City of Arcadia to place three measures on November 8, 2022 ballot. 1. Proposed City Charter Amendment Measure. The City Charter was last amended in 1998. The citizen-led Charter Review Committee recommends updates to mirror changes in state laws since 1998 and to reflect current local government standards, to include a) mirroring changes in state laws to increase voter turnout by moving the date of regularly scheduled city council elections from April in even-numbered years to the November Statewide General Election in even-numbered years. b) recognizing the city's change to by-district elections as required by California Voting Rights Act. c) Creating a rotation of mayor and mayor pro tem positions every 9.5 months to allow all council members to serve during their term. d) Change position of City Clerk from elected to appointed. e) other amendments to streamline government, utilize technology and increase transparency. 2. Two measures to increase locally controlled funding. One measure would increase Arcadia's local tax on stays at hotels and motels from 10% to 12%--similar rate to many neighboring cities. The other measure would enact a local tax on sports wagers if sports betting becomes legal in California through State Proposition 26, also on the November ballot
Tiny homes opponents appeal for reduction of Foothill Unity Center’s homeless services. Opponents protested outside Arcadia Councilmember April Verlato's home.
Cell tower opponents Arcadians Against Residential Towers (AART) hold garage sale for community outreach on September 17 at 1833 Louise Avenue. Verizon, the wireless cell phone company, has proposed a 73-foot tall tower near a preschool and elementary school, in an R1 zone. AART has gathered 1000 signatures on a petition.
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.
Arcadia to amend sex offender registration to align more with recent state Supreme Court rulings. The amendment would repeal part of Arcadia Municipal Code, Chapter 9.4 of Article IV, which contains residency restrictions for registered sex offenders.
Supervisor Mike Antonovich has proposed a name change for the Los Angeles County Arboretum. The new name will be the Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Gardens. Tour guide and peafowl expert Nelson Holmes is shown in photo. Currently, there are no safeguards protecting the Arboretum peafowl from Exotic Newcastle Disease.
Parents protest a school boundary change for Baldwin Stocker Elementary that was approved two years ago. Residents are surprised by this change and say it hurts their home values.
Arcadia Politics Becomes Ever More Confusing. Arcadia residents tell us they are concerned that the redistricting rules have changed the city’s voting requirements so much that it is hard to vote for someone you are not familiar with. Therefore, some voters told Arcadia Weekly they simply don’t vote anymore.
The recent council meeting was, indeed, contentious, as one of my colleagues wrote last week.
It appears there’s a push to change the political environment back to at-large voting.
The Arcadia City Council approved an ordinance amendment loosening store display restrictions and decided to maintain the first floor retail restrictions on buildings in the downtown business district.
Arcadia High School student and activist Hailey Cheng creates a climate change petition that can be seen at petitions.whitehouse.gov asking President Donald Trump to recognize climate change and stop rollback of environmental policies.
Arcadia City Council approves proposed downtown development zoning changes, specifically regarding downtown Arcadia mixed-use development. Council member April Verlato recused herself from these discussions.
Arcadia Planning Commission voted to support the Rancho Santa Anita Homeowners Association's Architecture Review Board (ARB) in its decision to reject changes in Ibraham Irawan's home under construction at 821 San Vicente Road.
Arcadia Planning Commission voted 5-0 to reject a proposal for a crematory to be built on First Avenue, next to Arcadia Mortuary at 500 S. First Avenue. The application came from Jim Larkin, who operates Arcadia Mortuary. The proposal drew criticism from neighbors and other Arcadia residents, with pickets.
City contemplates approval of Phase Two of Arcadia Public Library's Strategic Plan. The Strategic Plan outlined the current budget, proposed budgetary increases, and proposed plans for improvement of the library's facilities and staffing needs.
Planning zone change from commercial to multiple residential approved for condominium project at 1510-1516 S. Baldwin Avenue. The applicant is Hang Jong.