The Henry A. Darling House Is Back In The Bull's Eye

=

(Mod: The apparently always at-risk Henry A. Darling home is back in the news, and once again before the Planning Commission. The following went out from Preserve Sierra Madre Tuesday.)

Dear Supporters: Many of you will remember that a herculean effort was launched to save 126 E. Mira Monte, also known as the "Henry A. Darling House", from a date with the wrecking ball.  In fact, the proposed demolition of that historic property was one of the catalysts for the emergency demolition moratorium and later the demolition ordinance.

After failing in their efforts to demolish the property, the previous owners sold the property to a new buyer.  We all hoped that the new buyer would want to preserve the house.  However, while the new buyer is not demolishing the house, they are proposing to add an additional 2,279 square feet to the existing  house which is 2,052 square feet for a total of 4,731 square feet - effectively doubling the size of the home.

While this home did need to be updated, the concern is whether the modifications and interior remodeling is so extensive that it results in what is effectively a demolition of the house.  For those who had the opportunity to see the inside, the Craftsman architectural details were about as good as it gets.

The City Staff has recommended that the project be approved.  You can find the details of their analysis in the Planning Commission Staff Report for November 5th at the following link:

http://cityofsierramadre.hosted.civiclive.com/cms/One.aspx?portalId=212393&pageId=271667 (Or just link here).

Preserve Sierra Madre has every confidence that the Planning Commission will thoroughly review this project to make sure that it is in keeping with the character of the neighborhood as well as preserving the architectural character of this magnificent home.  For those who wish to attend the Planning Commission meeting regarding this project, it will be held this Thursday, November 5th at 7:00 pm at City Hall.

Thank you for your support.

Steering Committee
Preserve Sierra Madre

Mod: Here are some of the issues that are likely to come up on Thursday.

1) The applicant is requesting that part of the "lower level" area not be counted in the sq ft of the house.  A lot of this area can be used as storage since it is over six feet high. Wouldn't you like a 1000 extra sq. ft. area for storage? If this area is included the house will be over 6000 + sq ft.

2) While some of the lower level is habitable and included in the square footage there is a section that is actual crawl space and the middle space is questionable.  If included it is too large for the lot.

3) The interior is a complete redo.  It could even end up being a demo if "problems" are discovered. Consider that a loophole. Right now they can demo up to 25% without a demo application.

This is looking like it could be the first big test of the Planning Commission since its two new members were seated. You might want to check in Thursday evening.

For those of you who think your vote does not count

Selinske, whose eight years on the Pasadena Unified Board of Ed saw that beleaguered school district slide to its current abysmal statewide ranking of 543 (link), and who helped oversee voter approved and funded construction bonds during a time when they were being looted by crooked contractors (who were never prosecuted due to horrendous PUSD record keeping), just might get to play education establishment pocket puppet at our local two year junior college for a few years.