The City Council gave preliminary approval Wednesday to an expansion of the Arcadia Public Library that may add 15,000 square feet of space at a cost of about $3.5 million.
The owners of Westfield Shoppingtown Santa Anita (formerly Santa Anita Fashion Park), have submitted a request to the city to expand the building by as much as 55 %.
Westfield America Inc. announced yesterday that it will buy an additional 50 percent interest in Westfield Shoppingtown Santa Anita Fashion Park from Meditrust, giving it nearly 90 percent ownership.
The proposal by the Youth Master Plan Steering Committee for after-school programs will not be funded by the City at this time, but further discussions will continue.
The expansion and creation of recreation and activity programs at all school levels and extending Arcadia Public Library hours to include Sunday afternoon topped the list of recommendations in the Youth Master Plan.
The Arcadia City Planning Commission voted 6-0 to reject the zoning change for the Santa Anita Park property from "horse racing uses" to "commercial/entertainment," saying it could not approve any changes until it sees a specific proposal.
The City Council reviewed the general plan which was revised in December 1990, the first revision since the 1970's. This was the first time the City reviewed its progress in meeting the new plan's goals.
Santa Anita Companies have submitted a down-scaled entertainment complex with the new proposal for developing the South parking lot of the Santa Anita Park race track property.
The Santa Anita Companies was dealt a blow when the State Assembly Appropriations Committee shot down two key bills that would have allowed Santa Anita to begin expansion into the casino industry.
Citizen input is sought on the proposed Santa Anita Commercial Center. The current proposal is 1/3 the size of the initial package presented in 1996 and would be built on 60 acres of what is now the south parking lot of Santa Anita Park.
On Wednesday, April 10, the planning commission met in what was to be their first meeting to discuss and review certain aspects of the General Plan Update for 1996. Approximately 200 people crowded the council chamber and the meeting was declared a safety hazard. The rescheduled meeting will be held at the community center.
Businessman Frank Stronach, who announced he is buying Santa Anita Park, has stated that his vision for developing the land is drastically different than Santa Anita's current proposal.
El Monte city officials and residents asked the Planning Commission to delay its review of the environmental impact report for the proposal to fill a 150-foot deep ditch in Arcadia with dirt, gravel and concrete.
Arcadia has launched a $4.9 million expansion project. Article includes a photo of current facility and artist's rendering of building after remodel and expansion. Photo.