Newsletter
of the
Northwest Glendale Homeowners Association
Largest Neighborhood Association in Glendale
Fall 2006 17th Year, Issue 3
Fall 2006Table of Contents:
Design Rules; Prop 90; Year of the Window
Remodeled Home Tests Code Enforcement
Music, Comedy and Fun at the ‘Barefoot Cabaret’
Kenneth Village Spotlight:
Ivy’s Flower Station Is A Dream Come True For New Owner
Design Rules; Prop 90; Year of the Window
By Peter Fuad
As noted below, a home on Highland Avenue that, according to city officials, has been remodeled without required design or planning approvals will prove to be a test case as to whether Glendale will diligently enforce its building and zoning codes.
Although this project has drawn much attention because of its visibility on a heavily traveled street, there are many unauthorized construction projects throughout the city. Some of these projects are minor, but a number involve substantial and visible remodeling which, all too often, are badly designed and/or incompatible with the neighborhood. (These illegal projects are to be distinguished from another problem— supposedly “minor” remodels approved at the Planning counter without design review that are, in fact, significant and unsightly.)
· How aggressively will the City pursue corrective action and assess appropriate increased fines?
·
Will the changes be approved over the counter without DRB review or, if reviewed by the DRB, merely rubber-stamped? Or will the homeowner actually be required to rip out incompatible elements?In short, will homeowners who ignore city ordinances be held to strict account or will they be rewarded by timid enforcement of zoning and planning codes, which would have the effect of encouraging others to the same? One of the NWGHA primary commitments is diligent enforcement of city design codes.
Year of the Window
Y
our board of directors has declared 2006-2007 the “Year of the Window.” We believe that a good remodel begins with windows. However, we find homeowners wishing to remodel or replace weathered wood or other original windows are often unaware of the importance of windows, and that old wood windows can frequently be refurbished and saved at an affordable cost, thus avoiding buying new windows that are not in keeping with the original home.Proposition 90 Defeated
Californians who favor responsible land use and design controls dodged a bullet in the November 7th election when Proposition 90 was defeated.
Proposition 90 was billed as a measure that would stop the government from using eminent domain to take private property on behalf of developers. But it also would have thrown into doubt the ability of state and local governments, (including the Coastal Commission) to limit hillside development, impose height and density limits, prevent McMansions, have design review and even adopt historic districts because it would have required compensation to property owners for any “substantial” loss in property value caused by new laws or rules.
California law already says that only blighted properties can be taken for redevelopment, reducing the likelihood of the eminent domain abuse experienced in other states.
The vast majority of the money in support came from groups led by or connected to conservative New York real estate investor Howie Rich, who has long supported candidates and measures favoring property rights, term limits, tax cuts and school vouchers. He also poured money into similar measures in seven other states.
I write this because proponents vow to pay for the signatures necessary to get a similar measure on the 2008 ballot. Let the voter beware.
Finally, we wish Elaine Wilkerson well as she leaves her post as Glendale Planning Director. Her office was always open to us and other homeowner groups, and she was a forceful, fair and effective advocate of many of our important positions.
Back to Contents
Remodeled Home Tests Code Enforcement
A
home in the 1300 block of Highland Avenue will prove to be a test of the city enforcing its design and building laws.The home was recently extensively remodeled to include a new red brick façade, a retaining wall along the sidewalk and a large wrought iron fence in the front yard. According to city records, only one permit had been issued when work was underway, and it was for one electrical circuit in the garage. No other construction permits had been issued.
The Story So Far
Neighbors repeatedly reported the project to city officials while work was in progress. Here is a chronology of events, according to city records:
In
Notwithstanding the stop order, work continued on the property. In response to more neighbor concern and an inquiry from the NWGHA, a city inspector made a second visit to the property on July 20, 2006. The inspector issued another stop order and sent a second letter requiring a response within 15 days.
Work nonetheless continued on the property, and a third visit by the inspector took place on August 12, 2006. This time the homeowner was issued a letter requiring them to attend a city conference meeting with the Neighborhood Services case manager for this project.
The homeowner requested an extension to attend this conference, which was denied
Next Steps
The homeowner and city case manager met on September 19, 2006. According to city officials, the outcome of that meeting required that the following items be corrected by the homeowner:
Obtain required permits and city approvals for all new garage roof supports and beams, exterior steps, brick facade and windows. The Planning Department will determine whether DRB review and approval is needed. The NWGHA letter wrote a letter to city officials urging DRB review.
Remove the exterior front yard white wrought iron fence. (There was no mention of what appears to be an illegal retaining wall spanning the front yard.)
All of the foregoing must be complied with by January 9, 2007.
The Usual Process
Under normal procedures, once a permit is issued, a homeowner has 180 days to commence construction. Once construction has begun and onsite inspections are progressing, a homeowner has another 180 days to complete construction. All fees on any work done illegally or without permit are subject to being doubled.
Design Review Boards will not approve the design proposal on work already done, as in this case, unless city permits have been issued.
The ultimate penalty for not complying with design and permit requires is to force the homeowner to tear down any unauthorized construction.
Music, Comedy and Fun at the ‘Barefoot Cabaret’
By Carol Brusha
The monthly Barefoot Cabaret, held at Yoga at the Village in Kenneth Village, is creative nighttime entertainment for the whole family.
Started last March by NWGHA members Elyse (Lee) Briggs, owner of the popular yoga studio, and her husband, Dean, a former NWGHA board member, it allows local performers (experienced and amateurs) to perform for their neighbors.
“We felt there was a tremendous need for neighborhood socialization,” said Lee. “The whole point of the yoga studio is to foster community, whether it’s in an actual yoga class or sitting together to enjoy performances.”
I
t is called The Barefoot Cabaret because everyone entering the studio needs to shed their shoes, which are forbidden on the yoga floor. It features a different performance line-up every month on a Saturday night. There are also light refreshments available. All ages are welcome and the audience, which range from babies to seniors, can sit in chairs or lounge on pillows that are strewed around the room. They can even dance to the music if the feeling hits.Most of the entertainment is for families but every so often it can be adult-oriented, such as when members from Saturday Night Live appear. To find out the schedule, stop in at the studio for a flyer, or call (818) 265-9833, or email
info@yogaatthevillage.com. There is a suggested donation of $7 for adults and $5 for children 12 and under. Kids 5 and under are free. The next cabaret is scheduled for January.Those who think they may have a talent worthy of performing before an audience are urged to contact Lee about a booking. This is quality entertainment in our own backyard.
Ivy’s Flower Station Is A Dream Come True For New Owner
By Carol Brusha
O
n Valentine’s Day, twenty three years ago, newly-married Marianne Atkinson was patiently waiting for her husband to arrive home so they could go out for a romantic evening. However, Richard Atkinson felt it was important, and perhaps prudent, to buy his new wife some flowers and from this small gesture of love began an idea. He ended up in an exceptionally long line that was out the door at the florist’s and so was late getting home. It was a frustrating experience for him, as well as for Marianne.A Vision of Drive-Through Flowers
“I had a vision of husbands and boyfriends waiting in line on this special day. I wondered if there wasn’t a better way to get them home faster and the idea hit me of a drive-through flower shop,” said Marianne.
This seed of an idea finally bloomed when Marianne opened Ivy’s Flower Station last April in the former gas station at the corner of Kenneth Road and Sonora. Rumor has it that this may be the first drive-through florist shop in the nation.
However, since finding the right place and location takes time, Richard and Marianne, who has always loved flowers and flower arrangements, began raising a family of three daughters, Lillie, now 18, Ivy, 8, and Daisy, 5. (Yes, the new store is named after their middle child.)
Marianne also had a twenty year career as an advertising photographer, which allowed her to do set-ups with flowers. Then for the past five years, she had a home-based flower business that flourished by word of mouth. Many of her customers were from Disney studios.
Serendipitous Location
Finding the Kenneth Road location was serendipitous. She was reading the Glendale News Press the day a story appeared about Tony, owner of Tony’s Automotive at Kenneth and Grandview, retiring and went to see if his station would be available for her flower shop. It had already been taken over by a new owner but, as luck would have it, she read the newspaper’s classified ads and found that her current location, a vintage 1923 Mobil Oil service station, was available. She could not believe her good luck.
Open 10 am to 7 pm
Ivy’s is open seven days from 10 am to 7 pm. Custom designed flower arrangements range from traditional to Marianne’s unique, signature arrangements, depending on her clients desires, and they are delivered free in the area. She is connected with FTD.
But, there’s more than flowers. Items suitable for the home and gifts are also available.
Project Blossom
Marianne has established Project Blossom to help her customers’ favorite charities and organizations “blossom and grow” by donating ten percent of their orders back to their designated groups. Current beneficiaries include the Alex Theatre, Stepping Stone Players and the Burbank Philharmonic Orchestra, to name a few. Clients can add names.
Flower Arranging Classes
She also teaches free flower arranging classes on the third Wednesday evening of each month. There is a material fee and reservations are needed. Call 818-500-7599 for more information.
Marianne was born in Glendale, grew up in Burbank and now lives in Chevy Chase Canyon.