Planning Commission Recommends Approval of Condo Project

After months of debate, the Glendora Planning Commission voted 4-1 to recommend approval of the construction of 23 detached condominiums on Gladstone Street.

The Commission recommended a zoning change on only one parcel of land, the address of which is 447 East Gladstone, as opposed to the original plan of changing the zoning designation on all four parcels of land. The other three parcels would remain under their current zoning designations.

The Commission also had conditions of approval, 49 in all, for the project. Only three caused some concern for the developer, Olson Company.

Two of the conditions developers objected to involved property issues with the placement of a looped water system and relocation of a water meter: both projects are on land not controlled by Olson. The third issue involved reimbursement of a previously-installed traffic light at the intersection of Bonnie Cove Avenue and Gladstone Street.

In discussions with the Public Works Department, the water system could be looped in a different portion of the parcel, eliminating the issue. The developer could provide an easement of record to provide access the discussed water meter for city, said an official with Olson.

The traffic light concern was deferred to the City Council to hash out a resolution.

The conditions of approval were not included in previous meetings, since the commission had previously recommended denial of the applications, said Michael Forbes, city planner.

A small change to the proposed tract map included the removal of an easement behind two future properties on the northwest corner was removed, creating smaller backyards than the remaining units, Forbes said.

The "no" vote came from Commissioner Andrew Jared, who was displeased with the project and how it seemed to "shoe-horn" the units in.

" I liked the project when it is all for parcels when that would be an integrated community. I take strong consideration about what the community feels about this and if that is what the community wants for that location, I see nothing to stand in the way of that. However, I just cannot support the project as just 447," Jared said.

The Glendora City Council will hold a public hearing, after which a final decision will be made.

Click here to watch the Planning Commission meeting and learn more.