HomeMy WebLinkAboutMin - PC - 1954.06.24BURLINGAI4E CITY PLANNING COMMISSION
Present
Commissioners:
Diederichsen
Henderson
Martin
Mattock
Mitchell
Simonds (8:15 p.m.)
Stivers
MINUTES
Absent
Commissioners:
None
Regular Meeting
June 24, 1954
Others Present
Councilman Rooth
Bldg+ Inspector Watson
City Engineer Marr
Acting Attorney Karmel
The meeting was called to order at 8:00 p.m. - Chairman protem
Henderson in the Chair.
The minutes of the previous regular meeting of May 27, 1954 and the
study meeting of June 10, 1954, as submitted tc members were unan-
imously approved with several corrections noted..
The Chairman announced that this was the time previously scheduled
for a hearing on Millsdale Subdivision No. 1, in compliance with a
Council request that the subject be again reviewed by members of the
Planning Commission.
A letter dated June 16, 1954, was read from the City Clerk, submit-
ting the following two communications addressed. to the City Council
and referred to the Planning Commission:
1. A letter dated June 1, 1954, from the Burlingame Civic Im-
provement Club, urging immediate action to zone Millsdale
No. 1 for M-1 (Light Industrial).
2. A letter dated June 1, 1954, from the Burlingame Improvement
Club Council, recommending that the area. between the Southern
Pacific Railroad tracks and the Bayshore, be zoned commercial
and selected light industrial, with architectural controls,
landscaping and careful planning.
A letter dated June 17, 1954, was read from the San Mateo -Burlingame
Board of Realtors, endorsing in principle, the development of Hills-
dale No. 1 and the changing of city ordinances as proposed by the
Trousdale Construction Company.
At the request of C. R. Rogers, Secretary of the Burlingame Civic
Improvement Club, the Secretary read a letter dated June 23, 1954,
from M-1 Ordinance, that c-=ideration also be given to establishing
architectural controls and a building code prohibiting the construc-
tion of sheet metal covered structures. A letter was also read from
the Civic Improvement Club, suggesting that the map for Millsdale
No. 1 be altered to include a road running parEL11el and adjacent to
Planning Comm. Minutes - b/24/54 - rage No. 2
the railroad to assure residents and commuters passing on El Camino
Real an a-propriate view of Burlingame.
Mr. L. E. Weisenberg, chief engineer for the Trousdale Construction
Company, spoke in behalf of that companyfs proposal that the present
zoning ordinances of the City of Burlingame be amended to permit a
permissive use instead of the present prohibitive use. He advised
that the proposal is "in line with" the thinking; of all of the indus-
trial centers within the United States and with permissive uses indus-
tries may be notified in advance whether they will be permitted to lo-
cate in a community. He advised further that the proposal incorpor-
ates most of the San Mateo Couhty ordinance and�in many cases is more
strict. The proposal recommends that Section 1933 of Ordinance No.539
be revised to establish suitable regulations for, a M-1 District.
Questioned by the Chairman as to the Planning Commission'-s procedure,
Acting City Attorney Karmel advised "that there is before the Commis-
sion on this date, a hearing for a possible reclassifying or zoning
of a certain area. The developers of the property have placed their
recommendations for an amendment to the existing; zoning ordinance.
The Commission should consider the proposals and submit recommendation
to the City Council". He advised further that "a Planning Commission
recommendation with respect to the modification of the existing ordin-
ance sho,,.zld be independent and made expressly severable from its rec-
ommendations as to zoning."
Chairman protem Henderson thereupon stated that the zoning, the tent-
ative map and the proposed amendment to the zoning ordinance would be
taken up in that sequence.
Mr. James.E. Fitzgerald, President of the San Mateo County Development
Association, was introduced and stated that the Development Associ-
ati-)nf s objective is to attract desirable industry within the county
and he urged that the Commission seriously consider the subject of
permissive zoning.
H. Jay Burns, President of the Burlingame Elementary School Board of
Trustees, stressed the importance of utilizing the land for industrial
purposes mainly to increase the tax basis of the City. He confirmed
the Board's previous endorsement of permitting industry in Millsdale
No. 1.
.A motion that the Commission reconsider its previous action taken on
Millsdale No. 1, was introduced by Commissioner Mitchell, seconded by
Commissioner Diederichsen and unanimously carried.
A further motion was introduced by Commissioner Mitchell that the
Commission recommend that the area designated Millsdale No. 1 be
classified as M-1," seconded by Commissioner Simonds and unanimously
carried.
Mr. Lee Ham, Engineer for the developer, submitted a tentative plan
for the development of the industrial area in Millsdale. He stated
that the developer proposed to (1) extend Rollins Road 250 feet west
of the present power lines; (2) place spur track facilities. He
stated that only the first portion of the area is to be tentatively
approved at this time and upon its sale, additional units will be
presented.
Planning Comm. Minutes — 6/24/54 - Page #3
Mr. Arthur Alcorn, Southern Pacific official, stated that from a
railroad standpoint he would recommend its acceptance as sound plan-
ning.
Mr. Walter S. Amstrup, President of the Burlingame Gate Improvement
.Association, expressed his opposition to the spur tracks as being too
close to the homes in the Burlingame Gate area.
Mr. Ham was questioned from the floor and by members of the Commission
on the following points:
1. the cost involved to place the side spur -tracks parallel to the
power lines rather than as proposed;
2..placing of a road parallel to the tracks 'so that business would
be facing the tracks;
3. who would maintain the trees;
4. would the drainage ditches be covered and
5. who would assume the responsibility of maintaining the cost of
pumps.
Mr. Ham replied on each point:
1. side spurs parallel to power lines would Jnvolve too many tracks;
2. would be utilizing the best ground for roads instead of the
buildings;
3. probably would be dedicated to the city;
4. ditches would be open but fencing will be required on both
sides of the ditches, and
5. cost of pumping borne by the city, but revenue from taxes would
minimize cost involved.
Mr. Ham also pointed out that the eucalyptus trees bordering the area
would tend to "deaden" sound of trains and switching.
Mr. Robert Gans, delegate from the Burlingame Gate Improvement Club,
also voiced his objection to the proximity of tlhLe spur tracks.
In response to the Chairman's inquiry concerning; the present status
of Rollins Road, Mr. Oscar Person, President of the North Burlingame
Industrial Property Owners Improvement Association, advised that meet-
ings are currently being arranged for conferences with the City Coun-
cil and that Rollins Road proposed improvements will "tie in" with
the contemplated plan.
Commissioner Mattock thereafter moved that the Commission recommend
approval of the tentative map of Section 1 of Millsdale No. 1 indus-
trial area, comprising that portion of land from. the railroad tracks
to the east bank of the Pacific Gas and Electric Company's power lines
and from the northern city limits, approximately 1,400 feet southerly,
with the stipulation that the streets and the cross sections be ac-
cording to the City Engineer's specifications. The motion was seconded
by Commissioner Martin and unanimously carried.
Planning Comm. Minutes - 6/21t/54 - Page #4
The suggested revisions to Burlingame Ordinance No. 539, were read
by the Secretary. The revisions entailed a change in the regulations
for M-1 Districts (Light Industrial.)
Mr. C. R. Rogers expressed an objection to the inclusion of "leather
products manufacturing" on the basis of the product being at times
obnoxious. Mr. Rogers also questioned whether architectural control
may be included in the proposed revision.
Mr. Rogers was advised that the City.has policing laws governing
health, safety and welfare, which are a guarantee against any obnox-
ious types of industry and architectural control may be considered at
the appropriate time.
The matter having been further considered, Commissioner Simonds moved
that the Commission recommend that Section 1933 of Ordinance No. 539,
be amended as proposed, seconded by Commissioner Diederichsen and unan-
imously carried. It was suggested that if the :recommendation is con-
curred in by members of the City Council, that ;a special meeting be
scheduled by the Council, prior to the second reading of the amended
ordinance.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
A plan submitted by Mr. Lee Ham, Engineer, for a resubdivision of
certain lots created by the abandonment of Valdivia Way, studied by
the Commission at the meeting of June 10, was reviewed by the Commis-
sion for final disposition. It was recalled that a ten foot public
utility easement as requested by the Council, had been granted by the
owner, Theo. G. Meyer, and at the previous meetf:ng, Planning Consult-
ant.Mann had requested that it be made a pedestrian way, to provide
access to a nature study park, as proposed by the Recreation Commiss-
ion.
Mr. E. A. Ritchey, President of the Ray Park Improvement Club, ex-
pressed opposition to the proposal.
Mr. Cyrus McMillan, attorney representing Mr. Meyer, intimated that
the latter may not be in accord with the request; that the easement
be made a pedestrian way.
GvYrvrvLvd2-c,c�w
Following further consideration, Ge, i ttarr Simonds moved that the
tentative map as submitted, be recommended for acceptance, upon the
condition that the ten foot easement be granted as a public easement;
that the fences on adjoining properties of the public easement be
placed five feet from the center of the public easement and that in-
gress and egress be provided on Valdivia Way and Hayward Avenue. The
motion was seconded by Commissioner Diederichsen and unanimously car-
ried.
NEW BUSINESS:
Burlingame Women's Club Plans. The Chairman advised that the proposed
new plans are not yet available. In connection with the subject, a
letter dated June 22, 1954, was read from Walter C. Chouteau, repre-
senting Rulfs Prope-ties, Inc. and Elsie Rulfs, owners of property
immediately adjacent to the subject lot owned by the Women's Club, re-
questing that special notice be given at such time as the subject is
to appear on future calendars of the Planning Commission.
Planning Comm. Minutes - 6/24/54 - Page #5
A proposed resubdivision of Lots 12 and 20, Block 3, Glenwood Park,
submitted by Frank G. Knippenberg, 1547 Cypress Avenue, was held for
review and recommendation at the regular study meeting, July 15, 1954-
Mr. Oscar Person, industrial property owner, questioned the absence on
the agenda of his application for a variance to construct another ser-
vice station on his property and stated that he had filed the required
fee with the City Clerk. City Engineer Marr was instructed to request
the City Clerk to initiate the appropriate action necessary. Mr. Per-
son was advised that the subject would be placed on the agenda at the
next study meeting, July 15, 1954-
The Chairman announced that the development of !Mills Estate No. 1,
east of El Camino Real and Mills Estate No. 3,'west of El Camino Real,
would be discussed at the next study meeting, July 15, 1954•
Questioned by the Commission, Building Inspector Watson advised that
the building moved on to the property of Fisk and Firenze, adjacent
to the Bayshore Freeway, conforms to regulations. City Engineer Marr
advised that the only restriction specified is that it comply with
fire regulations. Commissioner Simonds suggested that meetings be
arranged with the Building Inspector to review provisions embodied
in the Building Code. The City Engineer was instructed to supply
each member of the Commission with a copy of the Building Code.
Election of Officers: The following Commission. members were regular-
ly e ected to office:
Chairman: L.R. Henderson
Vice -Chairman: W. D. Martin
Secretary: W. H. Die derichsen
There being no further business, the meeting was regularly adjourned
at 11:00 P.M.
Respectfully submitteed.
W. H. Diederichsen, Secretary
Notes:
ELArmstrong