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.
Is historic preservation important to Arcadia? Arcadia City Council recently met and considered the most recent historic preservation proposal. It did not pass but was not entirely dismissed. Several city council members agreed that the City should adopt some sort of historic preservation policy, but the citizens fear homeowner's rights will be infringed upon. See hard copy in VF City Council 2010-2019.
A recommendation that would allow all registered voters in Arcadia to vote by mail is being considered by the Chamber of Commerce which may address the City Council on the matter. San Diego has conducted such an election. Article discusses problems and expenses of such an election.
Arcadia City Council announces goals for future. In addition to budget deficit, "community building" with the city's Asian population, to be primary focus.
Coyote Managment Plan to be considered at City Council Meeting on June 20. Public review and comments welcome. See also Pasadena Star News, p. A3, May 26, 2017.
A noise barrier wall 8 to 10 feet tall-the height most commonly found on local freeways-would do little to reduce the level of annoyance for Arcadia residents who live alongside the 210 freeway, according to a recent study by the engineering firm of J. J. Van Houten and Associates. In spite of the report, the Arcadia City Council will continue to study possible ways of funding the sound barrier, and residents who live near the freeway say they will continue to fight to get a wall built.
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 declines to further consider moratorium on residential construction. Opponents of temporary development freeze turn out in force. State law requires a five-member municipal panel have at least four votes to approve a moratorium on real estate development. The Council could not muster majority support.
An ad hoc committee has been formed to consider the proposal to annex a new area. A staff report indicates there would be considerable cost to the city if annexation is approved. One area of particular concern is the deficiency in the water supply in the area.
Arcadia could build a multi-purpose Senior Citizen Center for $1.5 million plus the cost of the property, according to a report submitted to the City Council by Warren Shaw, chairman of the Arcadia Senior Citizen's Commission. The report indicated that most of the money would come from state and federal sources, but that Arcadia would need to chip in at least $225,000 of matching funds. The center is necessary, Shaw said, due to a current lack of senior citizen facilities.
A report by the Asian Pacific American Legal Center found that Asian Americans in Southern California lag behind the general population in voter turnout. The report also provides city-specific electorate and turnout numbers. Asian American voters in Alhambra, Arcadia, and Rosemead made up roughly one-third of the electorate.
Arcadia city wants ban on single-use plastic bags just 6 months before a statewide referendum goes to California voters. If adopted, it would affect approximately 36 Arcadia businesses and be implemented in two phases. Phase 1 would begin in early June and would apply to grocery stores with $2 million+ in annual sales, such as Vons, Albertsons, 99 Ranch Market. Phase 2 would include smaller businesses, like pharmacies and convenience stores, and would be implemented 6 months later. See also Arcadia Weekly, p. 4, April 21, 2016.
Responding to a report of tensions between Caucasian and Asian students at Arcadia High School, Superintendent of Schools, Elbert Souders said the problem is "very small" and is being addressed by the district.
Arcadia may follow the lead of Pasadena, Los Angeles and other communities by considering the possibility of adopting a no-smoking ordinance. According to City Manager George Watts, the council has not decided on any specific rules and probably will not receive a study report from staff until mid-November.
Unanimous Arcadia City Council acts to place local funding measure, known as the “Arcadia Public Safety, City Services and Accountability Measure” on the June 2019 ballot to maintain public safety and other city services. City staff and the Citizen’s Financial Advisory Committee have indicated Arcadia has a multi-million dollar structural deficit.