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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMin - CC - 1991.05.20BURLINGAIT{E, CALIFORNIA May 20, 1991 CALL TO ORDER A duly noticed regular rneeting of the Burlj.ngame City Council washeld on the above date in the City Hal-l Council Chambers. Themeeting eras calLed to order at 7:34 p.m. by Mayor cloria Barton. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANC E TO THE FLAG Led by forrner Mayor Irving S. Anstrup ROLL CALL COIJNCIL PRESENT: BARTON, HARRISON, LEI,IBI, o IMAHoNY COUNCIL ABSENT: PAGLIARO Ir{INUTES Minutes of the ReguLar Ueeting of May 6, Lgglunanimously on rnotion of Counci,Lnan Harrison woman O tMahony. were approved second by council-- APPEAL HEARING FOR FRONT SETBACK VARIANCE FOR A NEW HOUSE AT ],617 SANCHEZ E City Planner reviewed her memo of Uay 7, l99]- which recommendedcouncil hold a public hearing and take action. Richard Varni,property owner, is requesting a front setback variance to allow a15 foot front setback where 32 L/Z feet is required in order tobuild a new two story single farnily residence on a vacant Iotnext to his horne at 1617 Sanchez. The vacant 1ot is currentlybeing used as part of the yard for the existing house at 1617Sanchez. The nev, 4,039 square foot four bedroom house includes a711 square foot three car garage. The planning Commission deniedthis request at its neeting of Aprit 22. She noted two l-ettersreceived after preparation of the staff report, one from Rj-chardVarni requesting approval, and one fron Mary Otleary, 77OOSanchez, objecting to the project. Mayor Barton opened the public hearing. Richard Varni, applicant, stated the proposed house meets allcode requirements and he is requesting the setback variance sothat the new house would not infringe on his immediate neighbortsprivacy; the cornparisons of setbacks for other houses in thisneighborhood are for nuch smaller houses, these houses were buj,lt60 or nore years ago; average of setbacks on that street is 18feet; a 15 foot back yard would not be appropriate for this newhouse; he conpared driveway configurations for different setbacksfor this proposal. He also presented two letters from neighborsin support of the project. Councilwoman OtMahony wondered what would happen to the new housewhen built; Varni was not sure if he would .Li:- it; the house istoo large for a single person like hinself. Councilman Lembiasked about the exterior finish of the house, Varni said it wouldbe changed from wood siding to a stucco finish. Bob Rosrland, 1609 Sanchez, said he is the irnrnediate neighbor tothis vacant lotr. if the new house is built at 32 foot setback itwould intrude in his back yard; he favored the 15 foot setback. BiII Koenig, l5t7 Sanchez, said he lives in a smaLl 1,400 squarefoot housei he thought this proposed project would increase thevalue of properties on the street. He favored approval-. Joseph Hurley, 1,622 Forest View, said he had been a neighbor ofVarnits for 27 years; this project is an example of qood 209 2L0 cooperation betsreen neighbors; his main concern is the rear andside setbacks; he hoped the greenery in the yard is not replacedwith walls; the setbacks on Sanchez have greater diversity because the street is wider, Sanchez is 42 feet while Forest View is only 28 feet wide; the people affected by not grantlng this variance would be the three imnediate neighbors who would experience a loss of privacy; granting the variance would not harm anyone; one person who objected lives a bl-ock away, the immediate neighbors all approve. He urged approval. Jane De]zel-I, resj.dent, was concerned about the proliferation oflarge houses in Burl-ingame i she was not objecting to thisparticular project. Varni said that his proposed house takes up only 38 percent Lot coverage and meets all city code requirements. Councilman Harrison asked about exceptional circumstances to grant this varj-ancel Varni said this new project is being conpared to housesbuilt 50 or more years ago, things have changed; without the variance the house built within all city codes would infringe on neighbors t privacy. Mayor Barton closed the public hearing. council-man Lenbi said his first impression after visiting thesite was to uphold the Planning conmission because the house atthe front of the 1ot woul-d impact the streetscape; afterlistening to Hurley, he feft the new house would infringe more onthe immediate neighbors to the sj-de and rear; perhaps a cornpromise $/ould allow everyone to win. council-man Harrison hadvisited the site and noted the string which had been placed inthe vacant 1ot to ill-ustrate the house location in a 32 footsetback; he approved of a cornprornj-se. councilwoman OtMahony hadvisited the area on the r,reekend after attending a meeting of theHistorical Society; the members really care about Burlingame andthey are worried about the growth of enormous houses in the city which are changing the neighborhoods; Hurleyrs ta1k, however, has convinced her of the benefit of rnoving the structure more towardthe f ront r' she suggested a 20 foot setback vrould benefit peoplej,n front and back of structure; she encouraged citizens to beinvolved and aware of issues such as this. City Planner responded to Mayor Bartonrs question that a]] code requirementsare met with this proposed structure; Ivlayor Barton sympathized with De1ze11 and other people,s concern about l-arge housesi hernain concern is always about the effect on imrnediate neighbors and these neighbors $/ant the variance. Councilman Lenbi moved to approve a 20 foot front setback variance with other conditions ofstaff report. Seconded by Councilwoman OrMahony, carried 4-0 onroll cafl vote. APPEAL FOR SIGN EXCEPTION FOR A BAYFRONT 18OO BAYSHORE HIGHWAY - RESOLUTION 51-91 HOTEL, City Planner reviewed her nemo of lilay 7 , l99L wh j,ch recornnendedcouncil hold a public hearing and take action. Stan Moore, Manager, and John Parke, Marketing Director, for Marriott Hotels are reguesting an amendment to the 1985 sign exception granted to Ilarriott for six siqns, total of 451 square feet at a maximum height of 99 feet, to add a 304 square foot parapet sign at a height of 109 feet on the bay side of the hotel, the sign would be cornposed of individual interiorly lit, red letters, eight feet ta11. The Planning Conmission denied this request on April 22. Councilwoman O'Mahony noted in 1983 council had proposed studying the possibility of bayfront signage; Mayor Barton wondered why the letters must be red; Planner said red letters are the Marriott 1ogo. Ilayor Barton opened the public hearing. John Park revier.red when Marriott had originally requested its signs, it had requested a bayfront sign; the sign is meant to be SIGN AT MARRIOTT - APPROVING SAME 2LL seen by peopl-e landing at airport; though it may not lead to walkin custoners, it would lead to future customers r. the bay signqrould not irnpact the community; some of the hotels have goodvisibiJ-ity with freeway frontage, but Uarriott is not next tofree$/ay; they need the sign in order to compete effectively withother hotels. councilwoman otMahony asked how rnany walk-in customers they have; Park said from 10 to 25 each day whichdoesnrt sound like nuch but reaLly adds up over a yearts time. Stan Moore, llanager, said the qoal is to let future users know where the Marriott llotel is locatedi the baggage area hotel signsat the airport are not highJ,y visible rnarketing tool; nany peopletake off and land at the runqray seen from Uarriott and they would see the new sign. Alan Horn, 1325 Palona, spoke in opposition; there are too nanysigns on this hotel; this sign is too high and it would be thelargest sign on the bay in Burlingame; would Look like Las Vegas,.if he were on councj.l, he e/ould consider approval- if Marriott would begin a recycling program and do more to conserve water. Mayor Barton closed the public hearing. Councilman Harrison said bayfront signs $rere a subject ofdiscussion at the joint Planning/ Council meeting; he had noobjection since sign would not be seen by residents. councilman Lembi conmented the city has a rnajor conmitment to hotels and the revenue they bring to city; this sign is only visible toairplanes and wilL irnprove the identity of this hotel. Councilwoman Otl"lahony agreed, she noted the new Westin and H11tonHote1, recently renovated at airport, compete with our city; thissign is good marketing and will bring future customers toMarriott. Mayor Barton said she was originally opposed to signs on the bayfront, but to be fair, other hotels have signs on thefreeway; she always notices hotel locations when she is flyinginto a city; this sign trould not affect residents. Councilman Harrison moved approval of RESOLUTION 51-91 approvingthe sign exception with conditions in staff report. Seconded by councilman Lenbi, carrj-ed 4-0 on ro11 calt vote. Councilman Lernbi nentioned that it is irnportant the audiencerealize that council has much rnore leeway in making decj,sionsthan the Planning Cornrnission doesi the commission is charged to reviev, based on the letter of the 1aw whereas council has morediscretion. SECOND READING - ORDINANCE 1435 - ESTABLISHING NO PARKING ZONE ON NORTH SIDE OF PEN I NSULA FROM CAI-,IFORNIA TO RAILROAD TRACKS Public works Director reviewed the Public works memo of April 23 which recommended council hold a public hearing and take action on an ordinance to establish a no parking zone on the north sideof Peninsula from California Drive east to the railroad tracks. The traffic Commission reconmends this to council for approvalafter conplaints from motorists that one parked vehicle at the curb s/as sufficient to prevent rnotorists frorn turning right ontoCalifornia Drive. SECOND READING - ORDINANCE 1436 COT NCIL MEII{BER r S SALARTES PROVIDING FOR TNCREASE IN City Attorney reviewed his memo of April 17 which recommendedcouncil hold a public hearing and take action. As previously directed, he had prepared an ordinance to j-ncrease the council-salary fron $300 to 94oo per month; to provide there will be no reimbursernent for mileage for any activities within the county; Mayor Barton opened the public hearing. There being no comnents,the hearing was cl-osed. Councilman Harrison moved adoption of ORDINANCE 1435. Secondedby Councilwoman OrMahony, carried 4-o on ro1l, call vote. and this ordinance $/i11 not go into effect until after the November 1991 council election. Ilayor Barton opened the public hearing. Former council member frv Amstrup spoke in opposition to raisingthe council salary; there are a lot of people who would rather not see council raise its sal,ary at this tirne r' when he was on council he found travel within the county never amounted to $100per month, in fact he had only $160 in such expenses in over a one year period; some say $100 is not rnuch, but in three years it would amount to another yearts salary; he hoped council wouldvote against this increase. Alan Horn, 1325 Paloma, echoed Anstrup; councj-1 is sending the wrong message to the residents. Mayor Barton closed the publ-ic hearinq. Councilman Harrison said council safaries were establ-ished 26 years ago and there have been only two sal-ary raises since thenl Amstrup is philosophically opposed to council sal-ary raises, he always voted against them; this noney would never compensatecouncil for all the work they do; expenses are going up fortravelr' Departnent Heads are getting $100 stipend for auto use;council members attend a myriad of meetings throughout the county; on this agenda council will approve a labor agreement with park and street workers that will cost the city $106,000this coming year; a $100 raise for council amounts to onl-y $6,000a year and is rninuscule. He moved adoption of ORDINANCE 1436. second by Counciluran Lembi . Mayor Barton felt strongly about this issue, she voted against araise for council previously; she feLt it was a privilege to serve on council and nobody ran for council for the moneyinvolved; you run for council because you care about the city; she was concerned about eliminating reimbursenent for travef expenses, although she would never present any expenses to city, she was concerned that this night preclude some people from serving on city council; every cj-ty looks at what other cities are doing and this will- snowbafl., with other councils raisingtheir salaries; she opposed this ordinance. Councilwoman otllahony said she ran for council at the urging ofresidents, not for the rnoney, and she would never present an expense statenent to city either; but she $/as sure her o1d friend Dave Martin, forner council- nenber, would want her to support araise for council. counciLrnan Lembi conmented $L00 does not gofar these days; he attends rnany meetings for city and Last year when he was Mayor he spent well over $100 a month on travel. Mayor Barton noted that sorne say $6,000 is not nuch money, buttry telling that to the groups that come to city for communj-ty funding; she was sorry counciLnan Pagliaro could not be here to comment. CounciLnan Lembi asserted that $6,000 is only minuscule when cornpared to the cityts $29 nillion budget; he has urgedgiving donations to coinmunity support groups. The motion carried 3-1 on ro11 call- vote, Mayor Barton voting no and Councilman Pagliaro being absent. L99L-92 BUDGET city Manager comnented the budget study meeting Lrill be June 5 and the public hearing on the budqet was June 17; counci] members are assigned to review various departnent budgets. BRET{ER RESERVOIR FEASIBILITY STUDY Director of Pub1ic Works reviewed his memo of May 14 lrhich recommended council determine whether it wished to discuss this issue at a future study meeting. Various water systerns studies 212 213 have pointed out the city lacks storage capacity in its system. One possible solution was to reactivate the Brewer Reservoirvhich is located in Hillsborough accessible to the citydistribution systemr' was previously owned by Burlingame and iscurrently privately owned. Council- authorized a consultingTengineer to do a feasibility study on reactivation of thisreservoir. The Executive Summary of that study states that it is more expensive to reactivate the Brerrer Reservoir than toconstruct a new reservoir at a more appropriate location andelevation within the cityrs distribution system; staff concurswith the recommendation that the city pursue water storage atnore feasible sites within city linits. If council wishes toreview the entire report and discuss the natter further, it should be scheduled for a later study meetingi the next two study meetings are reserved for other matters. Council generally concurred with pursuing other sites. Afterbrief discussion, Director of Public Works said he would sendcouncil copies of the entire report. ADVERTISING ON SAI4TRANS BUS SHELTERS Director of Public Works revievred his memo of May 15 which recommended counci.l consider this notification from SamTrans thatit is considering allowing advertising on bus shelters as a meansof off-setting maintenance costs. Council members were concernedthat advertising would attract graffiti; council directed aIetter to SanTrans that council does not approve of this proposal . CONSENT CALENDAR Councilman Harrison asked City Attorney to investigate the needto include Library Trustees in the ordinance to require residencyof Planning Cornmissioners. a INTRODUCTION OF ORDINANCE L437 - ESTABLISHING RESIDENCE REOUIREMENTS FOR PI,ANNING },1I,II SS IONERS City Attorneyrs meno of May 7 recommended council introduce an ordinance which establishes a residence requirernent for Planning Cornmissioners as requested by council; public hearing on this ordinance woul-d be June 3 t 199L. TNTRODUCTION OF ORDINANCE 1438 - ESTABLISHING YIELD STGN ON ANSEL AT FLORIBI]NDA AVENUE Public works nemo of May 13 reconmended counci] adopt an ordinance to establ-ish a yield sign on the traffic isLand onAnsel Road at the intersection with Floribunda Avenue;public hearing would be June 3, \991-. c Fire Chiefrs memo of May 2 recommended council approve continuing participation vith five other cities in keeping and rnaintenance of an Air Truck for filling self containedbreathing apparatus at the scene of large emergencies. ONE YEAR EXTENSION OF TENTATTVE CONDOMINII]M I4AP AT 1445 EL CAMINO REAL Public works memo of litay 14 recommended council concur withthe Planning Conmission and approve the requested mapextension until May 7 , !993. DENIAL OF CLAIMS: (1) ALAN BURKHARDT; (2) ALEXEY KONDRASHEFF City Attorneyrs memo recommended denial- of these claims for(1) tree branch fa11 upon a carr' and (2) auto damage frombeing hit by train lrhile stalted on track. b d e RESOLUTION 52-9T - APPROV]NG JOINT POWERS AGREEMENT FOR FIRE DEPARTMENT ATR TRUCK 214 f WARRANTS D PAYROLL Finance Director reconmended approval of Warrants 14502 L5O94, duly audited, in the amount of $1,O2O,387.32 andPayroll Checks 36926 - 37685 for the month of April 1991the arnount of $1, O84,368.29. 1n 1 2 q. TENTATIVE I,ABOR AGREEMENT WITH AFSCII{E City }lanagerrs memo of May 15 recommended council approvethis agreement which is in accordance with prior council authori zation. Councilwornan OrMahony moved approval of the Consent Calendar. Seconded by Councilnan Harrison, carried unanimousty. NEW BUSINESS Schedule Appeal Hearing: Mayor Barton set Jul-y 15 at the requestof appellant for an appeal hearing for a special permit toinstall a bathroom and remodel a pool house at 1341 Colunbus. Council of Mayors: Mayor Barton inquired if any council memberplanned on attending the Council of Mayors meeting; Councilwonan O'Mahony said she would attend. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Commission Minutes: Beautification, May 2, t99L:. Library Board, April 16; Civil Service, April 9; Planninq, I'Iay 13, 1991. Departnent Reports: Treasurerrs Report, April 30, l-991;Police April 1991. 3. Proclamations: HonoringT Lois Watson Retiring from Burlingane School District; Law Enforcement Torch Run forSpecial Olpnpics. Councilman Lembi commented Lois Watson should be recognized forher outstandinq job for our award winning school district. 4. Letter from Certosa Incorporated, 1766 EI Camino Real, regarding new fire sprinkler requirenents for proposed renodel of their building. Councilwoman otMahony was concerned about the high costs involvedfor this company in order to remodel the building for a newtenant; council would hate to see old office buildings sittingenpty; Councj-lman Lembi aqreed it was a real concern and an econornic hardship for o$/ners; I"Iayor Barton ca1led attention tothe fire danger as evidenced by the recent fires on Burlingarne Avenue, there is a need for sprinklers and fire walls; Fire Chief noted this building does not have fire walfs either, he willreview the rnatter and report to the City Manager. FROM THE FLOOR - No conments. CLOSED SESSION Mayor Barton adj ourned the meeting at 9:04 p.n. to a Closed Session regarding litigation. ADJOT]RNMENT The neeting lras regularly adjourned at 9:14 p. d thA c ity cIe rkMalfatti