Planning Panel Votes Against Hillside Homes

In a victory for Glenoaks Canyon homeowners who oppose further hillside development, the Glendale Planning Commission voted 4 to 0 Monday against allowing construction of a 25-house tract off Sleepy Hollow Place.

The commission’s recommendation will be considered by the Glendale City Council at a special meeting scheduled for 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 1, at City Hall.

The planning commissioners cited concerns about developer Ken Doty’s plan to cut a ridgeline and destroy oak trees to build the expensive hillside homes on a 30-acre site.

Members of the Glenoaks Canyon Homeowners Assn. had urged the commission to reject the housing proposal during a four-hour public hearing Sept. 24, but the commission postponed its vote until Monday. Association members said the Doty project would destroy scenic terrain, create traffic hazards and add to crowding at local schools.

Commissioner Don M. Pearson abstained from Monday’s vote, saying that he lives near the project site. Other commissioners said they may reconsider their opposition to the Sleepy Hollow tract if the developer returns with a plan to build fewer houses and cause less environmental damage.

Glenoaks Canyon residents are also leading a campaign for a city bond measure that would generate funds to purchase and preserve undeveloped hillside land in Glendale.