Newsletter
of the
Northwest Glendale Homeowners Association
Largest Neighborhood Association in Glendale
Spring 2006 Volume 16 #1
Glendale Police Hold Special NW Meeting
Local Legend Tony Wade Retires
Susan Stanton of Foothill Gift Shop Retiring
Recent DRB Actions Show Power of Neighbors
NWGHA Favors Area 14 Downzoning
President's Message--
By Peter Fuad
NWGHA President
Almost three years ago we asked our members what issues were important to them and what positions we ought to take on those issues. We had a very high response rate, and we effectively used the survey results to guide us and—most important—to give us tremendous credibility when appearing before Council and city boards to present the Association’s—your—positions.
How time flies. We are asking you to participate in a survey again. Not only do we think it’s important to have fresh results, but since 2003 we have seen new issues arise that we want your opinion on.
Please complete and return the survey. To help you respond, we have described in more detail some of the more complex issues.
We will analyze the results and announce them in the next issue of The Guardian.
Glendale Police Hold Special NW Meeting
By Carol Brusha
I
n response to a high volume of phone calls in the last few months to police from neighbors living in and around the 1500 and 1600 blocks of Hillcrest Avenue, the Glendale Police Department held a special meeting at Brand Library and Art Center to discuss the issues with residents.Organized by Lt. Todd Stokes, our Northwest Glendale police representative, the February 23 event shed light on why there has been an unusual amount of traffic in the area, as well as other matters of concern.
Musicians of Note
It was explained that three residences are now occupied by young men in the entertainment industry.
The traffic increase is because people are coming in the area to gawk at the homes and since there is usually an entourage that accompanies these individuals, there are now more cars parked on the street than normal. Unfortunately, there has also been one drive-by shooting. Nobody was injured.
GPD Speakers
Speakers included Captain Michael Rock, commander of Field Services, Sgt. Ian Grimes, head of the Robbery/Homicide Division; and Sgt. Javier Ruiz, Gang Unit head, who brought his entire unit. John Darby, from COPPS (Community Oriented Police Partnership) brought Minerva Gaines and Mary Mijach from his department.
It was made clear that the department is watching the area. There are also undercover officers coming around.
This also means that if police notice other infractions taking place, such as speeding or out-of-date license stickers on cars belonging to other residents and their visiting friends, the police will be citing them. Everyone was warned to obey the laws. Many questions were asked on a variety of other issues, ranging from speeding motorists to how to get more police.
By Carol Brusha
G
lendale is the first city in California to tackle the pilfering of shopping carts that are taken from businesses and left in our neighborhoods. The solution, as most readers know, is to now require store owners to keep the carts on their property.Noticeable Improvement
The plan went into effect January 1, 2006 and there is a noticeable improvement in Northwest Glendale. Most markets are now selling personal shopping carts which are easier to handle than the cumbersome ones used by stores. The cost is usually between $15 to $25 per cart.
There are 46 businesses in Glendale that use shopping carts. Administrative Analyst Suzana Delis is keeping records on those in compliance and those who are not. Containment can be by locking wheels as the carts are pushed off the premises or by not allowing carts out of the store. (Jon’s Market uses employees to take groceries to customers’ cars.)
Stores must post warning notices to customers about removing carts and have a retrieval system. It is a violation if five or more carts are lost per day per store.
However, there are still shopping carts around and, according to Delis, they are pushed from Burbank.
Abandoned carts can be reported to Neighborhood Services at 548-3700. If you want to do a good deed, if the cart is from Burbank, call the store where it is from.
Kenneth Village Spotlight
Local Legend Tony Wade Retires
Tony Wade locked up his tool kit and called it a day on Friday [December 9, 2005]. For residents of northwest Glendale and regulars at Kenneth Village it was a sad passage.
For 30 years, Tony’s Automotive has provided great service and the kick of having an old fashioned “service station” right down the street in an era of faceless, credit card-operated pumps and high dollar boutique repair shops.
Tony is a master mechanic, an irascible grouch, a sentimental softy, an outrageous flirt and one of the most generous contributors to local charities in the community. A weekend doesn’t go by when he isn’t flipping burgers at a local fundraiser or organizing some worthwhile event. [In December], you might even catch him sweating in his Santa Claus outfit, tooling around in an outrageous Corvette convertible. He’s been a constant source of amusement, aggravation and inspiration.
But what I think I will miss the most is driving by the garage and seeing the bay door open, Tony inside having a “beverage,” watching NASCAR on his filthy old TV and waiting for customers to pick up their cars. One of my favorite pastimes was pulling in, unwinding after work and having him regale me with stories of the golden age of California hot-rodding – the kind I used to dream about as a kid growing up in Kansas City. Tony has been and will always be a great friend. I’ll continue to enjoy his company, but at the Wade ranch, not at the corner garage. I wish the best of luck to the new proprietor and look forward to establishing a relationship with him, and I also wish many happy years of retirement to a genuine local legend. Thanks for all the grins, Tony.
Susan Stanton of Foothill Gift Shop Retiring
By Kathy Giachno
After 28 years, Susan Stanton is retiring the Foothill Gift Shop at 1405 Kenneth Road in the Kenneth Village. She has lots of exciting plans and is looking forward to an active retirement. Susan will greatly miss her customers and her involvement in the Kenneth Road Merchants' Association.
The gift shop has been an integral part of the village for over a quarter of a century. Although her retirement will be a loss for the neighborhood it will be a well deserved beginning for herself and for her family.
Recent DRB Actions Show Power of Neighbors
By PhilipKeller
NWGHA has always promoted and supported the involvement of homeowners in the DRB process.
The importance of this position was reinforced with three projects that came before the DRB this last quarter.
1300 Block of Western
A project in the 1300 block of Western Ave. included a proposed addition, a relocation of the property’s garage and a style change to the house itself. Along with NWGHA, neighbors spoke in opposition. They cited its incompatible scale, massing and a new garage that would sit detached and in front of the home. The DRB took the concerns of the neighbors to heart and returned this project for a more thoughtful and appropriate redesign.
1900 Block of Bellevue
A project in the 1900 block of Bellevue Dr., returning to DRB, brought many neighbors forward to voice their concerns. NWGHA and the neighbors noted that the proposed two-story home would be in stark contrast to all of the other 21 homes on the block, all of which are single story. We also felt that the proposed home lacked the design finesse and proper integration of roof lines to harmoniously blend into a street possessing such a significant level of period character architectural continuity. DRB agreed and returned the project for further redesign.
1600 Block of N. Pacific
Also returning to DRB was a project in the 1600 block of N. Pacific Ave. Several design elements were of concern, primarily a balcony running along the side of the house. Unpersuaded by sound arguments presented by the neighbors and NWGHA against the incompatible elements, DRB voted to approve it with only minor amendments.
The neighbors appealed the decision. This prompted the project’s architect to offer a compromise that satisfied the neighbors’ major concerns.
The Survey is here.
Here is the background on the some of the questions on our survey on the opposite page.
Question 2—Compatibility to Future Projects. Some DRB members maintain that “compatibility” means compatibility with future projects— as yet unbuilt, or not even proposed. Of course, what DRB approves now will foreshadow that future. Does “compatibility” relate to existing or future homes?
Question 3—DRB Exemptions. The Zoning Code allows Staff to exempt changes of less than 200 sq. ft. to front facades of homes from DRB review without notice to neighbors. This includes porches, windows and small additions. Working from limited data provided by the applicant, Staff sometimes exempts poor projects. However, subjecting all such projects to DRB review might be overkill and inundate Staff and DRB. Should all such projects be subject to DRB review or, at least, be noticed to neighbors so they can require DRB review if they object to it?
Question 4—Garages in Front. Some DRB members think it’s ok, because they are more convenient, to allow new garages in the front of a house on a block where other homes have garages only in the back. Should these be permitted, or do they break up the continuity and rhythm of prewar neighborhoods with backyard garages?
Question 6—Area of Compatibility. The DRB now notifies neighbors within a 300-ft. radius of a proposed project. DRB uses this notice area as the basis for determining compatibility, rather than focusing on the actual block on which the house is located. In NW Glendale, houses and lots can vary considerably from block to block. Should the actual block or all surrounding blocks be the primary area to determine compatibility ?
Question 9—Exceeding FAR. The Association appealed a variance granted last Fall allowing a homeowner to expand their house beyond the maximum .30 FAR and lost. The variance was justified on the grounds that the house was smaller than the average home within the surrounding multi-block area, (but not its block, an instance of the issue raised in Question 6), the proposed second-story would be mainly hidden, and some newer, but pre-DRB homes in the area already exceeded the .30 FAR. Absent extraordinary circumstances (more than the above reasons) should exceeding the maximum FAR ever be allowed?
Question 10—Mega Homes on Hillside Lots. Some recent projects propose new homes that are much bigger than other homes in the neighborhood on hillside lots that are much bigger than other lots in the neighborhood. Even though these “mega” homes are permitted under FAR limits because of the large lot, their hillside setting may result in them looming over neighbors. Should such homes be required to be downsized, sometimes much below the maximum FAR, if it would make them more compatible with surrounding homes?
Question 15—Parcel Tax to Buy Undeveloped Lots. The surest way to stop development of infill hillside lots is for the City to buy them. Would you vote for a parcel tax on your property to fund a program to buy hillsides lots in your area?
The Glendale Historic Preservation Commission and Planning Commission have held hearings on guidelines for the formation of historic districts within the city. After they complete their review of the ordinance, it will go before the City Council for adoption.
NWGHA Favors Area 14 Downzoning
The NWGHA joined the Coordinating Council and neighbors in testifying at the March 14 City Council meeting in favor of downzoning Area 14, encompassing the Glendale Garden Homes, to medium density R-2250 from the current high density R-1250 zone. A majority of the Council appeared to favor a change to R-1650 only. Peter Fuad spoke.