Glendale neighborhood on way to being named historic

The North Cumberland Heights area of Glendale is nestled in the northwest foothills, near Brand Park. Now the neighborhood is well on its way to becoming the city's fifth historic district.

The 179 homes make up one portion of a larger area that first prompted the city to revamp its historic districting process more than a decade ago.

"What you've done is to really give the whole city a gift in preserving this neighborhood,” said Councilwoman Laura Friedman as the Glendale City Council gave initial approval on Tuesday night.

The final vote will come next week, but council members indicated that the outcome was all but assured.

The facades of properties within the district — which features Period Revival, Minimal Traditional and Ranch style homes popular in the 1920s through 1940s — will be protected by a layer of oversight rules when the area officially is deemed historic 30 days after next week's vote.

The neighborhood is bounded by Grandview Avenue on the west, Mountain Street to the north, Ben Lomond Drive on the east and Cumberland Road to the south.

Charles Hartwig has lived in North Cumberland Heights for 16 years.

"We were drawn to the neighborhood," he said, "by the very character that is being hopefully validated by this effort."

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Photo: A home on the corner of Crestview Avenue and Cleveland Road that is within the borders of the newly declared North Cumberland Heights historic district in Glendale. Credit: Tim Berger/Glendale News-Press