At a public hearing before the Planning Commission on August 23, 1976, planners voted 5 to 1 to retain the present density designation of 0-2 dwelling units per acre.
The Anoakia developer cannot bulldoze the Anita Baldwin mansion without a demolition permit which will not be granted by the city until certain requirements are met.
Public hearing on Anoakia-area zone change allows citizen input. Hearing is on a Planning Commission resolution recommending approval of a zone change from R-0 30,000 to R-0 30,000 and D for the Anoakia area. This means that residential lots must contain at least 30,000 square feet. The D stands for "design overlay," which gives the property owners' association an opportunity to review architectural plans for development.
The Anoakia estate will most likely be demolished in three months, but its destruction could prompt the city to identify and protect other historic buildings.
Opposing forces are preparing for the March 1 City Council meeting. At this time the Council will decide whether to permit Mr. McCaslin to develop the area in lots of 18,000 to 20,000 square feet and keep the mansion, or to hold him to the 30,000 square feet set by the Planning Commission and risk losing the house built by Anita Baldwin.
The walls came tumbling down Wednesay at the Anoakia Mansion, marking the final demise of the 87-year-old Anita Baldwin estate to make way for a gated tract of houses.
Fall of the House of Baldwin. Part 5 of a 6 part series: the Pantophagist. An account of Anita Baldwin's cookbook "The Pantophagist." By Galen Patterson. See hard copy in VF Baldwin, Anita
Lowery McCaslin, owner of Anoakia, has asked that his application for a general plan change for the property be withdrawn. He has been working with a local builder who has a good feel for the area and would like to develop the property at a density of 2.4 homes per acre. Late in this same meeting, the council voted to change the zoning on the estate to match the existing general plan. What this might do to future McCaslin plans is not clear.
Mr. McCaslin received a blow to his plan to subdivide the 20 acre parcel when the Planning Commission changed the zoning in the area from R-1 (7,500 square feet per unit) to R-O (30,000 square feet per unit).
Lowry McCaslin, on right, stands before fireplace in dining room at Anoakia, which Mr. McCaslin has owned since the mid 1940's. Other people are Mr. and Mrs. Dale Spickler, as identified in Arcadia Tribune article on January 22, 1976. Mr. Spickler was committee chairman for Arcadia Tournament of Roses Association benefit party held at Anoakia Saturday, January 31, 1976. See Arcadia VF-Anoakia Item #17 for article and similar photo. Baldwin family crest is handsomely carved above fireplace.
