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 hearing by the Planning Commission on the Anoakia property has been put off until a later date. Some specifics of what Mr. McCaslin will seek when the hearing is scheduled are given.
People from the Historic Landmarks division of the National Park Service will visit Anoakia the last of January. The mansion is being considered as an historic landmark on the basis of its architect, Arthur Benton.
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.
Residents have petitioned the Planning Commission to change the area's zoning from R-1 (7500 square feet) to R-O&D (30,000 square feet) because of fears that Mr. McCaslin, owner of Anoakia, may build too densely.
Lowery McCaslin, owner of Anoakia, has asked that his application for a general plan change for the property be withdrawn.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.
Arcadia would lose approximately $472,268 yearly if Santa Anita Park race track were to close down and the 324 acre facility were to be developed with low density residential units. Losses would be partially offset by $190,750 in new property taxes and $278,482 miscellaneous taxes. New city services would account for a 6.18% increase in the city budget.
Highland Oaks Elementary School students Steve Morgan, Karen Saftler, and Eric Fermin (in photo) watch Jack Fermin, blacksmith, as he puts shoes on a horse at Santa Anita Park's stable area, for the school's Career Day.
Members of the Badminton Section of Santa Anita Athletic Club celebrated at the home of Mrs. Leroy Tidwell. Mrs. Richard Winslow was elected new chairman of the Badminton Section, Mrs. Mullen is outgoing chairman, and Mrs. Ray Kinnison is philanthropy chairman. (Photo).
Battle lines seem to be drawn between the residents of the area, who want 0-2 dwelling units per acre as the general plan calls for, and owner Lowery McCaslin, who would like 0-4.
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.
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).
The City Council voted on March 1, 1977 to uphold the 30,000 square foot minimum lot size set by the Planning Commission on any development Mr. McCaslin might build. Room for compromise seems possible.
A spokesperson for Santa Anita Consolidated has indicated that there is no intention of moving the Santa Anita Park race track to the $100 million sports complex proposed for the City of Los Angeles by Hollywood Park, Inc.