City of Arcadia, Hettrick Honored with APA Awards

The City of Arcadia and Scott Hettrick were honored by The Los Angeles Chapter of the American Planning Association (APA) in a ceremony last week for their tireless efforts in putting together the city’s recently updated General Plan. 

City of Arcadia staff along with consultant group Hogle-Ireland captured the APA's Comprehensive Plan Award/Award of Merit for the city's general plan update, no small feat considering most of the awards were given to jurisdictions with larger planning divisions and significantly more resources such as the City of Los Angeles, L.A. County and West Hollywood.

“For Arcadia to win for its General Plan along with the fantastic award for Citizen Planner awarded to Arcadian Scott Hettrick we feel is a major accomplishment for the citizen group who worked on the document (the General Plan Advisory Committee) as well as our City Council, Planning Commission, and the staff," said Jason Kruckeberg, Arcadia’s assistant city manager and development services director.

joined city staff and Hettrick at the Egyptian Theater in Hollywood for the awards ceremony held on June 22, 2011.

“It is a nice recognition for our hard-working staff, but also validation of the long-term vision and insight of our updated General Plan,” Kovacic told Patch in an e-mail.

“Arcadians should be very proud that one of our own – Scott Hettrick – was awarded the APA’s 2011 Citizen Planner award,” Kovacic added. “He certainly fits the mold of an active community volunteer who is interested in the common good.”

Hettrick--who received the Distinguished Leadership Award/Citizen Planner for his many volunteer efforts including his work on the General Plan and his leadership in the Historical Society's “History Lives Here” program which recognizes historic landmarks in Arcadia--called the award “a surprise and a real honor.”

“Mostly it makes me proud of the City staff who also won an award for the General Plan and for which our work with them for two years on the General Plan led to the award presented to me,” said Hettrick, giving credit to city staff and the rest of the General Plan Advisory Committee for the award.

Despite perhaps needing a break from his many efforts, Hettrick--who serves as the executive director of the Arcadia Chamber of Commerce in addition to blogging at his Arcadiasbest.com website and -- isn’t sitting idly after the APA’s recognition. He and his Arcadia’s Best Foundation organized and the group is also working on something big for 2012.

“We are in discussions with HBO and Santa Anita about staging a community world premiere of the new HBO TV series Luck here in Arcadia in January for community members to have the chance to meet many of the stars and producers, as well as national media,” Hettrick told Patch.

Every year, L.A.’s APA--more than 1,100 members strong—recognizes planning and environmental achievements by individuals, cities and business. Both Hettrick and the city are now eligible for State-wide recognition.