ALTADENA: Builders of the La Vina housing...

ALTADENA: Builders of the La Vina housing development in the foothills bordering Angeles National Forest have begun clearing the old sanatorium site to make way for 272 houses, the project manager said. A judge approved the plans Dec. 9, ruling that the project’s environmental impact report is sufficient and that it complies with the county’s general plan. The Friends of La Vina, an Altadena environmental group, had fought the project in the courts for more than five years. The developer, Cantwell Anderson and Southwest Diversified, expects to begin construction in March, and the first houses should be ready for sale in September.

ARCADIA: The City Council has voted to require businesses with four or more arcade game machines to get a conditional use permit from the city. In addition, council members gave final approval to a change in city law to allow restaurants to have sidewalk dining and approved the purchase of a $468,000 aerial ladder truck for the Fire Department.

City Manager William R. Kelly also announced the appointment of Rick Gomez as deputy city manager and development services director. Gomez is a former redevelopment director for Rancho Cucamonga.

DUARTE: Councilman James D. Kirchner has moved into the mayor’s seat and Councilman Phillip R. Reyes has become mayor pro tem. The mayor is appointed by the council annually.

IRWINDALE: The council certified a final environmental impact report for the Nu-Way Live Oak Landfill on Live Oak Avenue, and approved a conditional use permit for the 75-acre site. The landfill has been operating on an interim basis for several years.

SOUTH PASADENA: The City Council unanimously approved new design guidelines for the city’s residential and commercial buildings. The council is especially concerned about the growing number of fast-food businesses.