Southern California Edison (SCE) officials say that the Santa Ana winds caused the third largest power outage in the company's 113-year history. All electrical services are back along Live Oak Avenue in Arcadia.
Santa Ana winds estimated at up to 80 mph, toppled 29 utility poles along Live Oak Avenue from Santa Anita to 10th Avenue in Arcadia. Arcadia was the hardest hit of the San Gabriel Valley cities.
Strong winds at 70+ mph caused 29 light poles to topple over on Live Oak Avenue. There was damage to six other poles between Santa Anita Avenue and Sixth Avenue.
Strong winds caused power outages for Southern California Edison customers in Arcadia, Monrovia, and South Pasadena yesterday. The San Gabriel Valley area is expected to have winds from 20-40 mph today.
The City Council has authorized a study to determine whether Live Oak Avenue meets redevelopment law requirements of being a blighted area and whether to include businesses along Live Oak in the central city redevelopment district.
South Pasadena and Arcadia Edison customers lost power as a result of winds of up to 45 mph at times. Some households regained power but some Arcadia customers remain without power.
The Arcadia Redevelopment Agency will review proposals by four developers interested in building multi-family homes on Live Oak Avenue for low-income residents.
The Live Oak County Library at 4153-55 E. Live Oak Avenue is one of 15 county branches that were saved from closure when the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors found an additional $7.7 million for the library department.
Arcadia wants to declare a section of Live oak Avenue and Las Tunas Drive in south Arcadia a redevelopment zone to qualify for county funding. The County says area is not blighted and does not meet qualifications for funding.
Arcadia loses a redevelopment battle with Los Angeles County. The ruling stated that the Las Tunas Drive - Live Oak Avenue area in South Arcadia did not meet the criteria to be declared blighted in order to receive redevelopment funds.
Habitat for Humanity proposed building 20 homes on city-owned land in South Arcadia that was previously used by the Arcadia Police Department horseback unit. The parcel's access would be via Live Oak Avenue. Assembly Bill 637 requires Arcadia to develop low-income housing. City Council did not make a decision, leaving options open.
Duarte Road, from El Monte Avenue to the western city limits, will have utility lines placed underground. The cost will be $2.3 million. The issue of undergrounding utilities came up during the January windstorm, when nearly 30 power poles were knocked down on Live Oak Avenue.
American Senior Living, a Santa Ana developer, broke ground on the $8.57 million gated apartment complex located on Las Tunas. Heritage Park of Arcadia will open in 2004 and will be for independent senior citizens age 62 and older.
Despite strong backing from the Santa Anita Oaks Homeowners Association, a proposal to replace existing street lights with new ornamental lights was overwhelmingly rejected by residents in a mail-in ballot election. All Arcadia residents will vote on new street lighting assessments in July. Under that measure, all households would pay one of three yearly assessment fees, depending on how they benefit from street lights.
Low-income senior citizens interested in living at the 554-unit apartment complex now under construction at 150 W. Las Tunas have one month to submit an application to American Senior Living. A lottery will be held on March 24.