Council upholds Planning Commission approval allowing Chamlian School to continue operating under conditions; appeal denied

The Glendale City Council on March 18 voted unanimously to sustain the Planning Commission’s May 15 decision to approve a use variance allowing Chamlian (Shamian) Armenian School to continue operating at its Lowell Avenue campus at existing enrollment and with new conditions.

The ruling preserves the school’s permission to operate in an R‑1 single‑family zone under the conditions set by the Planning Commission, which were adopted after extensive public comment, staff analysis and a traffic‑and‑operations review. Staff told council the current variance renews and codifies long‑standing site conditions: an enrollment cap (no increase beyond the approved cap), limitations on grades taught (including permission for transitional kindergarten within the existing cap), specified drop‑off/pick‑up procedures and a requirement to maintain a bus or shuttle service to reduce car trips.

Opponents — mainly nearby residents — appealed the commission’s approval, citing traffic congestion on Lowell Avenue and adjacent neighborhood streets, blocked driveways, property damage and repeated calls that neighbors say show noncompliance with prior conditions. Appellants asked the council to reverse the commission or to require a shorter expiration term so the school would return periodically for review.

School representatives, students, alumni and many parents defended the campus and urged denial of the appeal. The head of school described investments the institution has made to manage circulation and safety, including hiring seven professional security/crossing guards, stationing staff at the gates, operating a free school bus program and paying for traffic management services. Students and alumni described Chamlia’s academic and cultural role; parents and neighbors who support the school said the campus is a critical community institution.

The Planning Commission had adopted conditions including — among other measures — a tiered carpool incentive, limitations on event timing and types, designation of a school neighborhood contact person, and a requirement to cooperate with city departments to evaluate a mid‑block crossing on Lowell. The commission declined to require both a bus and shuttle, allowing the school to operate either a bus or shuttle service so long as required trip reductions are achieved and reported.

Councilmembers reiterated that the city has a revocation process should conditions be repeatedly violated, and several members said they expect the school to continue working with neighbors to reduce impacts. The motion to sustain the Planning Commission’s approval passed unanimously (Councilmembers Brautman, Garpetian, Kasakian, Najarian and Mayor Asatrian voting yes).