HomeMy WebLinkAboutMin - PC - 1954.05.13BURLINGAME CITY PLANNING COMMISSION
MINUTES
Regular Meeting (per adjournment
April 29, 1954)
May 13, 1954.
A regular meeting of the Commission was held on the above given date
as per adjournment of April 29, 1954• The meeting was scheduled to
continue the public hearings on the rezoning of Millsdale No. 1.
Prior to the hearing, Chairman protein Henderson paid tribute to Com-
missioner Mitchell for his many years service as!chairman and as a
member of the Commission. Appreciation was alao'expressed to Com-
missioner Brown, recently retired as a member of the Commission. Mr.
R. D. Martin was introduced and welcomed as a new member of the Com-
mission.
Roll Call: Present - Commissioners: Diederichsen-Henderson-Martin-
Mattock-Mitchell-Stivers
Absent - Commissioners: Simonds
First order of business was consideration to the proposed zoning of
Mills Estate No. 3. Planning Consultant Mann stated that Mills Estate
No. 3 was agreed upon in principal by the City Council and included in
the contract of agreement, but not zoned. The area includes from El
Camino Real to the west, adjacent to the Burlingame Intermediate School
and proposed so as to include C-3, R-3 and R-1 zoning. R-2 is omitted
entirely. Planning Consultant Mann continued by stating that the zon-
ing as proposed would create an 'economical" balance.
Councilman Rooth recommended that the eight or nine building sites bor-
dering Ray Park on Davis Drive be changed from apartment zone to R-1
zone. Commissioners concured in the recommendation and Mr. Weisenberg,
representing the developer, expressed his approval to the proposed change.
Mr. James Himmel suggested that in a new area adjacent to a school
there should be an R-1 zoning, thereafter an R-2, etc. making it a
gradual "gradation".
Mr. Weisenberg stated he would approve the changes as recommended by
Councilman Rooth but that he would like to retain the rest as proposed.
Questioned by Commissioner Diederichsen, 9r. Weisenberg advised that
it is the developerfs intention to sell apartment; lots individually or
by acreage, but that the developer will retain architectural control.
He pointed out that it is proposed to build a number of homes beyond
the apartment house area and care will be given on planning the
"approaches.".
Following further discussion, Commissioner MitehE:ll moved that the Com-
mission recommend approval of the zoning as indicated on the zoning map
dated January 22, 1954, with the exception that the tier of lots border-
ing Ray Park, between the Peninsula Hospital and the Burlingame Inter-
mediate School, be changed from R-3 to R-1 zone. The motion was second-
ed by Commissioner Mattock and carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Commissioners: Diederichsen-Henderson-Martin-Mattock-Mitchell
Noes: Commissioners: Stivers
Absent Commissioners: Simonds
CONTINUATION OF PUBLIC HEARING ON MILLSDALE NO. 1. (Area east of rail-
road tracks and the Pacific Gas & Electric right: of way.)
Mr. James Himmel stated that if an industrial park were developed it
would attract desirable types of industry. He suggested that Mills -
dale No. 1 be filled and retained for industry, that homes be first
constructed on the upper portion of the estate, thereby giving indus-
try an opportunity to locate in the Millsdale area. He advised that
the Guittard Company is desirous of establishing; a plant in the indus-
trial area.
R. P. Etienne, realtor and industrial property owner, stated that
from his personal knowledge, Mr. Horace Guittard has stated that the
site is not suitable. He submitted figures indicating that of the
400 acres available in that area for industry over a long period of
time, only one acre has been sold. He also listed the many vacancies
of stores on Burlingame Avenue and on Broadway and urged that the
Trousdale Company be permitted to develop the area as they propose.
Mrs. Clarence Rusch spoke on the undesirability of erecting homes
surrounded by industry, the inadequacies in that; location to provide
for fire and police protection and the drainage, safety and health
hazards. She urged that industry, rather than homes be permitted in
Millsdale.
Mr. Arthur T. Roth concurred in Mrs. Ruschts statements. He pointed
to the fact that industrial acreage in San Francisco is becoming
critical and outlying industrial property becoming more valuable.
The Chairman invited Mr. Weisenberg to speak. Mr. Weisenberg first
clarified his reason for requesting postponement; of the hearing, by
stating that several interested persons had questioned whether he
would object to having the hearing postponed to which he had agreed
to acquiesce.
Mr. Weisenberg thereupon read from a prepared statement, presenting
the views of the Atlantic Life Insurance Company, owner, the Millwood
Development Company, subdivider and the Trousdale Construction Com-
pany, developer. The statement declares in part:
1. The change in zoning now proposed will result in a duplication
of costs and expenses.
2. If, in the opinion of the Commission, the best interests and
welfare of the community will be served by rezoning the tract
to industrial use, and if it is deemed necessary under the cir-
cumstances that the interest of the land owner be subordinated
to the public interest, the owners are compelled to protest such
change in zoning under the state of the City of Burlingame Ordin-
ances as they now exist, which for all practical purposes will
effectively prevent the successful development of an industrial
area.
3. Sections of Ordinance 539 require approval by the City Council
of all industrial usage prior to the acquisition of the land
by an interested user, and it is the owners contention that in-
dustrial concerns do not wish to reveal their identity until after
they have,purchased a site and have completed preliminary arch-
itectural'and engineering plans.
4. Time is of the utmost importance in locating industrial firms.
The ordinances of the City establish a minimum time within which
approval can be given by the City Council from approximately 90
to 140 days.
5. The best interests of both the city and the owner can best be
served subsequent to full consideration and resolution of the
related problems so that a course of action can be determined.
The statement in conclusion, requested permission to present to the
commission a comprehensive plan for the development of r'lillsdale in-
cluding suggested revisions of the applicable sections of the City
Ordinance and that determination of the subject be deferred for con-
sideration of such plans. If the request is not granted, a formal
protest would be filed against any change in the zoning classifica-
tion.
At the conclusion of the hearing, Commissioner Diederichsen moved
that the hearing be continued on the evening of the regular meeting,
June 24s 1954, seconded by Commissioner Mattock and unanimously
carried.
The meeting was thereafter regularly adjourned at 10:35 P. M.
Respectfully submitted
W..H. Diederichsen
Secretary Protem
Notes:
ELArmstrong