Planning commission approves administrative exception for 1137 Melrose gate, trims proposed conditions

The Glendale Planning Commission on June 3 approved an administrative exception permitting an existing 6‑foot security gate at 1137 Melrose Avenue to remain in the street‑front setback, while removing a redundant mesh‑screening condition.

The permit authorizes the gate at a measured 16 ft 1 in from the property line, a 19.6% deviation that staff and the applicant said falls within the city’s administrative exception limit of a 20% deviation. Applicant Navidid Servian told commissioners the project is not a variance and that the city had previously accepted a licensed engineer’s as‑built drawings into the administrative record. "My primary concern is condition number one requiring a licensed land survey," Servian said, arguing that the engineer’s stamped measurements should be sufficient.

Staff maintained the survey requirement, saying the planning commission had directed verification of the setback and height at the prior hearing and that only a licensed land surveyor can certify property boundaries for the city. Staff also explained that mesh‑screening and building permit conditions are standard elements used to ensure design compliance and ministerial code conformance.

Commissioners debated whether the cost burden of a survey and additional conditions unduly expanded the originally discussed issues. Some expressed sympathy for the applicant’s expense but concluded the city needs a certified survey to verify the property line and preserve the integrity of the commission’s findings. One commissioner moved to approve conditions 1 through 7 and eliminate condition 8 as redundant; the motion was seconded and passed on a unanimous roll call vote.

The decision is effective on the meeting date. Staff noted that an appeal of the commission’s decision may be filed within 15 days using the city’s online permit portal.

Provenance: Staff presentation and applicant remarks introducing the administrative exception and the contested conditions (transcript segments SEG 035–SEG 194); staff explanation of standard conditions and survey rationale (SEG 195–SEG 253); commissioner deliberations and vote to approve conditions 1–7 and remove condition 8 (SEG 254–SEG 398).