Zoning

After viewing portions of the last two City Council meetings, I am convinced that the council acted genuinely and had no ulterior motives in voting on the Area 14 issue ("Zoning plan rejected by council," Wednesday). I do feel, however, that sensible logic was missing. With so much support for R-2250 it's hard to fathom why the rights of one property owner should prevail over the community and city advisors. Four hundred signatures, many letters, numerous speakers, renters, homeowners, the Planning Commission, two council members, and the persistent Jose Chavez all supported downzoning to R-2250 (not just downzoning ?

Buck Wargo CITY HALL -- Montrose Travel can expand but the city is eyeing regulations on what businesses will be allowed in the Montrose Shopping Park's future development. The Glendale City Council voted 3-2 Tuesday night to reject a 45-day moratorium on some businesses larger than 5,000 square feet from opening on Honolulu Avenue and surrounding blocks. The vote clears the way for Montrose Travel to move into the former Faye's Department Store building and use it for telemarketing operations.

CITY HALL — The City Council, prompted by a mayor frustrated over the city’s apparent soft stance on enforcing some zoning codes, took steps Tuesday to “toughen up.” After expressing vague disapproval on a set of four zoning codes that are prone to repeat violations, the council was taken down a path of more direct admonishment by Mayor John Drayman, who said repeated, and sometimes flagrant, disregard for the zoning requirements...

CITY HALL — The City Council on Tuesday appeared willing to continue a policy allowing property owners to seek exceptions from city zoning codes, but the issue of whether to make approval standards more strict for so-called use variances was sent to the Planning Commission for further review. Use variances are often sought when a property is zoned for a purpose other than what the owner wants to build or operate on the lot. They have historically been used by private schools, hospitals and other service-oriented operations located in or abutting residential zones.

CITY HALL — Auto dealers on the Brand Boulevard of Cars could soon benefit from simplified zoning regulations as part of a pending overhaul of the South Brand area that could make expansion plans less of a red-tape hassle. The potential changes discussed at City Hall on Tuesday could also ease parking tensions between the auto dealers — a key source of tax income for the city — and nearby residents. The City Council last summer initiated zoning changes for the South Brand area, which includes a mix of residential and commercial zones that include single-family homes, car dealerships and multifamily housing units.

Ryan Carter More houses and businesses might someday replace the rows of industrial warehouses that line San Fernando Road. To do it, city officials are banking on proposed zoning changes for the San Fernando Road Corridor that will be brought before an advisory committee of property owners and planners on May 21. The changes would make it easier for businesses such as animation studios to get permission to build...

Josh Kleinbaum For nearly 10 minutes Tuesday night, Councilman Frank Quintero hammered the city's deal with developer Rick Caruso for the Americana at Brand, a $264.2-million commercial and residential project in downtown Glendale. Then he ended a week of suspense and said he would support the zoning changes necessary to implement the project. Quintero said he approved the zoning because delays would just preoccupy the city staff. "What will happen is that city staff, boards and commissions will devote all of their time and energy to this project, and the rest of the city will suffer," Quintero said.

Buck Wargo CITY HALL -- Glendale's planned police headquarters won't follow all of the city's zoning codes. The City Council learned Tuesday that the administration and jail building will have minor deviations from local zoning law. Normally, the public would have to seek a variance from the zoning administrator but none is needed in this case because the city would be giving one to itself. The council did not object to the project going forward with the code discrepanices.

NEW COMMISSIONER APPOINTED WHAT HAPPENED The City Council appointed Mary Barrie to fill a vacancy on the Parks and Recreation Commission. Barrie is a member of the city's ad hoc trails committee and member of the Trails Council. WHAT IT MEANS Barrie will act as an advisor to the city on the five-member commission regarding issues affecting the city's parks and recreation facilities. VOTE The council voted 5-0 in favor of Barrie's appointment.

I’m not Armenian, but hearing how some people speak about my Armenian neighbors in this city, I can only imagine what the five officers suing the city’s police department have gone through (“Armenian officers sue dept.,” Jan. 26). It’s sad that we’ve come such a long way with an African American president and still don’t understand what it means to treat each other with respect. Maybe this lawsuit will bring up some issues that people only talk about in secret and drag some of the dirt into the light.