Arcadia City Council members to submit nominees for John Wuo's vacant seat at next meeting October 20. Mayor Gary Kovacic and Councilman Tom Beck recommended former mayor Mickey Segal. Councilman Roger Chandler and Sho Tay wanted to take time to think of a few more nominees.
Arcadia City Council today will once more reconsider whether to allow customer-requested address changes in light of concerns about a Chinese superstition involving the number four. Since the number four sounds like the word for death in Mandarin and is considered unlucky, some realtors and residents have argued that addresses that end in the number four are more difficult to sell and affect home prices. The cost of processing an address change would be about $2600.
Arcadia residents and ex-mayor Mickey Segal threaten to recall city council members Roger Chandler, John Wuo, and Sho Tay for their decision to suspend a zoning code update last month. The issue involves a lawsuit, Arcadia Highlands Homeowners Association (HOA) and mansions. See hard copy in VF "City Council 2011-2020."
In lieu of pay raises, Arcadia City Council members and city employees will see an increase in the city's contribution to their health benefits. "It is fair because in these economic times, we couldn't afford to give (employees) anything else," said Mayor Peter Amundson. The total fiscal impact will be $56,750 for all employees.
Arcadia City Council decided that Arcadia residents will not be allowed to change their house addresses, despite concerns some have about the fear of the number four. See same story on November 3, 2011, pages S1 and S2 of San Gabriel Valley edition of the San Marino Tribune.
Arcadia City Council member and Mayor Pro Tem Roger Chandler said he wouldn't want the basketball courts rebuilt because he doesn't like the "type" they attract. The old courts have been demolished already and City Council eventually recommitted to an improvement plan that permanently eliminates Eisenhower Park's basketball courts. Chandler's comments prompted an immediate uproar from residents in attendance. Council member April Verlato said his use of the phrase "the type" could be perceived as racist but doesn't think he meant it that way, but he should apologize. The renovated park will cost nearly $6.3 million, including a baseball diamond and large picnic area.
Baldwin Realty's property management division is developing a Web page and e-mail system to allow instant communication with the homeowners associations it represents.
Hoop dreams snuffed in Arcadia park contretemps. Larry Wilson, columnist, gives his opinion about Arcadia City Council member Roger Chandler's remarks about basketball attracting a "type" of people to Arcadia.
Councilman Roger Chandler has apologized for disparaging remarks he made about poor people. His comments were associated with a Habitat for Humanity project that was defeated in a council vote.
Tonight Arcadia City Council will decide on whether the city should pursue an economic impact study before adopting new residential zoning regulations. The zoning code recommendations are concerned with floor area ratios (FAR) in 4 different parts of the city, building height, setback and hillside standards.
Experts say city violated Brown Act meeting law. Arcadia City Council made three housing policy decisions in closed session without public input. At the meeting last week, officials voted to shelve a comprehensive update to city's residential and commercial zoning codes, postpone the Neighborhood Impacts Committee, and move forward with a citywide historic preservation survey, sans the Highlands Homeowners Association. City Attorney Stephen Deitsch said the decisions came as a result of a lawsuit filed against the city targeting mansionization.
Two incumbents, Sheng Chang and Mickey Segal, are seeking additional terms on the City Council. Businessman Sho Tay and former two-time Councilman Roger Chandler are hoping to unseat them.
Arcadia City Council clears way for massive new homes at 29 East Orange Grove Avenue and 1600 Highland Oaks Drive, despite opposition to the increasing "mansionization," from several members of the Highland Oaks Homeowners Association (HOA). City Council voted to move forward with both projects, finding they complied with city's zoning codes and were exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). The two homes met the city's design guidelines and met the resolution that governs design in the HOA areas.
Arcadia mayor Roger Chandler outlined six major areas of progress in the last year in his State of the City address. Overall, he said, "The state of Arcadia is great!"
Arcadia City Council last week approved expanding the kinds of outdoor special events allowed at Santa Anita Park race track, and in the adjacent parking lot areas, including concerts, carnivals, and farmers markets. The change will allow the track to host the California Philharmonic summer concerts and possibly Cavalia, a Cirque du Soleil show. Councilman Roger Chandler said the amendments made to the city's municipal code allow a very large and underused piece of land, specifically the south parking lot, to be used and to generate additional income for the track.
Arcadia City Council has two new members and a former city councilman has returned, according to semi-official results of the all-mail ballot election. Tom Beck, a retired attorney, and Sho Tay, a retired businessman, are new. Roger Chandler is the returning councilman.
City of Arcadia to revisit divisive, delayed mayoral appointment. The California Fair Political Practices Commission started an investigation into two matters related to Tay even before the April 24 City Council meeting, at which his appointment to mayor was delayed due to allegations of campaign fraud. City Council will address the issue again tonight.
Arcadia residents protest removal of basketball courts at Eisenhower Park and City Council member Roger Chandler's comments that he wouldn't want the basketball courts rebuilt because he doesn't like the "type" they attract. At August 20 City Council meeting, Chandler said the courts attracted unauthorized and unsanctioned basketball tournaments.
Los Angeles County's median home price is rising. In July, 2009, it was $339,430, up from $319,860 in June 2009, but well below $395,240 a year ago. Broker Chris Vigil thinks the market has hit rock bottom. Arcadia's median home price in July 2009 was $663,000, up from $626,500 a year ago (July, 2008). A chart shows figures from surrounding cities.