Residents fighting to save the historic Anoakia mansion from development lost a court battle, as a judge upheld the city's decision to allow demolition of the property.
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.
The Court of Appeals issued an emergency stay on the demolition of Anoakia. Until significant unresolved issues are settled the developers were ordered to stop everything.
Developers hoping to build 31 houses on land where the Anoakia mansion sits have won a court victory that clears the way for the house to be torn down.
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger appointed Thomas L. Willhite, 50, of Arcadia to the State Court of Appeal for the Second District. Willhite has also been a Superior Court judge and a Los Angeles Municipal Court judge.
Alhambra Superior Court Judge Alice Hill found "sufficient cause" to hold Isaac Campbell, 34, to be tried for the murder of Liya "Jessie" Lu. He will be arraigned May 7.
All the judges in Los Angeles County are in the process of voting on whether or not to consolidate the municipal and superior courts. Their decision would affect the local Santa Anita Municipal Court District.
Three residents representing a group they call "Friends of Anoakia" have sued the city in an attempt to stop demolition of the historic Anoakia estate. Forrest Besocke, Winston Besocke and Michael Mulvehill filed the lawsuit Friday.
Construction is under way on the first phase of the luxury homes development on the site of the old Anoakia Mansion. The tract of 31 new homes will be called "Anoakia Estates."
Demolition permits have been approved and the project of building new homes where the Anoakia mansion stands is now underway. Artifacts from the mansion have been given to the Arcadia Historical Society and the Arboretum.
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.
A Los Angeles Superior Court judge has ordered Arcadia developer MUR - SOL Construction to pay damaged related to the sale and remodeling of a home at 2780 E. California Blvd. in Pasadena, owned by Scott and Suzanne Bern.
New Arcadia police station is on the way. The demolition contract will be awarded August 7, then a groundbreaking ceremony scheduled for late September. An artist's rendition of the architectural drawing is shown.