Planners Consider Ideas for ‘Auto Row’

Glendale city planners, trying to help auto dealers expand while appeasing nearby residents, considered several proposals Tuesday to give the dealers extra room while allowing a mix of other businesses along “auto row” on South Brand Boulevard.

One proposal would allow office and retail stores to be constructed there using guidelines proposed in a city plan released in October.

The plan calls for a 68% increase in the amount of land available to auto dealers within a 175-acre plan area generally bounded by Colorado Street, San Fernando Road and Central and Glendale avenues.

It would include space for development of high-tech, multilevel parking garages that could be used for customers, employees and vehicle storage. Much of the added land would come from converting property currently zoned residential.

But Marlene Roth, who represents the Glendale Motor Car Dealers Assn., objected, saying the plan viewed auto dealers as transitory businesses because the zone would be open to other businesses. “We should encourage dealers to stay for as long as possible,” she said.

Another proposal was to adopt the city plan for five years, after which the city could extend zoning in the area for another limited period or designate the zoning permanent. But Councilman Larry Zarian said that would discourage car dealers from investing in Glendale. “You’re saying invest millions of dollars, but I may change my mind in five years,” Zarian said.

For more than a decade, automobile dealers have wanted to expand their showrooms, sales lots and service bays to remain competitive with automotive shopping malls in outlying areas. But nearby residential property owners have resisted the expansion plans.

Other suggestions include limiting auto dealerships to the first floor of office buildings and integrating dealerships with restaurants, offices and retail stores.

Another study session on the issue is scheduled for Dec. 17.