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Politics & Government

Permit Denied for 5,800 sq. Foot Home on Auburn Ave.

Style and size concerns halted plans for a 5,800+ square-foot home on Auburn Avenue in Sierra Madre on Thursday night, when the Planning Commission denied a conditional use permit for the property owners.

In a four to two vote, Sierra Madre's Planning Commission denied a conditional use permit (CUP) for construction of a two-story, 5,109 square-foot home and a 715-square-foot three-car garage at 756 Auburn Ave., as it would be incompatible in size and style to homes in the surrounding area.

The applicants and residents have 10 days to file an appeal.

Pursuant to City of Sierra Madre Municipal Code, any single family homes that exceed 4,000 square feet are required to have a CUP.

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The original proposal came before the Planning Commission on July 7 and was continued to Sept. 15, with revisions reflecting concerns addressed by the Commission.

Revisions included reducing the floor size and removal of a proposed recreation room.

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The original floor plan exceeded 6,700 square-feet, including the garage. The average size home in the Auburn Avenue area is 2,000 square feet.

During the Sept. 15 meeting, the Commission raised more concerns with the proposed property, including location of solar panels, soil slope stability, exterior lighting issues and ceiling height.

At Thursday's meeting, the applicants--Richard and Soledad Meaglia--presented the latest revision, which included a reduction in floor size, roof size, the elimination of a kitchen pantry and changes to the garage layout, among others. The Meaglias currently own the largest existing property on Auburn Avenue.

“We tried to address the Commission’s concerns,” Richard Meaglia said during the public comment session. “Most of the neighbors have signed a letter approving the project, including the neighbor that is directly affected at 746 Auburn,” he said. 

One of the neighbors, Mike Hoffman, backed the proposal. “I think it’s going to be an awesome project,” Hoffman said. “I think Sierra Madre should welcome anybody who wants to invest like this, … and I think it really works in this particular lot,” he said.

Overall, the Commission wasn’t so quick to agree with the residents who signed the Meaglias' letter, but Chairman Kevin Paschall was quick to point out that he received two letters from residents who were opposed to the project.

More Than Double the Size

Only members William Pevsner and Russell Replogle agreed that the project should move forward. “I do agree that the project is unique to the area. I think this is going to fit,” said Pevsner. “I could probably support this just as it sits.”

“I’d support it,” Replogle added. “They’ve done everything we’ve asked and it’s been greatly improved.”

But, from that point, the foundation of approval crumbled. “This house is more than double the size of the houses on that lot,” Member Frierman-Hunt pointed out. “We base our decision here on findings that we need to make in the code—I still think it is oversized for the location it’s in,” she said.

“I am concerned about the mansionization of Sierra Madre,” said Member Bob Spears. “While we do have an eclectic mix of houses, … it’s because the town is old, and when it was first started there were huge lots, and … they could build their houses larger,” he said. “Since then, we’ve passed laws and building codes, and the town has reined in on the production of larger houses. This house is off the scale, and I cannot support it at its current size,” Spears said.

Though Member John Vandevelde had no issue with the size of the proposed property, he did voice disapproval over its style. “The design is not helping to sell this project,” he said. “When you see a project go over 4,000 [square feet] I think we are looking for the architecture to kind of say, ‘Hey, this is a house that is big, but it’s been done well… it fits into the neighborhood, … and that is where I’m having a hard time supporting the project,” Vandevelde said.

“This house is a lot bigger than other houses,” said Chairman Paschall. “[The applicant] hasn’t listened to us enough to where he should have cut this house back more.”

Soledad Meaglia was reprimanded twice during the meeting after she attempted to speak out of turn regarding why she and her husband were not informed that more changes had to be made. Quite flustered, Mrs. Meaglia’s second attempt was struck down by gavel as Paschall informed her that public comment was closed and she would not be heard at this time.

  • In other business, an applicant request for a continuance was allowed for Bowden Development, Inc., which initially requested a CUP for a 2-story, 30-foot high condominium project at the Southwest corner of E. Sierra Madre Blvd. and Sierra Place. They will meet again before the Planning Commission on December 15.
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