Newsworthy

Guess who was quoted in today's edition of the Glendale News-Press?

<<<>>><<<>>><<<>>>

County looks at rezoning

Residents of some Montrose neighborhoods want their area downzoned.

By Tracey Laity, News-Press and Leader

LA CRESCENTA -- Community pressure has compelled the County's Regional Planning Department to look into the possibility of downzoning pockets of Montrose into lower-density building designations.

Paul Novak, planning deputy for Los Angeles County Supervisor Michael Antonovich, made the announcement at a packed Crescenta Valley Town Council meeting, at the Sheriff's station, on Thursday night.

Many of the 50 residents, who had come to voice their opposition to multi-family development in Montrose, could not squeeze into the meeting room but were eager to hear what county representatives had to say.

"We can certainly commit to a zoning study of the area in question," Novak said. "We can commit to a process but not to an outcome."

The announcement followed a presentation by members of Crescenta Valley Heritage, who surveyed about 25% of 175 residents in six pocket areas of Montrose, which they believe are ideal candidates for downzoning from a multi-family development designation to one that allows for a maximum of either two or three housing units on a plot.

"I believe they've heard the people and I'm gratified that the county has agreed to look into the issue," said Mike Morgan, who interviewed residents and compiled the survey. "But it's not something that is going to happen overnight."

An R1 zoning allows for up to two housing units on one lot, an R2 up to three and an R3 allows for multi-family developments such as apartments and condominiums, said Sharon Raghavachary, Crescenta Valley Town Council vice-president.

The majority of Montrose, a planned community built in 1913, was zoned for multi-family development in 1936, county planner Mitch Glaser said.

Additional properties were up-zoned to this designation in 1949 but the number of multi-family developments peaked in the 1960s.

Montrose residents became concerned about over-development following the construction of a controversial 14-unit complex on Florencita Avenue last year.

"We are losing the essence of Montrose," resident Stuart Byles said. "The small town, single-story, semi-rural character is the reason why we are all here and we continue to stay here."