3rd Panel Is Created to OK Designs

In response to builders’ and architects’ complaints about long delays in getting building permits, the Glendale City Council this week created a third design review board to approve architectural plans.

Several dozen builders and architects appeared at the council meeting Tuesday protesting what they charged were unnecessary delays in obtaining approval from the five-member review boards, required before a permit is issued.

The boards were created four months ago to halt the construction of what the City Council considered a rash of unsightly buildings.

A record number of requests for building permits was filed before the April 24 deadline, when more restrictive zoning laws went into effect. More than 450 building projects have been submitted for review by the two boards, which consist of volunteers, and 199 projects have been approved, city officials said.

After creating a third board Tuesday, City Council also directed the city manager and city attorney to investigate allegations by architects and builders that there are inconsistencies in the requirements and findings of the review boards and the city planning staff.