Recreation classes and programs for Arcadia residents will be increased for everyone except senior citizens under a new fee schedule adopted by the City Council.
The Arcadia City Council is considering changes to fees charged by the city through the Development Services Department. One change might be a $25 fee for new business license applications. The fees may increase for design review of new commercial projects and appeals from an architectural review board to the Planning Commission. The General plan amendment fee may drop and tentative tract maps for condos may drop. The city plans to increase fines for code violations.
Massage therapists will have to pay a $265 fee to be licensed in Arcadia under a new city ordinance. A background check will be done on applicants and they will be fingerprinted.
The City Council considers adopting a floor area ratio (FAR) guideline for single family homes. The FAR sets the total buildable size of a home at a percntage figure of the lot size.
Median home prices in California surged to a record $305,940 in March, up 19 percent from last year. In Arcadia, prices averaged $355,000, up 9.2 percent.
Public Services Director Pat Malloy met with the Highland Homeowners Association to update the residents on the work that has been done after the fire that denuded the hillsides above their homes.
Arcadia City Manager Bill Kelly is skeptical about the way the State of California balanced this year's budget. The State promises to pay cities back for sales tax to be used to pay off $10.7 billion in loans. The maneuver, known as the "triple flip" will take half of the cities' sales tax revenue for the next five years, and pay it back out of property taxes now earmarked for schools. Arcadia will lose 25% of its vehicle license fee reimbursement, around $750,000. Arcadia is in good shape this year and next, primarily because of a healthy reserve fund. After 2004-2005, unless some solutions are in place, the city could face some hard times.
Arcadia City Council has approved a plan revision for the expansion of the Westfield mall. The revised plans involve adding a grade plus one-level parking structure south of Robinson-May, and a 5,400 square feet auto center northeast of the site.
Groundbreaking for expansion of the Westfield Shoppingtown Santa Anita mall will be held Wednesday, June 4, 2003 at 9:00 AM. The $98 million expansion will include a 16-screen movie theater, Borders Bookstore, Sports Chalet, a new food court, 30 new shops, and two parking structures. The expansion is Phase One of a possible two-part expansion of the mall, which originally opened 29 years ago.
Westfield Shoppingtown Santa Anita needs a bigger sign for the new tenants in its proposed expansion. Westfield wants a sign big enough for six tenant names, instead of the four previously agreed upon for the signage.
Santa Anita Park Race Track owner Frank Stronach has met with city officials about Arcadia's concerns with the track expansion plan and future sessions will be held. The concerns centered around plans to build new barns on the north side of the property, the internal connections between the track and Westfield Shopping mall traffic and people, and architectural compatibility with the track.
Arcadia Methodist Hospital celebrated its 53rd Annual Holiday Homes Tour. All proceeds go to support The Next Generation of Care campaign, toward a new patient tower, expanded Emergency department, and additional ICU beds.