I don’t think anyone is questioning the right of the dealership owners to improve their property. What is at question is the scope and size of the proposed structures. The dealership’s new buildings would become, I believe, the largest structure on Foothill Boulevard, from Tujunga to La Cañada. The impact on the community, both good and bad, should be carefully considered.
While I think that an expansion of the dealership could be good for the community, and I appreciate the tax dollars and donations to the surrounding areas, someone living directly behind the dealership might not appreciate the expansion and would ask that Bob Smith Toyota work with them to mitigate impact on their neighborhood.
The wording of the original headline might lead one to believe that the dealership is being denied the ability to expand, but that is not the case.
They are merely working through the design review process to ensure conformity with the community, as does every single expansion project in Glendale, both commercial and residential. As with most projects, they will eventually reach a compromise that will allow their expansion, and please most of their neighbors.
The Smith family are good community members. I’m sure they will want to “do the right thing” — to work with the community and their immediate neighbors to ensure a design that will give back to the community that supports them.
MIKE LAWLER
La Crescenta
I read the article about a lawsuit being brought against residents in Montrose for slander over their opinion about the opening of a Montrose Collection Restaurant (“City, restaurant talk settlement,” Oct. 5).
I have not read the lawsuit being brought against Robert and Sharon Thompson, but according to the article they voiced their opinion over the opening of this restaurant.
