Carmel Partner’s proposed 285 Unit Development Would Exacerbate Glendale Quality of Life and Housing Problems.

The Glendale Coalition for Better Government consistent with its mission of developing a responsive government to its citizens calls upon Glendale City Council to disapprove the variances and zone amendments proposed by the 285 unit development by Carmel Partners. The project which consists of a swap of property between GUSD and the developer, Carmel Partners, does not take into consideration the substantial and detrimental impact placed on the Glendale community at large. The Coalition is of the strong opinion that the project seeks an impermissible and illegal spot zoning, does not take into consideration the cumulative effect of other developments in its vicinity, is not in conformity with the current development plans for Glendale nor with the desires of its citizens.

Housing, congestion, traffic and lack of open space has been an ongoing source of discontentment to the citizens of Glendale and particularly in the downtown area. It has been the consistent position of the Coalition that the over development of downtown Glendale was haphazard without proper planning of infrastructure and transportation needs. The proposed project simply adds to the deteriorating quality of life in the area immediately impacted by this project and downtown Glendale in general.

The development of large apartment complexes by investment trusts has not meet the housing needs of the community but has had the opposite effect of exacerbating rental costs higher for Glendale residents. Approving this project will be more of the same high density and high rental units that will only increase the housing cost, increase traffic, parking and congestion and will further inhibit open space projects that are sorely needed in downtown Glendale. It is time for a comprehensive re-examination of the DSP plan and its objectives and unintended consequences.

The Coalition urges no large scale developments be approved without a comprehensive mobility study of Glendale and a re-examination of the successes and failures of the DSP plan. GUSD is urged to work directly with the community to develop a plan that would meet both GUSD’s future needs and address the concerns of those who work and live in downtown Glendale.