Residents take on the City of Glendale and the Chamlian Armenian School. The Vahan & Anoush Chamlian Armenian School, located at 4444 Lowell Avenue in Glendale, California, operates within an area zoned R1 for low-density residential use, where private schools are not typically permitted. To continue its operations, the school requires a use variance, a special permission granted by the city to allow a non-conforming use in a particular zoning district. The school’s previous variance, approved on April 16, 2014, expired on April 16, 2024, necessitating a new application to maintain its operations without changing its structure or enrollment.
Chamlian Armenian School’s request for a variance renewal is once again before the Glendale City Council. The city needs to evaluate the long-term impact of this request carefully. Over the years, repeated variances have been granted, allowing continued expansion without sufficient accountability for the school’s impact on traffic, parking, and the broader walkability of our community. With the school’s recent $6.5 million purchase of a 2.5-acre property across the street, concerns about further expansion are growing. Below is a timeline of key developments surrounding Chamlian’s growth, highlighting the ongoing problems and the need for stricter conditions.
Project Overview
On May 15, 2024, the Glendale Planning Commission approved the school’s request for a use variance to continue its operations without any modifications or enrollment increases. Concerned parties subsequently appealed this decision, leading to further deliberations by the city council.
Community Opposition
The opposition to the variance primarily stems from local residents who have expressed concerns over parking issues, traffic congestion, and violations of parking regulations in the vicinity of the school. These concerns have been longstanding, with residents previously voicing apprehensions about increased traffic and safety hazards associated with the school’s operations. For instance, during a 2011 proposal for a gymnasium expansion, residents highlighted issues related to traffic and parking, fearing that such developments would exacerbate existing problems.
March 18, 2025 Glendale City Council meeting item #9
- Motion to sustain the Planning Commission’s May 15, 2024 decision to approve the project with conditions.
- Motion to continue the matter, directing the City Attorney to draft findings reversing the Planning Commission’s decision and denying the project
Historical Zoning and Expansion Timeline
The school’s expansion efforts have been marked by several key events:
- May 1984: The City Zoning Administration granted permission for the school’s expansion. Patch
- February 1987: Approval was given for the addition of portable classrooms.
- July 1991: The school was found in violation of zoning regulations, leading to a hearing to revoke its use permit. Patch
- March 1992: Chamlian Armenian School received a five-year zoning variance to gradually increase enrollment from 425 to 500 students. en.wikipedia.org
- June 2011: The Glendale City Council approved the construction of a new gymnasium, with the condition that student enrollment would remain capped at 500. crescentavalleyweekly.com
- April 2014: The Glendale Planning Commission approved an increase in the school’s maximum enrollment from 500 to 700 students. This decision was accompanied by concerns from residents about potential traffic congestion. crescentavalleyweekly.com
March 2024 – Current Variance Request
- Chamlian requests a renewal of its variance at 4444 Lowell Ave.
- Community members raise concerns about continued traffic congestion, illegal parking, and increased car dependency.
2023 – School’s Purchase of Church Property & Expansion Plans
- Chamlian purchases a church property and adjacent vacant land for $6.5 million.
- Announces plans to build a state-of-the-art preschool on the newly acquired property.
- Community members express concerns that this expansion will bring more vehicles to an already congested area.
Previous Years – A Pattern of Unchecked Expansion
- Multiple variances are granted, increasing the school’s enrollment to over 750 students.
- Each expansion includes promises of improved parking and traffic management, yet issues persist.
- The addition of a gym and other facilities brings more vehicles to the area without corresponding traffic solutions.
Ongoing Community Concerns
- Parents continue to park illegally and idle under no-parking signs.
- Mid-block crossings create dangerous pedestrian situations.
- Nearby intersections, already burdened by rush-hour congestion and commercial traffic, see worsening gridlock.
- The city’s vision for a more walkable Glendale is at odds with increased car dependency in this area.
A Call for Accountability
Chamlian has repeatedly requested variances, and the city has continuously granted them without imposing proper safeguards. If the school truly wants to be a good neighbor, it must adhere to stricter conditions prioritizing the community’s well-being. Before deciding, council members should consider delaying the vote and personally observing traffic conditions at Lowell and Foothill during peak hours. A comprehensive traffic study is essential to address current and future congestion problems.
The fate of Chamlian Armenian School’s expansion now rests in the hands of the Glendale City Council. Will they take the necessary steps to ensure responsible growth, or will they allow unchecked expansion to continue at the community’s expense? The decision made on March 18th will shape the future of this neighborhood for years to come.
What are your thoughts?