Hopes Dim for Housing in Hills as City Rejects New Road Plan

Chances for city approval of what would be Glendale’s largest housing subdivision faded this week when a compromise road-building proposal was rejected by City Council.

The council on Tuesday upheld a requirement that developers of the planned 588-unit Hensler-MacDonald subdivision build a full road through the San Rafael Hills to connect the subdivision with the Glendale Freeway, extending to Chevy Chase Canyon. The developer had hoped to swing one crucial council vote by offering to build a limited-access emergency road instead of a full road.

Another vote is expected next week on a zoning change, which requires at least four favorable votes. But two of the five council members have said they will not approve the change.

Councilwoman Ginger Bremberg said she likes the subdivision because it would preserve 213 acres of the 316-acre development as open space. She said she objects, however, to building a full road through the mountains because she fears it could encourage speeding and vandalism. She said she would vote for the project only if a narrow road with limited access were required.

Mayor Jerold Milner said he will vote against the zone change because he dislikes the idea of attached housing in the hillsides.

Site plans for the subdivision of mixed single-family homes, duplexes and town homes were approved by the council in October by a 3-2 vote, with Milner and Bremberg voting against the plan. Only three yes votes were needed to approve site plans, but an additional vote is required to approve a zoning change.

In an effort to sway Bremberg’s vote, developers had proposed building a limited-access road that could be used for emergencies. But all of the council members except Bremberg on Tuesday refused to accept the compromise, saying a full road is needed.