CITY OF GLENDALE, CALIFORNIA
REPORT TO THE SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL
AGENDA ITEM
Report: Presentation of the Draft Land Use and Environmental Justice Elements during the Public Comment Period
1) Motion accepting the presentation of the Draft Land Use and Environmental Justice Elements, including the proposed amendments to the Land Use Map.
COUNCIL ACTION
Item Type: Report Only
Approved for July 15, 2025 Calendar
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Following presentations to City Council last year and based on Council’s feedback, the comprehensive update to the Land Use Element, the proposed amendments to the Land Use Element Map, and the new Environmental Justice Element have been completed. The Draft Elements and proposed Land Use Element Map were released for public comment on June 30th.
Staff will be providing an overview of the Drafts and Land Use Element Map changes; this presentation serves an additional opportunity for both the Council and the public to become better informed and to provide feedback during the Public Comment Period (June 30 – August 19, 2025).
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0 RECOMMENDATION
Accept the presentation on the Draft Land Use and Environmental Justice Elements, including the Land Use Element Map amendments, and provide any relevant comments.
ANALYSIS
City staff has been preparing comprehensive updates to the General Plan’s Land Use and Mobility Elements and a new Environmental Justice Element, led by the City’s consultant, De Novo Planning Group (Amanda Tropiano, Principal, Project Manager).
Project staff provided status updates to City Council on January 30th and July 30th of last year. The last update focused on:
1) Land Use Element, including an outline of proposed policy topic areas and proposed amendments to the Land Use Element Map;
2) Mobility Element, including an outline of proposed policy topic areas; and 3) Environmental Justice Element, including an outline of proposed policy topic areas and a discussion of outreach activities.
Following Council’s feedback, staff completed the comprehensive update to the Land Use Element, the proposed amendments to the Land Use Element Map, and the new Environmental Justice Element. The Public Review Drafts were released for a 51-day public comment period starting on June 30th (longer than the typical 30- or 45-day review periods). The Drafts are available online on the City’s General Plan website and at GlendalePlan.com and are attached to this staff report.
DRAFT LAND USE ELEMENT
The Draft Land Use Element (Exhibit 1) includes policy guidance, summaries of land use designations, a Land Use Map, and buildout projections to promote thoughtful, equitable, and accessible distribution of different land uses throughout the Planning Area (which includes the City of Glendale proper, as well as areas within the City’s sphere of influence).
Note: State law requires the General Plan to include all territory within Glendale’s incorporated area as well as "any land outside its boundaries which in the planning agency's judgment bears relation to its planning" (CA Gov. Code Section 65300). The Planning Area for the Glendale General Plan includes the entire city limits (approximately 19,585 acres) and the City’s Sphere of Influence (SOI) (approximately 2,839 acres), as shown in Figure LU-1, General Plan Planning Area, in Exhibit 1.
Land Use Designations
The Draft Land Use Element update complies with State General Plan law, which requires specifying the maximum allowable densities and intensities for each 3 5
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0 designation shown on the Land Use Map. The updated Land Use Designations clearly identify permitted uses and establish the applicable range of development intensity, typically expressed as residential density (units per acre) and/or floor area ratio (FAR).
Note: Consistency with these intensity standards is required for all zoning regulations, specific plans, and individual development projects.
The Draft Land Use Element features 18 land use designations: 8 residential, 2 commercial, 1 industrial, 2 mixed-use, 2 public land use, and 3 special use designations (see pages LU-3 to LU-7). The land use designations incorporate the following revisions, which were previously presented to City Council last year:
1) Revisions to the category definitions to better reflect the City’s current and future land use goals.
2) Addition of two new residential categories (High/Very High Density Residential and Very High Density Residential allowing for up to 50 dwelling units per acre and up to 100 dwelling units per acre, respectively). These new residential categories aim to accommodate stand-alone multifamily residential uses around the future Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) stops that are planned along Glenoaks Boulevard, at the corner of Broadway and Glendale Avenue, between the 134 Freeway and Glenoaks Boulevard, west of Central and east of Pacific Avenues, as well as directly south of the 134 Freeway in the Pacific Avenue Gateway area. 3) Division of current Mixed-Use designation into two categories: Mixed-Use Residential (which allows for a mix of residential and nonresidential uses) and Mixed-Use Nonresidential (which allows for a mix of nonresidential uses only). 4) Creation of a new “City-Owned Residential Overlay” to allow for multifamily development at City-owned properties.
5) Creation of a new “Specific Plan” designation to improve administration of Specific Plan areas.
Proposed Land Use Map Revisions
A key component of the Land Use Element, the Land Use Map depicts where different land use designations are located within Glendale – the spatial distribution of where the various types and intensities of land uses are allowed. Since the last comprehensive update in 1986, the Land Use Element Map has been revised through various General Plan Amendments (both text and map), Specific Plans (such as the Town Center Specific Plan for the Americana at Brand and the Downtown Specific Plan), and Community Plans that continue to guide long-term land use decisions. The primary objectives of the proposed revisions to the Land Use Map (Exhibit 2) include:
1) Updating designations to ensure consistency with current zoning and existing built uses/conditions.
2) Reflecting land use changes already approved through other actions (i.e., Community Plans and Specific Plans).
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0 3) Addressing inconsistencies in land use designations for parcels that currently have multiple or split zoning classifications.
4) Applying new land use designation and standards for areas near the BRT stops and the area north of the 134 Freeway, south of Glenoaks Boulevard, west of Central Avenue and east of Pacific Avenue.
5) Introducing a new overlay to permit multifamily development at City-owned properties.
6) Applying a new Specific Plan designation to the Downtown and Town Center areas as identified on the Map, without changing the actual Specific Plans or their boundaries.
During the last public presentation, Council directed staff to update the land use designation along Central Avenue between Tropico and the Downtown Specific Plan from Commercial to Mixed Use; this has been addressed in the Land Use Map (Exhibit 2).
Staff will expand on the various Land Use Map changes during the PowerPoint presentation.
Policy Topics
The Draft Land Use Element outlines the City’s long-term vision for physical growth and development across several key topic areas. Each topic includes a defined goal (as shown below), supported by corresponding policies and implementation actions. The goals represent generalized ideals of desired future conditions, while the policies provide guidance to achieve the goals and guide decision makers, and implementation actions specify the procedures or programs the City will undertake to carry out the policies and realize the goals. See Pages LU-10 to LU 19. 1)Land Use Mix - A range and mix of high-quality land uses that create a livable environment for community members of all ages and income levels. 2)Managed Growth - New development is encouraged in infill locations, especially along commercial and mixed-use corridors where infrastructure and multimodal transportation options are more easily accessible.
3)Compatible Development - New development that is compatible with surrounding land uses.
4)Urban Design - A connected and attractive community that promotes Glendale as a desirable place to live, do business, and visit.
5)Economic Development - A strong, diverse, and resilient local economy that supports the delivery of needed infrastructure and desired community services. 6)Infrastructure Planning - Adequate, reliable and essential public infrastructure and facilities, including transportation, water, sewer, electrical, and telecommunications facilities, to support all existing and future development. 5 5
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0 DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE ELEMENT (NEW)
The Draft Environmental Justice Element (Exhibit 3) includes policies to reflect efforts to ensure that all community members, regardless of race, ethnicity or income, have equal access to an inclusive, safe and healthy environment, including clean air and water, parks, and other essential resources. Such policies are closely tied to ongoing updates to other General Plan Elements, including the Land Use, Circulation, and Safety Elements, as well as other citywide plans like the Climate Action and Adaptation Plan, Pedestrian Plan, and Bicycle Transportation Plan.
Policy Topic Outline
The Environmental Justice Element features goals, policies, and implementation actions to minimize pollution and its effects on all neighborhoods, with an emphasis on those in disadvantaged communities. The Environmental Justice Element includes policy direction related to the following topics:
1) Pollution Exposure & Air Quality
2) Public Facility Access
3) Healthy Food Access
4) Safe and Sanitary Homes
5) Physical Activity Access
6) Community Engagement
7) Improvements and Programs
8) Unique Health Risks
Environmental Justice Community Outreach
Community engagement is a key component of the City’s efforts to create a new Environmental Justice Element. Focused engagement activities related to this effort include the following activities:
Booth at Glendale Fire Service Day on May 11, 2024
Booth at Glendale Cruise Night on July 20, 2024
Booth at National Night Out on August 6, 2024
Approximately 50,000 multi-lingual direct mailers sent to residents/households of environmentally sensitive communities in Glendale (delivered the week of July 22, 2024)
Dedicated project webpage for the EJ Element (GlendalePlan.com) Multi-lingual Environmental Justice survey (online and in hard copy) distributed on social media, website, newsletters, flyers, and direct mail Project Factsheet, business cards, and other collateral material available at City Hall and other community facilities
Interviews with key stakeholders (upcoming)
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0 PUBLIC COMMENT SUBMITTAL
Comments on the Draft Land Use and Environmental Justice Elements, including amendments to the proposed Land Use Element Map, may be submitted through any of the following methods:
Online: Complete the form at: https://tinyurl.com/GlendalePlanComment Email: Send comments to [email protected] or Mail or In-Person Delivery: Address to
Long Range Planning Section,
General Plan Comments
633 E. Broadway, Room 103
Glendale, CA 91206.
Comments must be submitted by August 19, 2025.
STAKEHOLDERS/OUTREACH
An extensive public outreach campaign to gather public comment is being conducted as part of the comprehensive update of the Land Use and Mobility Elements and new Environmental Justice Element. The outreach consists of online engagement, community events, surveys and other activities, including, but not limited to, providing the public with a timeline for all public meetings leading to the proposed adoption of the updated Elements and new Environmental Justice Element. Such information regarding the individual Elements and opportunities to provide feedback are posted on the City’s GlendalePlan.com website.
Note: City Planning staff and the consultant team will also be hosting public outreach booths and collecting public comments at three upcoming, City-sponsored events:
Cruise Night – July 19 th
National Night Out – August 5 th
Annual Fall Festival – October 26 th
Noticing of Public Review Comment Period for the Land Use and Environmental Justice Elements was published in the paper, emailed to all GlendalePlan.com subscribers and Planning contact list (including all neighborhood associations), posted on CDD’s and the City’s social media, and announced on GlendalePlan.com, the City’s website and GTV prior to the start of the Public Review Comment Period on June 30, 2025. The official Public Comment Period is scheduled to conclude August 19th, though comments will be accepted after that date as well.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact associated with this report or the adoption of the Elements, as the consulting team is already under contract. A portion of the contract has been paid by the SB2 Grant and the Local Early Action Program (LEAP) Grant. 7 5
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0 ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW (CEQA/NEPA)
No environmental review is required at this time.
In accordance with State and Local CEQA Guidelines, environmental review will be conducted as part of the Project once the Land Use, Circulation and EJ Elements are in sufficiently final form; public review drafts of the Land Use and Environmental Justice Elements have been completed, and the Draft Mobility Element is expected to be completed later this summer. The Final Drafts of the Elements will be evaluated in a Program Environmental Impact Report (EIR). The Draft Program EIR will be circulated for public comment in Fall 2025. The Final Program EIR will be prepared and presented to the City Boards and Commissions for review and ultimately to the Council for certification, along with the Draft Land Use, Mobility and Environmental Justice for adoption, in early 2026.
CAMPAIGN DISCLOSURE
This item is exempt from campaign disclosure requirements.
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Alternative 1: City Council may comment on the Draft Land Use Element Update, the proposed Land Use Element Map amendments, and the Draft Environmental Justice Element.
Alternative 2: The City Council may consider any other alternative proposed by staff.
ADMINISTRATIVE ACTION
Submitted by:
Bradley Calvert, AICP, Director of Community Development Prepared by:
Vilia Zemaitaitis, AICP, Deputy Director of Long Range Planning Approved by:
Roubik R. Golanian, P.E., City Manager
EXHIBITS/ATTACHMENTS
1. Draft Land Use Element
2. Draft Land Use Map
3. Draft Environmental Justice Element