Design Review Board approves addition at 955 Avonoke Terrace with material and facade study conditions

The Glendale Design Review Board on Jan. 23 approved changes to a two‑story single‑family home at 955 Avonoke Terrace that would add about 1,030 square feet and alter the exterior materials and roofline.

Staff presentation and project scope: Planning staff described case PDR-003535-2024 as an addition to an existing 3,938-square-foot two‑story house on a 42,699-square-foot corner lot in the R1R district. The proposal showed two additions, a change from a hipped roof to flat metal roofing and new exterior finishes including cedar siding and stone veneer. Staff noted the project was submitted before a recent zoning code change, so the addition is reviewed under the older “4‑5‑6” setback rule that allows a five‑foot interior setback for additions of the scale proposed.

Why it mattered: The board and staff focused on how the new materials and roof form would read from the street and adjacent higher‑grade Sweet Briar Drive. Board members said the project generally fit the neighborhood but urged revisions to the prominent street‑facing façade so the material transitions read as intentional rather than abrupt.

Deliberation and conditions: Architect Danny Aged presented minor revisions to the entry roof and confirmed the project will retain one gas fireplace but remove another chimney. Board Member Simonian praised the design but singled out the street façade as the primary concern. “Overall, I think it’s a nice design. They're, all the details have been addressed and you're using nice materials,” Simonian said during deliberations. The board voted to approve the project with two conditions read into the record: (1) siding shall be cementitious or another fire‑resistant material (staff phrased this as “cementitious or a fire resistant material”), and (2) the applicant must restudy the design of the façade facing the street (options discussed included extending the stone veneer, repositioning or furring the siding, and reconsidering additional windows) and return with a revised solution.

Other clarifications: Staff confirmed landscaping plans are not required for additions under current submittal requirements but can be requested as a condition; the planners may require landscape details later. The project remains subject to the older setback standards because it was submitted prior to the code change that took effect April 30 (the older “4‑5‑6” rule). The board recorded a unanimous vote to approve the project with conditions (three votes in favor; no recorded no votes).

Next steps: The applicant will revise the street‑facing design and supply material specifications showing the specified cementitious or other fire‑resistant siding, then return to staff for final clearance or return to the board if substantial changes are required.