HomeMy WebLinkAboutMin - CC - 2018.12.17
Burlingame City Council December 17, 2018
Approved Minutes
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BURLINGAME CITY COUNCIL
Approved Minutes
Regular Meeting on December 17, 2018
1. CALL TO ORDER
A duly noticed regular meeting of the Burlingame City Council was held on the above date in the City Hall
Council Chambers.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG
The pledge of allegiance was led by Ken and Sharon Wills (Vice Mayor Colson’s parents).
3. ROLL CALL
MEMBERS PRESENT: Beach, Brownrigg, Colson, Keighran, Ortiz
MEMBERS ABSENT: None
4. STUDY SESSION
a. GENERAL PLAN UPDATE – COUNCILMEMBER FEEDBACK
Mayor Brownrigg stated that the General Plan is a visionary document for the City that will create smart
growth and takes note of the changes in the community. He explained that the goal for the study session was
for the Council to come to an agreement on the remaining key issues so that the revised General Plan could
move forward.
CDD Gardiner explained that staff had prepared a matrix (Exhibit B of the staff report) that breaks down
Councilmembers’ comments per chapter and staff’s suggested revisions based on those comments. He noted
that after the agenda was posted, staff received additional comments from Councilmembers and the public
that are not included in the matrix.
Mayor Brownrigg asked the Council about the suggested changes to the Introduction Chapter on page INT-3.
He stated that he believed it was important to discuss the housing crisis that the City faces in the
Introduction.
Vice Mayor Colson stated that the Mayor’s comment was in the updated General Plan.
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Mayor Brownrigg asked the Council to review the two suggested changes in the Community Context
Chapter on pages CX-1 and CX-5.
Councilmember Beach explained that for page CX-5, the suggested change is to include the following
sentence “A key contributor to the City’s economic success and high home values is the high quality of both
public and private schools. The reputations of the Burlingame School District and San Mateo Union High
School District attract educated knowledge workers and their families, many of whom work in Burlingame
and engage extensively in local civic life.” She suggested rewording the second sentence to say “The
reputations of the Burlingame School District and San Mateo Union High School District attract families
who engage extensively in local civic life.”
The Council agreed.
Mayor Brownrigg asked the Council to review the suggested changes to the General Plan Principles Chapter
on pages GPP-1 and GPP-3. The Council agreed to the changes.
Mayor Brownrigg asked the Council to review the suggested changes to the Community Character Chapter.
He stated that page CC-19 states “when requested by the property owners” in reference to annexation. He
noted that he didn’t think the impetus should be on the property owners but rather the language should reflect
that it is a mutually agreed decision. The Council agreed.
The Council agreed to the suggested changes on pages CC-22, CC-23, CC-31, CC-33, CC-50, CC-52, and
CC-53.
Mayor Brownrigg asked on page CC-32 what “consider protection of older single-family and multi-family
residences that define and contribute to the character of the neighborhood” means. CDD Gardiner explained
that staff was trying to reflect the Council’s request to protect historical characteristics of homes and
neighbors. He added that the chapter doesn’t include how the homes would be protected.
Councilmember Keighran stated that she believed the language was too broad.
Vice Mayor Colson stated that the problem was defining older and protection.
Mayor Brownrigg noted that the Council previously agreed to create a working group to discuss the
historical preservation policy for the revised General Plan. He suggested that the working group also be
tasked with reviewing this statement. The Council agreed.
Mayor Brownrigg asked in reference to CC-36 and CC-65 why the City cares about preserving building
stock on the Bayside. CDD Gardiner discussed the environmental benefits of adaptive reuse.
Councilmember Ortiz noted that he believed the intent was to promote reuse and not necessarily
preservation.
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Mayor Brownrigg stated that the suggested change on page CC-37 clarified that the 75 foot setback was not
only to conform to BCDC requirements but also to ensure there is sufficient space in the future to build a
seawall. He thanked staff for explaining the setback and asked that this language be put in the revised
General Plan. CDD Gardiner replied in the affirmative.
Mayor Brownrigg asked the Council to review the suggested changes on page CC-39. The matrix states that
the suggested changes are to keep all four options of the Resiliency Diagram to give broad discretion for
current and future decision makers.
Councilmember Beach stated that she didn’t see the changes in the revised General Plan. CDD Gardiner
stated that staff is working on the quality of the graphic for the revised General Plan.
Mayor Brownrigg stated that he didn’t believe that retreat should be an option on the Bayfront.
Vice Mayor Colson asked if retreating is defined as not building in the space or tearing down what is there.
Mayor Brownrigg stated that he read it as giving up.
Councilmember Beach stated that it might be premature to draw that distinction in a document that will last
for 20 years without any policy discussion.
Mayor Brownrigg stated that he felt strongly that retreat is not an option when the Bayfront is 40% of the
City’s revenue.
Councilmember Ortiz stated that he agreed with the Mayor and thought there should be strong wording in the
revised General Plan that outlines the City’s policy of not retreating and the efforts the City is making to
combat sea level rise.
Vice Mayor Colson stated that retreat is the all-else-fails position. She added that the City could focus its
energies on the other three options.
The Council agreed.
Mayor Brownrigg asked Council about the suggested changes on CC-48.
Councilmember Beach stated that the phrase Parking Management needs to be put into the revised General
Plan.
The Council agreed.
Mayor Brownrigg asked Council about the suggested changes on CC-63. He stated that the proposed
language is: “Over time, the northern portion of Rollins Road in the Live/Work area can be enhanced to
support pedestrian activity, balanced with continuing to accommodate truck traffic accessing the Innovation
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Industrial area to the south.” He stated that instead of stating that the Live/Work area can be enhanced it
should say should be enhanced.
The Council agreed.
Councilmember Beach asked if language should be included in the revised General Plan that the City has a
vision for a specific plan for Rollins Road and Broadway.
Mayor Brownrigg stated that the General Plan outlines the big picture and that afterwards, the Planning
Department and Council would work together on how to implement it. He stated that a specific plan doesn’t
need to be called out.
CDD Gardiner stated that another option is to include the specific plan as an implementation action or
program in the last chapter.
Mayor Brownrigg asked the Council to review the suggested changes in the Economic Development Chapter
on page ED-3. The Council agreed to the changes.
Mayor Brownrigg asked the Council to review the suggested changes to the Mobility Chapter on pages M-1
and M-9. He stated that on page M-1, the suggested change is “Design parking structures to be adaptable to
other uses in the future to accommodate potential changes in mobility and parking practices.” He asked if
the parking structure that is currently in the works would have to follow this policy. CDD Gardiner stated
that staff has worked with the developer to ensure that these principles are in the design of the structure.
City Attorney Kane voiced concern that this policy would make it impossible to approve parking structures
that don’t have the ability to convert into other uses in the future. She suggested having some wiggle room
to maneuver if there are cases where the City is constrained.
Councilmember Beach stated that she supported the suggested language of requiring parking structures to be
adaptable.
Mayor Brownrigg stated that he believed the Council wanted to future proof buildings and that this
preference should be made clear. But he agreed that the City needed some wiggle room.
The Council agreed to the suggested changes on page M-9.
Mayor Brownrigg asked the Council to review the suggested changes in the Infrastructure Chapter on page
IF-3. The Council agreed to the changes.
Mayor Brownrigg asked the Council to review the suggested changes to the Community Safety Chapter on
pages CS-7, CS-13, and CS-16. The Council agreed to the changes.
Mayor Brownrigg opened the item up for public comment.
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Burlingame resident Kamran Ehsanipour discussed his property on El Camino Real and asked about utilizing
variable massing for the height requirements.
Councilmember Ortiz stated that starting on page CC-11 the revised General Plan describes the Broadway
district and discusses a density of 40 units per acre with a 2.0 FAR. He asked if this was a mistake and the
FAR should be 3.0. CDD Gardiner replied that currently the FAR is 3.0.
Councilmember Keighran asked if the 3.0 FAR allows for a height of 45 feet. CDD Gardiner replied in the
affirmative.
Councilmember Keighran asked if at the last discussion the Council decided on 3.0 FAR instead of what is
written in the revised General Plan of 2.0 FAR.
Councilmember Ortiz stated that at the last discussion he was pushing for more density on Broadway and
believed he was out voted.
Mayor Brownrigg asked if Broadway requirements were being discussed because that is what is used for the
properties at Adeline and El Camino Real. CDD Gardiner replied in the affirmative.
Councilmember Ortiz stated that his stance is that the FAR has to be 3.0 on Broadway in order to encourage
redevelopment.
Councilmember Beach stated that she believed what the Council had decided for Broadway was that they
were okay with three floors and 40 units per acre. CDD Gardiner replied in the affirmative.
Councilmember Beach stated that based on what the Council decided at the last discussion, the FAR on CC-
12 should be edited to read 3.0 FAR. CDD Gardiner explained that at the November 19, 2018 Council
meeting, the Council discussed the number of floors allowed on Broadway, not the floor area ratio.
Councilmember Beach stated that in reference to Mr. Ehsanipour’s comment, the question at hand is whether
Adeline area should continue to reflect Broadway or should reflect something different.
The Council discussed whether on Broadway the revised General Plan should allow for three floors or 3.0
FAR. CDD Gardiner stated that the MIG consultant pointed out that it is additive. He explained that the
reason the revised General Plan states 2.0 FAR plus 40 units per acre is to acknowledge that the mixed use
would be an intensification. He added that if the Council wants the option to have 3.0 FAR as commercial
that can work.
Councilmember Ortiz asked if the Council decided on 3.0 FAR, would it apply to all three floors. CDD
Gardiner replied in the affirmative. He explained that generally the floor area ratio is used for commercial.
Therefore, if it is 3.0 FAR, someone could build a three story building, lot line to lot line, that is retail with
two floors of office. Or alternatively they could combine the floor area ratio with the residential density of
40 units per acre.
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Vice Mayor Colson asked which one has the higher probability of getting the City more housing versus
office space. CDD Gardiner replied that the City would have a greater chance of getting housing if the
policy was 2.0 FAR plus 40 units per acre.
Mayor Brownrigg asked if the consensus is therefore to leave it as is. The Council replied in the affirmative.
Mayor Brownrigg asked how the policy for Broadway of 2.0 FAR plus 40 units per acre will affect the
commercial node on El Camino Real. He asked where the commercial node is mentioned in the revised
General Plan. CDD Gardiner stated that it might be mentioned in passing in the El Camino Real section. He
explained that this section describes the commercial nodes on Adeline and at the end of Broadway.
Former Mayor Terry Nagel discussed the Community Safety Chapter. She asked that in CS-3.10 that the
acronyms be spelled out. Additionally, she stated that CS-2.9 ensures access to City alleys in the
Burlingame Downtown and asked that this policy be extended to Broadway and in residential
neighborhoods.
Summerhill representative Elaine Breeze stated that on page CS-16, exterior noise is not defined and under
the current version of the revised General Plan would apply to all outdoor areas.
Mayor Brownrigg closed public comment.
Mayor Brownrigg asked for Council’s opinion on the commercial node at El Camino Real and Adeline.
Councilmember Keighran stated that she thought at the November 19, 2018 Council meeting that the
Council was leaning towards aligning the commercial node with Broadway. She explained that after
reflecting on this discussion, because El Camino Real is a transportation corridor and the City is trying to
encourage housing in these areas, she thought the Council should allow the commercial node to build to 45
feet by right and 55 feet with a conditional use permit. She stated that with the conditional use permit, the
developer would have to come before the Planning Commission and explain why they want the permit.
Councilmember Ortiz asked if Councilmember Keighran’s suggestion was to create a new zone that applies
to the commercial node.
Mayor Brownrigg asked if Councilmember Keighran’s suggestion was matching the commercial node to the
El Camino Real zone requirements. CDD Gardiner stated that this commercial node is described in the El
Camino Real Corridor.
Councilmember Beach asked if Councilmember Keighran’s suggestion would be to align the commercial
node with the R-3 zone which is around that area. CDD Gardiner replied that what Councilmember
Keighran is describing is consistent with R-3 height limits.
Councilmember Beach asked with a conditional use permit if the incentive could be an affordable unit. She
asked if R-3 would allow for a little more density, allowing for more units. CDD Gardiner stated that R-3
allows for 50 units per acre.
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Councilmember Ortiz asked if the Council is considering creating a special designation for this commercial
node.
Vice Mayor Colson noted that State Senator Wiener’s bill, SB 50, proposes making the height requirements
along transit corridors 45-55 feet. She noted that this was consistent with Councilmember Keighran’s
suggestion. She explained that SB 50 also discusses density requirements, and if signed would dramatically
reduce parking requirements. She stated that she would rather the City get ahead of this bill rather than have
it forced on the City.
Councilmember Beach asked if it would make sense to have an R-3 overlay. CDD Gardiner replied in the
affirmative.
Mayor Brownrigg stated that Ms. Breeze was concerned about the noise regulations. CDD Gardiner replied
that the concern is that the wording implies any outdoor area, when the noise regulations should only apply
to usable open space.
Mayor Brownrigg asked if this would be amended. CDD Gardiner replied in the affirmative.
Mayor Brownrigg stated that Former Mayor Nagel’s comments struck him as sensible changes. The Council
agreed.
Councilmember Beach suggested that based on the discussion on workforce housing downtown, that the
Council should consider allowing additional density and housing configurations that fit within the height
limits of Burlingame Downtown Specific Plan.
The Council agreed.
Councilmember Beach stated that in reference to transportation, the City should consider emerging water
transportation options. The Council agreed.
Councilmember Keighran asked how SB 50 affects R-1 zones. CDD Gardiner stated that he needed to
further review SB 50.
Councilmember Ortiz stated that that the Council should allow 50 units per acre in the Broadway District.
Councilmember Beach stated that the Council should further review this option when the Broadway Specific
Plan is undertaken.
CDD Gardiner stated that staff discussed with MIG whether 50 units per acre would trigger CEQA.
Councilmember Keighran asked for staff to research what can actually be built in the Broadway area so that
Council can make an informed decision. CDD Gardiner replied in the affirmative.
Mayor Brownrigg asked if his colleagues were in support of the revised General Plan. The Council replied
in the affirmative.
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5. UPCOMING EVENTS
Mayor Brownrigg reviewed the upcoming events taking place in the City.
6. PRESENTATIONS
a. CITY RECOGNITION OF POLICE CHIEF ERIC WOLLMAN
Mayor Brownrigg presented Police Chief Wollman with a proclamation honoring his 36-year career as a
police officer in Daly City and Burlingame.
The Council thanked Police Chief Wollman and wished him well on his retirement.
Police Chief Eric Wollman thanked the Council, the community, and the Department Head team for their
support the last seven years. He thanked Captain Michael Matteucci for his help and collaboration and his
family for their love and support over the years.
Congratulations Police Chief Wollman on your retirement; you will be missed.
7. PUBLIC COMMENT
There were no public comments.
8. CONSENT CALENDAR
Mayor Brownrigg asked the Councilmembers and the public if they wished to remove any item from the
Consent Calendar. No items were removed.
Councilmember Keighran made a motion to approve the Consent Calendar; seconded by Councilmember
Beach. The motion passed unanimously by voice vote, 5-0.
a. ADOPTION OF CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES DECEMBER 7, 2018
City Clerk Hassel-Shearer requested Council adopt the City Council Meeting Minutes of December 7, 2018.
b. ADOPTION OF A RESOLUTION AWARDING A CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT TO
CRATUS INC., FOR THE CAROLAN-ROLLINS EASEMENT SANITARY SEWER MAIN
RELOCATION PROJECT, CITY PROJECT NO. 84850 AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY
MANAGER TO EXECUTE THE CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT
DPW Murtuza requested Council adopt Resolution Number 155-2018.
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c. ADOPTION OF A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE
A PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH 4LEAF INC. TO PROVIDE
BUILDING PERMIT AND INSPECTION SERVICES
CDD Gardiner requested Council adopt Resolution Number 156-2018.
d. APPROVAL OF LIBRARY STAFF OUT-OF-STATE TRAVEL
City Librarian McCulley requested Council’s approval of Library staff out-of-state travel.
e. ACCEPTANCE OF A BURLINGAME LIBRARY FOUNDATION GRANT IN THE
AMOUNT OF $8,503 TO FUND A PART-TIME HOMEWORK CENTER MONITOR
POSITION
City Librarian McCulley requested Council’s acceptance of a Burlingame Library Foundation grant in the
amount of $8,503 to fund a part-time homework center monitor position.
f. ADOPTION OF THE 2019 CITY COUNCIL CALENDAR
City Clerk Hassel-Shearer requested Council adopt the 2019 City Council Calendar.
9. PUBLIC HEARINGS
a. INTRODUTION OF AN ORDINANCE DELETING MUNICIPAL CODE SECTION 9.08.040
BEES
City Attorney Kane stated that currently the City has a number of ordinances that were adopted in 1941 with
the purpose of ensuring that Burlingame didn’t become an agricultural community. She noted that one
aspect of these ordinances was the limitation on the keeping of bees. She explained that now there is a better
understanding of the importance of pollinators in the environment.
City Attorney Kane explained that a citizen group came to Council asking that the one hive per parcel
restriction be removed. The City Council subsequently directed staff to work with the citizen group. Staff
came to the conclusion that the best solution was to delete the regulation rather than amend the regulation.
City Attorney Kane noted that the proposed ordinance needs to be amended prior to the Mayor opening the
public hearing. She explained that the last “Whereas clause” on the first page states “WHEREAS, the City
has coordinated with a beekeeper mentorship and education program in order to provide support and
technical assistance in cases where neighbors” and the sentence is not completed. She stated that the
sentence should end with “express concerns relating to nearby hives.”
Mayor Brownrigg asked the City Clerk to read the title of the ordinance. Assistant City Clerk Halcon read
the title.
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Councilmember Keighran made a motion to waive further reading, introduce the ordinance, and amend the
ordinance with the City Attorney’s language; seconded by Councilmember Ortiz. The motion passed
unanimously by voice vote, 5-0.
Mayor Brownrigg opened the item up for public hearing.
Burlingame resident Bob Silverstein, Nikki Irvine, and Doug Silverstein thanked the Council and staff for
their work on removing this regulation.
Mayor Brownrigg closed the public hearing.
Vice Mayor Colson thanked staff and the community for supporting deregulating beekeeping.
10. STAFF REPORTS AND COMMUNICATIONS
There were no staff reports.
11. COUNCIL COMMITTEE AND ACTIVITIES REPORTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
a. VICE MAYOR COLSON’S COMMITTEE REPORT
b. COUNCILMEMBER BEACH’S COMMITTEE REPORT
12. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
There were no future agenda items.
13. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The agendas, packets, and meeting minutes for the Planning Commission, Traffic, Parking & Safety
Commission, Beautification Commission, Parks and Recreation Commission and Library Board of Trustees
are available online at www.burlingame.org.
14. CEREMONIAL
a. ROTATION OF COUNCILMEMBERS
Mayor Brownrigg began by recognizing former Burlingame Mayors Frank Pagliaro, Terry Nagel, Cathy
Baylock, Rosalie O’Mahony, Joe Galligan, and Jerry Deal; former Burlingame Councilmembers Russ Cohen
and John Root; SMUHSD Board President Greg Land; Millbrae Mayor Gina Papan; Supervisor Dave Pine;
Hillsborough Vice Mayor Marie Chuang; Traffic Safety and Parking Commissioners Howard Wettan, Jeff
Londer, and John Martos; Planning Commissioners Sandy Comaroto, Audrey Tse, and Richard Terrones;
Beautification Commissioner Mary Hunt; Parks and Recreation Commissioner Stephanie Lee; Measure I
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Citizens Oversight Committee members Mary Hockridge and Neal Kaufman; and BSD Trustees Florence
Wong and Elizabeth Kendall.
Mayor Brownrigg reviewed the Council’s past year including the new Community Center, Measure I sales
tax that allows for an additional police officer, and the Council’s work on pension liabilities. He discussed
the improvements on the Bayside including a new hotel and Facebook. He reviewed the work that Council
and staff did with the Lyon Hoag community, the El Camino Real Task Force, Caltrain Paralleling Station,
and the installation of the Anson Burlingame display at the Library.
Mayor Brownrigg discussed the community’s housing crisis. He stated that he is proud that Burlingame has
stepped up to be part of the solution with the revised General Plan, innovative housing projects, and a
willingness to look at other hybrid solutions.
Mayor Brownrigg thanked the City staff, the Department Heads, his colleagues, and the Commissioners for
their great work in the past year.
Mayor Brownrigg explained how the Council’s rotation worked. He stated that in 1999, the Council adopted
a formal rotation procedure to ensure that each councilmember will become mayor in a routine, pre-
established order. With that, he introduced Emily Beach as the new Vice Mayor and Donna Colson as the
new Mayor.
Mayor Colson presented Mayor Brownrigg with a plaque to thank him for his year of work as Mayor.
Mayor Colson began by thanking staff and her colleagues for their hard work on behalf of the City of
Burlingame. She thanked her family for their support and her parents for teaching her about the importance
of civic duty.
14. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Colson adjourned meeting at 7:56 p.m. in memory of Georgia Rothrock.
Respectfully submitted,
/s/
Meaghan Hassel-Shearer
City Clerk