If not a hotel, then what?

Posted on December 2, 2018 by novictoryhotel.org

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On the Rancho neighborhood Nextdoor web site, one neighbor asks about what alternatives there are to building the hotel:

Charlene Klink, Riverside Rancho
What’s been suggested at the meetings that is something that serves the community? Are there minutes of the meetings to know what was being proposed besides the hotel? Obviously it’s an eyesore now and I’m wondering why the city allowed it to remain that way. Of course an oasis of beauty sounds great BUT if we turn this down, what are we likely to get instead? A drive through Starbucks? Carl’s Jr? Another mechanic’s shop? What would “something of beauty” be that would bring shops, jobs, add no traffic, and enable someone to make a buck. What would a small developer put there as opposed to the big guys?

Thank you, Charlene.  Those are important questions on the minds of many of us.

1.What’s been suggested at the meetings that is something that serves the community?
Short answer:  Nothing. The developers created those meetings to pitch their hotel, attempt to appease/eliminate opposition, and to to be able to tell the Design Review Board that they did community outreach (on which the DRB called them out for neglecting to do).  They refuse to consider making a hotel which is even one unit less because their financial plan doesn’t allow for it.  In other words, regarding this project, community planning is being done by a bank’s loan officer, not the community, not our city government.  They are hotel builders and so far have refused to consider anything else.
2. Are there minutes of the meetings to know what was being proposed besides the hotel?
There are no written minutes of the meetings.  However, at least one neighbor (maybe more) has audio recordings of these meetings.
3. Obviously it’s an eyesore now and I’m wondering why the city allowed it to remain that way.
Though the city should enforce their codes, and some neighbors have complained, the primary responsibility falls on Jayesh Kumar (and his family) who own the lot.  They have owned it since April 2017, yet have made no attempt to clean it up or require the occupants of the time to do so. Unfortunately, the reason for this appears to be because they do not want to invest any money (even for a one day clean up crew) on a lot that they are not sure they can develop. Basically, what it comes down to is, for lack of a better term, they’re cheap.  And the effect the eyesore has on the Rancho is of no concern to them nor their development team.  They’re not here to be neighbors.  And they’re not here to benefit the Rancho.  They’re here to make money — and have even ‘tested the waters’ of the resale real estate market for potential lot/hotel buyers.
4. Of course an oasis of beauty sounds great BUT if we turn this down, what are we likely to get instead? Continue reading →

Posted in Burbank, Glendale, Glendale Design Review Board, Riverside Rancho, urbanization | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Urbanizing the Glendale Rancho for Quick Developer Profits, NOT for the Community

Posted on October 1, 2018 by novictoryhotel.org

Research on the proposed development of a 3-story, 64-room hotel at 1633 S. Victory has revealed that this is a development for quick and big profit, designed with no consideration of the Rancho, it’s residents, nor nearby Benjamin Franklin Elementary School.

Before the project has even been fully approved for development, the developers are already planning their exit strategy.  The property is currently being offered for $4,800,000.00  on the open real estate market and is advertised as a “Fully Entiteld [sic] Hotel Development” property.

Sale Notes

Fully Entiteld Hotel Development Burbank/Glendale Hudson Partners as exclusive agents is pleased to present for sale a highly visible fully entitled development site for a 64 unit hotel located at 1633 W Victory Blvd. The subject properties is strategically located on the city border of Burbank and Glendale and is within minutes to Downtown Burbank, Burbank Media District and Central Glendale. In addition the property central location and excellent accessibility to the 5, 134 and 101 freeway provides convenient driving distance to downtown Los Angeles, Hollywood and some of the best of Los Angeles retail and entertainment destinations. Furthermore, the subject property offers developers and investors the unique opportunity to acquire an entitled hotel site in a supply constrained market. The site is a vacant lot which is currently utilized as a car dealership with month to month tenancy. It measures a total of 20,943 square feet. The site is zoned C-2 and allows for a 50 foot height limit with no FAR restrictions other than the height limit. The approved plans are for 64 Rooms with 67 parking stalls, a podium level outdoor and a podium level swimming pool. See attached offering memorandum for further details. The property is located at the southeast corner of Victory Boulevard and Allen Street at the border of Burbank/Glendale CA. The property is ideally situated in proximity to the Burbank Media district, Disney world headquarters, NBC, Warner Brothers, The Honda Stage at iHeartRadio , Nickelodeon West Coast Headquarters and local area amenities, as well as notable Los Angeles destinations such as Downtown Los Angeles, Pasadena, Central Burbank and Downtown Glendale. Additionally, the subject property’s location is in the heart of everything that’ s exciting about Los Angeles, you are close to what you want to see and do in Southern California. Take your pick: famous concert venues, world-class sporting events, late night clubs, shopping, golf courses, family attractions, authentic neighborhoods, and so much more it’ s all close by.

http://looplink.rexfordindustrial.com/ll/6727466/1633-Victory-Blvd/

It’s also interesting to note that the developers / brokers for this proposed development are selling it as a means for tourists and guests to take their destination spending dollars to other communities with the City of Glendale mentioned as a mere afterthought.

Burbank Media district, Disney world headquarters, NBC, Warner Brothers, The Honda Stage at iHeartRadio , Nickelodeon West Coast Headquarters and local area amenities, as well as notable Los Angeles destinations such as Downtown Los Angeles, Pasadena, Central Burbank and Downtown Glendale.

Their sales brochure goes on to list other non-City of Glendale destinations; Universal Studios Hollywood, Hollywood Bowl, Hollywood, The Grove, Staples Center, LA Zoo, Disneyland Resort, Disney Concert Hall, Griffith Observatory, Dodger Stadium, and The Rose Bowl Stadium. On the map below, the City of Glendale receives no recognition at all.

And their list of amenities local to their proposed hotel neglects the City of Glendale completely, citing the Burbank Airport District, Downtown Burbank, Magnolia Park, and the Burbank Media District.

In fact, the real estate offering ad by Hudson Partners Investment Brokerage sells their hotel as a Burbank attraction.

(screenshot: Hudson Partners resale ad for 1633 s. Victory Blvd.)

Not only is this a clear indication that the current Applicant /developers have no intention of running the proposed hotel, nor being a part of the Glendale Rancho community; it shows an obvious disregard for the city in which they intend to develop, Glendale.

By looking at page 51 of their Phase II environmental study (inconclusive), one has to wonder if they’re even aware that they’re in the City of Glendale.

The above advertisements make it abundantly clear that his is a for profit only venture by a non-resident Applicant and developers who have shown complete disregard for the City of Glendale as well as the Glendale Riverside Rancho.

Other behaviors of neglect that further demonstrate the Applicant, Jayesh Kumar, and his developers have little or no regard for our city, the Rancho district, nor the site’s most local residents are:

  • Failing/neglecting to maintain the property since obtaining ownership in March 2017.
  • Failing to inform all residents and businesses within a 500 foot radius of the proposed development (as required by law)
  • Informing only a handful of neighbors – on short notice – of meetings intended to address neighborhood concerns after the Design Review Board discovered they did no community outreach.  By informing only a few neighbors they avoided disclosure and additional opposition, yet can claim transparency when questioned again by the Design Review Board.
  • Proposing a monolithic urban project which is NOT appropriate for our semi-rural Rancho community
  • Proposing a project which does not serve local community citizens nor offer any significant benefit to our local economy
  • Designing a hotel that utilizes the public alleyway in order to maximize the number of units they can build
  • Placing a 64-unit hotel one block away from an elementary school which already endures traffic congestion and further increases the risk of injury to children
  • The developers refuse to reduce the number of units to accommodate nearby neighbors in adjacent R-1 residential zones
  • The developers intend to bring a massive 64-unit business that keeps 24/7 around the clock business hours next to residential neighborhoods where most neighboring businesses operate during normal business hours.

It’s quite evident that the Applicant and developers do not have the interests of the City of  Glendale, the Rancho nor it’s citizens in mind and are purely motivated by financial gain.  We can only hope that the Glendale Design Review Board has the foresight and integrity to reject this project as entirely inappropriate.

Posted in Benjamin Franklin Elementary School, Glendale, Glendale Design Review Board, Riverside Rancho, urbanization | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Revised plans for proposed hotel at 1633 S. Victory Blvd. 91201 have been submitted to the City of Glendale Planning Division at the Community Development Department by order of the Design Review Board’s appointed members

Posted on September 28, 2018 by novictoryhotel.org

Neighbors’ recent queries re PDR-1723012 to the Planning Division on the status of
the hotel project were informed September 17 that the redesigned plans had already
been submitted for staff review again, prior to moving on to the Design Review
Board agenda, which on June 14 turned down the Applicant’s plans 5-0, with robust
input by residents during oral comments.

After review by planner Dennis Joe (DJoe@GlendaleCA.gov), the public will receive
a 10-day notice of the DRB meeting date via sign on the front of the 1633 S. Victory site, and via email from the Glendale Rancho Neighborhood Association. The developers initially did no public outreach regarding the project, and only a handful of neighbors were
informed after the DRB ordered them to do so.

Residents have taken it upon themselves to do what the Applicant’s  developers have neglected to do adequately; to inform residents, businesses, the school, and concerned parents about the proposed hotel.  We’ve kicked off an effort to distribute information fliers about the development to residents and are circulating a petition for those interested in expressing their opposition to the proposed hotel which residents feel is:

  • excessive in scope and size despite zoned for three stories,
  • conflicts with intense traffic volume and lanes at the Western-Victory intersection,
  • would make use of a public alley that is sole access for carports and garages
    behind residences on Western and Winchester,
  • would encourage alley and street cut-through traffic in this quiet modest-home
    neighborhood,
  • is incompatible in design for the equine, historic, and park-like Riverside Rancho,
  • and inappropriate in its proximity to popular, respected Benjamin Franklin
    Elementary School.

Applicant’s first proposal rejected by the Glendale Design Review Board and local residents:

View facing Victory Blvd

View from public alleyway where cars would line up to enter subterranean parking

View from Winchester Ave. with pool next to R-1 residential home and driveway (facing Benjamin Franklin Elementary School) – visible to local residents, school students, parents, and anyone using the public sidewalk.

Below is the Applicant’s second design proposal, with color revision and more ‘urbanized’ appearance.

The design rendering below was presented to only a few local residents who rejected it for many reasons including those cited above.

The greater local Rancho community remains uninformed about this proposal due to the Applicant’s failure to inform residents, school, and businesses – including the majority of those located within a 500 foot radius.

View from Winchester Ave. with pool next to R-1 residential home and driveway (facing Benjamin Franklin Elementary School)

In this revision local residents, school students, parents, and anyone using the public sidewalk are presented with two box-like structures intended to block the view of the swimming pool, which increase the scope of the development.  The two screening structures resemble a pair of old stereo speakers or computer monitors.

Ways you can help:

  • Share your concerns now by contacting planner Dennis Joe.  U. S. mail to: Planning Dept., 633 E. Broadway, Glendale 91206.  Or contact him via email DJoe@GlendaleCA.gov —and “cc” PLanzafame@GlendaleCA.gov!
  • Sign the petition.We now have a new online petition located in our right sidebar.  Signatures of those opposed to the hotel development will be presented to the Design Review Board along with a recently circulated paper petition.
  • Spread the word.  Tell your friends, neighbors, and parents whose children attend Benjamin Franklin Elementary School.  Post links to this site on your Facebook, Twitter, and other social media accounts.
  • Click here for our contact form.  Join our mailing list for more information, new posts, and development updates.  You will be notified of the next DRB agenda for PDR 1723012, which you are urged to attend and speak (they’re held at 5 pm on 2nd and 4th Thursdays in Rm. 105).
Posted in Benjamin Franklin Elementary School, Glendale, Glendale Design Review Board, Riverside Rancho, urbanization | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Glendale Rancho Residents Oppose a Proposed 64-Unit Three-Story Hotel at 1633 S. Victory Blvd.

Posted on September 17, 2018 by novictoryhotel.org

Why We Oppose a Proposed 64-Unit Three-Story Hotel at 1633 S. Victory Blvd., Glendale Rancho 91201
(A block from Benjamin Franklin Elementary School)
Design Review Board Case No. PDR 1723012

City of Glendale Director of Community Development, Philip Lanzafame, approved on May 3, 2018, an Initial Study prepared by the Planning Division that this project “as mitigated” would not have a significant effect on the environment, and instructed that it be submitted to the Design Review Board process. Planner, Dennis Joe, is overseeing the project (DJoe@GlendaleCA.gov) 818-937-8157. Property owner/applicant is Jayesh Kumar of Los Angeles.

The proposal via 10-day public notice and on-site sign went before the DRB on June 14 where it was rejected unanimously by all five board members, and received largely-negative resident input at the oral comments period from residents and members of the Glendale Rancho Neighborhood Association. These include concerns re:

  1. The location vis a vis homes, a school, and a daycare facility in this densely-residential and historic-equestrian neighborhood near large parks.
  2. Traffic intensity at the nearby Western Ave.-Victory Blvd. intersection and 24/7 commuter and commercial traffic including that associated with adjacent businesses such as the Chevron station, large mini-mall, restaurant, auto repair shops, and area equine events.
  3. Proposed use of the public alleyway for entry/exit to a two-level subterranean parking facility that would impact neighborhood use of that alley to access its residential garages.
  4. The design’s height, bulk and mass, room count.
  5. Inadequate concern for adjacent residential impacts re views, light and shadow, noise, parking, minimal hotel exterior landscaping v. concrete surfaces due to the project’s overly-large footprint, and more.

Both the public and board criticized the design’s exterior colors, size, architectural interior and exterior plan flaws, alley location of the underground garage entrance/exit, siting of the second-floor swimming pool, lack of guest and taxi vehicle drop-off, and more. The DRB stamped it “Return for Redesign with Conditions”.

Continue reading →

Posted in Benjamin Franklin Elementary School, Burbank, Glendale, Glendale Design Review Board, Riverside Rancho | Tagged , | 5 Comments