Pasadena Star News - July 6, 2005
Who will come to Sierra Madre's rescue?
The City of Sierra Madre is in a pickle. The City Council must make a decision by August 8 regarding a proposed 29- or 30- lot development on 63 acres of the most significant open space in town.
The Hillside Zoning Ordinance is being threatened by a settlement agreement to drop a lawsuit that has no merit; it alleges that the City of Sierra Madre's denial of the previously proposed high school was based on religious discrimination the applicant was a Christian high school. Each proposal has been presented on the high school's behalf by a Dorn-Platz, a Glendale developer.
The high school's nonprofit designation has allowed Dorn-Platz to process the applications at significant cost savings, and the lawsuit is being brought on their behalf with help from other Christian defense organizations. The developer and the Christian high school are intertwined. Sierra Madre is in the middle.
It's a town with a population of slightly more than 10,000 and approximately three square miles in size. This is a David- and-Goliath type of thing. What are the city's choices? Stand up to the intimidation and prepare to defend our hillsides and zoning, or become whatever Dorn- Platz is envisioning for our hillsides another La Vina or Kinneloa.
They are threatening damages in the millions if we don't comply with their design for Sierra Madre. Should a lawsuit threat be the basis for the City Council's decision? I think not.
The city needs to retain its integrity and character or it will cease to exist as the place that it is and that is loved. The city and its residents must fight this intimidation. Contact your City Council members and let them know you support a decision against inappropriate development.
The residents must decide to speak up or forever accept the permanent loss of our hillsides. The Sierra Madre City Council hearings are scheduled for July 18, 19, 25 and 26. It's a now-or- never choice!
Patricia Barron
Sierra Madre
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©2005 Pasadena Star News