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COMMUNITY COMMENTARY:
City rules are established for good reasons
By Sharon Weisman
A lot of things are different in Glendale from other Southern California cities.
Indigenous trees are protected.
You need a permit to do construction on your home, even replacing windows, especially in an older home.
The Planning Department enforces the zoning code.
Major changes are subject to Design Review Board scrutiny.
Historic properties and neighborhoods are treasured.
Frontyard fences aren’t technically permitted, although the ordinance is not currently being enforced.
You need to keep your front yard landscaping green.
Local homeowners associations proactively pursue livability issues.
There is a growing concern about the long-term sustainability of our utilities.
Business owners can’t get a permit and parking for a full-service restaurant and then run a banquet hall facility.
You aren’t likely to be able to run an illegal business for long because there are active citizen watchdog groups in Glendale.
What’s common about all these issues? Many new homeowners and business owners apparently aren’t aware of these realities, and run afoul of the rules.
People are drawn to the area because of the atmosphere, and that is maintained because of all the rules like those noted above. When someone comes into the area with a big idea that doesn’t fit with the surroundings and doesn’t understand the rules, they sometimes sink lots of money into a project that subsequently has to be radically changed, or even abandoned. Everyone is frustrated. Some situations escalate to lawsuits.
It occurs to me that Realtors are in the perfect position to educate prospective residential and commercial buyers about the responsibilities of living or having a business in Glendale. It may cost a sale in the short run when someone learns they can’t easily rip out a century-old sycamore for a frontyard carport, or gut an old drive-up dry cleaners for an office building requiring significantly more parking. But I believe informed buyers who understand the value of a community maintained to agreed-upon standards will lead to many future sales.
And with the current flood of foreclosures, we can all see the downside of making a sale that comes undone later. Perhaps some feel it’s not the job of a business person to do anything other than make money regardless of the consequences. On the other hand, I know from attending numerous charitable and civic events over the past few years that Realtors are among the most active in giving their time and energy for the public good.
Maybe some of the activism is to get their name out there to generate more business, but it seems to me there’s a genuine concern for everyone’s quality of life.
I hope those involved in the real estate business in and around Glendale and the Crescenta Valley can join with city staff members in informing more newcomers about our fair city.
It’s so much easier to avoid a problem in the first place than fix it later.
It does not need to be expensive or burdensome or time-consuming for Realtors. The city has a lot of information on its website and in pamphlets available in the various city departments and Realtors may have similar material.
What is clear is that it isn’t getting out to everyone who needs to see it. Of course, not all break the rules out of ignorance. I’m hoping a vigorous program to fully inform potential buyers will minimize misunderstandings and free up staff time that can be used to investigate and prosecute the willful rule breakers.
I think that will make future sales easier, and that makes it worth the time and effort.
SHARON WEISMAN is a Glendale resident.
Indigenous trees are protected.
You need a permit to do construction on your home, even replacing windows, especially in an older home.
The Planning Department enforces the zoning code.
Major changes are subject to Design Review Board scrutiny.
Historic properties and neighborhoods are treasured.
Frontyard fences aren’t technically permitted, although the ordinance is not currently being enforced.
You need to keep your front yard landscaping green.
Local homeowners associations proactively pursue livability issues.
There is a growing concern about the long-term sustainability of our utilities.
Business owners can’t get a permit and parking for a full-service restaurant and then run a banquet hall facility.
You aren’t likely to be able to run an illegal business for long because there are active citizen watchdog groups in Glendale.
What’s common about all these issues? Many new homeowners and business owners apparently aren’t aware of these realities, and run afoul of the rules.
People are drawn to the area because of the atmosphere, and that is maintained because of all the rules like those noted above. When someone comes into the area with a big idea that doesn’t fit with the surroundings and doesn’t understand the rules, they sometimes sink lots of money into a project that subsequently has to be radically changed, or even abandoned. Everyone is frustrated. Some situations escalate to lawsuits.
It occurs to me that Realtors are in the perfect position to educate prospective residential and commercial buyers about the responsibilities of living or having a business in Glendale. It may cost a sale in the short run when someone learns they can’t easily rip out a century-old sycamore for a frontyard carport, or gut an old drive-up dry cleaners for an office building requiring significantly more parking. But I believe informed buyers who understand the value of a community maintained to agreed-upon standards will lead to many future sales.
And with the current flood of foreclosures, we can all see the downside of making a sale that comes undone later. Perhaps some feel it’s not the job of a business person to do anything other than make money regardless of the consequences. On the other hand, I know from attending numerous charitable and civic events over the past few years that Realtors are among the most active in giving their time and energy for the public good.
Maybe some of the activism is to get their name out there to generate more business, but it seems to me there’s a genuine concern for everyone’s quality of life.
I hope those involved in the real estate business in and around Glendale and the Crescenta Valley can join with city staff members in informing more newcomers about our fair city.
It’s so much easier to avoid a problem in the first place than fix it later.
It does not need to be expensive or burdensome or time-consuming for Realtors. The city has a lot of information on its website and in pamphlets available in the various city departments and Realtors may have similar material.
What is clear is that it isn’t getting out to everyone who needs to see it. Of course, not all break the rules out of ignorance. I’m hoping a vigorous program to fully inform potential buyers will minimize misunderstandings and free up staff time that can be used to investigate and prosecute the willful rule breakers.
I think that will make future sales easier, and that makes it worth the time and effort.
SHARON WEISMAN is a Glendale resident.
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