GLENDALE CITY COUNCIL MEETING PREVIEW

CELL TOWER AMENDMENT

A week after imposing a 45-day moratorium on “wireless facilities” in residential zones, the City Council on Tuesday will consider clarifying the ban to cover only “cellular and cellular-like” services.

The proposed amendment comes after representatives for CBS Corp. last week requested an exception for broadcast television and radio facilities, many of which have existed atop the Verdugo Mountains for decades.

They argued the term “wireless facilities” could be interpreted to include their broadcast equipment and hurt their chances of renewing a conditional-use permit, which is scheduled to be reviewed within the moratorium’s time frame.

WHAT TO EXPECT

The council, having indicated a willingness to make the exception last week, will likely approve the amendment, which would take effect immediately.

ROAD REPAIRS

In an ongoing effort to repair the damage caused by the torrential 2005 winter storms, Public Works officials will seek authorization from the City Council to solicit bids for a reconstruction project on Greenwich Road.

The work would include extensive excavation and grading, the installation of piping and the removal of an existing 12-inch oak tree. As a mitigation measure, the project would entail planting four replacement oaks along the reconstructed roadway.

Up to $127,670 has already been approved for the project through the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

WHAT TO EXPECT

The council will likely authorize the bidding process given the fact that federal funds are already earmarked for the project.

ANTI-GUN GRANT

The City Council will likely authorize the Police Department to accept a $25,000 federal grant aimed at reducing gun-related gang violence.

The money from the Project Safe Neighborhoods/Anti-Gang Imitative Grant Program will be used to augment Glendale police surveillance and enforcement operations, anti-gang programs and networking strategies with other agencies.

Coordinating gang intelligence gathering with other law enforcement agencies as a way to more aggressively prosecute criminals is also a key part of the initiative.

WHAT TO EXPECT

The council will likely authorize the Police Department to accept the grant, which requires no matching funds from the city.

BOARD ELIMINATION

The City Council is expected to vote to eliminate the Board of Zoning Appeals on Tuesday after having introduced the ordinance finalizing the change last week.

The now-defunct board’s duties were transferred to the Planning Commission on a trial basis in November 2007, so there would be no change to the zoning process at City Hall by making the change permanent.

Since then, the Planning Commission has heard six appeals filed against a decision by the city’s zoning administrator, which considers applications for conditional-use permits, zoning variances and other planning-related exceptions.

The City Council incorporated the role of the Board of Zoning Appeals into the Planning Commission as part of a broad restructuring of the Design Review Boards and planning hearing process in 2007.

WHAT TO EXPECT

The council will likely adopt the ordinance, which comes with a recommendation from the Planning Commission.