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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMin - PC - 1970.05.25CITY OF BURLINGAME PLANNING COMMISSION COMMISSIONERS PRESENT COMMISSIONERS ABSENT Cistulli None Kindig Mink Norberg Sine Taylor CALL TO ORDER May 25, 1970 OTHERS PRESENT City Attorney Karmel City Planner Mann City Engineer Marr Councilman Mangini A regular meeting of the Burlingame Planning Commission was called to order on the above date at 8:00 p.m., Chairman Sine presiding. ROLL CALL All members were present, Commissioner Taylor arriving shortly after roll call. MINUTES The minutes of the regular meeting of April 27,, 1970, previously submitted to members, were approved and adopted. The minutes of the study meeting of "iay 11, 1970, were approved and adopted, following a correction on page 4, item 7, deleting "apparently used by Peninsula Tennis Club for parking" and sub- stituting therefor "a planting strip on the street frontage of the Peninsula Tennis Club,.between the curb and the sidewalk." ACKNOWLEDGMENT Chairman Sine acknowledged the presence of Councilman Mangini, ex-officio member of the Commission chosen by the City Council. HEARINGS 1. BLUE CHIP STAMPS SIGN VARIANCE WITHDRAWN. The application of Heath and Company, Los Angeles, for variance to install a pole sign 70 feet in height at the site of the new Blue Chip Stamps Redemption Store, 1250 Rollins Road, was scheduled for public hearing on this date. A communication from Heath and Company, dated May 18, 1970 and signed by W. "Bill" Scott, was read withdrawing the application in behalf of its client, Blue Chip Stamps. Chairman Sine thereafter declared the subject matter removed from the agenda. PC. 5125/70 2. VARIANCE APPROVED TO REPLACE "LEBARON" SIGNS. Chairman Sine announced a public hearing on the! application of Nelson Neon, Benicia, in behalf of Fred Harvey, Inc., for variance to replace existing non -conforming signs on the LeBaron Hotel building with others at a height greater than permitted under existing regulations. The applicant's letter dated April 24, 1970, signed by A.F. Moore, General Manager, explained that, as the result of a change it ownership, the hotel will be one of a chain operated by Fred Harvey, Inc., under the name AIRPORT MARINA, and that the operators are desirous of linking the local hotel with its counter- part at the Los Angeles International Airport through similar sign displays. A plot plan and sign detail were filed. The Chair recognized Mr. Robert King of Fred Harvey, Inc., who displayed a series of sketches illustrating existing signs on the building and those proposed. He stated that the intent is to reduce the overall height, to eliminate signs on the bay side and to add new logo and lettering on the two sides. The City Planner, in response to Chairman Sine, stated that the change in zoning classification from Industrial. to Waterfront Com- mercial, occurring since the hotel was built and the original signs installed, caused the LeBaron signs to become non -conforming. He advised that the code provides that non -conforming signs may not be relocated nor altered unless made to comply with code, that a change in lettering only would be allowed, but that reconstruc- tion requires a variance from Waterfront Commercial District special sign regulations. In additional comment, the City Planner pointed out that the proposed display will be less than the existing, considering over- all area, by removal of the sign from the rear- or bay side and a reduction in the height of the roof sign. There were no comments from the audience favoring or protesting the variance. Commissioner Mink referred to code section 25.41.070, regulating signs in Waterfront Commercial District, and requested clarifi- cation from the City Attorney whether length and height restric- tions in paragraph three apply to the roof sign proposed by the applicants and, if so, whether a variance may be granted at the discretion of the Commission. The City Attorney, in reply to Commissioner Mink, expressed the opinion that the restriction appears to refer to a wall sign. Commissioner Mink noted that the wall signs on the east and west sides, at a proposed height of 24 feet, exceed code maximum. -2- Quoting from section 25.41.070, the City Attorney advised that the code makes provision for an appeal for variance and for the Com- mission to consider such appeal. Mr. King, in response to Commission inquiries, confirmed that the indicated height of 24 feet for wall signs will be adequate and advised that lettering on the wall signs will be a combination of blue and white, the roof sign, an identical shade of red used at the hotel at Los Angeles airport, and that controlled interior illumination will be employed. Commissioner Mink commented that the new operators of the hotel were faced with a situation of hardship in attempting to establish identification in the area, induced by circumstances beyond their control. A motion introduced by Commissioner Cistulli, :seconded by Commissioner Norberg and unanimously carried on roll call, approved the appli- cation for variance of Nelson Neon, in behalf of Fred Harvey, Inc., to change identification signs at the former LeBaron Hotel, 1380 Bayshore Highway, to AIRPORT MARINA signs,, generally in accord with plot plan and preliminary sign details on file. 3. VARIANCE FOR STORAGE OF NEW AUTOMOBILES, R-4 DISTRICT, APPROVED. Chairman Sine announced a public hearing on the variance application of Jones Minto Ford Sales, 101 California Drive, for "storage of new automobiles" on a vacant parcel of land identified as 145 Highland Avenue (portions of Lots 6 and 7, Block 10, Town of Burlingame Subdivision) Zone: R-4. The applicant's letter dated April 23, 1970, signed by Kenneth W. Jones, President and General *Manager, stated that the.lot is on the west side of the street, partially fenced, with an area of 7250 square feet and that the owner's representative has consented to a lease subject to the city's approval of the use. The communication stated further that the company is required to carry a large inventory to satisfy customer demands, that there is a scarcity of suitable storage areas, and that the lot is ideally located, because of proximity to the main plant.. A letter dated May 18, 1970, was read from Airs. Jeannette L. Dessin, owner and occupant at 119 Highland Avenue, southerly of and immediately adjacent to the subject property, requesting that the applicants be required to surface and fence the property, if the variance is approved. The Chair recognized Mr. James Minto and Mr. Kenneth W. Jones. Mr. Minto stated that paving, fencing and lighting will be installed prior to occupancy to meet insurance requirements and that luminaires will be directed toward the public parking lot, away from the resi- dence. -3- Mr. Minto, in response to a series of Commission inquiries, stated that the lot will be used exclusively for storage, as opposed to a sales lot, that there will be no advertising display, a minimum of car movements, storage capacity approximately :35 to 40 vehicles, and electroliers to be similar in design and intensity to the Peninsula/Highland Avenues storage lot. Commissioner Taylor recalled that a variance was granted on the same property for the same purpose to Burlingame Motors approxi- mately two years ago. There were no comments from the audience in response to the Chair. The hearing was declared concluded. On a motion introduced by Commissioner Kindig, seconded by Com- missioner Mink and unanimously carried, the application for variance of Jones Minto Ford Sales for storage of new automobiles at 145 Highland Avenue, was approved subject to the lot being paved, enclosed with cyclone fence, properly illuminated (lighting on southerly property line to be directed away from the adjoining residence) and a planting strip three feet in width between the sidewalk and the fence to be maintained. The applicants were advised the variance would be effective Tuesday, June 2, 1970, if not appealed. 4. SPECIAL PERMIT APPROVED CAR RENTALS, SHELL SERVICE STATION. Chairman Sine announced a public hearing on the application of Hertz Corporation, San Francisco, for special permit to offer automobiles for rent from Burlingame Shell Service Station, 1490 Burlingame Avenue. A letter dated May 6, 1970, from Hugo Zunino, Service Station Manager, stated that there is ample on -site parking space to accom- modate any additional traffic that might be generated by the rental cars and that experience of other suburban service stations indicates that no more than three such cars need be available at any time. -The letter pointed out that car rental services are available in the city, but restricted primarily to the airport/hotel area, and that a similar service for convenience of local residents and commercial firms would appear to be appropriate in the central business dis- trict. Mr. Allan Nulle, associated with Burlingame Shell Service, represented the applicant. In response to a series of Mr. Nulle advised that the by 100 feet, and possibly ing spaces, rarely used to employee and customer cars questions directed by Commissioners, service station site is approximately 160 larger, that there are 15 on -site park - capacity and that parking is restricted to brought in for servicing. -4- Mr. Nulle pointed out that the parking must be orderly and kept under control to avoid interference with service islands and ingress and egress, otherwise customers. would bypass the station. Concerning sign displays in connection with rental cars, Mr. Nulle confirmed that the typical "Hertz" identification display will include a small window sign inside the office and clock above the door. There were no comments from the audience favoring or protesting the application. The hearing was declared concluded. A motion introduced by Commissioner Mink, seconded by Commissioner Cistulli and unanimously carried on roll call approved the appli- cation of Hertz Corporation for special use permit to operate a car rental service from Burlingame Shell Service, 1490 Burlingame Avenue, conditioned on the number of rental cars on the premises limited to three. NEW BUSINESS 1. REQUEST TO EXTEND SPECIAL PERMIT GRANTED. A letter dated May 8, 1970, from Noble, Cooke Properties, Inc., Los Angeles, signed by A.W. Hall, requested a six months extension to December 16, 1970, of the special use permit approved for a high-rise hotel on Burlingame Shore Land property at Bayshore Freeway and Broadway (extended). The City Planner reported that the developers have been delayed in proceeding with the project and were forced to redraw plans, because of property exchanges between the city and Burlingame Shore Land Company in connection with improvements around the Broadway- Bayshore interchange. He stated that the developers are justified in asking for the extension and that they can request an additional six months, since the allowable extension is one year. A motion introduced by Commissioner Cistulli, seconded by Com- missioner Norberg and unanimously carried, approved an extension to December 16, 1970, to Noble, Cooke Properties, Inc., of a special permit for high-rise hotel on Burlingame Shore Land property at Bayshore Freeway and Broadway, in accordance with their letter of May 8, 1970. 2. REQUEST FOR STORAGE OF TRAILER, BAYSHORE HIGHWAY. (CONTINUED A letter dated May 18, 1970, from McNamara Corporation of California, 1499 Bayshore Highway, Burlingame, requested permission to continue to park a trailer in the parking lot at 1499 Bayshore Highway for a period not to exceed one year. -5- The communication explained that the trailer is used for storage of files from a large project in which the State of California was a participant and that the State has requested that the records be kept intact and readily available until,such time that copies can be made; eventually, the files will be transferred to McNamara Corporation's main office. Mr. D.N. Erickson, Manager, McNamara Corporation of California, was present. The City Planner, in response to Chairman Sine, read from his letter to Mr. Erickson under date of May 15, 1970, following an inspection of the trailer, suggesting that he write to the Planning Commission outlining the reasons for maintaining the trailer and request per- mission for its continuance to a date specified. Mr. Erickson, in response to Chairman Sine, stated that the trailer is the last piece of equipment remaining from a joint venture project, that McNamara Corporation does not have a corporation yard available in this area for storage and, hopefully, the city will permit it to remain pending release of the records by the State. Chairman Sine reported that he visited the location and was reluc- tant to grant the applicant's request. He staged his position that a large construction trailer is unattractive and a target for van- dalism, creates a hazard in a commercial building parking lot and, properly, should be stored with similar heavy equipment. The City Planner mentioned that approval could set a regrettable precedent. Commissioner Mink commented that the matter was: not discussed at the study meeting and that he had not had the time, after receiving the agenda for the present meeting, to inspect the location nor observe the trailer. A motion introduced by Commissioner Mink to table the matter for a period of 30 days was seconded by Commissioner Cistulli and carried unanimously on roll call. Mr. Erickson was requested to return to the study meeting of June 8 and -to attempt to have available at that time more explicit infor- mation as to the time element involved. In response to the City Attorney, Mr. Erickson re rted that the State Department of Water Resources is th a H A�gagency. ADJOURNMENT The meeting regularly adjourned at 9:15 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Everett K. Kindig Secretary