Be The ‘Sphere of Influence’

As many of you know, I follow land use issues as part of my role on the steering committee of the Crescenta Valley Community Association (CVCA.) The most talked about topic in the last several weeks is the update of the Glendale General Plan, which has caused quite a stir in Montrose and areas surrounding Glendale Community College, although the plan will affect all of us from the Crescenta Valley down to the tip of south Glendale.

Glendale has been busy. If you peruse https://www.glendaleplan.com/, you will see that for the last several years the city has been working on the 20-year vision for Glendale.  The comprehensive series of documents includes “plans,” like the Bicycle Transportation, Pedestrian, and Zero Vision and “elements” like housing, mobility and environmental justice.  These plans and elements are in varied stages of completion, all of which need stakeholder participation and feedback. It has been head-spinning for those of us who follow such things and completely off the radar for those who don’t.  

On Aug. 28, Bradley Calvert, director of Glendale Community Development, and members of the city’s planning staff came to the CVCA meeting to address recent concerns.  Most of the 70 community members in the room were there to ask about the draft Land Use Element. It contains a proposed overlay zone that would allow multi-family residential projects to be built on Glendale-owned parking lots in Montrose, at the ballfields by Verdugo Park and across from the college. Attendees were understandably frustrated that this change could bring high-profile projects like the ones that have been dominating downtown. No, thank you; leave North Glendale and Montrose alone.

While Mr. Calvert explained that the city can already build on the lots in question without any change to zoning, he remarked that adding the overlay would allow more flexibility in the future if the Glendale City Council decided to put projects there. He restated that currently no project was being proposed, and zoning wasn’t being changed. However, a review of Glendale City Council actions this year clearly demonstrates that council members are seriously considering it. The Glendale City Council meeting on March 4 resulted in a vote to classify 26 city-owned parking lots/properties in Glendale as “surplus.” In the staff report it states, “In assessing the City properties, staff identified zoning impediments that would prevent development”… “Staff believed that ten to twelve of the parking lots have development potential and could generate revenue for the City.” 

Following this meeting, the draft Land Use Element was presented to Council on July 15 revealing maps of several surplus properties with a proposed “City-Owned Residential Overlay” (CORO) designation. This revision would allow 50 units/acre (high/very high density) for residential housing that could be increased with density bonus concessions. In the meeting, deputy director of Long-Range Planning Vilia Zemaitaitis stated, “These changes apply to the Land Use Element and maps only. Zoning standards will be updated separately, at a later time.”

Bye, bye Mayberry? Glendale fails to understand that any potential revenue from such residential projects will be offset by the loss of tax revenue if businesses in Montrose are forced to close in the process. And adding residential density at the confluence of two main boulevards and the college would further exacerbate long-time parking and traffic woes. It doesn’t make sense. What are the city’s priorities?

On the Land Use map, the area known as “unincorporated La Crescenta” is described as the “sphere of influence.” I would argue that we are the spheres of influence. We have the power to influence government by our participation and vote. 

So, what can you do? Start by going to https://www.glendaleplan.com/ and read about what is being proposed in the various plans and elements. Then talk to your neighbors, attend meetings, write letters and submit formal comments. We are “one valley, one voice.” Let our voices be heard.

Susan Bolan
susanbolan710@gmail.com