So Goes The Neighborhood

I am probably going to date myself here but in 1976 there was a movie called “Network” starring Faye Dunaway and Peter Finch. It featured an iconic scene by news anchor Howard Beale who launches into a full-throated monologue, telling listeners to run to their windows and scream, “I’m mad as hell and I’m not going to take this anymore!” I can totally relate to the character’s outrage following my own frustration with a couple of public meetings this week.

But first, a history lesson.

In 2009, there was a project proposed for Foothill Boulevard near Dunsmore Avenue. The massive structure with three levels of retail and office space would have been out of character among the rest of the one-story businesses, essentially towering over them and blocking all mountain views. Following the approval of the project by the Glendale Design Review Board (DRB), neighbors appealed the decision and the Glendale City Council agreed, denying the project. The Council realized that the 50-foot height allowance on Foothill in that area was inconsistent with the other jurisdictions and that led to a change in the commercial hillside zone to 35 feet and, ultimately, in 2011 the creation of the North Glendale Community Plan (NGCP) that defined the vision for the community. For the next 10 years, new businesses that came in, like Wells Fargo at 3200 Foothill Blvd., were built with low-scaled, natural-looking architecture and landscaping that fit the community and enhanced the beauty we all enjoy.

Recently, however, we have seen a surge of new, large-scale housing projects being submitted throughout the Crescenta Valley under State Bill 1818. Two in the Glendale portion of La Crescenta were recently moved forward. An 18-unit apartment project at 2941-2943 Honolulu Avenue, the site of the former Leo’s Sports Bar, was approved by the DRB with three broad concessions (allowing 43-foot height in a 25-foot maximum commercial zone) and 15 conditions rather than returning to the applicant for redesign. The neighborhood associations appealed the decision, primarily because the design did not fit the design guidelines of the NGCP. At a recent Glendale City Council meeting, the appellants presented their case showing the conditions required by the DRB did not address the mass and scale of the project or add any architectural interest to the modern, boxy design. Neighbors pointed to the size of the building compared to the one- and two-story businesses and homes adjacent to it and that the developer had made no attempt to use traditional design or natural materials. Some members of the City Council balked, resulting a 2-2 split vote. The project will remain on the agenda until resolved.

The other project is located at 3950 Foothill Blvd., the site of First Steps preschool at Lowell Avenue. The applicant proposes three buildings, three-to-four stories each, containing 34 apartments and four commercial units on the ground floor with multi-level parking. The case went before the DRB and community members from three jurisdictions sent approximately 40 letters with several calling in during the meeting. Their main concern was the monumental size of the buildings with a height of 41 feet on Foothill and 51 feet on Lowell where up to 35 feet is allowed in the commercial hillside zone. Other issues raised were building massing, traffic volumes and deliveries, removal of mature pine trees, loss of mountain views, not following the topography, extensive grading and dirt haul routes, and more. Curiously though, the DRB didn’t seem appropriately concerned about these issues and instead homed in on the color palette. One boardmember flippantly stated the community shouldn’t worry about the project size and that residents will be lucky to live there. The final vote was 5-0 to approve the project.

More density housing bills are coming from Sacramento and my hope is that Glendale planners will help us realize our community vision, not destroy it – and yeah, I’m mad as hell.

Susan Bolan
susanbolan710@gmail.com