Design review board approves revised home at 920 Stewerton Way with conditions

The Glendale Design Review Board on May 28 approved a revised design for a two‑story, 4,788‑square‑foot residence at 920 Stewerton Way, with conditions aimed at reducing perceived massing and limiting exterior lighting.

White Berger, the case planner, told the board the project would replace a 1,950‑square‑foot 1974 home with a new two‑story residence and a 690‑square‑foot detached, three‑car garage on a 13,075‑square‑foot corner lot in an R‑1R hillside zone. Staff summarized prior DRB direction and listed conditions including stepping back the second‑story parapet, following the existing topography, and restricting exterior lighting.

Aram Aladjajian, the project architect, described changes made since an earlier hearing: a shallower roof line, a recessed second‑floor balcony, revised entry proportions and a materials palette that includes decorative concrete pavers and Trespa cladding. "We pushed the balcony back, we lowered the entry form and adjusted proportions," Aladjajian said, adding the design team remains willing to refine materials and detailing to address DRB comments.

Homeowner Michael, who identified himself for the record, urged the board to consider the site topography and neighboring examples when judging massing: "Some of these pictures make the house look different than it will read from the street," he said, noting the lot’s pad and slope reduce the finished building’s perceived bulk.

Board members debated two alternates presented by the applicant. Several members said Alternative 1 provides greater depth and material interest, while some remained concerned about the projecting parapet and how the house reads from Old Phillips Road. The board focused conditions on three areas: stepping back the second story on the Old Phillips elevation (a roughly two‑foot recess or a comparable balcony/recess to lessen the overhanging parapet), limiting and focusing exterior lighting to entries and immediate walkways while eliminating vertical façade lighting at specified corners, and updating the landscape plan to show required city trees in planting easements.

Board member Simonian moved approval with the modified conditions and a final consideration that the applicant could integrate the vertical wood fins from Alternative 2 into Alternative 1 if the owner prefers that look. Board member Walsh seconded. The board approved the motion by roll call, with Chairperson Hallajian and three other members voting in favor.

The board’s decision includes coordination between staff and the applicant to finalize the details of the setback/recess, lighting limitations and landscaping prior to issuance of any building permits. No formal appeal was announced at the meeting.

What’s next: the applicant will work with staff to produce final plans that incorporate the conditions; any appeal must be filed within 15 calendar days on the city’s permit portal.