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.
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.
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.
David Ma, defeated candidate for the Pasadena City College Board of Trustees, has been charged with a misdemeanor for violating city sign posting restrictions.
Teens reduce stress at Arcadia Public Library with programs such as crafting their own stress balls and calm bottles on November 19 and cuddle time with Go Team Therapy Dogs on December 12.
The Arcadia City Council has approved an ordinance specifically laying out the responsibilities of property owners to assist in the maintenance of street trees.
Arcadia City Council adjusts an ordinance pertaining to massage therapists. The ordinance originally required 500 hours of training for a massage therapist to have a license in the city. The council decided to let currently employed therapists substitute on the job hours for any shortage in training under 500 hours. The Council also dropped a requirement for windows in rooms where therapy is provided and decided therapists will not be required to wear white. The therapist will be required to have an identification card in his/her possession but will not be required to display it.
Arcadia City Council introduces an ordinance to collect DIVCA fees. DIVCA stands for Digital Infrastructure and Video Competition Act. City Manager Dominic Lazzaretto said this ordinance will update things to ensure that as state franchises get renewed, that our local fees continue to be paid.
Pasadena City College board candidate David Ma faces criminal charges for sign ordinance violation. His election signs were found on public property. The arraignment will be held November 25 at Santa Anita Municipal Courthouse in Monrovia.
Santa Anita-based 'Free Animal Doctor' continues to help pet owners with needed services. Now entering its second year, Free Animal Doctor, a non-profit provides free veterinary services to dogs and cats, and is located in Santa Anita Park's parking lot 7. It opened on September 15, 2020. Free Animal Doctor utilizes Crowdfunding to raise monies for specific pets. Co-founder is Sam Bernardo. Spaying and neutering are available. See freeanimaldoctor.org or call 626-487-7129 for more information.
Historic preservation coming to Arcadia. City is in process of drafting ordinances on historic preservation aimed at safeguarding historic districts, structures and buildings. Ordinances are expected to provide defined procedures and criteria for property owners and communities to judge their historic relevance. Correction: see Arcadia Weekly, p. 10, February 22, 2018 and another correction Arcadia Weekly, p. 13, March 1, 2018. Correction to the Historic preservation coming to Arcadia article. Arcadia Weekly recently ran an article about the Arcadia City Council drafting a historic preservation ordinance. It incorrectly read, "The draft would demand the consent of 60% of property owners along with Planning Commission review and City Council adoption." The corrected statement reads, "The Draft Historic Preservation Ordinance proposes that at least 60% of properties within the district must contribute to the historic significance of the district and 75% of the property owners within the district need to consent to the designation."
Help bring the K-9 Unit back to Arcadia. Arcadia Police Foundation is trying to raise funds to create and maintain an Arcadia Police Department K-9 Unit.
Arcadia city council will vote on an ordinance prohibiting loitering by members of street gangs. The ordinance defines a "criminal street gang" as three or more people with a primary activity to commit offenses, such as murder, assault, robbery, or drug-related crimes. There are eight active Asian gangs within the city.
Arcadia homeowners welcome city ordinance, which creates a registry of homeowners' contact information. Ordinance 2346 overhauls regulations the City has on "nuisances" such as weeds, vermin, and squatters.
The Massage Therapist Regulations ordinance, approved November 5 by City Council, places regulations on the licensing of massage therapists and the activities of businesses offering massage services. It regulates business hours, uniforms, customers' bodily coverings and suggestive ads.