A fight for open space in the hills above Glendora

The Gordon-Mull property above Glendora provides habitat for deer and other species. Photos courtesy of Jeff Michelsen.

Homes or open space? That's the dilemma looming over 41 pristine acres in the San Gabriel Mountains in Glendora.

The plan is to build 19 two-story luxury homes on the wildlands -- space the Sierra Club's San Gabriel Valley Task Force would like to see preserved as open space for wildlife and recreation.

Although the development is small, it has larger implications to open-space conservation in the San Gabriel Mountains, whose foothills are almost completely developed. Little undeveloped open space remains, making even small areas valuable as habitat for wildlife and urban residents.

Native oak trees would be removed to make way for houses.

The Gordon-Mull property as it's known sits between Glendora Wilderness Park and the Blue Bird Ranch Conservancy, not far from San Gabriel Mountains National Monument and the Angeles National Forest. This parcel would be an extension of preserved and protected parklands.

A recent biological study says the property has "very high biological value," particularly because the springs and oak woodland attract wildlife. 

Construction for the housing development will require removal of 176 mature oak trees along with other tree and chaparral scrub species. There are three federal or state listed species present in the area: the Coastal California gnatcatcher and cactus wren as well as a plant called three-leaved brodiacea. Bobcats, mountain lions, female bears with their cubs, ringtail cats, foxes have been observed in the area and live in these wildlands.

The owner faces problems in approvals for the development. Some issues that have been raised include:

--biologically significant species on the property may prevent development of some lots;

--the Sierra Madre fault zone could prevent use of some lots and threat of landslides from possible seismic shaking exists on others;

--only one access route to the property is present;

--access to water will be expensive, and concerns exist about necessity of waivers from Glendora’s slope development regulations;

--hillside development codes could potentially affect development of several proposed lots; and

--residents have registered concerns about increased traffic congestion, air pollution, noise and cumulative impacts of this development because of other previously approved foothill projects.  

A cactus wren at the Gordon-Mull site.

The San Gabriel Valley Task Force hopes these issues will convince the owner to sell the property to one or a coalition of conservancies.  The Trust for Public Land, Rivers and Mountain Conservancy, and the Glendora Community Conservancy have indicated interest in purchasing the property if the owner will sell at current market value. The task force is working with local residents who oppose the plan, including former mayor Lois Shade.  Jeff Michelsen, a local resident and member of our task force, has met with members of the newly elected City Council who are supportive of the Sierra Club's position. 

The owner has indicated that he is not against selling, although presently is demanding an inflated price.  

The Draft Environmental Report for the housing project is expected this month.

The Club's Nearby Nature national campaign declares: “Protecting natural places near cities and suburbs is crucial to ensuring that all Americans have the opportunity to explore and enjoy the great outdoors.”  The San Gabriel Mountains Campaign, a part of the program, notes too that "for many visitors, this (San Gabriel Mountains) is their first and perhaps only experience with the great outdoors and the tranquility of unspoiled wilderness." It also emphasizes the goal to ensure that areas specifically within the San Gabriel Mountains can be easily accessed by urban dwellers and be protected for future generations.  
 
To build these homes on the Gordon-Mull property would destroy recreational opportunities for residents and for growing populations in the wider Los Angeles area -- and it would eliminate its value for wildlife forever. If kept as open space, the region would increase an area of contiguous, protected open space for people and wildlife.  

To become involved contact Joan Licari at jlicari2013@gmail.com.

To receive updates on the fate of the Gordon-Mull property, contact Jeff Kugel, Director of Planning for the City of Glendora (email: jkugel@ci.glendora.ca.us) and request to be included on the notification list.

More information: "These investors want to build 19 mansions in the Glendora foothills and conservationists want to stop them" in the San Gabriel Valley Tribune