LOCAL ELECTIONS : Arcadia: Concern over the trend toward building ‘monster homes’ on small lots is the focus of an otherwise low-key race.

Concern over the proliferation of large homes on small lots is livening up an otherwise low-key race for three City Council seats.

Among the six candidates, the two incumbents defend their handling of the “monster homes” issue, but some challengers say current building standards are too lax.

Mayor Roger Chandler, 45, seeking a second four-year term, is running on his record. He has voted to tighten building regulations to reduce the size of homes, add two new police officers for drug enforcement and acquire a site for a new police station.

Chandler, a 24-year veteran of the Sheriff’s Department, became chief of the Los Angeles Housing Authority police in January. He is a 22-year resident of Arcadia and holds a master’s degree in public administration from USC. He promises to continue redevelopment efforts along Huntington Drive.

Councilman Robert Harbicht, 49, is also running for a second term. The founding president of an Arcadia marketing research firm, the 16-year resident is running on his management qualifications and experience in local government.

Harbicht, who holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Cal State Northridge, was on the Duarte Planning Commission and City Council before moving to Arcadia, where he served four years on the Planning Commission.

As a councilman, Harbicht voted to tighten building regulations, and said more restrictions may be in store.

Councilman Dennis Lojeski decided not to seek reelection to a third term.

Charles (Chuck) Chivetta Sr. runs an urban planning consulting firm in the city. The 28-year resident holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in public administration from USC and has worked in building and planning departments of other cities for 25 years.

Chivetta, who said he has run unsuccessfully in every city election since 1976, thinks the newly enacted home-size restrictions are inadequate.

Joseph Ciraulo, 53, sits on the city’s Personnel Commission and runs a medical transcription service in Monrovia. A 28-year resident, he holds a master’s degree in business administration from UCLA. He favors case-by-case review of plans for new homes rather than citywide regulations. “Through design you can build a two-story house without destroying the privacy of neighbors,” he said. He said the council needs to show more compassion to property owners whose lots have been condemned for redevelopment.

George W. Fasching, 61, owns a car wash and is co-owner of a local travel agency. The 22-year resident, a member of the Arcadia Business Assn. and Chamber of Commerce, lauded redevelopment efforts on Huntington Drive but said the city could have negotiated better arrangements with developers. He said improving existing businesses should be a priority amid ambitious redevelopment efforts. He has criticized the council for being too “reactive” in dealing with “mansionization” complaints.

Eileen E. Stephen, 58, a teacher for home-bound high school students in the Arcadia Unified School District, has no complaints about current home-building restrictions. However, she claims that city officials favor developers in decisions. She said Arcadia needs more low-income housing and more library space.

She holds a bachelor’s degree in humanities from the State University of New York and is a member of the Coast Guard Auxiliary.