Council Plans Historic-Landmark Panel

An ordinance creating a commission to review the fate of historic Glendale landmarks was introduced by the City Council Tuesday.

The five-member Glendale Historic Preservation Commission would recommend to the council whether homes, buildings, artworks and natural resources should be included in the city’s general plan as historic landmarks, according to the ordinance scheduled to be voted on by the City Council next week.

The commission also would hear arguments by property owners seeking city permits to alter or demolish historic buildings.

The council in May ordered a 90-day emergency moratorium on demolition at more than 30 sites classified as historic to allow time for creation of the commission.

That action and the proposed ordinance were spurred by a property owner’s request to demolish the 97-year-old Goode house at 119 N. Cedar St., former home of Edgar D. Goode, a pioneer in Glendale’s development. The house has been called the last example of Queen Anne/Eastlake architecture on its original site in the city.

Although the home is listed as worthy for preservation in the city’s general plan, Glendale does not have a provision to preserve such structures.

Councilwoman Ginger Bremberg successfully introduced the emergency moratorium after learning of the home’s planned demolition to make way for an eight-unit apartment building and spearheaded the proposed ordinance.

Criteria in the ordinance for selection of sites include a location of historic significance, a site’s identification with a person or group considered important to the development of the city, outstanding design or craftsmanship and any other unique or historic characteristic.

Calvin Rodriquez of El Cajon, co-owner of the Goode house, said the moratorium jeopardized the sale and development of the property and would cause him significant financial losses.

George Lawson, chairman of the Glendale Elks Lodge building committee, told the council this week that passage of the ordinance would hamper plans to raze the club’s 69-year-old building at 120 E. Colorado Blvd. and sell some of the property to fund a new building. The lodge is in the general plan as a historic site.