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The quiet village of Sierra Madre lately has become a hub of development activity. Long anticipated projects that have been looming for years, such as "Stonegate" (the controversial 1 Carter development) has started the production of homes. Other less controversial projects such as the remodeled medical facility on Sierra Madre Blvd are near completion. The sounds, sights, and dust of construction can be seen all over town.
Susan managed to somehow leave out a Sierra Madre Boulevard condo project or two, along with the Kensington, by far the most gargantuan construction project this City has seen to date (and, in my opinion, one few will remember voting for once it gets under way), but I'm sure you see her point. For perhaps the first time ever in Sierra Madre it is now possible to get the sense that development and its advocates are in control of this city's future, and that there are precious few concerned about what was once a predominant "slow growth" movement in town.
Our City Council for the first time in recent memory has no slow growth friends. Josh Moran, Nancy Walsh and John Harabedian have all filled the traditional pro-development roles expected of them. Pro-union L.A. County ideologically aligned Democrats, all three are more than eager to consider the Federally mandated and centrally planned kinds development that have turned so much of this country into a kind of "United States of Generica." They also seem willing to accept the rather Orwellian notion that somehow high density development is "green," and that we can somehow build our way out of global warming. The promise of large gouts of grant money can easily cause that in those who would sell this town out for the right price.
The other faction on our City Council, its two Republicans, ostensibly ran as the spokesmen of slow-growth here in Sierra Madre. But is that what they have become? I cannot recall hearing the voice of either John Capoccia or Chris Koerber speaking out once on this matter since the election. Both seemed quite eager for the Kensington project to get under way, and even during the some of the more bizarre "suites versus units" debates that went on for seemingly ever, they appeared unwilling to view these events from a slow growth perspective. Today we hear a lot about "development where it makes sense," with never an instance where either seem to believe it doesn't. Even One Carter apparently has their tacit approval.
Obviously both have turned out to be far less the Sarah Palin-style rogue Republicans some feared during last April's election, and more the congenitally pliant Bob Huff.
Where this has all now become particularly evident is in the unanimous City Council support for ignoring the verdict of the voters on Measure U last April, and instead pushing forward with plans for a do-over renewal of the Utility User Tax at the state record setting rate of 10%. City Hall would be incapable of functioning as the engine of development it is now without staffing made possible by that high level of funding. All five members of our City Council apparently recognize that, and are more than willing to allow resident tax money to work against the known interests of those who pay it.
One of the reasons why property values are as strong as they are in Sierra Madre is that many people would give their eye teeth to live here. But I don't think it is the prospect of being able to buy a Subway sandwich on Sierra Madre Boulevard, or getting their ears cleaned at a new medical facility, that is bringing them here. Rather it is the low density and ecologically reflective style of our town, something that makes us unique to the area. Perhaps the most desirable place to live in the entire San Gabriel Valley.
How shocked would our potential new neighbors be were they to discover just how at-risk all of that is right now. Or how carelessly those who run our town would squander our birthright for a couple of government development grants and a car ride with a friendly Assemblyman.
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