Re: Appeal of Design Review Board decision PDR 1723012-B; 1633 S. Victory Blvd. 3-story, 64-room hotel with ingress and egress access to 2 level of underground parking from public alleyway — allowing for a single business monopolization of alleyway and burden of cumulative traffic congestion.
As the date approaches for our appeal case to be heard by City Council, we will be adding photos to our feature called “alley traffic photo of the day.” The point of this is so that our concerns about cumulative alley congestion, resident access, and potential of injury are not heard as generic cries of “traffic,” but are instead clearly demonstrated, over time, and shown to be a real condition, not merely an opinion based in projection, assumptions, or fear.
April 19. 2019
A BMC lumber truck has parked alongside the Chevron Extra-Mile shop. The alleyway is the only place that especially large trucks can stop for non-fueling use of the station. (current duration unknown – time: 11:47:34 a.m.)From the front we can see that the trucks lumber load extends well beyond the nose of the vehicle. The driver has left clearance for the Chevron employees to access the trash containment area, and has also left some space to navigate away from the bollards upon departure. (time: 11:47:48 a.m.) This truck has multiple fuel tanks, one on each side. This is the view between the station and the truck. (time: 11:48:10 a.m.) Here we see the view as pictured from the proposed parking garage. The lumber truck’s gas tank lies directly in the path of the parking garage exit/ egress. (time: 11:48:45 a.m.)This view shows the perspective looking toward the Victory Blvd. alley mouth. Note that the line running down the distance of the alley is the exterior of the central gutter, not the center of the alley. The open lane can accommodate one vehicle of small or standard size only. Larger vehicles, such as sanitation vehicles, encounter a much more risky situation attempting to navigate this passage.(time: 12:04;09 a.m.) From the back we can see that the trucks lumber load also extends well beyond the back end of the vehicle. The driver has left clearance for the Chevron employees to access the trash containment area, and has also left some space to navigate away from the bollards in front of the truck upon departure. (time: 12:05;43 a.m.) As the truck departs we see a Chevron employee performing her station maintenance duties. (time:12:27:53 a.m.)
April 20, 2019 – No photos. I’m taking the weekend off.
April 21, 2019 – No photos. I’m taking the weekend off. (Okay, just one. )
Even on a relatively quiet Sunday morning there are times when only a single passing lane is available. (time: 10:47:22 a.m.)
April 22, 2019
A truck carrying a crane sits (duration uncertain) behind a drink vendor’s truck. An especially large vehicle, its tires sit upon the central gutter of the alleyway. (time: 9:44:22 a.m.) This perspective looks down the alley toward lake St. Any through traffic from either direction requires the remaining open lane. (time: 9:45:03 a.m.) This perspective views the trucks facing the proposed hotel’s location. Combined the truck take the approximate space of five cars. (time: 9:45:56 a.m.) Now that the crane truck is departing, it must use the only available passing lane. In the position pictured, it sits directly in front of the proposed hotel’s underground parking entrance. (time: 9:46:26 a.m.) Heading down the alleyway toward Lake St. mouth of the alley – a half-block from Benjamin Franklin Elementary School – the truck encounters some congestion. (time: 9:47:03 a.m.) This local resident waited for the truck to pass before attempting to enter the alleyway. In the background we can see the crane truck waiting to turn onto Lake St., a far more difficult maneuver than exiting onto Victory Blvd. (time: 9:47:21 a.m.) Here a driver places a car in reverse having second thoughts about attempting to navigate past a sanitation vehicle. (time: 11:35:48 a.m.) Some drivers encountering this situation utilize residential property setbacks to turn around. This driver moved to the left, abutting or slightly upon a residential setback. (time: 11:36:04 a.m.) The sanitation truck driver re-positions his vehicle to allow the car safe passage. And the car driver begins to turn back into the alley. (time: 11:36:16 a.m.) After the truck is realigned, the car driver is able to pass confidently. (time: 11:36:24 a.m.) American Reclamation operators perform the city’s much needed bulky pick-up service. This stop is one property away from the proposed hotel site. (time: 1:04:35 a.m.) American Reclamation operators fill their bulky pick-up dumpster again. This time they stop at the home adjacent to the proposed hotel site. (time: 1:05:31 a.m.) The dumpster is lifted and emptied. (time: 1:06:00 a.m.) The truck proceeds on its route, exiting the alley mouth occupying the central portion of the alley. (time: 1:06:25 a.m.) A neighbor slows to greet me (your photographer) as he arrives home. Behind him, another car approaches to pass. (time: 2:07:24 a.m.) As we take a moment to discuss my activity in the alley and recent unsightly graffiti, another passing vehicle approaches to pass. (time: 2:10:20 a.m.) A neighbor passes in his truck, greets us, and continues on, navigating slowly past us and another neighbor walking his dog. (time: 2:14:29 a.m.) As I walk away, another vehicle passes my neighbor in the red jeep. He waits for clearance so he can align properly to enter his garage at the correct angle. (time: 2:15:27 a.m.) Another sanitation truck, this one operated by the city, travels down the alleyway. It occupies the central portion of the alley (the safest position when available) and exits at Victory Blvd. (time: 3:46:53 a.m.)
It is our sincere hope that the Glendale City Council will view these photographs and consider all of their implications; from issues regarding resident inconvenience and prevention of usage, to the potential for property damage, injury, or fatality.
Please email City Council at the addresses below and let them know that measures must be taken to mitigate the cumulative traffic congestion caused by allowing hotel patrons to occupy both lanes of alley traffic. The solution to this is to require the hotel to provide a driveway. Ingress hotel traffic must approach the underground parking entrance while remaining on the hotel property exclusively, not upon the public alleyway. The hotel driveway exit should NOT be directly across from the Chevron gas station main building. Instead, it should exit toward the alley mouth or directly onto Victory Blvd. where there is an existing apron. It should not conflict with Chevron’s frequently occupied trash containment area, nor the heavily used alley which also serves as a temporary stop for many large vehicles.
Voice your opposition to PDR-1723012-B by emailing or speaking to CITY COUNCIL
