Preserving Arcadia's Community of Homes

By Mary E. Dougherty

Residents of Arcadia told the General Plan Advisory Committee that their most important concerns were the preservation of the atmosphere of a community of homes, and the prevention of mansionization.

To that end, I strongly believe in individuals' property rights. Not just the property rights of the owner/builder/developer of property being developed, but also the property rights of the neighboring properties.

The City of Arcadia has Single-Family Residential Design Guidelines that were adopted in April 2009, that notes in site planning that "the location, configuration, size, and design of new buildings and structures, or the alteration or enlargement of exiting structures should be visually harmonious with their sites and compatible with the character and quality of the surroundings."

It further states that "The height and bulk of proposed dwellings and structures on the site should be in scale and in proportion with the height and bulk of dwellings and structures on surrounding sites;" and that "the design of a new house should provide effective and varied open space around the residence."

In light of these requirements, how did the City approve a 17,000 square foot residence with 10 bedrooms, 15 bathrooms and an indoor swimming pool?

This residence that is currently under construction sits between two houses that each has fewer than 2,500 square feet. That means that it is 7 times the size of those homes! Furthermore, the design has a solid wall with windows facing the neighbor's yard with no open space.

The next largest house in the neighborhood according to the Assessor's map is 5,900 square feet. So this house that is being constructed is three times the size of the next largest house. Yet, no one was notified of construction plans. The first notification the neighbors received was the beginning of construction, at which time the neighbors were told that it was a legal house and they had no right to appeal.

This means if staff had denied the application, that the owner/builder/developer could have appealed to the Planning Commission. However, the neighbors that were impacted had no right of appeal. I think that is just plain wrong!

When one person's proposed actions impact another's property rights that individual should be notified. That doesn't mean that a neighbor can veto his or her neighbor's project. It simply means that the neighbor can be heard, and that protecting the neighbor's property rights are as important a consideration as the developer's in the development process.

Yes, I believe in property rights! I believe in everyone's property rights!