Design Review Board votes 4-0 in favor of hotel at 1633 S. Victory with conditions

On Thursday, January 10, 2019 Glendale’s Design Review Board voted 4-0 in favor of the hotel redesign with conditions. Summarized here from condition notes read at the meeting by Jay Platt, Senior Urban Designer, those conditions are:

1. Make sure that components located on the roof are appropriately screened according to code.
2. [a DRB consideration] To address the storm-water runoff from the roof of the hotel on the west side and further increase the , if possible, to increase the width of the alley.
3. Redefining the hotel entryway by recessing the entry further, and utilize seating or publicly accessible uses.  Incorporate the addition of an outdoor seating area at the entrance.
4. Remove upper planters from the south and west sides of the hotel.
5. The issue of solid walls will be partially addressed by a condition to move some of the cladding to the corners.  Additionally, the DRB would like to add additional windows by changing the stair and room configuration at the corner.
6. Change the hotel window shapes and sizes.
7. Eliminate public access from Winchester Ave. to the alleyway with a fence/gate system compliant with the requirements of Glendale Fire Department
8. Use mature and “good sized” planting along the pool deck to ensure that local resident do not have to wait for plants to reach maturity before effectively providing a sound buffer.

We will publish the official outline of conditions when it is provided by the City of Glendale.

As reported in The Glendale News Press: Design board greenlights 64-room hotel in Glendale’s Rancho neighborhood

Unless the board’s decision is appealed within 15 days, the project can proceed to the plan-check phase once the outlined conditions are met, according to principal planner Vilia Zemaitaitis. If it’s appealed, it would head to City Council for review.

At this time neighbors have not discussed any plans to appeal the decision.

Otherwise, their best options are to stay in contact with the city planner, Dennis Joe DJoe@GlendaleCA.gov, to obtain information on the process and progress of the development.  The city planner’s office is also there to insure that the Applicant follows all procedures and remains compliant with city codes and ordinances. Concerned neighbors should also, when known, contact the public works project inspector assigned to monitor building and safety matters and environmental code compliance.  The project must meet DRB “conditions” for planning staff to ensure are included in the final plan. Vilia Zemaitaitis VZemaitaitis@GlendaleCA.gov is a planning staff coordinator and contact, as well.

This blog will remain active to provide the public updates on the project as it moves forward.  Entries will be posted as we obtain information from the city, other agencies, and through observation of the development site which addresses neighborhood concerns (such as environmental issues, neighborhood impact, or unforeseen circumstances).   We hope to provide an additional resource for residents, businesses, and the local school to exchange information.  We will also examine growing resident concerns regarding the city’s process for vetting project applications prior to DRB consideration.

As your blogger, I want to thank everyone who participated in the opposition of this development project to protect the Glendale Rancho residents, neighborhood, and school.  To all who attended the DRB meetings, networked online to get the word out, canvassed the neighborhood to collect signatures, printed or hung fliers, signed a petition, or just offered words of support, my family and I want to express our sincerest gratitude.

A special thank you goes out to our friends and neighbors Susie Lawler, and Joanne Hedge – President of the Glendale Rancho Neighborhood Association. Each gave a tremendous amount of time and energy to this endeavor out of their pride and love for the neighborhood and their desire to preserve the Glendale Rancho.  They have shown us what it means to be good citizens and great neighbors.