CITY HALL
Neighbors could not halt the progress of a 16,000-square-foot home proposed for a hillside on Esmeralda Drive even after addressing city officials Thursday. Glendale's Design Review Board No. 2 voted 3-1 to allow developers of the home to move on to the final review stage.
The neighbors were concerned about the potential impacts that the home — which would sit on a hill above the neighborhood — could have on the community.
In their second appearance before the board, the developers noted changes in design that they had made since their last appearance. They also discussed creating a hotline for neighbors to call if they had concerns.
Still, some neighbors stood firm that the home did not fit in with the design of the rest of the homes in the area.
This protest against a large home is just one of many the city has seen in recent months.
Prior to the meeting, ballots had been sent to businesses in the proposed Landscape Maintenance District to inquire if they desired the district, since they would be taxed to help pay for the services. The vote was in favor of the district, though votes from Walt Disney's Grand Central Creative Campus were given the most weight since they will receive the largest assessment.
The district will be bordered by Allen Avenue on the north and the Ventura (134) Freeway on the south, and lie between San Fernando Road on the east and the Golden State (5) Freeway on the west.
With no rule on the books before the council's vote Tuesday, when a council member exercised the right to abstain from voting, the abstention was counted as a neutral, or a non-vote.
The City Council took steps toward making this rule official Tuesday by voting to have staff draft an ordinance confirming it. The 3-0 vote in favor came as a result of Councilman Rafi Manoukian abstaining and Councilman Bob Yousefian being absent.
The vote basically confirmed the status quo of what the council has been practicing regarding abstentions, but now the guidelines will be clearly laid out in the municipal code, said City Atty. Scott Howard, who brought the issue forward.
