UBLIC HEARING: Director of Development ... - City of Glendale

Case No. 9557-$
1000 Flower Street
anticipate the unique needs of a research (animation) campus
environment which is essential to the creative dynamics which the
project is attempting to achieve, therefore ample "practical
difficulty" is present with respect to the application to justify
a variance.
II. There are exceptional circumstances or conditions applicable to
the property involved or to the intended use or development of the
property that do not apply generally to other property in the same
zone or neighborhood. The 13+ acre and triangle-shaped site is
located adjacent to the Los Angeles River. It is bounded on two
sides by Flower Street and Victory Truck Boulevard with varying
topography and is across the street from commercial/industrial
buildings within the Redevelopment Project Area. The site can be
accessed via the Ventura (134) Freeway then through San Fernando
Road. The size and location situations of this property afford
unique opportunities for the proposed campus-style development
project while maximizing open space areas on the property. More
often than not, neighbors support this kind of development because
they find this type of facility exceptional and an asset for the
community. The project's location, adjacent to the freeway and
the Los Angeles River provides a positive feature function for
this neighborhoQd in the Redevelopment Project Area.
Additionally, the isolation of the site (spatially) is unique in a
way that contributes to justifying the highest variance sought .
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III. The granting of the variance will not be materially detrimental
to the public welfare or injurious to the property or improvements
in such zone or neighborhood in which the property is located.
Existing industrial and office building facilities are existing in
the area and have provided good service to neighborhoods and the
community. The proposed development will provide office services
and facilities useful to the community and in accord with General
Plan objectives as well as specific plan for the Redevelopment
Project Area and the City's strategic direction. It is noted that
the maximum height proposed for the office building is at 65 feet
and it is only the architecture (non-usable) features on top of
the building (usable) that will go as high as 115 feet as shown on
elevations of the buildings. The variances will not conflict with
adjacent offices or neighbors or adversely affect them because of
the substantial separation of the higher elements of the project
from adjacent property.
IV. The granting of the variance will not be contrary to the
objectives of the ordinance. The variance is the minimum
necessary to afford the highest and efficient use of the property
for the function the applicant wishes to have. Height and setback
criteria are intended to promote compatibility among neighboring
uses. The minimal impact of the project will be consistent with
the goals of the ordinance. This variance will allow for best use
of the property while providing a use that will be consistent with
the Redevelopment Project Area and of service to the community.
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