Bailey Canyon Project
Sierra Madre’s biggest development dispute is heading back to the Council.
By Shashank Tongaonkar
Save the date: February 24. The Council has officially scheduled a public hearing for that night to consider the appeal of the Meadows at Bailey Canyon project.
The upcoming hearing follows the Planning Commission’s recent approval of the permit and is expected to be a major showdown.
Transit & The Fire Safety Crackdown
Sierra Madre may be trading city-run shuttles for smartphones. Tuesday’s meeting featured a presentation from Uber Transit, proposing on-demand transportation service across the city. While the Council only provided “direction” and has not signed a contract, the discussion signals the city is exploring a high-tech solution to address transit gaps.
In a related move, the city is applying for a Rivers and Mountains Conservancy grant to fund its long-term Wildfire Prevention and Restoration Plan.
Meanwhile, public safety was also a major focus with the adoption of Ordinance No. 1489. Parking is now strictly prohibited in certain areas on yellow- and red-flag alert days to keep narrow roads clear for emergency crews. If you are parked in restricted areas during a high fire risk day, you are now in violation of the municipal code.
In a related move, the city is applying for a Rivers and Mountains Conservancy grant to help fund its long-term Wildfire Prevention and Restoration Plan.
In Other News
- Budgeting: The city adopted midyear adjustments to the current 2025-26 budget.
- Rate Hikes: The LA County Sanitation District explained why regional infrastructure costs are pushing rates up.
- Modernization: The Council updated purchasing codes for non-public projects and saw a presentation on “Holly,” an AI-powered platform for city staff compensation.
- Honors: Mayor Kris Lowe presented certificates to the Ad Hoc Revenue Committee.
The meeting adjourned to Feb. 24. With budget strategy discussions and the Bailey Canyon appeal on the horizon, it’s shaping up to be a long night for the Council.
No it hasn’t