Arcadia City Council approves Arcadia Highlands land development projects at 29 East Orange Grove Avenue and 1600 Highland Oaks Drive. The larger scale new construction of mansions will replace existing homes. The primary bone of contention came down to whether or not property owners' rights to maximize their investment and exercise freedom to build as they see fit should prevail over homeowners associations and residents concerned with maintaining a neighborhood's traditional aesthetic character while protecting neighboring properties' scenic views and privacy.
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 City Council delays vote on Arcadia Highlands home building projects. Council will address the matter again on February 3, to allow for more time to vet newly received petitions from area residents and a detailed letter from an attorney representing a leading opponent of the developments, that the City received last week. Both projects, one at 1600 Highland Oaks Drive, the other at 29 East Orange Grove Avenue, and both designed by Robert Tong of Arcadia-based Sanyao International Inc., involve the demolition of vintage homes to make room for larger residences.
Arcadia City Council denies proposed hillside development project, citing concerns over environmental impacts along with future risks including fire, flooding or mudslides. The applicant, Nevis Capital LLC, was seeking approval to subdivide 90 acres into two parcels to build a home on about 12 acres along the ridge line.
Arcadia City Council denies Verizon Wireless proposal for cell tower in residential zone after Verizon failed to persuade Council that the facility had an immediate need and was the best alternative. Residents spoke against the tower.
Arcadia City Council postpones decision on 1217 Mayflower Avenue home construction project. Scott Yang of Figure 8 Group Inc. seeks to replace a one-story 988 square foot ranch style house built in 1923 with a 5046 square foot home in the "modern" architectural style. In June, Planning Commission denied Yang's project.
Arcadia Planning Commission denies 2236 Hollis Lane project, citing the applicant's lack of effort in finding a middle ground between the developers and the neighbors that oppose it. The applicant Marvin Fong aims to replace a 624 square-foot home with a 2500 square-foot home. Many Arcadians are concerned with "oversized" homes.
Arcadia Planning Commission denies Marvin Fong's plan for a large development at 2236 Hollis Lane. The proposed project is 4 times larger than the existing property, which upset a grass roots group effort to prevent "mansionization."
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.
License revocation upheld for internet studios run by couple Dr. Susan Block and Maximillian Lobkowicz. City says sex therapist Dr. Susan Block and husband allow people to sleep there overnight in the business building on Las Tunas Drive that is zoned for office use. City revoked their license on July 28. The couple appealed but the city's Planning Commission upheld the decision. The couple will appeal again.
Proposed 53-foot tall cellular service tower at Church of the Transfiguration divides residents in Arcadia. Residents don't want a 5-story tower. The church would receive $2000/month from Verizon. The Planning Commission denied the proposal in September 2016 and City Council will hear Verizon's appeal tonight.
Proposed two-story home at 1101 S. Fifth Avenue causes kerfuffle. At this week's Arcadia City Council meeting, the project's neighbors appealed the Planning Commission's decision to approve the design of the 3588 s.f. house. Neighbors complain of loss of light and privacy. In a 3-2 vote, the Planning Commission's decision was upheld on the conditions that the owner remove windows on the north and south sides of the second floor.
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.