The Guardian

Text Box: By Carol Brusha Glendale has a new method to determine households that are in compliance with permit regulations on home improvement projects. All jobs that require permits, and most do, must now display a yellow Construction Permit Notice in a conspicuous area at the work site.  This means in a street-facing window.  Placing it in another location requires the approval of a Building Inspector.  The purpose is to prove that a permit for construction or remodeling has been obtained.  This notice program is only for residential projects, not commercial. “Badge of Honor” Building Official Stuart Tom said that as these notices become more prevalent throughout the city they will not only be considered “a badge of honor,” for those homeowners who obtained permits, but will also help identify bootleg work since those homes will not have a yellow notice. “People displaying the signs should feel proud to show they are abiding by the rules.  Those doing illegal jobs will stand out like a sore thumb making it easier to be discovered,” said Tom. The sign is an official document bearing the city seal and unauthorized reproduction and posting is a misdemeanor offense.  City officials will be taking a hard look at signs that appear to be illegally reproduced. Going Forward, Yellow Tag a Must Since the procedure began earlier this year, not all homes will be displaying the notices at this point in time.  However, according to Tom, eventually everyone doing work will have them.  “There better not be construction work going on without these displayed in windows,” he said, adding that it is really no trouble to get required permits. Those homeowners caught without permits will have their fees doubled, and on major projects this can be a hefty penalty. The idea of public notification began when a city plan checker, visiting another state, saw one in a window and thought it was an interesting idea.  The rest is now history. Glendale’s signs were worked out with staff from both Building and Safety and Neighborhood Services. The notice lists the project address, permit number, date issued, exactly what work is authorized to be performed, and a brief description of the project. Call if No Yellow Tag Homeowners concerned about projects that do not have signs can call Building and Safety at 548-3200 with the address to see if the work is permitted.  If no permit was issued the next step is to call Neighborhood Services at 548-3700 to report the infraction and an inspector will be sent to the job site.  But remember, because this program is new, a few projects that began at the beginning of 2005 may not have notices.  Still it never hurts to find out. NORTHWEST GLENDALE HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION
LARGEST HOMEOWNER ASSOCIATION IN GLENDALE

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Text Box: By Peter Fuad President A number of recent events continue to demonstrate the necessity of “eternal vigilance” over the City enforcing its own laws. The NWGHA lost a BZA appeal of a variance which allows a home to expand to a .37 FAR—23% over the .30 FAR limit.  See story in adjacent column. We felt it was important to make a stand on this project for two reasons: First, except in rare circumstances, the FAR maximum should be nonnegotiable.  The BZA decision shows we are already on the slippery slope to bowing to whatever applicants want and justifying it on the basis of prior FAR violations. Secondly, the area to determine compatibility should be the block, consisting of both sides of the street, on which the home is actually located.  The BZA considered the  larger 300-500 radius for giving notices.  This takes in other blocks and streets that can have very different lot sizes— which was the case here.  Also, we don’t think a large notice area (which is good) should take priority over the area most directly affected by a project—  the block on which it is located.  Extra Look at Big Projects Another matter involved a conditional use permit (CUP) allowing a 8,495 square foot house on Kempton Drive.  This matter presents the case of a proposed home which nominally meets all code requirements, but which in fact would dwarf other homes in the area.  There is no effective way that frustrated neighbors could challenge it.  The DRB hearing may be too late.  We think there should be some extra level of scrutiny that is triggered whenever there is a project of this size. Front Yard DRB Exceptions Finally, a continuing frustration is when Planning Division staff grants an “over the counter” exception to DRB review for additions and remodels in the front of a house, as permitted by current code.  There are several such exempted projects under construction that adversely affect the architectural integrity of the home and compatibility on the block.  In fact, we have rarely seen a front yard remodel that did not have a major, frequently adverse, impact on a home.  We believe that all front yard projects should be subject to DRB review or, at a minimum, that notice be given to adjacent neighbors to enable them to trigger mandatory DRB review if they don’t like what they see. We will continue our eternal vigilance.

Building Official Stuart Tom shows the new Construction Permit Notice. 

Text Box: City Needs to Enforce its Design/Compatibility Codes Text Box: President’s Message Text Box: Yellow Sign Means Things Are Fine
 

Text Box: Village Spotlight Text Box: By Kathy Giachino Due to increased demand by her happy and satisfied clientele, Kelly Tourgeman of The Pilates Body has begun an expansion.  The address remains the same but the area will be almost doubled, allowing the space to become the premiere Pilates studio in Glendale and Burbank. New Design The new design will allow for more Total Reformer and mat work classes, including a new “springboard” class that replicates Pilate exercises done on the traditional “Trapeze Table” know as the “Cadillac.”  There will also be a private client training room, reception area and changing room.  The Pilates Body Regimen Pilates is a fast, fun and effective fitness program that combines strength, flexibility and coordination to build a healthier and happier body.  It is a progressive and safe form of exercise for all levels of fitness and ages. In an hour you will receive a full-body workout, that tones abs and rear, improves posture, promotes weight loss and enhances physical and emotional well-being. 50% Off Offer Kelly is now offering a 50% off on the first private apparatus session or mat work class. The Pilates Body has a staff of three instructors and a schedule of classes for all levels.  The Pilates Body, Kelly Tourgeman, 1401 West Kenneth Road, 818-265-9918.

Text Box: Kempton Drive CUP for Big Home is Approved

Text Box: Eternal Vigilance — NWGHA continues the good fight for good design and compatible homes.

On September 1, the City approved a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) to grade 8,640 cubic yards of cut and 2,470 cubic yards of fill to construct a 8,495 sq. ft. home at 265 Kempton Drive.  The lot has an average slope of 79%.

Although it will be located on a large 141,166 square foot lot, resulting in a low FAR, the home will dwarf surrounding homes. 

Neighbor Frustration

Neighbors were very frustrated because they felt they could not adequately address the project’s large size and construction impact, even with the extra meeting scheduled by the city between residents and the developer.  The NWGHA became involved at the request of neighbors.

Issues of compatibility will be addressed at the subsequent DRB hearing, but the Association has found that the DRB is reluctant to downsize any CUP-approved project because of the “bandwagon effect” of such approval.  Notwithstanding the low FAR, there is nothing to prevent the developer from later subdividing the large lot to build additional homes.  (See President’s Message above.)

Text Box: On September 1, the City approved a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) to grade 8,640 cubic yards of cut and 2,470 cubic yards of fill to construct a 8,495 sq. ft. home at 265 Kempton Drive.  The lot has an average slope of 79%. Although it will be located on a large 141,166 square foot lot, resulting in a low FAR, the home will dwarf surrounding homes.  Neighbor Frustration Neighbors were very frustrated because they felt they could not adequately address the project’s large size and construction impact, even with the extra meeting scheduled by the city between residents and the developer.  The NWGHA became involved at the request of neighbors. Issues of compatibility will be addressed at the subsequent DRB hearing, but the Association has found that the DRB is reluctant to downsize any CUP-approved project because of the “bandwagon effect” of such approval.  Notwithstanding the low FAR, there is nothing to prevent the developer from later subdividing the large lot to build additional homes.  (See President’s Message above.) Text Box: Make Yours a Pilates Body