Council approves off-site improvements for Meadows at Bailey Canyon; neighbors urge protections for Grove Street and canyon
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Summary
Council approved a public improvement agreement for off-site improvements on Carter Avenue tied to the Meadows at Bailey Canyon development amid extensive public comment urging traffic controls on Grove Street, protections for Bailey Canyon trees and soil testing for post-fire contamination.
The Sierra Madre City Council on June 10 approved a public improvement agreement requiring the Meadows at Bailey Canyon developer to construct off'site improvements on Carter Avenue, fulfilling a condition of a 2022 development agreement. Council adopted the item on the consent calendar after staff and the city attorney explained the project and public comments raised concerns about impacts on nearby Grove Street and Bailey Canyon Park.
City Attorney Gargosian told the council that the public improvement agreement implements an obligation in the development agreement approved in February 2022; the developer obtained an easement from Los Angeles County for work in county right'of'way and the agreement assigns to the developer responsibility to pay costs and indemnify the city. Staff said the off'site improvements will largely occur on county land north of Carter and will include curb, gutter and a sidewalk; the county placed limits on widths that required a minor variance during plan review.
Several residents urged the council to limit traffic impacts on Grove Street, a narrow residential road that speakers said already functions as a one'lane corridor when cars are parked on both sides. Speakers requested temporary or permanent physical measures to prevent through traffic from using Grove as a cut'through from Carter, relocation of the Bailey Canyon Park entrance to reduce overflow parking on Grove, and aggressive dust and erosion controls during construction. Speakers also asked the city to require soil testing for potential contamination disturbed by excavation, citing concerns about post'fire toxins.
Planning staff and the city attorney said the improvement agreement is a technical step that precedes submittal and approval of construction documents; the city will review construction plans, ensure ADA compliance for the new sidewalk and include dust abatement measures and other conditions in permits. Staff emphasized that the widening does not require taking private property and that the work will occur in county public right'of'way.
The consent calendar also included two second readings of ordinances: Ordinance 1483 adopting the fire hazard severity zone map as designated by the California state marshal and Ordinance 1481 amending chapter 3.4 (claims procedures) to authorize the city manager to compromise or settle claims up to $50,000. The consent package also included Resolution 25'37 approving listed demands; those consent items were approved by oral vote.
Council members said Grove Street concerns are valid and agreed the city retains authority over circulation decisions once the street segment is accepted into the city street system; they directed staff to treat Grove circulation and parking as a separate issue to be agendized for future action. Staff said the county-approved plans will inform construction but the city retains tools to mitigate traffic impacts during and after construction.
The council approved the public improvement agreement and related consent items; staff noted the project will return with construction plans and permits before any physical work begins.
