[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6522822,"mediaKeyId","5066951-5f0030a7a64cc95a368974dfd460b998","parentId",5066951,"title","Glendale to buy 2.39‑acre site at 1000 S. Central Ave. for $24 million to expand South Glendale parkland","audioSeconds",1105,"startMs",3180000,"endMs",4285000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5066951-5f0030a7a64cc95a368974dfd460b998&start=3180&end=4285","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5066951-5f0030a7a64cc95a368974dfd460b998/thumbnail_3180000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6522822/Glendale/Los-Angeles-County/California/Glendale-to-buy-239acre-site-at-1000-S-Central-Ave-for-24-million-to-expand-South-Glendale-parkland","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6522822-19802453aeff609f44e9dc056f9b5c24/orig.mp4?Expires=1775843912&Signature=mdHy7NxLnh~r4kaHKlYW3jfqPFoS6P2~bqGVUx~ke03iiHjuqkQACPOO5uFIh2mUnvMjxAUTYUYBPAUCKO3ZY6XT8S9Y7pNVMbaav4aJ7n~45R-SVVucz1B8JBriOucTZVeIsFeaYkvb07IOOePvtCYGLPtIPl4KzGZezDxQWSudQYM9-uf~vecdOOTVVLn~6cz-~BRITTV5oT467qL4V46xVIqTx4WdmeFffvDrisEDxds90eq8-DuIFA~XTdVpRXl4MmuCNdPr2JDXPSIuReU998Qcsge-CVIi-8pPkbvEPq-QJn9FRFXCI7Tf~6kC6-jKy~41CY7gCDhXSqiRTg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Glendale","date","2025-06-25T05:49:43.69Z","article","Glendale City Council on June 24, 2025, authorized staff to execute a purchase and sale agreement to acquire property at 1000 South Central Avenue for $24,000,000 plus approximately $700,000 in estimated closing costs and broker commission, and approved an appropriation plan to fund the purchase.

Staff and funding details

Oni Kualanikian, Director of Community Services and Parks, told council the site totals roughly 2.39 acres, with about 0.83 acres occupied by an existing building (previously a Joanne Fabrics location). Staff said the site is in South Glendale, an area identified in the city’s 2015 parks needs assessment as “park poor” with roughly 0.7 acres of parkland per 1,000 residents.

The purchase and appropriation resolutions call for $24,000,000 plus approximately $700,000 in closing costs and broker commission. The appropriation resolution listed the funding plan as: appropriate $8,300,000 from the Development Impact Fee (DIF) fund balance, $2,321,967 from Measure A grant revenue, and transfers of $4,772,817 from the Wilson Middle School multipurpose field project and $3,305,216 from the Cerritos Elementary School multipurpose field project to the land acquisition project. Staff also told council that, overall, the city expects to use approximately $20,300,000 in DIF funds and about $2,000,000 from a Measure S general fund allocation, plus the $2,300,000 in Measure A grant funds recently awarded.

Council discussion and public comment

Beth Brooks, a public speaker, urged the city to pause or reconsider spending at this scale given growing homelessness and shelter needs in the city, saying the timing felt unsuitable to her. Councilmembers acknowledged those concerns and discussed interim uses and asset management. One councilmember asked whether the building could be leased temporarily; staff said the broker had received at least one inquiry about a short‑term, roughly six‑month tenancy.

Councilmembers emphasized they expect the site to become a park. Staff said that because Measure A grant funds are included, the property must be used as a park and that, if the existing building were retained, it would be required to function as a community center. After close of escrow, staff will issue an RFP to hire a consultant to lead community outreach and prepare conceptual designs; staff expects to return with conceptual plans within about nine to 12 months.

Outcome

Council approved the purchase and the appropriation resolutions; staff also requested a minor amendment to the purchase resolution to note CEQA exemptions for acquisition of land only and the council adopted the amendment. The roll call on the resolutions recorded unanimous affirmative votes among council members present.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Special City Council - 06/24/2025","oneSentenceSummary","Glendale City Council on June 24, 2025, authorized purchase of 1000 South Central Avenue for $24,000,000 plus closing costs and approved an appropriation plan drawing from DIF funds, Measure A grant funds, and transfers from prior school multipurpose field projects to acquire approximately 2.39 acres for park use in South Glendale.","taxTitle","Glendale, Los Angeles County, California","taxId",4651,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6522827,"Glendale council approves start of 10‑year pilot to allow on‑site animated signs on core commercial corridors",796,2256000,3052000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5066951-5f0030a7a64cc95a368974dfd460b998&start=2256&end=3052","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5066951-5f0030a7a64cc95a368974dfd460b998/thumbnail_2256000.jpg","/articles/6522827/Glendale/Los-Angeles-County/California/Glendale-council-approves-start-of-10year-pilot-to-allow-onsite-animated-signs-on-core-commercial-corridors","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6522827-34153a3b86ca0d010f84ba77fe4e6178/orig.mp4?Expires=1775843912&Signature=GIMjxaZj~a8RRC7oXlIh3VfCLfF-d5uAu6ZwUfiN0zkwoFmsWjbv3OKa6nAFmNXPIRPhbXEBwvMYygwWRofKV8apgAH3~Zrwegovc~bB2ky9WWiHF2fIM466RxzTK6xtX3LLTGeAJLMngjalnHlivcCpt0xA044cY6~yYJBbx8-49CS3Jqtf9SrSCFT5qWQY4djK9V9-WOApz7vgjaKJ2Z-B~M5EsvuEs8vGmh21WpXaM-VmvRYkoc9IF3sTK4hBq3JgP07hg56p9fXJ9Y8wA9S1J2BYlp4izJf-Qn0yPnfwzBwCT5X61ZCPS6CS~vq8NXfWAP8OwzKehSzhtnobCw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Glendale City Council voted on June 24, 2025, to initiate amendments to the municipal sign code to establish a 10‑year pilot program allowing on‑site animated signs in defined downtown commercial corridors, subject to design, illumination and content limits and subsequent environmental review.

The staff proposal, presented by Bradley Calvert, Community Development director, would allow animated ground or wall signs that display messages related only to activity occurring on the same property (no off‑site advertising). Staff proposed limiting the pilot to Central Avenue (roughly from the 134 Freeway to Los Feliz) and Brand Boulevard (from Colorado to Los Feliz) and applying existing size, height and quantity rules tied to building façade dimensions.

Key elements proposed for the pilot

- Only on‑site messages about activities occurring at the property; no off‑site advertising.
- Sign types limited to ground signs or wall signs following current sign‑size rules tied to facade frontage.
- Dimmable/adjustable illumination with a maximum numeric level to be established and the ability for staff to require reduced brightness after installation.
- Operating hours considered around 7 a.m. to midnight (examples provided by staff).
- No flashing graphics or words; visual messages must hold for at least an eight‑second interval before changing.
- Orientation and siting that avoid facing adjacent residential uses and that comply with public‑works sight‑line rules.
- A 10‑year pilot period to permit installation, study impacts and provide return‑on‑investment time for private installations while staff completes environmental review.

Why it matters: downtown business owners and some council members supported modernizing the code so small businesses can use animated messages for sales and events; others sought clarity about controlling visual impacts, sign sizes on multi‑tenant buildings, impacts on nearby residences and whether existing noncompliant “open/closed” signs should be brought into compliance under any new rules.

Council discussion and public input

Council members asked staff for a timeline and said they wanted small business owners who currently use nonconforming signs to be able to come into compliance. One councilmember asked whether the city should allow “open/closed” style animated signs to be regulated through the same amendments so current businesses could be legalized. Another asked about how sign area would be calculated for multi‑tenant centers; staff said sign size would relate to facade frontage and that a multi‑tenant building would have a rotating element rather than individual ground signs for every tenant.

A caller, Fernando Bridal, urged consideration of accessibility features, suggesting brighter, clearer signs for people with low vision and other accommodations for people who are blind or deaf. A councilmember proposed a friendly direction that, if legally permissible, the city seek arrangements to use private animated signs for limited public service messages in emergencies; staff said they would consult the city attorney and report back.

Next steps and outcome

Council directed staff to draft the code language, route the draft to the planning commission, and begin environmental review for the proposed pilot program. The motion to initiate the amendments passed on a roll call with affirmative votes recorded for the council members present.","Council directed staff to draft amendments to Title 30 to allow a 10‑year pilot permitting on‑site animated (digital) signs on specified stretches of Central Avenue and Brand Boulevard with limits on hours, brightness, content and orientation; staff will pursue environmental review and a planning commission hearing.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6522832,"Glendale council advances stage 1 design review for four‑story medical building at 201 W. Glen Oaks Blvd.",2208,41000,2249000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5066951-5f0030a7a64cc95a368974dfd460b998&start=41&end=2249","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5066951-5f0030a7a64cc95a368974dfd460b998/thumbnail_41000.jpg","/articles/6522832/Glendale/Los-Angeles-County/California/Glendale-council-advances-stage-1-design-review-for-fourstory-medical-building-at-201-W-Glen-Oaks-Blvd","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6522832-985af8369d5121cf0f9306c5a416c11b/orig.mp4?Expires=1775843912&Signature=Q3Izot1C0Y0wqq3YNo0JtZ9Z~ZEvwARrCKFFPEbq1Wt9fI01DYfAZg0wpjqBtItHlIqNaZ0J3zf0Ap0swH653uRENeXsDLlJ3naH7NklvTmN5EK3wVZWVUWhPzhWVZ1L0e6fJAq-IyZshOGx1LZ---ZwwGEoBNpBPbaLJBqQOW2B7W75BsSzLhXXMvbaJiDPIFpE4v-JQkk4Z8zbTYRh2-jnct9kCyx2pAe2IQcDCqUqkF90HR-GtoZgJKrwEeCaAGPOqIQ9KTG3cWXKQyzJ09BPxwW8LvJX0fybTAvL7nS5Jh2nFzl0DHKu18xZQytxbqp3YTW~wrIsnTksIx3-6Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Glendale City Council advanced the stage 1 preliminary design review for a proposed four‑story medical office building at 201 West Glen Oaks Boulevard at its June 24, 2025, special meeting, approving staff’s recommendation to move the project into further review despite council concern over the developer’s plan to provide no on‑site parking.

The project would demolish an existing surface parking lot on an approximately 7,920‑square‑foot site and construct a 70‑foot, 19,600‑square‑foot medical office building with one on‑site loading space, multiple secondary entrances, and two bicycle parking spaces. Staff said the proposed floor‑area ratio (FAR) is 2.47 and that the design generally complies with Downtown Specific Plan (DSP) Gateway District standards. Eileen Babakani, Senior Planner, recommended council approve the stage 1 review and proceed to stage 2 and design review board consideration.

Why it matters: the building would sit at the edge of the Downtown Specific Plan (DSP) Gateway District, adjacent to high‑density residential and commercial uses and near hotel and transit facilities. Council members pressed the applicant and staff on how a medical facility — including patients with disabilities and staff — would access the building with zero provided parking, a change permitted under state law for projects near high‑frequency transit.

Staff presentation and design details

Babakani told council the project provides a minimum 24 feet, 10 inches street setback from Arden Avenue, a roughly seven‑foot setback from Glen Oaks Boulevard, and two‑foot interior side setbacks on the east and west. The project’s street‑level façade is shown with significant glazing, recessed entries and canopies; detailed material, lighting, signage, paving and landscaping reviews will occur at stage 2. Environmental review is not required for stage 1, staff said; environmental review would be prepared for stage 2.

Parking and AB 2097

The project’s zoning code parking requirement is 78 spaces, but staff said the applicant is using AB 2097 to qualify for reduced or no parking because the site is close to high‑frequency transit. During the public presentation, an applicant representative said, “our plan is . . . to use that public transit and to essentially market that as a place that essentially has, you know, in the middle of downtown thousands of units,” and that the constrained lot prevents adding parking on site.

Council members objected to the lack of on‑site parking. One council member asked, “If somebody with a disability comes to see their doctor, where are they parking?” Staff replied that if a project provides parking, a percentage must be ADA compliant; if it provides none, the expectation is use of transit or curbside and public parking. Marina Vanyan of the design team said the east‑side windows close to the property line are fixed curtain‑wall windows: “They are all fixed windows, Curtain system.”

Other technical concerns

Council members asked for clearer east‑side elevations and context renderings that show the project in relation to neighboring property and possible future development. Staff and council suggested that the applicant include a rendering showing the building with likely adjacent development to illustrate daylight, massing and facade relationships. Fire and glazing requirements that could affect glazing percentages and setbacks were noted; staff said these issues would be addressed before stage 2 and could require design changes.

Outcome

Council moved the project to stage 2 design review and additional review by the design review board with the comments and recommendations made during the hearing. The roll call on the motion recorded three yes votes and two no votes.","Council approved a motion to move a stage 1 preliminary design review forward for a four‑story, 19,600 sq. ft. medical office building on a 7,920 sq. ft. lot at 201 W. Glen Oaks Blvd., prompting extensive council questions about the project’s decision to provide no on‑site parking under AB 2097.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Glendale to buy 2.39‑acre site at 1000 S. Central Ave. for $24 million to expand South Glendale parkland

Glendale council approves start of 10‑year pilot to allow on‑site animated signs on core commercial corridors

Glendale council advances stage 1 design review for four‑story medical building at 201 W. Glen Oaks Blvd.