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COMPLIMENTARY COPY VOLUME 20, NO. 13
Anti-Mansionization Goes to the Ballot
Councilman Sho Tay.
Councilman Roger Chandler.
- Photos by Terry Miller
Candidate April Verlato.
BY KATTA HULES Arcadia’s zoning issue continues as anti-mansionization group Saving Arcadia takes it to the ballot. Councilmember Roger Chandler calls their ballot initiative “horrific.” “I can’t imagine
people would voluntarily want to take away their own property rights to [that] extent.” April Verlato, former president of Saving Arcadia, says the initiative “put[s] forth the zoning code standards that are prevalent throughout the San Gabri-
el Valley.” Verlato left the group to run for city council. “Mansionization” or the trend of building large “mansions” has been happening for at least 20 years, says Verlato. Speculative developers drive mansionization,“buying
GPS Bait Helps Cops Nab Thieves
The Arcadia Police Department is committed to reducing property crimes by taking a proactive approach to catch criminals as they commit crimes. The police department has procured SEE PAGE 12
Included in the suspected stolen property was an array of personal identifying information - including social security cards. – Courtesy Photo
homes to tear them down, build [mansions], and sell them on speculation.” This causes neighborhood-wide problems, says David Arvizu, current Saving Arcadia president, namely, “loss of privacy, loss of your views, overcrowding, and ulti-
mately it ends up costing the city more.” But, he insists, it is not the mansion residents’ fault, who are often unaware how unpopular their houses are. Saving Arcadia grew from Save the Arcadia Highlands (STAH), which “start-
ed when it was just about the recent development pattern” in the Highlands says Verlato. Saving Arcadia was created after city council froze their zoning reforms due to a lawsuit last May. SEE PAGE 13
Residential Burglary Suspect Arrested Last Friday, March 25, at approximately 8:55 p.m., Arcadia Police Officers were dispatched to the 200 block of Monte Place in regards to a suspicious vehicle parked on the driveway of a residence, with a male
black subject standing by it. The vehicle then left the location and was last seen southbound on Highland Oaks Drive. Responding Arcadia police officers located the suspicious vehicle, occupied by a male black
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subject, getting onto the 210 Freeway eastbound on ramp and attempted to stop it. The vehicle failed to yield and a pursuit ensued on the freeway. California Highway SEE PAGE 12