The Planning Commission and ultimately the City Council are going to have a very difficult time prohibiting further lot splits in areas where splits were OK'd before the present laws limiting this practice.
The Planning Commission has rejected proposed General Plan changes that would have permitted hi-density zoning in the Naomi-Camino Real-Golden West area and left it medium density. The General Plan and the zoning map are still not in conformity, which was one reason the hearing was called.
A proposed ranch house called a "a monstrosity" by one Arcadia neighbor and a "a hay barn" by another will not be built, the Arcadia City Council decided. The 2-story house with a 3-car garage attached was proposed for the lot at 400 Columbia Road.
By a 6 to 1 vote the Planning Commission on May 24 approved a new zone: R-M (single-family mountainous residential). The proposed ordinance will need to go before the City Council for adoption.
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.
A study by the Department of Public Works suggested that the city yards (currently located south of Huntington Drive between 3rd and 5th Avenues) should be split up and moved to the south side of La Porte Street between 1st and 2nd Avenues.
Illegal lot splits in the area of deep residential lots has been causing many headaches for the City. City Attorney Phillips feels that most illegal splits occur because of ignorance of the law by owners and buyers. The City does not learn of the deal until it has been finalized.
Former mayor Jim Helms proposed a charter change that would require a runoff election if no candidate for City Council received at least 50 percent of the vote. In the last election, no candidate received 50 percent.
The Planning Commissioners have recommended a change in the city's zoning laws to limit the floor area of new residential structures of 40% of the lot on which they are built.
The Arcadia Planning Commission has scheduled at least 6 public hearings regarding the 30 acre, 21 lot residential development proposal submitted to the City by the Bluth Realty and Investment Co., an Arcadia firm.
The City Council voted 3-1, with Councilman Sheng Chang dissenting, to do nothing with a request from an Arcadia resident to enact a citywide ban on leaf blowers.
The Planning Commission endorsed by a unanimous vote a specific legal definition of signs for business advertising. Such limits are seen by some merchants as being of questionable constitutionality.
Arcadia Planning Department recently gave its proposal to Planning Commission for possible ordinance permitting a second unit to be built on a single-family dwelling.
After presentations by 3 architectural firms Tuesday night, the Arcadia City Council voted 4-1 to ask one of the companies back for further discussion on doing a master plan for the city's proposed civic center project. The proposed center would probably be located on the Huntington Drive median where the city hall and police station are now located. Mayor David Hannah indicated that this could be a long-term project, perhaps lasting as long as 20 years.
The City Council called for federal legislation restricting the flow and existence of illegal aliens. The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors had sent a request to area cities urging them to adopt a resolution supporting the proposed legislation.
Jim Helms, General Chairman of Diamond Jubilee, presenting plaques to chairmen of various committees. Left to right: Ruth Gilb and her husband Councilman Charles Gilb (behind); Floretta Lauber, former Mayor and community coordinator of Diamond Jubilee events; Kel Mason, Chairman of Parade; Della Mason (in black dress); Carla Maggio (in white), an administrative assistant to Mr. Helms; Marilyn Daleo, Publicity; and Jean Cope.