What should the height limit be?

The North Glendale Community Plan draft is being presented to the Planning Commission on Aug. 17 on its way to the City Council for consideration sometime this fall.

The more than 30 members of the advisory committee have been working with city officials for two years to craft a consensus among all stakeholders. It’s a wonder only a few areas of disagreement remain.

The key unresolved issue is building heights in the commercial districts, particularly Foothill Boulevard. Current zoning allows structures up to 50 feet, but they must be compatible with the surroundings.

Projects proposed for the former Bob Smith Toyota lot and the old Foothill Building Supply location, both on the south side of Foothill Boulevard, brought massive objections from the community and were not approved. This illustrates the community’s lack of support for higher structures.

Current code allows structures like 3600 N. Verdugo Road — the nearly empty medical office building at the corner of Broadview. The lack of tenants willing to lease in the massive, industrial looking building shows that bigger projects aren’t necessarily economically viable in our suburban valley.

High-rise development is fine for urban downtown Glendale. I think we should offer a different, lower key, more-in-tune-with-our-natural-environment commercial experience in the north part of the city.

If you prefer human-scale shopping, service and dining options for North Glendale, please contact Glendale city planners Laura Stotler, lstotler@ci.glendale.ca.us, or Alan Loomis, aloomis@ci.glendale.ca.us, and let them know you support a 35-foot height limit on Foothill Boulevard.

Sharon Weisman

Glendale