New Neighborhood Applies for Historic District Designation

Recently, several residents of Niodrara Drive in the Verdugo Woodlands neighborhood applied to create a small historic district of 32 single-family homes. The proposed district is strongly defined by its landscape and streetscape features, most notably the flowing stream running alongside portions of the street. Lots of mature trees, including a big sycamore rising from a small island in the middle the street, help define the character of the area. Stone curbs, as well as remnants of original bridges and railings along the stream-bed enhance the neighborhood's unique rustic character. Homes of different styles and eras line the street. These provide a visual timeline of the neighborhood’s development, which began soon after it was subdivided by the Verdugo Land Company in 1910 and continued bit by bit through subsequent decades.

In September, the Historic Preservation Commission accepted and approved a petition asking the city to conduct a historic resource survey for the area to determine if it meets the criteria for designation. Once this is completed, residents will have the opportunity to sign another petition, this time requesting that City Council designate the district. If successful, Niodrara Drive will join the city’s five other historic districts, which help neighborhoods manage future changes by making sure that alterations and additions visible from the street keep the historic character that makes Glendale’s older neighborhoods so desirable.

Visit the Community Development Department's webpage for more information about historic preservation in Glendale.