Community Commentary:

The original landscape of our neighborhoods is changing, and they’re changing fast. Don’t get me wrong though, I am not against new construction or remodels. Our neighborhoods have dozens of examples of successfully designed new homes and remodels that were never met with any opposition by any of their neighbors or associations because, although larger than the originally existing home, they had a defined architectural style and fit well with the neighborhood in its design. Design Review can and has worked.

So why the blatant attack from James and other Design Review Board members against neighbors and associations who are trying to protect the character of their neighborhoods? I can only think that maybe their egos are hurt by the public outcry against their inability to do their jobs.

At the hearing I watched on television, Design Review Board No. 2 Chairwoman Laura Friedman seemed to understand the absurdity of James’ comments by distancing herself from what he said and emphasizing the importance of a public forum where all residents can voice their opinions and concerns on any project.

I wish that more board members thought like she did. Instead, neighbors and homeowner associations are frequently met with aggression and intimidation by members of the Design Review Board. I’ve seen Design Review Board No. 1 Chairman Vartan Gharpetian badger a neighbor, who, after expressing her concern over an out-of-scale home being proposed next door to her property, was put on the defensive by Gharpetian with a barrage of intimidating questions. I’ve also seen board members John Cianfrini and James try to call into question the validity of homeowners associations’ representatives to speak on behalf of their neighborhood and membership against proposed projects.

With the recent publication of the article in the Glendale News-Press about the Glendale Property Owners Assn. (“Group has links to design board,” Oct. 20) headed by Gharpetian, and which counts Cianfrini as a member, it is no longer a secret that these board members are publicly opposed to homeowner associations and residents’ efforts to maintain some degree of design compatibility in their neighborhoods, the very reason why these boards were started in the first place.