of $4,000.00. The Detectives' 
Bureau is following up on this incident.

Saturday, January 1

At 2:45 am, the Sierra Madre Fire Department requested assistance with a combative subject 
in the 00 block of N. Canon Ave. Officers arrived and were directed to the subject. 

During the contact, the subject was found to be impaired due to their level of alcoholic 

beverage. The subject was arrested for public intoxication and ultimately booked at the 

Pasadena PD jail.

Saturday, January 1

From December 31, 2021, at 12:50 am to January 1, 2022, at 9:30 am, an unknown 

suspect(s) stole three motorcycles parked in the 1900 block of N. Santa Anita Ave. 

The Detectives' Bureau is following up on this incident.

PLEASE GET 
VACCINATED!

WEAR A MASK! 


SIERRA MADRE CARES GRANTS AVAILABLE TO NON PROFITS

As part of the Sierra Madre Cares effort, the City Council recently 
approved the COVID-19 Nonprofit Grant Program. Utilizing 
$200,000 in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, 
Sierra Madre nonprofit organizations will be able to apply for 
up to $50,000 in grant funding. The purpose of this program is 
to provide immediate financial support to organi-zations that 
have experienced financial hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic 
and to implement COVID-19 prevention or mitigation 
tactics. 

Grant applications and guidelines will be available online Monday, 
January 10 at 12pm. Visit www.cityofsierramadre.com/
cares for more information.

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