The property is uphill from other residences, and includes a significant ridgeline. Property owners below say that a flat pad big enough for the home would require lopping off the top of a ridge, filling in a canyon, and blocking access to 7 acres of City-owned open space.

The proposed main house would be a multi-story building, twice as big as the El Tovar project, and highly visible to the residents of Royal Canyon, College Hills, and Verdugo Woodlands.

Two neighbors produced site perspectives for the proposed home, using the drawing of the main house submitted by the developer. “Since the developer has not produced a rendition of the project shown in the actual location, we believe this is the most accurate portrayal of what this project will do to a prominent Glendale ridgeline,” said Lyn Foster.

1141 Esmeralda Dr. - View from Las Flores Dr.

1141 Esmeralda Dr. - View from Royal Blvd.

From the Planning Commission Agenda:

PROJECT DESCRIPTION
Application for a CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT to construct a new 16,813 square-foot single-family residence and a detached 494 square-foot guesthouse on a vacant lot located in the R1R (Restricted Residential) Zone with an average current slope exceeding fifty percent (50%) and where greater than 1,500 cubic yards of earth material are proposed to be moved, located at 1141 Esmeralda Drive, in the ‘R1R’ – Restricted Residential Zone; Floor Area Ratio District II, described as Lot 209, Bellehurst Hillslopes Tract.

Application for a STANDARDS VARIANCE is proposed in order to gain access to the subject site from an adjoining property (driveway not located completely on the same lot), located at 1141 Esmeralda Drive, in the ‘R1R’ – Restricted Residential Zone; Floor Area Ratio District II, described as Lot 209, Bellehurst Hillslopes Tract.

UPDATE 2-9-2010, 11:15 a.m.: The hearing has been postponed to an undetermined date to allow the Planning Department more time to gather information about the proposal.