SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2015 ARCADIA CITY COUNCIL UPHOLDS PLANNING COMMISSION DECISION
VOLUME 9 NO. 6
CITIZEN OF THE YEAR & ONE PROUD GRANDPA! VFW Commander Dave Loera, Sr., Sierra Madre’s 2014 Citizen Of The Year was honored on Saturday evening by the Sierra Madre Chamber of Commerce for his outstanding contributions to the community. Family, friends and admirers attended the event which was held in the Sierra Madre Room. Congresswoman Judy Chu attended and spoke of Dave’s contributions and leadership on the efforts to bring a Veteran’s Health Center to PCC. She presented Loera with a Congressional Proclamation. Assemblymember Chris Holden, State Board of Equalization Chairman Jerome Horton, State Senator Carol Liu and Sierra Madre Mayor John Haradebian also recognized Loera for his service to the community, The entire Sierra Madre City Council, with the exception of Councilwoman Denise Delmar who sent her regrets and was unable to attend due to illness, was in attendnce,. Members of VFW 3208 presented the colors for the evening. Dinner was prepared by the Peppertree Grill and a ‘sweet’ presentation was made by Poppy Cake Baking Company.
Above, Dave Loera and his three grandchildren, and below, left to right, SM Councilman John Cappoccia, SMCC Board members Carol Canterbury, Susan Henderson(rear),Councilmembers Rachelle Arizmendi and Gene Goss, Honoree Dave Loera and his wife Terri, Sierra Madre Mayor John Harabedian and SMCC President Ed Chen. Photos by Bill Coburn
This home with a beautiful view of the mountains in the backdrop, will soon be replaced with a 6,500 sq. ft., two story ‘McMansion Photo by J. Schmidt/MVNews
Resident Tim Burch “You can’t ignore what the cumulative effects of the last three years have been, The Highlands area of Arcadia is a very attractive with 30 new homes, the average size of which is and desirable location to live, laced with homes over 5,000 square feet, You are going forward in built in the 50’s and 60’s reflecting the popular a way as a city that is permanently altering the character of that neighborhood.” ranch style of the period. Today, however, it is a community divided, the most recent conflict over the demolition of two Supporters of the project do not see that as an properties, 29 East Orange Grove Boulevard and issue. One speaker suggested that the building of 1600 Highland Avenue. These two properties were multi-million dollar, 5,000 square foot homes is a sold and plans were submitted to the Highlands plus for the area. Homeowners Architectural Review Board in Councilman Roger Chandler noted that property December. Both applications were denied by the values had jumped 51% from 2013 to 2014. Board in an effort to preserve the character of the The council’s votes were not unanimous - For the area. The owners/builders then went to the Arcadia 29 East Orange Grove Ave. home, the City Council Planning Commission who reviewed the projected denied the appeal by a 4-1 vote. Mayor Pro Tem plans, ignored the architectural review board, and Gary Kovacic voted the lone “no”. For the 1600 Highland Ave., the City Council gave their approval, despite public outcry. The matter reached the boiling point at the also denied the appeal by a 3-2 vote. Mr. Kovacic February 3rd Arcadia City Council Meeting, and Council Member Tom Beck voted “no”. The those voting for the projects said both where residents on both sides of the issue spoke. Speakers against the projects want to preserve the were incompliance with current Arcadia zoning character of the area, while those supporting the ordinances and that both have been deemed character cited such things as the recent increase exempt from CEQA (California Environmental Quality Act.) of property values. By Joan Schmidt and Susan Henderson
Inside this week: CALENDAR Pg. 2
SIERRA MADRE NEWS
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PASADENA/ALTADENA
AROUND SGV
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ARCADIA NEWS MONROVIA/DUARTE
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EDUCATION & YOUTH
Pg. 7
FOOD & DRINK Peter Dills
Pg. 8
HEALTHY LIVING
Pg. 9
BEST FRIENDS
Pg. 10
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
GOOD LIFE
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Pg. 12
BUSINESS NEWS
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THE WORLD AROUND Pg. 14 US
OPINION
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LEGAL NOTICES
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PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING TO CONSIDER R-1 ZONING ORDINANCE AMENDMENTS Sierra Madre, CA. – February 2, 2015 - The Planning Commission will be holding a public hearing to consider amendments to the R-1 Single Family Residential Zoning Ordinance regarding revisions to the maximum allowable floor area based on lot size, changes to the conditional use permit (CUP) square footage threshold, elimination of the existing minimum floor area requirement, and a new requirement for a conditional use permit to allow any 2nd story addition or new construction proposing a second story, and limiting any second story to no greater than 75% of the first floor, including the garage. The Planning Commission meeting will be held on February 19, 2015, at 7:00 p.m., in the City Council Chambers at the Sierra Madre City Hall located at 232 West Sierra Madre Blvd. The meeting is open to the public and there will be opportunities to make comments. Information regarding the draft amendments is available on the Planning and Community Preservation page on the City’s website at www.cityofsierramadre.com, at the Planning and Community Preservation Department counter at City Hall, and at the City’s Library.
PASADENA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRCT SUPERINTENDENT BRIAN MCDONALD Ed.D AND CHIEF FINANCE OFFICER JOHN PAPPALARDO, Ed.D. ANNOUNCE DR. PAPPALARDO’S DEPARTURE FROM DISTRICT Pasadena, CA--- Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD) Superintendent Brian McDonald, Ed.D. and Chief Finance Officer John Pappalardo, Ed.D. have announced that Dr. Pappalardo will be leaving the District to pursue a new opportunity. His resignation from PUSD was effective February 5, 2015. “I am proud of all that has been accomplished during my time with Pasadena Unified,” said Dr. Pappalardo. “We weathered many storms due to the reduced revenue received from the state during the Great Recession but we managed to still provide a quality education for all PUSD students.” Since joining PUSD in March 2009, Dr. Pappalardo has guided the district through tremendous financial pressure and economic uncertainty as funding from the state was drastically reduced. During his tenure, the district achieved clear audits, a signal of sound fiscal management. Dr. Pappalardo has also been acting as Chief Facilities Officer since 2013 supervising the maintenance and operations of the district as well as overseeing the construction of district facilities under Measure TT. “I thank John for his service to the children and staff of PUSD,” said PUSD Superintendent Dr. Brian McDonald. “The executive leadership positions held by Dr. Pappalardo are critical to the effective operation of a school district.” PUSD will begin the search for a new Chief Finance Officer and Chief Facilities Officer immediately.
45TH ANNUAL FRIENDS OF THE SIERRA MADRE LIBRARY WINE AND CUISINE TASTING
With Valentine’s Day fast approaching, there is no better gift than tickets to the 45th Annual Friends of the Sierra Madre Library Wine and Cuisine Tasting. This year’s event will be held Friday evening, February 20, 2015, at Alverno Villa, 675 West Highland Avenue, Sierra Madre, CA. Quality wines from a number of award winning wineries and tastings from many fine local restaurants and gourmet markets will be offered. You and your Valentine will be entertained with music and magic. Steve Silverman, from the Magic Castle is back by popular demand. Siverman has performed nationwide in a variety of venues and his sophisticated sleight of hand has been enjoyed by hundreds of people. He creates much of the magic he performs, and his ideas and effects have been featured in a number of magic books and periodicals. Silverman will be joined by another long standing magician member of the Magic Castle in Hollywood who is also a Sierra Madre resident, Steve Rockwell. Mr. Rockwell has a strong interest in sleight of hand magic and community support and this year will mark his fourth appearance at the wine tasting. Tickets to the Premier Event are $80 and allow
you early admission at 6:00PM. You will be treated to a wine tasting with Johnny Stange who is a well-known sommelier, specially selected hors d’oeuvres, gourmet chocolates and a unique raffle. Tickets to the Premier Event are limited to 100 guests and are going fast so act quickly to enjoy these exceptional activities. Tickets to the Main Event are $60 and provide admission at 7:00PM. We are limiting the number of tickets sold to 400 to add to your enjoyment. Tickets to both the Premier Event and Main Event are on sale at the Sierra Madre Library, the Bottle Shop, Savor the Flavor, and Arnold’s Frontier Hardware. A silent auction will again be offering lovely original and unique artwork, services, tickets to special events, restaurant vouchers, and many other gift ideas. For a delightful evening of enjoying fine wines, tasty food, and lively entertainment amidst the company of friends, joins us at Alverno Villa on February 20, 2015. The Friends of the Sierra Madre Library is a non-profit organization and all proceeds benefit the Sierra Madre Library. For more information visit our website at www. sierramadrelibraryfriends.org, or call the library at 626 355-7186.
City of Sierra Madre
PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE From: The City of Sierra Madre Subject: MUNICIPAL CODE TEXT AMENDMENT 15-01 (MCTA 15-01) Applicant: City of Sierra Madre Project Location: Properties in the City of Sierra Madre, County of Los Angeles, State of California The City of Sierra Madre gives notice, pursuant to State of California law, that the Planning Commission will conduct a public hearing to consider an Ordinance amending Chapter 17.20 (“R-1 One Family Residential”), Sections 17.20.025 (“Conditionally Permitted Uses”), 17.20.125 (“Allowable Gross Floor Area”), and 17.20.135 (“Gross Floor Area”), and repealing Section 17.20.130 (“Minimum Dwelling Floor Area”) in order to adjust the ratio of floor area of new construction to lot size and enhance the application of conditional use permit requirements. DATE AND TIME OF HEARING City of Sierra Madre Planning Commission meeting Thursday, February 19, 2015 (Hearing begins at 7:00 p.m.)
PLACE OF HEARING City of Sierra Madre City Council Chambers 232 W. Sierra Madre Blvd. Sierra Madre, CA
All interested persons may attend this meeting and the Planning Commission will hear them with respect thereto. ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINATION: The project qualifies for an exemption from the California Environmental Quality Act review pursuant to Title 14, Section 15061(b)(3) of the California Code of Regulations as it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility the adoption of this Ordinance may have a significant effect on the environment, because it will impose greater limitations on development in the City and protect the aesthetic character of Sierra Madre, thereby serving to reduce potential significant adverse environmental impacts. APPEAL: The decision of the Planning Commission is subject to a 10-day appeal period to the City Council. If in the future anyone wishes to challenge the decision of the Planning Commission in court, one may be limited to raising the issues that were raised or presented in written correspondence delivered to the Planning Commission at, or before, the scheduled public hearing. For further information on this subject, please contact the Development Services Department at (626) 3557138.