Restriction eased for Glendale car dealers

Glendale will be lifting some restrictions on car dealers to make it easier for the tax revenue generators to do business.

The new rules increase the number of allowed wall signs and legalize temporary banners for 60 days with a permit, but no there will be no need for design approval, according to plan approved by the City Council on Tuesday. The changes will also let dealers on South Brand Boulevard to clump required trees into one area, rather than have them dispersed throughout the lot, to protect their inventory.

Balloons, however, are off the table.

“It has been quite a partnership to try to come up with a common goal,” said Lexus of Glendale General Manager Johnny Harrison.

Councilman Dave Weaver said he’d like to take the car dealer aid one step further.

He said he’d support a sign off the Golden State (5) Freeway advertising the Brand Boulevard of Cars, which includes Pacific BMW, Lexus of Glendale, Acura of Glendale and others. Years ago a similar proposal agitated residents who called the proposed advertisement an eyesore.

-- Brittany Levine, Times Community News

Twitter: @brittanylevine

Photo: The Nissan Leaf at Glendale Nissan on Wednesday, October 19, 2011. The city of Glendale is giving a $200 rabeate to the first 100 people who buy this all-electric, zero emissions car. Credit: Raul Roa/Staff Photographer