2009-11-11 18:08:04 -

Glendale area residents will be able to enjoy the pristine experience of 18.4 acres of hillside woodlands in the community’s desirable Whiting Woods area while nearby, the Burbank-based Gangi Development Company will receive 2.16 acres of surplus land earmarked for productive multi-family residential use following the announcement of a creative land exchange between the City and Gangi Development Company.

In a

joint announcement, the City and Gangi reported that through the land swap, which completes a lengthy process, the City acquires undeveloped property southeast of Pennsylvania Avenue at the terminus of Deerpass Road. The woodland property provides dramatic panoramas of the Crescenta Valley.

Concurrently, Gangi Development Co., a long-time area developer, receives ownership of a much smaller but developable multi-family residentially-zoned parcel on Pennsylvania Avenue just north of the 210 Freeway. The surplus land on Pennsylvania Avenue was acquired by the City of Glendale from Cal Trans following construction of the freeway and has been dormant since. Gangi had previously received approval from the City on the remaining 2.89 acres at the Deerpass Road site for two parcels for two single family homes.

“The City and Gangi Development have come together in a creative manner to settle an earlier law suit that benefits both parties. The ridge top Whiting Woods property the City acquires will be preserved in perpetuity as open space for the enjoyment of the people of Glendale. Meanwhile, the exchange enables Gangi to use the surplus land located in a residential area for positive, productive housing that can generate property tax revenue for the city,” said Scott Howard, city attorney.

“Between 1998 to the present, the City has acquired approximately 585 acres to open space. The new acquisition of 18.4 acres represents a valuable enhancement to the open space character of the community,” he added.

Noting that the property may be approved by the City for up to 23 condominium units, Robert Gangi, vice president of Gangi Development, who worked closely with City officials on the exchange, said.

“We commend the City for its cooperation and creativity in making this exchange possible for the benefit of the community. The transaction is a win-win proposal for both parties as well as the residents of the Whiting Woods area who will see this beautiful open space preserved.
While we are receiving a much smaller parcel, it’s property that can provide much needed housing for the area.”

Gangi added that his company is exploring various options for development of the Pennsylvania Avenue property, including affordable housing. He emphasized that any plan it settles on will have to go through the traditional planning approval process.



About Gangi Development

Serving Southern California since 1947, Gangi Development is a third generation family run enterprise that applies professional principles throughout the design, build and manage phases of projects ranging in scope from custom homes to entire communities. Among its outstanding projects are Media Village, a mixed use development in Burbank which includes 146 units of senior housing, 60,000 sq. ft. of retail and office space, plus 500 subterranean parking spaces, and the multiple award-winning Water + Life Museum, the first LEED Platinum museum in the world for which Gangi provided design and build services.


Gangi Development CompanyRobert Gangi, (818) 247-2414orCity
of GlendaleChristina Sansone, (818) 548-4844