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Politics & Government

Kensington Project Ballot Talk Continues

A measure pertaining to the Kensington Project will appear on the November ballot, but it's still uncertain what exactly it will say.

The City Council Tuesday approved a resolution that would put some part of the Kensington Project, the proposed 75-unit assisted living facility at 325 Sierra Madre Blvd., on the November ballot.

However, it’s still unclear what that resolution will say.

It won’t say something to the effect of, “do you approve the construction of a 75-suite assisted living facility to be built…”

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The Kensington Project as currently outlined cannot be approved in Sierra Madre because it violates building laws. In particular, the number of dwelling units per acre (75 on two acres) exceeds Measure V stipulations (which allows for 13 units per acre).

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The ballot measure could include an amendment to Measure V or seek the approval of a legislative component pertaining to the Kensington project. It all depends on what the final plan for the Kensington Project looks like.

The Planning Commission hasn’t yet approved or denied the Kensington Project. No matter what the Planning Commission and City Council’s decision is on the project, it will still go toward voters.

Right now, the resolution is serving as a placeholder. The wording will be drafted at a future City Council meeting this year.

The council spoke of wording the ballot measure very carefully so it would only allow for the construction of the Kensington Project, and not open the door for other developers who propose a project the city does not like should the ballot measure pass and the project not be built.

“You really do have to invest the time to get this right because the other danger is, if you approve something that’s too broad… now you’ve got a law on the books that may be open to a project we don’t like; and you can change that law, only voters can,” said Mayor John Buchanan.

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