Positions on Various Issues Impacting Burbank

By Emily Gabel-Luddy

This is a summary of actions taken on issues that have come before the City Council.

As a Planning Board member, and now as a Councilmember, I have maintained that the base FAR should be 0.35:1 which is smaller than allowed in our existing city ordinance 0.40:1 -- or total house square footage equal to about one-third of the a homeowner's lot size.

Currently, I am an advocate for the Visual Survey and the efforts to reach out to many segments of the community, including our community organizations and realtors. Our staff now need to focus and bring forward a sound proposal to close the loopholes in the current ordinance so that we can resolve this issue which is so important to our neighborhoods.

Boarding House Uses

In the summer of 2014, we took our first step at addressing inappropriate uses in single family neighborhood by adopting strict regulations banning boarding houses and short-term vacation rentals. These regulations were unanimously approved by the City Council after public feedback on the negative effects on single family neighborhoods when homes were rented out like boarding homes.

Hillside Development

I continue to support the preservation and protection of views from single family homes in the hillside area. While it is not always possible to preserve 100% of all views for everyone, minimizing view loss is an important element in protecting the quality of life in our hillside neighborhoods.

It is not that property owners cannot make desired improvements to their property, but if those improvements will negatively impact the value of adjoining properties' views, the permit process should present clear and convincing information demonstrating that the proposal strikes the right balance between enhancing one's own property and maintaining the rights of adjoining properties.

Cell Towers

I do not believe that Cell Towers should be permitted in single family neighborhoods and have consistently advocated for local control. The location of cell towers is a local decision subject to specific and reasonable findings. In the case of location, however, I am still waiting for someone to demonstrate that it is a necessity to put cell towers in our R1 neighborhoods. I have consistently maintained this position.

Voted No on the Citywide Cellular Tower/Wireless Facilities Ordinance in 2011 Voted No to wireless facilities at the Little White Chapel (it would introduce a 24-7 noise element and its design was found to be boxy essentially creating a third story and diminishing the visual quality of the steeple)

Historic Preservation

In March 2014, we earned an "A" from the Los Angeles Conservancy for our commitment to Historic Preservation. The progress was so dramatic that Burbank was one of three cities featured in a "Notable Improvement" section in which the Report praised our City, for transforming "its approach to historic preservation by making significant improvements to its program." Our past, reflected in the materials, character, and details of our historic homes are also a bridge to our future telling new residents how proud we remain and how far we have come. My record for Historic Designation is clear: I support it.

"Five years ago, a group of committed citizens and City staff collaborated on streamlining and publicizing the City's historic designation process," said Burbank Mayor Emily Gabel-Luddy. "This outstanding report card shows just how far we've come in recognizing and preserving our City's past." (March 17, 2014 City Press Release)

Voted Yes to support Historic Designation for homes in the community Voted Yes to support an ordinance enabling the establishment of Historic Districts in the City.

Taco Bell

December 2011 the Council disapproved a new Drive Through restaurant at the intersection of Burbank Blvd. and Buena Vista Street. The fast food restaurant location was next to multi and single family neighborhoods separated only by a 15 foot alley. I opposed this project because of the poor circulation to and from the lot; the vehicle conflicts likely to occur because of stacking problems on Buena Vista; the encroachment into the single family neighborhood because of the presence of "stacked" cars waiting to order food. The project would spill over with no way to mitigate and it would make a dangerous intersection more dangerous. Buena Vista Street was not a good location for another fast food restaurant. Taco Bell decided to renovate their existing fast food restaurant and upgrade it on Magnolia. It made sense not to introduce another fast food restaurant on busy Buena Vista.

Voted to Deny the project and Uphold the neighbors' appeals.