City planners approve two-story addition at Kenneth Village property

The Design Review Board meeting held on June 12, 2025, focused on a proposed residential project located on an 8,750 square foot corner lot in the R1 Zone, near the Kenneth Village neighborhood of Glendale. The site, originally developed in 1936, currently features a single-story, approximately 2,000 square foot dwelling with an attached two-car garage.

The proposed project includes a 143 square foot expansion of the existing garage, bringing its total size to 500 square feet. Additionally, a two-story addition of 578 square feet is planned, which will accommodate a new bedroom, office, laundry room, bathroom, and balcony. The existing driveway along Roberta Avenue will remain, with plans to enhance landscaping at the southwest corner of the lot to reduce hardscape.

During the meeting, staff raised concerns regarding the lack of detail on the proposed landscaping, recommending that the applicant provide more information on drought-tolerant plant materials. Furthermore, the site plan did not include a designated trash enclosure area, prompting another recommendation for revisions to address this oversight.

The proposed addition will not alter the architectural style of the existing home, maintaining a contemporary design that aligns with the neighborhood's mix of architectural styles. The addition will not encroach further towards the street, as the existing setback pattern is inconsistent. The overall height of the new structure will be 23 feet and 4 inches, well below the maximum permitted height of 28 feet.

The project features a hip roof design with a 4:1 pitch, consistent with the existing home, and employs stepped building forms to break up massing along the front facade. The use of consistent materials and colors is intended to reinforce the design concept.

In conclusion, the Design Review Board acknowledged the appropriateness of the site planning and design, while emphasizing the need for further details on landscaping and trash enclosure. The next steps will involve the applicant addressing these conditions before moving forward with the project.