The DOWNTOWN SPECIFIC PLAN is a mixed-use, urban design plan that establishes the desired physical vision for Downtown Glendale through a clear and comprehensive set of policies, incentives, and requirements. The Plan establishes a coherent and consistent regulatory framework of standards and guidelines in the form of an easy-to-read, graphics-based manual. It sets the physical standards and guidelines as well as land use regulations, and directs policies for economic development; streetscape improvements; transportation development; parking; pedestrian amenities; open space and land use; preservation of cultural resources; and public art.

A corresponding MOBILITY STUDY gathers under a single umbrella the full range of best-practices to reduce auto congestion and promote multi-modal transportation. Each of these - free bus shuttle, parking benefit districts, in-lieu fees, and transit-priority streets, among others - is tailored to the physical vision articulated by the Downtown Specific Plan.

• Downtown Specific Plan map at 8-1/2x11 (400KB)

• Downtown Specific Plan (14,500KB)

• Cover and Table of Contents (416KB)
  
• Chapter 1 - Introduction (170KB)
  
• Chapter 2 - Downtown Districts (2.6MB)
  
• Chapter 3 - Land Use (800KB)
  
• Chapter 4 - Urban Design (2.5MB)
  
• Chapter 5 - Open Space (2.3MB)
  
• Chapter 6 - Mobility (580KB)
  
• Chapter 7 - Incentives and Bonuses (51KB)
  
• Chapters 8, 9 and Credits - Economic Development, and Implementation (50KB)
  
• Appendix A - Proposed Capacity Enhancements (5.3MB)

Following discussion over three study sessions in 2008 (January 18, June 17, and October 7), and a public hearing on March 17, 2009, the Council directed staff to prepare amendments to the Downtown Specific Plan

On March 24, 2009, the City Council adopted a minor package of amendments to the Downtown Specific Plan, including the following:

Minor text clean-up and corrections in the DSP text (mostly coordinating land use definitions with the current Code definitions)

Establishing the Council as the approving body for public art, upon recommendation from the Arts & Culture Commission

Creating a height/density bonus for art galleries, museums, and similar exhibit spaces in new projects

Establishing parking exceptions for art galleries, museums, and similar exhibit spaces in change-of-use situations (implemented in the Zoning Code, effective in 30 days)

Increase in the height/density restrictions in the north portion of the Alex Theatre District (in the 300 block of N Brand Blvd)

Consolidated review authority for projects that straddle the DSP/GRA areas and adjacent zones (implemented in the Zoning Code, effective in 30 days)