Newsletter
of the
Northwest Glendale Homeowners Association
Largest Neighborhood Association in Glendale
Summer 2004 Volume 14 #2
President's
Message--
Why We Don't Hear Projects in Advance of DRB
Michael Fedrick Elected to 2004-06 NWGHA Board
Kenneth
Village Spotlight: Michelle Ray Mooney Elected
Head of Village Merchants Assn.
Association Elects Board Members and Officers
Design Principles Available to Developers
Annual Meeting Highlight--Randy Carter, a founding member, director and frequent president of the NWGHA, was honored at May’s annual meeting. Randy, always an eloquent spokesman for our group, help found the Association in 1989. He did not seek reelection this year. Presenting a plaque to Randy is Peter Fuad, current NWGHA President. As part of the early NWGHA, Randy was instrumental in establishing the current design review system to oversee remodels and new projects. (Dean Briggs Photo)
Council Adopts Changes to DRB Appeals Process
By Bob Getts
On June 1 the City Council enacted an ordinance amending a number of Design Review Board procedures. The proposed ordinance was reported in the last issue of The Guardian.
Under the new ordinance, the Alternative Assessment Panel, which hears DRB appeals, will now become a real decision-making body. Previously, the panel merely made recommendations, with the matter reverting to the original DRB Board for a rehearing. Only after that rehearing could the matter be appealed to Council Now, the Alternative Assessment Panel will make an actual decision, which can then be appealed directly to Council.
The five-member panel will now consist of the Chairs of each DRB, one additional
member from the DRB Board which originally heard the project, and two additional
members from the other DRB Board. The Planning Director will no longer be
a member of the panel.
An applicant can now appeal a decision after two decisions for return for
redesign of a project (i.e., after the original hearing, plus one additional
hearing) instead of after up to four times previously. The Council vote was
5 to 0. In a development favorable to the NWGHA, the new ordinance does not
raise the DRB exemption level from 700 sq. ft. to 1,000 sq. ft., as originally
proposed.
Why We Don’t Hear Projects in Advance of DRB
By
Peter Fuad
NWGHA President
The issue was raised at our annual meeting by a DRB member, and has been raised in the past: why don't we encourage applicants with projects coming before a Design Review Board to present their project to the NWGHA Board beforehand? That way, proponents suggest, applicants can more easily incorporate our suggestions into their projects before they go before DRB, making it more likely our concerns will be addressed, and making the whole DRB process more efficient!
Sounds great in theory. Why do we resist the idea? First, the idea runs counter to a number of our guiding principles, and, secondly, we have found that similar efforts by other organizations have been unsuccessful.
Guiding Principles
The NWGHA has, as a matter of principle since its founding, believed that decisions affecting the public should be made in open, noticed public hearings, such as DRB hearings. We do not want to empower ourselves (or our egos) to "bless" projects in a Board meeting which might have only limited attendance. It would also take considerable time and expertise to properly analyze a project, which would take us away from other homeowner issues.
Other Attempts Failed
We have been wary of having our views misrepresented-on purpose or mistakenly-by applicants. We have seen instances where an interested group thought an applicant had agreed to make changes as a result of a presentation to them beforehand, only to discover that the applicant hadn't agreed, but nonetheless represented that the group had ok'd the project.
As an alternative, City Planning Staff and the DRB itself are already available to advise on individual projects before the applicant takes the time and expense of preparing a full presentation to DRB.
NWGHA Design Guidelines
To avoid these issues, yet provide guidance, the Association has set forth the design principles that guide us when commenting on a project. These guidelines eliminate any issues of favoritism and of who said what to whom during a preview meeting. Bob Getts explains these principles in an adjoining story.
While no system is perfect, we feel that our guidelines, together with our comments in the open DRB forum are the best way to comment on proposed projects.
Annual Meeting
Thanks to all of you who attended our annual meeting May 12. Over 76 people attended the event at the Brand Library Auditorium, making it one of our best-attended annual meetings ever. I thought the DRB Panel discussion was particularly effective in allowing the DRB chairmen and Elaine Wilkerson, City Planning Director, to convey their views to us- and, more importantly, letting our members express their concerns to them. Board members Randy Carter and Dean Briggs did not run for reelection, and their talents, energy and good humor will be missed. Dean Briggs was the association's secretary and chief lemonade maker for six years.
Annual Meeting Highlight--Paul Sussman, Chairman of Design Review Board #1, makes a point as part of the Design Review Panel, which was the featured program at this year’s Annual Meeting. The panel was composed of, from left, Bob Getts, NWGHA’s DRB Representative; Peter Fuad, NWGHA President; Sussman; Elaine Wilkerson, City of Glendale Director of Planning; and Alen Malekian, Chairman of Design Review Board #2. (Dean Briggs Photo)
Michael Fedrick Elected to 2004-06 NWGHA Board
Michael Fedrick
was elected to the Northwest Glendale Homeowners board of directors for a
two-year term (2004-06) at the May annual meeting.
The 39-year old attorney, who specializes in patents and trademarks, moved to the area five years ago with wife Kim, a grant writer, to raise a family. They now have a two-year old son, Raymond, and are expecting a daughter in October.
According to Mike, "Our corner of Glendale is a wonderful place to raise a child, and with the birth of my son I decided I wanted to settle here. I'd like to help make sure that this area remains the wonderful place to live that it is now and I think that's what the Northwest Glendale Homeowners Association is about."
Cleveland Knoll Historic District
He is also interested in historic districting and began noticing the 1920s and 1930s architecture in his neighborhood, which is located south of Cumberland Heights. This area encompasses Kenneth Road to Glenwood Road and Grandview to Highland. Realizing that these houses "really do give our area much of its beauty and charm," he began researching old newspaper articles at the library and discovered this area was first developed as Cleveland Knoll in 1923.
"I thought my neighbors might be interested in this, so I've put the articles and some other information on a website. It is mostly a way for me to share what I've learned about the neighborhood," said the Cleveland Road resident. The website is www.clevelandknoll.org.
Michelle Ray Mooney Elected Head of Village Merchants Assn.
By Kathleen Giachino
In April 2004 the Kenneth Road Merchant Association board elected Michelle Ray Mooney as their new president. She is dedicated to spreading the word regarding services offered in the Village.
An excerpt from her letter to Association members expresses Michelle’s goals
: “Our mission and collective goals for the coming term are to draw awareness of all within the City to the services offered by the Merchants of the Village; to be an active participant in community projects; and to stay current on all community events and issues that directly impact us as an Association and that of our surrounding residential neighbors.
“Some issues that will be on our plate are:
· Parking in the Village and on surrounding residential streets
· Traffic
· Smoking litter
· Beeline potential re-routing decision by the Council
· New beautification phase
· Events, i.e. Street Festivals etc.
Michelle states she hopes to plan more festivals for the Village, the first of which will be “Midsummer Night at the Village” on August 21 from 6pm to 10pm. The street will be closed for a live band, food, and a children’s area.
The Merchant Association plans a Fall Festival and hopes to
put in place an annual tree lighting event during the Christmas season. Some
ideas in the making are for monthly events, to take place on a specified Sunday
morning to bring more activity into the Village.
Michelle would like ideas for a new Merchant Association logo and hopes to
receive submissions from local talent. The logo should be submitted in a jpeg
format to kennethvillage@comcast.net. The chosen logo will be announced at
the summer event on August 21st.
The Merchant Association takes a proactive role in tidying up the Village.
They are working with the city on smoking litter awareness, as well as asking
restaurants with outdoor dining to provide ash receptacles.
Michelle started Yoga at the Village six years ago and currently employs a staff of 11 yoga instructors, including herself. We wish her the best in her tenure as president of the association.
We also would like to offer a heartfelt thanks to Susan Stanton
(Foothill Gift Shop), for her many years of service to the Village and for
her efforts with the core group start-up of the Merchant’s Association
in 1991.
Association Elects Board Members and Officers
By Carol Brusha
At the May annual meeting, NWGHA members reelected Kathleen Giachino and Mary Rose Grim as board members and elected Mike Fedrick as a new board member, for 2004-06 terms.
At its monthly meeting following the annual meeting, the Board retained the following officers: Peter Fuad, president; Lawrence Kalfayan, vice president and liaison to the Homeowners Coordinating Council; Kathleen Giachino, treasurer; Carol Brusha and Mary Rose Grim, membership co-chairs. Newly elected board member Mike Fedrick will be secretary.
Bob Getts remains as Design Review Board representative and
will be assisted by Doug Johnson.
Design Principles Available to Developers
The Association has developed a comprehensive checklist to guide developers on what the Association believes is important in reviewing a project before a Design Review Board. The NWGHA believes the guide, which is freely available to any interested party, effectively and impartially sets forth the factors it considers most important in determining whether a project is compatible.
Compatibility Factors
Following are the factors the Association considers when determining project compatibility. These are based on the key measures of compatibility set forth in the Zoning Code:
· Size - The total square footage and floor area ratio of the subject home after improvements should not be significantly larger than the neighborhood averages. Although not included in the floor area ratio calculation, covered decks and balconies can make a home appear too large and are considered by the Association. Also, adding a second story to a home can create a problem if most other homes on the block are single story.
· Mass - Remodeling and additions should not make the home appear more massive and bulky than neighboring properties. Second floor additions should be stepped back from the first story and incorporate other articulation techniques to reduce massing.
· Site Planning - The total area occupied by a home, the garage, and any auxiliary buildings should result in a lot coverage ratio roughly in line with the neighborhood average. The location of the garage should be consistent with other properties on the block
· Setbacks - The proposed project should be consistent with the prevailing and uniform front and side setback of other homes on the block.
· Architectural Design - Major design elements, such
as roof lines, entranceways, style of windows and doors, and use of materials
should be consistent with the prevailing architecture of the project. Contact
the NWGHA for a copy of the guidelines.