A tile tapestry was unveiled on the northwest wall of the Arcadia Public Library on Friday, April 8, 2005. More than 200 individual tiles were painted by the public to depict life in Arcadia. A photo is included.
City council candidate Sheng Chang accuses Mayor John Wuo of making the wrong decision in approving the resolution of necessity to begin eminent domain proceedings against Arcadia Self-Storage so that Rusnak Mercedes-Benz can expand. Wuo says Chang does not understand the proceedings.
The City Council will likely approve Westfield Shoppingtown Santa Anita's mall expansion for the outdoor section known as The Promenade if Westfield can resolve parking issues that will arise during construction.
Arcadia City Council voted unanimously to give the final approval on Rick Caruso's The Shops at Santa Anita mall. The City Council also approved an expansion project for the Westfield mall with one condition.
The City Council wants to finish its review of the Caruso outdoor mall project before the April council elections. Opponents to the development feel the Caruso project is being fast-tracked through the approval processes for political reasons.
After a 13-hour meeting, Arcadia City Council voted unanimously to approve the outdoor mall to be built on the Santa Anita Park race track parking lot, a development known as The Shops at Santa Anita. Opponents may push a referendum and possibly file lawsuits to block the project.
As the city council election approaches, another main platform besides the controversial proposed mall development, The Shops at Santa Anita, that candidates can run on is the use of eminent domain. Current controversy surrounds the use of eminent domain to help Rusnak expand the Mercedes-Benz dealership.
Arcadia voters will decide, in a special election next week, whether or not to approve ballot Measure A, which seeks to protect the city's right to collect taxes on cell phone usage. Measure A would not raise any taxes. The city already collects taxes on residential cell phone usage and is seeking to legally protect that practice by redefining what constitutes a telecommunications tax.
Arcadia's neighboring cities of San Marino and Pasadena are worried about the impact of mall traffic. Caruso spokesperson Julie Wong says the developer is listening and will respond to all concerns as part of the environmental review process.
The environmental impact report (EIR) for the proposed Shops at Santa Anita is now available. The report must be reviewed by the City Council before the development can be built. The report includes traffic studies of certain intersections and the economic effect on Westfield Shoppingtown.
Rogelio Gonzalez, Arcadia High School student, was named CIF Southern Section Player of the Year for boys soccer. Four other Arcadia High School students were awarded individual honors in Division III.
The City Council voted unanimously to expand design review for single-family homes citywide. It is the latest effort in the fight against boxy mansions being built in Arcadia. The review board thinks Asian families like the big houses and the Asian families say they do want to fit in with the community.
A court hearing today will provide clarification on Judge James Chalfant's July ruling that stopped progress on an upscale mall proposed by developer Rick Caruso at the Santa Anita Park parking lot. The proposed mall is known as the Shops at Santa Anita. In July, Judge Chalfant ruled that the environmental impact report (EIR) that Arcadia officials relied upon in approving the mall was faulty in 11 areas and would have to be revised before the project can move forward. Chalfant could modify his ruling today, or allow the existing ruling to become final judgment.
Plans for a new City Hall building have moved into a second design phase, after officials approved a preliminary design package and dedicated a five-month process to fleshing out further details.
Joe Borland, a physical therapy business owner in Arcadia, will not be running for City Council, even though he took out nomination papers and gathered more than enough signatures of residents. He changed his mind about running when he learned he might have to pay up to $2000 to have his ballot statement translated into Chinese and Spanish. He has issues with the erosion of English as the sole language of public affairs.
City Council was briefed on Arcadia's redevelopment efforts which includes the construction of a new police station, creation of affordable housing and improvements to the city's business districts.
The Arcadia City Council upheld the decision of an architectural review board for the Rancho Santa Anita Residents' Association that Ibrahim Irawan could not install iron and glass front doors on his home under construction on San Vicente Road.
Life is Sweet (race horse) was the winner of the Grade I $2 million Ladies' Classic at the Breeders' Cup XXVI. Rider Garrett Gomez and Life is Sweet are shown in a photo. More recap and news is in an accompanying article "Europeans seek another Classic performance."
Responding to allegations made by Westfield-funded Arcadia First! that Caruso representatives met privately with City Council, Caruso Affiliated spokesperson Julie Wong said Arcadia First! should apologize and get their facts straight. Sung Tse, Arcadia First! spokesperson said there is nothing to apologize for.