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Planning commission recommends city pursue 347 North Highland Place for Hillside Wilderness Preserve
Summary
The Monrovia Planning Commission voted unanimously to find that a proposed city acquisition of 347 North Highland Place conforms to the general plan, forwarding the recommendation to city council; staff said the 7.8-acre parcel is largely open space and would be redesignated to preserve habitat and prohibit residential development.
The Monrovia Planning Commission unanimously recommended that the City Council consider acquiring 347 North Highland Place and redesignating the 7.8‑acre parcel as part of the Hillside Wilderness Preserve.
Community Development Director Sherry Bamillo told commissioners the parcel sits between West Hillcrest Boulevard and West Scenic Drive and is “about 7.8 acres in size” with “about 82% of the parcel… open space.” She said the site contains a single‑family home developed around 1920 that Monrovia’s historic preservation staff determined does not have historic significance. If the city acquires the property, Bamillo said, staff would change the land‑use designation to Hillside Wilderness Preserve to keep the land in its natural state and prohibit residential development.
The recommendation is a general‑plan conformity finding required before a public agency finalizes the purchase of private property. Bamillo said the designation would allow passive uses such as trails and that stewardship rules in the Hillside Wilderness Preserve and an accompanying resource management plan would guide long‑term care.
Commissioners asked whether the existing house would be demolished and how non‑native landscaping would be handled. Bamillo said demolition, site cleanup and restoration would be included in the purchase and sale agreement and that vegetation management details would be part of the stewardship plan.
No members of the public spoke on the item. A commissioner moved to find the proposed acquisition in conformity with the general plan; the commission approved the motion by roll call and directed staff to forward the finding to the City Council, which Bamillo said is expected to consider the matter at its next meeting.
Next steps are formal consideration by the City Council and, if the council approves a letter of intent or purchase, negotiation of the purchase and sale agreement with provisions for demolition, habitat restoration, and long‑term management.
