A massive hillside wild fire of "suspicious" origin raged into its second day Tuesday, consuming about 750 acres and forcing at least 500 Arcadia residents from their homes.
The citizens group Neighbors for Arcadia said Wednesday it will take the fight against Santa Anita Entertainment Center to voters with a ballot initiative.
Santa Anita Realty Enterprises won a long-awaited victory late Wednesday as the City Council tentatively granted a commercial land-use designation for an area that could serve as the site of a major entertainment center.
Santa Anita Park will undergo major renovations after the racing season closes this month. The track's new owner will be tearing out part of the grandstand to construct luxury boxes and a new dining area.
Officials with the Santa Anita Companies, owners of the race track and Santa Anita Fashion Park, have filed a formal application with the City of Arcadia to build a new 100-acre entertainment center on its property.
Arcadia City Council on Wednesday called for a study on whether it should contract with Los Angeles County for its fire protection services. The decision came after a marathon 5 1/2 hour session on the budget that attracted more than 400 spectators.
Frank Stronach, founder and chairman of the board of Magna International Inc., is buying Santa Anita Park from Meditrust. The $126 million purchase is expected to close today.
City Councilman Bob Harbicht, now running for the 59th Assembly District seat, accepted a $25,000 donation from the entity that manages Santa Anita Park.
Concerns about a proposed entertainment complex next to Santa Anita Park race track have been expressed by representatives of three stores in the Santa Anita Fashion Park.
Sounding bitter complaints about a construction project at Santa Anita Park that is halfway finished, nearly a dozen residents and preservationists appeared at Tueday's City Council meeting to criticize the city's approval of the project.
The City Manager must be informed by Los Angeles County officials at least 24 hours in advance of any dumping operations in the Santa Anita Wash following a heavy storm. Complaints about the noise and dust from local residents prompted the change.