Council OKs mixed-use project in downtown Glendale
The City Council approved a mixed-use project entailing a pair of six-story buildings and a CVS pharmacy in downtown Glendale Tuesday.
Developer PH Glendale, LLC plans to build a bridge over an alley that separates the buildings at Central and Wilson avenues, according to a city report.
The council voted 3-1 on the design of the $34-million, 59,492-square-foot development, with Councilman Ara Najarian casting the dissenting vote. Councilwoman Laura Friedman was absent.
In addition to the pharmacy, the project will include 164 studio, one- and two-bedroom apartments with two floors of subterranean parking with 293 spaces, 13 more than required, the report stated.
Amenities include a recreation room, a two-story gym and a yoga studio.
On the surface, 51 parking spaces are slated to be reserved for the CVS store.
Councilman Frank Quintero spoke highly of having the business in the neighborhood.
“I can’t think of a better use,” he said. “It’s going to work very well for that entire ‘mini-region’ let’s call it. I expect it to be one of the better performing stores.”
In separate motions, Najarian voted in favor of granting CVS Caremark Corp. a variance to have a drive-thru for prescriptions, but voted against allowing the store to sell alcohol. The former motion passed unanimously; the latter passed 3-1.
Najarian noted the Glendale Police Department recommends that no more than two businesses in the area near the proposed project be allowed to sell alcohol.
“Having a fourth off-site sale of alcohol location when the police recommends two, that concerns me,” he said.
Rodney Khan, a development consultant on behalf of the developer, told the council he spoke with Deputy Chief Carl Povilaitis, and that Povilaitis took no issue with the project.
Community Development Director Hassan Haghani said permitting the sale of alcohol, along with the store’s other merchandise, also aligns with a city plan that promotes people walking to stores instead of driving.
Quintero added that given the other projects under construction along the eastern side of Central Avenue, it’s nice to see progress being made across the street.
“All you have to do is drive (south on) Central and you see the new buildings going up, giving it a vibrant feel like you’re in a different city. On the right-hand side, it’s not even close.”
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Follow Arin Mikailian on Twitter: @ArinMikailian.
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