Council OKs Building Cap of 1,400 Units

The Glendale City Council gave unanimous approval Tuesday to a building cap ordinance aimed at slowing the pace of housing construction.

Under the ordinance, the city will issue no more than 1,400 building permits annually for new houses, apartments and condominiums. Among these, 700 permits will be earmarked for affordable housing, and the other 700 will go to build houses that can be sold or rented at prevailing market rates.

The building cap is one of several growth-control measures developed by the city to curb a construction boom in multiple-family housing. The council placed a moratorium on new apartments and condominiums two years ago, saying they were contributing to traffic congestion and school crowding.

The cap on building permits will take effect in 30 days, but no permits will be issued until the moratorium is lifted.

The moratorium is expected to be lifted after the council approves other growth-control measures, including citywide zoning changes that will cut the number of new units that can be built on each lot. The downzoning proposal is scheduled to be considered by the council Oct. 30.