Design gets first approval

CITY HALL — The City Council last week gave preliminary design approval to a mixed-use commercial development slated for Los Feliz Road at Glendale’s entrance from Atwater Village.

The council unanimously approved Stage I design approval for the Mitaa Plaza development at 435 Los Feliz Road. The project had previously received the first stage of approval, but revisions to the project prompted a second look.

Mayor Frank Quintero said he was glad to see the major project progressing again at a time many other developments have stalled indefinitely.

“I’m very happy the property owner is moving forward,” he said. “You just have to look at photos of the current site to see it’s in a horrible condition.”

The 2.1-acre site near the border of Glendale and Los Angeles is bound by Fernando Court, Gardena Avenue, Los Feliz Road and the railroad right-of-way.

The original proposal was for a six-story building with a mix of general and medical office space, a restaurant and retail tenants.

The revised four-story 163,090 square foot building will include a similar mix of tenants in addition to more medical office space. The project will also feature a Korean supermarket and a health spa.

The modern box-like design will incorporate brightly-colored glass, steels and natural stone finishes.

“It’s a very colorful building,” said Councilman Ara Najarian. “I’m sure it’s going to be a landmark as you approach Glendale.”

City officials said the structure would help spruce up the city’s drab southeast entrance and could serve as a catalyst for additional development in the area.

“This could be the beginning of a transformation of this area,” Quintero said.

While Glendale resident Lenore Solis, who owns a business in Atwater Village and sits on the area’s neighborhood council, said the development could be a great community asset but could also add to the area’s traffic problems.

“I went to City Council a couple of weeks ago, and I told them I hope you are going to show Los Angeles how its done in terms of traffic mitigation,” she said Friday.

At Tuesday’s Redevelopment Agency meeting, Councilwoman Laura Friedman also said traffic concerns would be a major factor as the project proceeds with environmental review and the second stage of design approval.

“My biggest concerns are mostly about traffic,” Friedman said. “It it’s going to have an impact, it’s going to be there.”