[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6164474,"mediaKeyId","5428445-6076117db03fa2bb7f0a6429adf1071b","parentId",5428445,"title","Planning commission weighs code changes to ease wildfire-hardening work while protecting historic resources","audioSeconds",1566,"startMs",2034000,"endMs",3600000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5428445-6076117db03fa2bb7f0a6429adf1071b&start=2034&end=3600","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5428445-6076117db03fa2bb7f0a6429adf1071b/thumbnail_2034000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6164474/Sierra-Madre-City/Los-Angeles-County/California/Planning-commission-weighs-code-changes-to-ease-wildfire-hardening-work-while-protecting-historic-resources","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6164474-65e3f1e453cca48bc918fba3d670d3d1/orig.mp4?Expires=1771158195&Signature=YItMb1p7SuKl1D-vkWSZNDMOInL0867p0hn7ML1RVnhsZLa8xXPJr4ziN7bbw2O5y15hZWWLSty63GcuAXE70U2Y2rmvQ2KvoDC8c436NALS72pmtxDh3VsLxNtl0QKh18KZ9UGXChMIUFASebKdoYqODqFLpvhPN87XnW9X1UhBylxhzp0iSU6FsQ4icXTwAhyF7R0ar962inhV~8GCWDVcMsolwifXrY6gDBVCwjaWFH~-EVc4xctPLhz3hV6D0q2bMt-u1TGVF0E1WW19BFIvugiKTRD37sYZi8EnNYpro5jx1gTUO~Hzj9n-33AOtJOsSlfdI136naW3nKZYxw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Sierra Madre CA","date","2025-07-19T03:58:54.727Z","article","The Sierra Madre Planning Commission on July 17 reviewed a municipal-code text amendment to Section 17.50.056 and related zoning provisions that would change how discretionary demolition permits are handled for older properties, with the goal of reducing delays for wildfire-hardening work while retaining historic-preservation safeguards.

Senior Planner Wolf told the commission that the amendment responds to council direction after the Eaton Fire and a subsequent urgency ordinance. He said there is \"a tension between wildfire preparation and historic preservation, which needed to be acknowledged and addressed,\" and staff proposed a set of exceptions, procedural clarifications and notice/timing changes to resolve many of those conflicts.

Key changes described by staff include: (1) general exceptions for work deemed necessary to further wildfire resiliency, (2) exceptions where alterations affect documented additions not original to the structure, (3) a categorical carve-out for structures built as part of residential subdivisions of five or more properties (tract developments), and (4) an operative threshold that aggregate alterations not exceed 10% of the property’s improvement value to qualify for the exception. Staff also proposes codifying current administrative practice, clarifying noticing for administrative reviews (including a property posting), and options to reduce or waive the traditional 30‑day wait period for demolition permits when justified by building-official findings or when a discretionary demolition permit is approved.

Planner Wolf explained the logistics of the existing review: when a homeowner proposes exterior changes (for example, window replacement), an historic assessment from the sole-source historian can take about three weeks, and administrative noticing can add another two weeks so the combined process may take roughly five weeks. To reduce that delay for wildfire-hardening work, staff proposed director-level guidelines that would allow ministerial approval for specified low-impact changes and a short appeal channel to preserve community oversight.

Commissioners debated additional options including whether the 75-year threshold for discretionary review should be revised (alternatives discussed included 1940 or 1945 as cutoffs), how to structure a ministerial-review guideline and a short appeal process, and whether to require a bond or fee if a neighbor appeals to force a full historic review. Leslie Ziff, vice president of the Sierra Madre Historical Society, asked the commission to consider specific deteriorating designated structures — McCumber Cabin and Carter Barn — during deliberations.

The commission formed a two-member subcommittee (Chair Denison and Commissioner Brennan) to work with staff on ministerial-review guidelines, an appeals procedure and any proposed year-based cutoff; staff requested subcommittee input by July 31 and indicated the next public hearing on the code amendment is scheduled for August 7. Staff also offered to supply data showing the distribution of home construction years to help the commission select a date if it chooses a year-based carve-out.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Sierra Madre Planning Commission | July 17 , 2025 | Regular Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","The Sierra Madre Planning Commission on July 17 reviewed a municipal-code amendment to Section 17.50.056 and related zoning provisions intended to ease delays for wildfire-hardening work on older homes while maintaining historic-preservation safeguards.","taxTitle","Sierra Madre City, Los Angeles County, California","taxId",72183,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6164479,"Planning commission approves certificates for Richardson House and Lizzie’s Trail Inn; roof material prompts follow-up review",527,583000,1110000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5428445-6076117db03fa2bb7f0a6429adf1071b&start=583&end=1110","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5428445-6076117db03fa2bb7f0a6429adf1071b/thumbnail_583000.jpg","/articles/6164479/Sierra-Madre-City/Los-Angeles-County/California/Planning-commission-approves-certificates-for-Richardson-House-and-Lizzies-Trail-Inn-roof-material-prompts-follow-up-review","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6164479-b8c563e8416d882a613ea557e436eec1/orig.mp4?Expires=1771158195&Signature=HKMTxpEvLTN~CZFvxUNLoAdZphssdO5fEsew6wbVxAEKaVdgqlHgzKa-jjPdgGfGbbwAXzp4NrsjUGFwosPoYapaWCRmfiSGN1IMsMTDdFRjQdduP8wBawtN~-eKve2UawPw~3hQQRVwvqvpD2fMGJsrB7nakyVbJJIosvStvsuTIAd0PpwbX89sTpvYmZeRp5Cq~RFm9SnIZbR6Us1Tgjk5jfLVucVPJ6tcenB-APLb3L-qSgrVT0DNWrFd1aafei9sdHQM20DL~Ll8sztfvZXSIfziwwAl8ZymNqD3eHnKopm2d~k2e4CITRH65M4t5kh9h9ECxLhNL1eUqLf7FA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Sierra Madre Planning Commission on July 17 approved a certificate of appropriateness for the Richardson House (c.1864) and Lizzie’s Trail Inn (c.1900), authorizing repairs and limited exterior alterations while directing staff to finalize roofing materials with the project architect.

Staff described work on the Richardson House as repair and in-kind replacement of deteriorated siding, single-pane wood windows, and the enclosed patio roof; the architect said the enclosed patio’s very low slope requires a single-ply membrane rather than asphalt shingles. For Lizzie’s Trail Inn, staff described a partial reduction of the front porch (approximately three feet, to accommodate a mature oak) and reroofing of the porch with asphalt shingles and the main structure with a white Sarnafil single-ply membrane.

Jonathan Recker of TSK Architects explained the roofing choice: \"Looking towards the long term benefit of the city on this property, we are trying to replace it with a material that is more appropriate for that type of slope,\" he said, citing warranty and water-intrusion concerns for near-flat roof surfaces. The Planning Commission expressed concern about the visual compatibility of a single-ply roof on century-old buildings and asked the architect and staff to research alternatives that might better mimic historic shingles or tile without sacrificing slope suitability or warranty.

Leslie Ziff, vice president of the Sierra Madre Historical Society, spoke in favor of the project: \"We totally support this project,\" she said, adding that local preservationists have sought these repairs for years.

After discussion, the commission approved the certificate with the condition that staff review and sign off on final materials in coordination with the architect. The approval permits the proposed in-kind siding replacement (to a cementitious Hardy Artisan product to be painted Dunn-Edwards \"Cool December\"), single-pane wood windows for the enclosed patio, and the roofing plan as submitted, pending staff confirmation of any alternative surfacing that meets warranty requirements.

Staff and the architect agreed to produce a short matrix of possible roofing options, their pros and cons, and vendor warranty conditions; staff will return to the commission if no acceptable alternative can be identified.","The commission approved a certificate of appropriateness July 17 for two designated landmarks — the Richardson House (c.1864) and Lizzie's Trail Inn (c.1900) — but asked staff and the project architect to research alternative roofing finishes and delegated final materials sign-off to staff.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6164484,"Sierra Madre to pilot student commissioner program for ages 13–21",285,147000,432000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5428445-6076117db03fa2bb7f0a6429adf1071b&start=147&end=432","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5428445-6076117db03fa2bb7f0a6429adf1071b/thumbnail_147000.jpg","/articles/6164484/Sierra-Madre-City/Los-Angeles-County/California/Sierra-Madre-to-pilot-student-commissioner-program-for-ages-1321","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6164484-c2288fda2a3025c63d6685d41632436c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771158195&Signature=KwtnKq8JcooBL3~mrjLAcbtjYiqczKskyFR0qzSpzSi4d2oOk9yu9EbYFHaI~K0RQDXPPtu3VwgSXjVQNEAaDj~5--xFjJ7bdeD07MeRSxCBGz~y0ooVNxlv8QMmWm6xkxRj6dPlFD5lha76CpbIwpLzafR7e7j45E2dcBFe6SxUABmTi53Lahzk7jBpM1gPulSQ4vpRgsSaPex~~t9S0dycwbnicl547W6AXZmKpODFyy1L9mk5BicJQVs6XHj30qPKdvZS6bzLeIW~Xy7pFA3MGbkzMaOymTk4pI8AjwLKM8~cp1JTCVW2Qeuk6QlAv1hPd-2iWsCuqsOqjUC3zg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Sierra Madre officials announced a student commissioner program at the Planning Commission meeting on July 17, 2025, after the City Council approved the measure in late June. City Clerk Laura Aguilar told commissioners the program will allow commissions to appoint up to two nonvoting student commissioners, ages 13 to 21, who will serve approximately one-year terms and are expected to attend at least 75% of meetings.

The measure is intended to introduce younger residents to legislative and governing processes and to encourage volunteerism, Aguilar said. \"The commissioner program is based on city council's intention and desire to really be welcome younger volunteers and include them in the legislative and governing processes,\" Aguilar said at the meeting.

Under the program as presented, student commissioners will be nonvoting and will not count toward a quorum; the clerk’s office noted they consequently will not be subject to the Brown Act. The City Council has directed staff to produce flyers and other outreach materials and to coordinate rollout around the start of the new fiscal year. Each commission may appoint up to two student commissioners, with terms aligned to the academic year.

Commissioners asked that staff watch for scheduling conflicts and to consider the likely meeting cadence of other commissions when finalizing the program materials. Aguilar said staff will provide printed flyers to the commissions and that the city expects to make the application information available within the next couple of months.

For residents: watch the commission meeting agendas and the city’s outreach materials for application dates and instructions.","City clerk Laura Aguilar told the Planning Commission July 17 that the City Council approved a nonvoting student commissioner program allowing up to two 13–21-year-old student commissioners per commission for one-year terms to expose youth to civic processes and encourage volunteerism.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Planning commission weighs code changes to ease wildfire-hardening work while protecting historic resources

Planning commission approves certificates for Richardson House and Lizzie’s Trail Inn; roof material prompts follow-up review

Sierra Madre to pilot student commissioner program for ages 13–21