Mayors ask for zoning bill veto. 27 San Gabriel Valley cities urge Governor Gavin Newsom to kill legislation that changes single-family lots to allow zoning for up to 4 units. This is Senate Bill 9, introduced by Senator Toni Atkins. The San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments advocates for addressing the affordable housing shortage by rezoning vacant and nonviable commercial properties and providing incentives to affordable housing developers to build on that land. SGVCG's letter in opposition was signed by Alhambra, Arcadia, Azusa, Baldwin Park, Bradbury, and others.
Local business owners tell Assemblywoman Carol Liu that Temple City needs more affordable housing. The article includes a photograph of Christine Hernandez, Arcadia resident and owner of CKW uniforms.
The City Council has voted against asking Habitat for Humanity to develop a new affordable condominium project in downtown, citing fears of shoddy construction. The affordable housing project will be at 119-121 E. Alta Street.
Cities of the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments assess plan for coyote population management. Those involved in a regional management effort must decide on renewal by November. The council anticipates the cities of Alhambra, Arcadia, Azusa, Covina, Irwindale, Montebello, Rosemead, San Gabriel, San Marino and Temple City, will continue with the program. In 2018-2019, Arcadia received 300 calls or emails regarding coyotes in neighborhoods. By 2019-2020 that number dropped to 120. In 2017, animal rights group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) sued for trapping and killing coyotes. In response, Arcadia developed its own coyote management plan focused on non-lethal alternatives.
One of the most comprehensive pictorial presentations of San Gabriel Valley history will be shown at Fashion Park June 24 through July 12. Done by history students from Cal State LA, it has been over two years in the planning.
Jim Helms chosen President of the Association of San Gabriel Valley Cities. Cities which have confirmed membership are: Alhambra, Arcadia, Covina, El Monte, Irwindale, La Puente, Monrovia, Monterey Park, Pasadena, San Marino, South Pasadena, Temple City, and Walnut.
"San Gabriel County will come into being within the life-time of many of you here", Attorney James Helms told a group meeting. He feels that the State Legislature holds the key to future secession efforts.
The San Gabriel Valley Juvenile Diversion Program has been established to divert local youths from the criminal justice system to local counseling agencies. Arcadia is participating in this program along with Temple City, Alhambra, Monterey Park, Rosemead and San Gabriel.
Arcadia spends $2 million on water to offset needs for the 2015-2016 fiscal year. It is the second purchase of its kind since April. The 3000 acre-feet of water was purchased from the Upper San Gabriel Valley Water District, will be stored in a cyclic storage account in main groundwater basin, which supplies a major portion of the city's drinking water.
Reaction was mixed among San Gabriel Valley officials on a bill before the State Legislature that would prohibit small splinter movements. This would make difficult any effort by local secessionists to get enough support to break away from Los Angeles County.
In this ailing economy, San Gabriel Valley property values have dropped significantly, as reflected in the county's home assessments. The county property roll is at $1.1 trillion, a nearly 1% decrease compared to 2008. Homeowners will have smaller tax bills but cities are having to reduce services and employees as they lose businesses, sales tax revenue, and property tax revenue. See a chart of Los Angeles County Assessor's Office property values report showing Arcadia and neighboring cities. Arcadia is a city whose 2009 value increased 2.2% compared to last year.
The City Council will loan developer American Senior Living $1.8 million to build Arcadia Heritage Park, , an affordable housing 54-unit apartment complex for low-income senior citizens.
The Arcadia City Council approved an owner participation agreement with American Senior Living for a 54-unit affordable senior housing project at 150 W. Las Tunas Drive. The City will put in $1.8 million for the $8.5 million project. Residents will be selected by lottery.
San Gabriel Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District wants to control the West-Nile virus epidemic by sending Pasadena police helicopters over Alhambra, Arcadia, Azusa, Covina, Monrovia and West Covina. They identified 94 green pools and stagnant bodies of water yesterday. Owners will be ordered to clean them up or face a $1000 fine. Dirty swimming pools are the most significant source of mosquito breeding.