The City Council considers adopting a floor area ratio (FAR) guideline for single family homes. The FAR sets the total buildable size of a home at a percntage figure of the lot size.
Residents of Santa Anita Village will get a chance to register their opinions on limiting the size of new houses in their area. Homeowners are asking for a 35 percent floor area ratio rule to be in place.
The City Council voted unanimously to expand design review for single-family homes citywide. It is the latest effort in the fight against boxy mansions being built in Arcadia. The review board thinks Asian families like the big houses and the Asian families say they do want to fit in with the community.
Most of the seven candidates competing for two seats for the City Council support adopting a floor-to-area ratio, or FAR, in an effort to halt "mansionization."
The Arcadia City Council has approved a design review process for the upcoming addition to the Santa Anita Park race track. The procedure adopted requires review by the Planning Commission and the City Council of all preliminary site plans, floor plans, exterior architectural improvements, and new construction.
New Arcadia city housing standards approved, new zoning codes effective as law May 20, 2016. Included in Arcadia's new standards is a sliding-scale floor-area ratio (FAR) for the first time in the city's history. The FAR is a development tool that helps determine how large a home can be built on any given lot based on a percentage of the land.
Arcadia City Council adopted a resolution last week, which consolidates the five homeowner associations' (HOA) development standards, design guidelines and design review procedures into one cohesive document for the first time. The uniform resolution protects only oak trees from removal and gives the HOAs authority to review homeowners' landscape and hardscape designs, such as driveways and walkways.
In a unanimous vote, Arcadia City Council deals a blow to builder KVH Design Group, rejecting the developer's appeal and their plans to build a nearly 7,000 square foot two-story single-family house at 211 Monte Place. The Highlands Homeowners Association (HOA) Architectural Review Board (ARB) had turned down the plans on grounds that the proposed home was "incompatible in mass and scale to the surrounding buildings in the neighborhood." Arcadia City Council agreed.
Mansionization vote soon. Officials say no to economic impact study (on how home size affects property value) amid update to city's zoning code. Opponents and proponents packed into City Council Chambers. Resident Lee Marshall said more stringent regulations (in building height, floor area ratio (FAR), setbacks, hillside standards) would add value to homes by encouraging more harmonious development. Resident Polly Wong said she built her dream home in Arcadia and the new recommendations might significantly hurt her investment. See also Arcadia Weekly, p. 1, 16, March 17, 2016 for "No economic study for zoning code changes."
Arcadia City Council rejected a proposed draft resolution last week that several argued would give city-designated homeowner associations (HOA) too much power. During a study session, the Council discussed amending and consolidating the five HOAs' development standards, design guidelines and design review procedures into one cohesive document. Some argued the draft would give the associations' Architectural Review Boards (ARB)--which have architectural design review authority over the association area--too much control over the size of homes, setbacks and other issues. ARBs should look favorably on someone's dream home plans "unless it was so garish and outlandish that it might negatively affect property values," said Councilman Bob Harbicht. Opposition from Kevin Tomkins and Laurie Thompson.
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.
Zoning codes: Arcadia measure on mansionization qualifies for ballot. If adopted the initiative would create a citywide floor area ratio (FAR) which would set much tighter restrictions on square footage. Lisa Mussenden said it could be on the ballot as soon as November 2016 or as late as April 2018. Saving Arcadia is the group behind the initiative.
Anti-mansionization goes to the ballot. Zoning code issue continues as anti-mansionization group Saving Arcadia (an outgrowth of Save the Arcadia Highlands) takes it to the ballot in April 2018. At issue are Floor Area Ratios (FAR). See also Arcadia Weekly, p. 1, 17, April 7, 2016-initiative did not make it onto ballot because of signature discrepancy.
The Arcadia City Council has decided to allow horses to remain within 35 feet of a neighbor's home as long as the horse was there first. Previously the city code would have required horses to move if a new home was built within 100 feet of the horse.
Residents irate over plans for a mansion at 2235 Hollis Lane by designer Marvin Fong. The proposed project violates several provisions in the city's zoning code and is nearly 3x the size of homes in the neighborhood.
Citing complaints he has received of 3 or 4 families living together in single family homes in Arcadia, City Councilman Robert Harbicht has proposed redefining the term "family" in the city zoning code.
In a 3-1 vote the Arcadia City Council approved an ordinance authorizing preclusion of second units within single-family and multi-family zoned areas. Councilman Jeff Dring cast the dissenting vote.