Vartan Gharpetian

I do agree with TGHS’s sentiment. The idea of adaptive reuse and incorporating the historic recourse into the new development is not a new idea. It has been done many times nationwide and all over the world. This is the only way that we can preserve our precious historic resources, and allows the property owners to design and build a new project that keeps and preserves the character of the existing historic building.

Andre Haghverdian

I agree if there is a transfer of the property in at least last 5 years before entitlement process. A property owner who owned the subject property for a long time shouldn’t be obligated to this. It will have a drastic impact on the value of the property which may be the only asset of the owner.

Vrej Agajanian

No response submitted

James Clarke

As a candidate for the Glendale City Council and a passionate advocate for preserving our city's rich history, I wholeheartedly agree with TGHS's belief that historic resources, especially those eligible for the Glendale Register, should be incorporated into new developments rather than demolished.

Having lived in London, a city renowned for its harmonious blend of the old and the new, I've witnessed firsthand how historic preservation can coexist with modern development. Historical buildings are not just structures; they are tangible connections to our past, embodying the stories and the spirit of the generations that came before us. When we preserve these buildings, we maintain a living link to our history, enriching our community's cultural and aesthetic landscape.

Incorporating historic resources into new developments offers numerous benefits. It fosters a unique urban character, differentiating Glendale from other cities with a blend of tradition and modernity. This approach also promotes sustainable development practices by reusing existing structures, which is not only environmentally responsible but often economically beneficial.

Furthermore, preserving historic buildings can revitalize neighborhoods, creating vibrant, culturally rich community spaces that attract residents and visitors alike. By integrating these historical treasures into new developments, we provide continuity in our urban fabric, ensuring that our city's growth and evolution pay homage to its past.

In essence, balancing progress with tradition, as my campaign slogan suggests, is not just a concept but a practical approach to city planning. It's about respecting our heritage while embracing the future, ensuring Glendale's development is both dynamic and deeply rooted in its history. 

Ardy Kassakian

Yes. Whenever it is possible, we should allow for that. That is why I supported the proposal for the project on Kenwood that was going to build multi-family housing but preserve one of the craftsman-style homes on the property. Whenever we can find creative ways to re-use or re-adapt structures, we will all benefit from it.

We should find ways to incentivize the preservation of properties that are potentially historic and develop a concise database of these properties with a portal that residents, property owners and interested buyers can look up an address and find out what the status of a property is. This will go a long way in addressing the issues of confusion or misinformation when a person looks at acquiring a property to drastically change it or demolish it in order to build something else in its place.

Karen Kwak

When I lived in Salem, Massachusetts in 2015-2016, I lived in the Derby Street Historic District, along the waterfront. I had a one-bedroom apartment in a house built in 1772. I had the entire second floor to myself, with windows on all four sides, and an attic. I paid $1250 a month for this historic, charming, and quirky apartment that had a great deal of character, and a view of the sun- rise over the bay from my kitchen window. In contrast, a modern, cookie-cutter apartment building across town would have cost me $1300 a month, or more than the historic house. The interior of my apartment had been modified over the years to install plumbing, a heating system, phone lines, new windows, a modern kitchen and bath, etc. It was near the waterfront and next door to The House of the Seven Gables.

Every weekend, tourists would walk past my house and squeal “1772!” Yes, it was annoying when tourists would try to peek into my mail slot, not recognizing that “historic district” does not necessarily mean that all buildings in that historic district are public museums. These historic houses in a historic district, in the historic town of Salem, MA, were most definitely assets to the town, and a tourist draw that enhanced the revenues of the city.

So yes, it is entirely possible to respect our historic resources while also planning new development for a growing, modern population, in ways that benefit the City.

Denise Miller

Yes, I agree.

• Historic buildings and resources often carry cultural, architectural, or social sig-nificance.

• Preserving historic resources helps maintain a connection to the past and con-tribute to a sense of community and cultural identity.

• Historic structures often possess unique architectural features and craftsman-ship that can enhance the aesthetic value of a neighborhood or development.

• Integrating these elements into new projects can contribute to a more visually appealing and diverse urban environment, adding to the charm that is Glendale and its diverse neighborhoods.

• Repurposing existing structures can be more environmentally friendly than de-molishing them and constructing new buildings.

• Adaptive reuse of historic structures can have economic benefits, attracting tourists, businesses, and residents to an area with historical character.

• It can also contribute to the revitalization of neighborhoods and stimulate local economies.