Josh Kleinbaum
If Glendale's Planning Department has its way, residents near the San
Fernando Road corridor might have a Starbucks within walking distance
in the not-too-distant future. But first, city planners want to get
permission to proceed with a new zoning plan from the City Council.
At a joint session of City Council and the Redevelopment Agency on
Tuesday, city planners will present their proposed zoning for the San
Fernando Road Corridor, including a residential and commercial
mixed-use area for property immediately east of San Fernando Road,
north of Fairmont Avenue.
"We ran this by the public at a couple of public meetings and we
heard some competing interests," Planning Administrator Hassan
Haghani said. "We want to ask City Council to give us some direction.
This is a policy-level discussion, and ultimately the policy belongs
to the council."
The proposed zoning changes are part of the San Fernando Road
Corridor Study, a project designed to better all aspects of San
Fernando Road, including aesthetics, revenue generation,
transportation and land utilization.
Last week, the Redevelopment Agency approved a deal that will
remove 18 billboards owned by Clear Channel Outdoor along San
Fernando Road.
While city planners believe the mixed-use zone just west of San
Fernando Road will improve the area by bringing in retail stores such
as coffeehouses, the reception has been mixed from residents, and a
handful of industrial property owners protested the change.
"Some people are concerned property values will go down," Haghani
said. "We know that communities that [add mixed-use areas], it has
helped to revitalize neighborhoods rather than hurt."
The area is zoned for industrial and commercial developments. The
proposed zoning allows for current industrial buildings to remain
industrial buildings, and city officials feel that by changing zoning
restrictions west of San Fernando Road, Glendale will not be
discouraging businesses.
The new proposed zones increase the height limit to 50 feet. But
some council members are not convinced that reducing industrial areas
is in the best interest of the city.
