Home Project in Glendale Rejected 3-2

For the second time in nine months, the Glendale Planning Commission has rejected a plan for a 38-acre development of single-family homes in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains.

The commission voted 3 to 2 Monday to decline a staff recommendation to allow construction of Glendale Markridge Estates, a 43-home development proposed on 38 acres north of Markridge road and east of Cook’s Canyon.

The commissioners said the revised plan is an improvement of one submitted last year for 50 single-family homes. But they said the issue of increased traffic in the area needed to be resolved before they could accept the project.

Traffic a Problem

“There is no question in my mind that there is a significant traffic problem in that area,” said Commissioner Gerald W. Briggs. “I think the problem is overwhelming. . . . “

In December, the City Council followed the commission’s recommendation and denied the proposal. Council members cited their concerns about limited access to the property, excessive grading, and the potential danger of fires, floods and earthquakes.

Marlene Roth, representing the property owner, Robert Feinberg, told the commission that the revised proposal addressed some of those issues. The revised plan calls for fewer home sites and 33,000 cubic yards less grading. Also called for in the new plan is widening part of the entry road from Markridge to the property site to improve access.

More than 40 people attended the meeting in which several residents reiterated their opposition to the project, most of them citing increased traffic.

“I’m just against the problem of creating more traffic for Lowell Avenue,” said Richard Nutting, who lives on the 4400 block of Lowell.

In a city report, it is estimated that the project would generate about 430 vehicular trips a day, with about 10% occurring during peak morning and evening traffic periods.

But Commissioner Gary M. Tobian, who voted for the proposal, said traffic control is a city problem. “I think the traffic issue is far beyond the developers’ responsibility,” he said.

Better Than First Plan

Kathleen A. Marcus, senior city planner, said the revised plan is an improvement over the first one and recommended that the commission accept it.

“We feel the plan is worthy of approval, whereas its predecessor was not,” Marcus said.

Residents also expressed concern about possible earthquake hazards posed by the Sierra Madre Fault line that traverses the site.

“We’re dealing with a seismic hazard here,” said Steve Salyards, a seismologist. “The question is what level of risk is to be accepted for this particular development.”

The project, along with the commission’s recommendation, is scheduled to be discussed by the City Council on Aug. 30.