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Sierra Madre council adopts updated open-space and conservation elements with wording changes
Summary
The City Council approved Resolution 2658 updating Sierra Madre’s open-space/parks and conservation elements to reflect state law (SB1425, AB1889) and local priorities after consultants from Kimley Horn summarized policy changes and council members requested clarifications to text on park access, Bailey Canyon, and senior programming.
Sierra Madre City Council voted to adopt Resolution 2658 on June 23, approving updates to the General Plan’s open-space and recreation element and its conservation element after staff and consultant presentations and edits requested by council members.
Assistant planner Caitlyn Wong told the council the amendments respond to new state requirements, including SB1425 and AB1889, and that the city contracted with Kimley Horn and Associates to prepare the updates. "Tonight, the city council will be reviewing resolution number 2658," Wong said, summarizing the outreach and the community survey (about 112 responses) that informed revisions.
Kimley Horn’s presenter, identified in the record as Mrs. Barbaya, described the package as a policy-level update that does not authorize physical changes. She said the draft emphasizes walkable park access, tree-canopy preservation, wildlife connectivity and climate resilience. "We’re very proud of the document that we put together," Barbaya said, highlighting new topics such as walkshed analysis, tree canopy assessment, urban heat considerations and habitat corridors.
Council members pressed for precision and requested edits to ensure accuracy and to avoid wording that would date badly in a long-range plan. Questions centered on factual points in the draft and suggested revisions, including: - Confirming ongoing agreements with local schools for limited field use (staff acknowledged an existing arrangement and noted status updates may be required). - Clarifying language about closed trails and Bailey Canyon repairs so a nine-year plan would not incorrectly portray short-term closures as permanent. - Adjusting phrasing that could imply seniors lack existing programming; council asked staff to reword to reflect current senior offerings while noting opportunities for expansion. - Requesting clearer labels for the city’s open-space acreage and the term used for the larger protected area (council members preferred "Sierra Madre Wilderness Area/Area" rather than a single "park").
After an extended question-and-answer period, a council member moved to adopt Resolution 2658 with the requested amendments. The motion was seconded and carried; the minutes record the affirmative vote as recorded at the meeting.
Next steps: staff will post the revised elements online (the latest drafts were placed on the city website during the meeting) and will return any further requested edits. Planning staff and the consultant team said they would incorporate the council’s wording changes and finalize the materials for posting and public reference.
