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SATURDAY, JANUARY 17, 2015 VOLUME 9 NO. 3 NO MEANS NO! Council Overturns Planning Commission Approval of Stonegate Application For Failure To Comply With Hillside Management Ordinance By Susan Henderson If anyone ever wondered whether or not residents of Sierra Madre could agree on anything unanimously, you only have to look at the video of Tuesday night’s city THE MEANING OF THE KING HOLIDAY council meeting. Excerpts from the writings of Coretta Scott King With a packed house, (some attendees had to go home because there was no room The Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday celebrates the life and and no video feed in the foyer), speaker legacy of a man who brought hope and healing to America. We after speaker expressed their desire to have commemorate as well the timeless values he taught us through his the development of Stonegate (formerly example — the values of courage, truth, justice, compassion, dignity, 1 Carter), comply with Sierra Madre’s humility and service that so radiantly defined Dr. King’s character Hillside Management Ordinance (HMO). and empowered his leadership. On this holiday, we commemorate the universal, unconditional love, forgiveness and nonviolence that CETT Madre (CETT Investments empowered his revolutionary spirit. Corporation), submitted applications On this day we commemorate Dr. King’s great dream of a vibrant, for a Hillside Development Permit multiracial nation united in justice, peace and reconciliation; a and a Conditional Use Permit to begin nation that has a place at the table for children of every race and construction of the first home in the room at the inn for every needy child. We are called on this holiday, Stonegate project. Those requests were not merely to honor, but to celebrate the values of equality, tolerance approved by the Planning Commission in and interracial sister and brotherhood he so compellingly expressed October and submitted to the Council for in his great dream for America. final approval. However, after Council The Holiday commemorates America’s pre-eminent advocate of members Denise Delmar and John The Stonegate Property where 29 houses are to be built. MVN Archives nonviolence — the man who taught by his example that nonviolent Capoccia called for a review of the decision, of the hillside.” above the city as a National Landmark action is the most powerful, revolutionary force for social change the matter was put on hold. available to oppressed people in their struggles for liberation. reinforces the town’s commitment to Prior to the public comment, Leticia protect this village. Every King Holiday has been a national “teach-in” on the values of When the review was requested, an ad hoc nonviolence, including unconditional love, tolerance, forgiveness Cordoso, Acting Director, Planning and committee was formed to take on the task. Community Preservation gave, a detailed After public comment, Councilman John and reconciliation, which are so desperately-needed to unify Council members Delmar and Gene Goss America. It is a day of intensive education and training in Martin’s staff report on the project. The report Capoccia referenced a news article in which volunteered and on December 10, 2014 noted the areas where the design was not McDonald is alleged to have said that the philosophy and methods of nonviolent social change and conflict- they met with the developer’s attorney, reconciliation. The Holiday provides a unique opportunity to teach in compliance with the city’s ordinances. town just didn’t want the project or only Richard McDonald, in an attempt to It also included clarification of photos that wants one story houses. Capoccia wanted young people to fight evil, not people, to get in the habit of asking address the council and community’s themselves, “what is the most loving way I can resolve this conflict?” had been submitted by the developers of the record to be set straight that neither concerns - primarily the project’s failure to existing hillside homes in Sierra Madre. statements were true, that the Council Dr. King once said that we all have to decide whether we “will comply with the HMO. Their attempt was walk in the light of creative altruism or the darkness of destructive Cordoso pointed out that none of those was not against the project, but rather that unsuccessful as McDonald was unwilling structures were in the Hillside Management the Council just wants our ordinances selfishness. Life’s most persistent and nagging question, he said, is to make any changes. `what are you doing for others?’? Zone and had been built prior to the last followed. Mayor John Harabedian stated revision of the HMO. The Stonegate however, that single story homes wouldn’t We call you to commemorate this Holiday by making your Delmar and Goss had suggested a setback personal commitment to serve humanity with the vibrant spirit project, in its’ entirety (29 homes), is in the be a bad idea. of the second story that currently is planned Hillside Management Zone. of unconditional love that was his greatest strength, and which over the garage and the redistribution of empowered all of the great victories of his leadership. And with When all was said and done, Councilwoman that area to the basement. If accepted, the The proposed 3,125 sq. ft. home will have Delmar made a motion to overturn the our hearts open to this spirit of unconditional love, we can indeed view of the hillsides would not be blocked achieve the Beloved Community of Martin Luther King, Jr.’s dream. to comply with the HMO. The denial of Planning Commission’s approvals. The by the new structure. By declining, the the applications will also be a signal for the motion was seconded by Councilman Goss developer “failed to take advantage of a other 8 pending applications for Stonegate and passed unanimously. means to preserve the character and view that in order to get an approval, they too will have to be in compliance with the It is unknown at press time what the Inside this week: HMZ. developer’s next step will be, however it was CALENDAR Pg. 2 ORCHID BLACK TO GIVE NATIVE very clear that neither the council nor the LANDSCAPING AND SUSTAINABLE WATER USE Residents in attendance were unanimous community had any concern about CETT’s SIERRA MADRE NEWS PRESENTATION in their desire to protect “the soul of Sierra next actions. Pg. 3 Madre”, a quote from resident Marguerite The public is invited to the January 21, 2015 regular meeting of Sierra Madre’s Shuster. Rene Cosutta called the design, Note: To learn more about this project and PASADENA/ALTADENA Natural Resources Commission to attend a presentation by renowned local “architectural arrogance” as she echoed other pending development projects in what speaker after speaker noted - ‘the Sierra Madre, visit the website of Preserve Pg. 4 expert Orchid Black on ‘Native Landscaping and Sustainable Water Use’. The meeting begins at 7:00pm and is held in the City Council Chambers at Sierra project does not blend in or embrace our Sierra Madre Now, an organization AROUND SGV Madre City Hall, 232 W. Sierra Madre Blvd. hillsides.’ Protecting the hillsides has dedicated to fighting to keep the city’s always been the primary concern and the village atmosphere intact. Go to: http:// Pg. 5 The presentation will begin at the beginning of the regular meeting, after recent designation of 346,000 acres of forest www.preservesierramadre.com/. brief Commission business. Orchid is a garden designer whose practice ARCADIA NEWS focuses on California native plants. Her gardens have been featured on the Theodore Payne Foundation (TPF) Garden Tour for over 8 years. She teaches WHITE SUITERS WANTED MONROVIA/DUARTE design and other classes at TPF, teaches Sustainable Garden Practice for Pg. 6 UCLA Extension, and gives lectures and workshops on native horticulture and oak culture throughout Southern California. EDUCATION & YOUTH The Sierra Madre Natural Resources Commission is honoured and pleased to provide Orchid’s expertise to assist the community in their conservation Pg. 7 efforts and everyone is encouraged to attend this free event. FOOD & DRINK Peter Dills Pg. 8 HEALTHY LIVING Pg. 9 BEST FRIENDS Pg. 10 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Pg. 11 GOOD LIFE Pg. 12 Tournament members nicknamed “white suiters” ride Honda scooters down the parade route alongside floats during the Rose Parade – one of the many BUSINESS NEWS roles they play in bringing America’s New Year Celebration® to life. Pg. 13 Photo credit: Courtesy of the Pasadena Tournament of Roses® THE WORLD AROUND The Pasadena Tournament of Roses® will host an informational reception, open to the US Pg. 14 public, for those interested in joining the Association’s volunteer membership at 6 p.m. on January 28, 2015 at Tournament House, located at 391 South Orange Grove Boulevard, Pasadena, Calif. 91184. OPINION Pg. 15 The Tournament of Roses welcomes applications from all eligible candidates who are LEGAL NOTICES willing and able to give their time in order to promote and produce the Rose Parade® and the Rose Bowl Game®, as well as participate in other Tournament activities and events Pg. 17 throughout the year. For more information, please visit the Tournament of Roses website. 2 Mountain View News Saturday, January 17, 2015 CALENDAR The Sierra Madre Interact Club joined Weather Wise members of the 6-Day Forecast Sierra Madre United Sierra Madre, Ca. Methodist Church to prepare and serve Sun: Sunny Hi 70s Lows 50s dinner to homeless Mon: Sunny Hi 70s Lows 50s Tues: Sunny Hi 70s Lows 50s families in the Family Wed: Sunny Hi 70s Lows 50s Promise support Thur: Sunny Hi 70s Lows 50s program. Fri: Sunny Hi 70s Lows 50s Forecasts courtesy of the National Weather Service The Sierra Madre Interact Club is a CITY OF SIERRA MADRE Rotary-sponsored CALENDAR OF EVENTS community service club for young Unless otherwise noted, all meetings listed below are held at City people ages 13-18.

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