Design Review Board approves contemporary second‑story addition at 1335 Dorothy Drive after window and parapet adjustments

The Glendale Design Review Board on Sept. 25 approved a 552‑square‑foot second‑story addition over an existing garage at 1335 Dorothy Drive, accepting a contemporary rectilinear volume that contrasts with the existing traditional home while adopting a revised set of staff recommendations on window heads and decorative elements. Senior planner Nicola Haughty summarized the design and staff suggestions; the project includes a stepped flat‑roof volume clad in light brick veneer, a 3‑foot‑6 parapet above the garage, new decking and landscaping in the rear yard and an approx. 6‑foot cantilever at the rear.

The project applicant and architect explained that the design purposely sets the new volume back from the garage and maximizes glazing for natural light; they objected to a staff suggestion for a trellis above the garage parapet as antithetical to the streamlined, jewel‑box intent. The applicant agreed to the board’s request to adjust window head heights on the front facade so that the top of the casement windows aligns with the eave of the existing house, and to keep the proposed landscaping that drapes over the parapet to break up the large blank plane.

After public comment supporting the design and the applicant’s intent to retain the character of the original house, the board voted to remove staff condition 1 (trellis) and condition 2 (lowering the addition) and adopt a new condition requiring lowering the head height of the front casement windows to be consistent with adjacent eaves and to ensure trailing planting over the parapet is shown on plans. The motion carried 3–0. Staff will verify revised plans for consistent window materials and fenestration notation, and the applicant will submit final details on materials and the planting plan as part of plan check and permit issuance.