Guidelines

City of Glendale — Regular Meeting (2023-05-25)

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Planning 
Memorandum 
DATE: 
May 10, 2023 
TO: 
Historic Preservation Commission  
FROM: 
Matthew Taylor, Planning Division  
SUBJECT: 
Alteration and Maintenance Guidelines for Historic Neighborhoods  
 
Staff is bringing this item to the Commission for consideration and discussion. The city intends to 
implement general property guidelines applicable to both contributing and non-contributing properties 
within Glendale’s historic neighborhoods.   
 
HP (Historic Preservation) Overlay 
The city has 12 individual properties with an HP zoning overlay adopted by City Council. Only one of 
Glendale’s 10 historic neighborhoods has the HP overlay, and this is only for a portion of one 
neighborhood, Catlin Court. The HP portion of Catlin Court is generally bound between Orangewood 
and Myrtle Avenues between 58th and 59th Avenues. 
 
Properties below have the HP overlay and are also listed on the federal National Register of Historic 
Places: 
 
HISTORIC RESOURCE 
BUILT 
LOCATION 
LISTED 
Beet Sugar Factory 
1906 
5243 W Glendale Ave 
1978 
Sahuaro Ranch 
1895 
9802 N 59th Ave 
1980 
First National Bank Building 
1918 
6838 N 58th Dr 
1983 
Glendale’s Woman’s Club 
1912 
7032 N 56th Ave 
1989 
Manistee Ranch 
1897 
5127 W Northern Ave 
1998 
Glendale Grammar School 
1920 
7301 N 58th Ave 
2006 
First United Methodist Church Sanctuary 
1926 
7102 N 58th Dr 
2006 
C.H. Tinker House 
1913 
6838 N 59th Dr 
2006 
Glendale High School Auditorium 
1939 
6126 W Glendale Ave 
2006 
Jonas McNair House 
1897 
5919 W Myrtle Ave 
2006 
E.C. Bunch House 
1898 
5602 W Lamar Rd 
2008 
George O. Dowdy Rental Cottage 
1932 
6818 N 60th Ave 
2009 
 
Section 6.400 of the zoning ordinance contains provisions governing the identification, preservation, and 
enhancement of the city’s historic and cultural resources. The ordinance provides review authority to the

May 12, 2023 
Historic Neighborhoods 
2 
 
City of Glendale ● 5850 West Glendale Avenue, Suite 212, Glendale, Arizona 85301-2599 ● (623) 930-2800 
Commission and city staff for those properties containing the HP overlay through Certificate of 
Appropriateness and Certificate of No Effect processes. 
 
Staff reviews projects involving HP properties through 
the Certificate of No Effect process. The purpose of this 
process is to ensure proposed work is minor and falls 
within guidelines identified in the zoning ordinance and 
any additional guidelines contained in the HP overlay 
ordinance adopted by City Council. Applicants must 
demonstrate proposed work will not diminish, eliminate, 
or adversely impact the historic character of the property 
and, in the case of Catlin Court, adversely impact the HP 
district itself. 
 
More intensive HP projects may require a public hearing 
before the Historic Preservation Commission. The 
zoning ordinance requires the Commission to consider 
Department of the Interior rehabilitation standards in its 
findings. This process is like the No Effect review 
performed by staff – ensure proposed work is compatible 
with the property’s historic, cultural, educational, and 
architectural qualities and does not diminish or impact the integrity of the property and, in the case of 
Catlin Court, adversely impact the HP itself.   
 
National Register Neighborhoods 
The oversight afforded to the city for HP 
properties through the zoning overlay process 
does not apply to historic neighborhoods. There 
is no historic overlay in place providing the city 
with a regulatory-based opportunity to ensure 
effective protection and preservation measures 
are taken within Glendale neighborhoods listed 
in the National Register of Historic Places. 
 
The city seeks to develop general design 
guidelines that can be practically applied to all 
historic neighborhoods with minimal variation 
from one neighborhood to another. These 
guidelines are not intended to be overly 
complicated, imposing unnecessary burdens or 
financial hardships on property owners. The city also 
seeks to develop design and maintenance guidelines that can be equitably applied to both contributing 
and non-contributing properties within each historic neighborhood.

May 12, 2023 
Historic Neighborhoods 
3 
 
City of Glendale ● 5850 West Glendale Avenue, Suite 212, Glendale, Arizona 85301-2599 ● (623) 930-2800 
Contributing properties are residences that were present during the period of historic significance that 
retain their historic integrity. These properties independently meet national register listing criteria. Non-
contributing properties are essentially the opposite, displaying one of the following characteristics – not 
present during the period of historic significance; no longer possessing historic integrity; or does not 
independently meet national register criteria. Unfortunately, non-contributing properties can negatively 
impact the historic character of contributing properties and the entire neighborhood since there are no 
city processes which provide any oversight relative to structural alteration or general maintenance 
beyond what is included in the city’s Municipal Code.  
 
Structure and Maintenance Guidelines 
 
Guideline implementation begins with proactive outreach to property owners within each of Glendale’s 
10 historic neighborhoods. Property owner outreach will leverage the city’s historic preservation page 
along with digital media platforms. Internal coordination between city divisions and departments is also 
necessary to effectively implement neighborhood guidelines. 
 
The intent of these guidelines is to foster a sense of unity and community within each historic 
neighborhood regardless of whether a property is contributing or non-contributing to the district. 
Utilizing the existing planning service request process offers the opportunity for up-front communication 
with property owners in advance of formal applications or construction documents for improvement 
projects. 
 
Staff presents the following draft guidelines for Commission consideration as a first step in developing 
guidelines applicable to all historic neighborhoods. A final, formatted draft will be provided to the 
Commission in advance of the September 28, 2023, meeting. 
➢ Keep yards free of weeds, brush, and debris.  
➢ Install and maintain landscaping along street frontages to accentuate historic characteristics 
of the property and neighboring properties. 
➢ Secure vacant, damaged, or abandoned dwellings to prevent trespassing and further 
degradation of potentially reparable dwellings. 
➢ Prevent neglected accessory structures from becoming a nuisance or safety hazard. 
➢ Ensure exterior structural work is consistent with the dominant architectural style of the 
dwelling and other dwellings within the neighborhood. 
➢ Locate residential additions to the rear of the dwelling and away from public view. 
➢ Preserve façade architectural details and character. 
➢ Promote window and door replacements that express an appearance of originality and 
consistency with architectural type.

May 12, 2023 
Historic Neighborhoods 
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City of Glendale ● 5850 West Glendale Avenue, Suite 212, Glendale, Arizona 85301-2599 ● (623) 930-2800 
➢ Encourage period consistent yard enhancements such as trellises, gazebos, and pergolas.  
➢ Discourage enclosing existing garages or carports to create additional living space. 
➢ Ensure new exterior materials and paint are consistent with prevailing neighborhood materials 
and colors. Bright and high contrasting colors or color combinations are strongly discouraged. 
➢ Locate new mechanical equipment on the ground where possible. 
➢ Screen new or existing equipment with fencing and/or landscaping that is compatible with 
property and neighborhood character. 
➢ Use subdued lighting that enhances the property without inconveniencing neighbors, 
pedestrians, or motorists. 
➢ Encourage new or rehabilitated fencing consistency with dominant design, materials, and 
colors of existing neighborhood fencing.