Planning Commission backs urgency ordinance package to speed rebuilding after Eaton Fire; extends term to five years

Sierra Madre — The Planning Commission on March 20 voted unanimously to recommend approval of Resolution 25-04 and an accompanying uncodified urgency ordinance to speed and reduce the cost of rebuilding homes damaged or destroyed by the Eaton Fire.

The package presented by the city attorney and planning staff would, for properties damaged by the Eaton Fire: allow an uncodified urgency ordinance to take effect immediately upon City Council adoption; waive discretionary design review in R‑1, RC and Hillside Management zones for eligible rebuilds; provide a 10% variance in development standards or up to 250 square feet of additional floor area (whichever applies) so long as the variance does not cause an exceedance of code limits; permit accessory dwelling units (ADUs) to be built before a primary residence; allow temporary trailers on-site for up to three years under a city maintenance agreement; extend expiring entitlements by two years; suspend certain Low Impact Development (LID) requirements for impacted properties; and extend the life of building permits and certain…