Work starts on housing complex

Karen S. Kim

NORTHWEST GLENDALE -- Developer AvalonBay Communities Inc. is building

a 223-unit, two-story luxury townhome complex on North Central Avenue, a

rental community one councilman is calling too dense for its surrounding

neighborhood.

“It’s going to have a major impact on that neighborhood in terms of

traffic and the school district,” said Councilman Frank Quintero, former

chairman of the Glendale Housing Authority. “I’m sorry to see such an

intense development there.”

Glendale Court will be at 1137 N. Central Ave.

The project, which was approved during the term of a previous City

Council, was given its entitlements without being reviewed by the Housing

Authority because it required no variances, according to Madalyn Blake,

community development and housing director.

Avalon at Glendale Court will be the Alexandria, Va.-based company’s

first venture into building new rental communities. Since it began

operating in Southern California in 1997, the company has been in the

business of acquiring existing rental properties.

“We look for markets that are pretty dynamic, and Glendale obviously

has a great central business district and we’d be close to that,” said

Lawrence Scott, vice president of development activities for AvalonBay in

Southern California. “At the same time, the location is very residential,

with a lot of high-quality neighborhoods around it.”

Scott said the new housing complex, which will have 44 units to the

acre, was within zoning requirements for its location.

Quintero said: “I am interested in reviewing the zoning laws as they

pertain to density in multifamily homes in the city.”

The project’s units range from in size, from 773-square-foot,

one-bedroom dwellings to 1,512-square-foot, three-bedroom homes. They

will be built on a total lot size of 5.12 acres. Units will include

kitchens, crown molding, gas fireplaces, full-size washers and dryers,

oval soaking bathtubs in master suits, upgraded floor coverings and

European cabinets.

The complex will include a pool and spa, fitness center and outdoor

courtyard. Rents are expected to range from $1,700 to $2,900 a month,

Scott said.

LUXURY LIVING?

What do you think of the 223-unit luxury townhome project planned for

North Central Avenue?