The proposals submitted for the Rockhaven property have been released by Glendale and are available on the city’s website, http://tinyurl.com/znrtqfh. By the time this is published they will have been presented to the Glendale City Council at a special meeting starting at
3 p.m. on Tuesday. The video of the meeting will be available here, http://tinyurl.com/jxtmu2l and the agenda has a link to the staff summary of the proposals, http://www.glendaleca.gov/government/departments/city-clerk/agendas-minutes. The last page is a matrix that facilitates comparison of the submissions.

The seven proposals include three medical/mental health options. Cliffside Malibu is proposing to return the site to its former use and operate the facility as a high- end, in-patient and out-patient substance abuse recovery center. Houk Development Company is proposing a plan to restore Rockhaven to its intended use as an in-patient psychiatric residential treatment facility. Mental disorders to be treated at the facility include mood, anxiety and personality disorders.

Summit Senior Life (“SSL”) is proposing a senior living campus that has three components: 1) The Agnes Richards Memorial Public Park, which will be developed and then transferred back to the City; 2) An independent senior living campus; 3) A 117,105 square- foot, three-story facility over underground parking.

The other four proposals are for boutique lifestyle commercial centers. Avalon Investment Company and Creative Space is proposing the creation of a boutique hotel and community garden called The Retreat at Rockhaven. It will create 10,000 square feet of new construction, generally located on the southern half of the property. Brooks Street is presenting a boutique lifestyle commercial center that includes 30 residential units from 450 to 900 square feet each. The proposal calls for bungalow court cottages, a coffee roaster, micro-brewery, farmers market, wine room, outdoor dining, organic kitchen and herb garden, boutique shops and an art gallery.

Gangi Design Led Build (“Gangi”) is proposing the Rockhaven Historic Park, a boutique lifestyle commercial center and park that calls for the rehabilitation of all historic buildings, walls and gates. The proposal calls for community space, 20,000 square feet of retail opportunities, farm-to-table garden cultivation and space for local groups such as the Historical Society of Crescenta Valley and Glendale Historical Society.

Metro Investments (“Metro”) is proposing the Rockhaven Village and Park concept, with three major components: 1) Rehabilitation of the existing Rockhaven Sanitarium buildings into a boutique retail village; 2) Creation of a new public park; 3) Development of 36, three-story first-time home-buyers residential units.

At the Nov. 15 council meeting staff plans to ask the council to select which of the proposals to consider for further negotiations. Please take the time to review all the material and make comments to the council, either in person at the meeting or via email. Mayor Paula Devine, pdevine@glendaleca.gov, Councilmember Laura Friedman, lfriedman@glendaleca.gov, Councilmember Vartan Gharpetian, Vgharpetian@glendaleca.gov, Councilmember Ara Najarian, anajarian@glendaleca.gov, and Councilmember Zareh Sinanyan, zsinanyan@glendaleca.gov.

If it seems to you that the city leadership is pushing for a rapid decision, please include a request for more time for community input in your comments.  Although the city has owned the property for roughly eight years there are still nearby residents who are not aware of the potential for development of the property. There are two 28-unit condominium projects already approved in the area, one on the Mix property just east on Honolulu Avenue (being built by Metro Investments) and the other a bit further away at Pennsylvania Avenue and the 210 Freeway (a Gangi development). Both had been discussed at several meetings with community stakeholders and the designs refined to satisfy adjacent residents and other stakeholders prior to city approval. I think the city can take a few more months to consider the best project for Rockhaven rather than rush through the process during the holiday season.

The next regular Crescenta Valley Community Association meeting will be  Jan. 26, 2017 starting at 7 p.m. in the Community Room at the La Crescenta Library, 2809 Foothill Blvd. Park in the upper lot accessed from La Crescenta Avenue. Far North Glendale Homeowners annual meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. prior to the CVCA meeting. We may hold a special meeting Dec. 22 because there are likely to be significant updates on many local issues.

Our meetings are free and open to the public.