Arcadia, Hettrick win APA Awards

The Los Angeles Section of the American Planning Association (APA) has recognized the City of Arcadia’s Planning efforts through two prestigious awards, the City announced today. The two awards are:

* The General Plan Update, adopted by the Arcadia City Council in 2010 and the first since 1996, won the Comprehensive Plan Award, Small Jurisdiction, Award of Merit.

* Scott Hettrick of Arcadia’s Best won for “Distinguished Leadership Award – Citizen Planner.”

This year’s awards ceremony will be held Wednesday, June 22, at the historic Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood.

The General Plan award recognizes many long hours and much hard work from the General Plan Advisory Committee (GPAC), Hogle-Ireland (planning consultant), and from our lead project managers, Jason Kruckeberg, Assistant City Manager and Development Services Director, and Lisa L. Flores, Senior Planner.

The General Plan implements community values by preserving existing neighborhoods, while creating a framework for smart and sustainable growth for years to come and the zoning mechanisms to direct development proposals.

Many impressive nominations were also received as part of this year’s awards in the category of Distinguished Leadership – Citizen Planne. Mr. Hettrick, winner of this category, has clearly demonstrated outstanding leadership through countless hours of volunteer efforts and his work in a number of areas such as his preservation efforts through the Arcadia Historical Society’s “History Lives Here” historical marker program; bringing a diverse community together by reporting local news, activities, and surveys on hot-button topics through his ArcadiasBest.com web site and e-newsletter; more than two years of volunteer work with the GPAC, and his volunteer lobbying through his role as co-chairman of the Arcadia Chamber of Commerce’s Government Affairs Forum that contributed to the successful approval of the Gold Line Foothill Extension project.

These are two very prestigious awards as LA APA only honors outstanding efforts in planning and planning leadership, including cutting-edge achievements and planning under difficult or adverse circumstances.

“This is quite a surprise and honor,” Hettrick said. “I’m so glad Jason and Lisa were also deservedly recognized for their work on the General Plan as they were the real leaders, once again demonstrating what terrific people we have working for us at the city. As I did no more than any of the 12 other volunteers on the GPAC team that spent dozens of hours over 2 1/2 years volunteering on a committee to help shape the massive document, and as I am just one of the devoted members doing so much good work at the Arcadia Historical Society and Arcadia Chamber of Commerce, I consider this award recognition of the collective efforts of all of these wonderful and productive groups and will accept on their behalf.”

Winning the top prize in this Citizen Planner category for the Los Angeles region makes Hettrick eligible for the California Chapter State Section APA Awards Fall Program in Santa Barbara. Should he be fortunate enough to win at that ceremony in Santa Barbara, the final step would be the national awards, scheduled to be a part of the APA National Conference being held at the Los Angeles Convention Center in April 2012.