Driving Tips Around Schools: Keeping Children Safe

With school year in full swing, sometimes parents and caregivers who drive children to schools may need a reminder of how they can play an important role in enhancing safety around school neighborhoods by following safe driving practices. 

We all know that drivers are often in a hurry and can be distracted during school arrival and dismissal times. This can lead to unsafe conditions for students and others walking, bicycling and driving in the area. 

Here are a few important safety tips to keep in mind when driving near schools.

Inspection Staff to Issue Administrative Citations

A top priority of the Building and Safety Division is to ensure the health, safety and general welfare of people who work, visit or reside in the City through the enforcement of regulations which protect property and structures. Beginning September 1, 2016, Building & Safety Inspections Staff will be issuing Administrative Citations to ensure timely compliance with Glendale's adopted Codes. 

Violations of the Glendale Municipal Code and other City Codes are subject to enforcement through the Administrative Citation process adopted by the Glendale City Council (Ordinance 5801). Violations may be subject to fines ranging from $100 to $2,000 and may be assessed separately for each code violation, each day they exist.

Temporary Signs Raise Pedestrian Safety Awareness

The City just launched a temporary wayfinding & informational signage program directing residents and visitors to many of Glendale's landmarks and destinations. 

The signs are intended to stimulate walking and exploration within the City and to encourage the public to take an active role in making Glendale a safer and more pleasant place walk. They point to some of the City's most popular locations including the Alex Theater, Montrose Shopping Park, the Glendale Galleria and the Americana, local parks & libraries and feature interesting facts and statistics about walking.

Look for these signs throughout the City and post your selfies along with your thoughts on making Glendale more pedestrian safe. Use #GlendaleWalks to help raise awareness about this important issue.

About Glendale Walks
In 2014, the City of Glendale received $2.7 million in bicycle and pedestrian safety grants to fund educational projects around the city. As part of this funding, the City is developing a Pedestrian Plan which will present an analysis of current walking conditions and offer recommendations that will guide the development of future pedestrian infrastructure. Please visit GlendaleWalks.com to learn more.

Artificial Turf Guidelines for Glendale

The wait is over if you’ve ever wanted to put artificial turf in your front yard, but there are a few things you should know before you do. As of June 3, 2016, artificial turf may be used in the single family zones ROS, R1R and R1. Here are a few important guidelines you should know before you install artificial turf:

1. Artificial turf counts toward the total lot area requirement for landscaping, but does not count toward the live plant material requirement.
2. Artificial turf is not allowed beneath the drip line of tree canopies.
3. A minimum 3-foot wide live plant material landscape border is required at the street front and street side property line.