Kensington Project Plans Move Forward

Talk over plans for the , an assisted living facility for the elderly that would reside at 225-45 W Sierra Madre Blvd., continued last night during a special Planning Commission meeting. Much of the meeting focused on whether or not the residential suites should be outfitted with microwaves.

While the developers wanted to provide microwaves in the Kensington's living suites, saying that they would be an important liberty and a right for residents, their request was shot down. According to the Commission, if a residence has hot food-prep appliances, then it should be considered a dwelling unit.

The Planning Commission determined that the suites could have a sink with no garbage disposal and a small refrigerator, but no other appliances.

The City Council will now review the Commission's findings.

Defining a dwelling unit... and why it matters for the Kensington Project

The Kensington Project has gone through scores of revisions and been the topic of months of meetings because its plans conflict with Measure V, an ordinance that restricts new building in Sierra Madre’s downtown area to no more than two stories, 30 feet in height and 13 dwelling units per acre. The Kensington project would sit on about two acres and consist of 75 residential suites, according to plans.

There has been much debate over the definition of a dwelling unit, which Measure V defines as “one or more rooms in a building designed and intended to be used as living quarters by one person or a family.”

Measure V does not mention anything about a kitchen or appliances.

After reviewing plans line by line and making revisions, the Planning Commission approved the Kensington Project’s Specific Plan, Conditional Use Permit and a Municipal Code Text amendment at the end of last night’s meeting.

Fountain Square Development West developers, including Billy Shields and Scott Jenkins, were present for the meeting, which lasted over four hours. The developers at times seemed frustrated with the Planning Commission as they picked apart the plan’s language and made changes.

Commissioner Bob Spears said that he did not want to leave any wiggle room for the developers.

City Council will review the Kensington Project's plans, but ultimately voters will decide

The Commissioners' findings and the Kensington Project’s plans will now be reviewed by the City Council.

Regardless of the Planning Commission’s and City Council’s decisions on the Kensington Project’s latest plans, in November.

Voters will be asked to decide on amendments to Sierra Madre’s building laws that effect the two parcels of land the Kensington Project would reside on. It’s not yet known whether voters will be deciding on a General Plan amendment, zoning text amendment or a change to Measure V.

The Kensington Project’s Specific Plan and Conditional Use Permit must be finalized by the end of July for the project to appear on the November ballot.