By Brian CHERNICK

After long deliberation and hearing from experts and the community, Glendale City Council voted unanimously against moving forward with a 44-unit, five-story multi-family development project at 126, 128 and 132 South Kenwood Street.

While much of the discussion on the property revolved around the perceived overdevelopment throughout Glendale and the unsightliness of the proposed building, the council chose to deny the project development due to the location’s historical value and significance as 128 S. Kenwood was the former house for Reverend Clifford Cole, who contributed to the city’s growth and community enhancement.

Mayor Paula Devine argued the project design lacked interesting detail and articulation, suggesting there be more interesting design decisions made for the development of Glendale’s residential areas.

“I don’t want our neighborhoods

to look like downtown,” Devine said. “I just don’t.”

The project was first brought to city council back in March 2015 but was put on hold to prepare an Environmental Impact Report (EIR), which was presented during Tuesday’s meeting.

Despite the EIR’s suggesting the properties did not “meet the criteria of the Glendale Register of Historic Resources or the California Register of Historical Resources” council members disagreed with the report and rejected it.

The council also voted to pass an ordinance authorizing a facility lease agreement between the City of Glendale and Verizon Wireless at Babe Herman Little League Field. Verizon had previously held a lease agreement for the property with the city up until December 2015 and has been on a month-to-month rental since.

The lease agreement will allow Verizon to continue operating on a 1,200 square foot area of the property for a term of 10 years with an option to renew up to a total of 25 years.

Council member Vartan Gharpetian was the only member to vote against the lease agreement, expressing concerns for the health of young kids who frequently visit the park.

City Manager Scott Ochoa assured Gharpetian that the establishment of cell towers and other related operations near parks or where children frequent was not unique, suggesting that failure to allow Verizon to maintain its facility in the area might lead to proliferation of other cell towers throughout the residential neighborhoods.

  Brian CHERNICK