Sierra Madre planning panel approves design review for Meadows at Bailey Canyon, requires soil testing before grading

SIERRA MADRE, Calif. — The Sierra Madre Planning Commission on Jan. 15 approved Design Review Permit DRP25-02 for the Meadows at Bailey Canyon, authorizing the construction of 42 single‑family homes and a 3‑acre public park under the city’s adopted specific plan.

Senior Planner Wolfe told the commission the project ‘‘fully complies with the city’s general plan, zoning code, and specific plan design standards’’ as modified by recommended conditions, and that staff’s recommendation was to approve the permit with those conditions. The staff presentation cited the project’s prior approvals — including certification of the specific‑plan EIR on Sept. 9, 2022 — and said the application was deemed complete Dec. 22, 2025. The project site encompasses about 17.3 acres in northwest Sierra Madre; Toll West Coast LLC is the owner and Toll Brothers is the builder.

Why it matters: neighbors and public‑safety advocates testified that the Eaton Fire materially changed site conditions since the EIR and urged the city to require additional environmental review or at least independent, post‑fire soil testing before construction…