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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMin - PC - 1970.05.11CITY OF BURLINGAME PLANNING COMMISSION COMMISSIONERS PRESENT Cistulli Kindig Mink Norberg Sine CALL TO ORDER May 11, 1970 COMMISSIONERS ABSENT OTHERS PRESENT Taylor City Planner Mann 'The City Planner relayed :messages from the City .Attorney and City Engineer explaining their absence. The monthly study meeting of the Burlingame Planning Commission was called to order on the above date at 8:00 p.m., Chairman Sine pre- siding. R(1T.T. r AT.T. The above -named members were present. Commissioner Taylor, absent due to a business commitment, was excused. 1. SIGN VARIANCE BLUE CHIP STAMPS. Plans for a sign display for the new Blue Chip Stamp store at 1250 Rollins Road were submitted by Heath and Company, Los Angeles. Their communication dated April 20, 1970 requested approval to a double face interior illuminated two -panel pole sign, 70 feet in height from grade and overall area of 226 square feet. The communication stated that the Burlingame store will service the area between San Francisco and Mountain View and that the proposed sign will assure freeway exposure above the tree line and near -by buildings to alert customers,who may not be familiar with Burlingame, to the approximate location. The City Planner reported that the zoning is M-1 where the height limitation for pole signs is 35 feet, increased recently from 20 feet. Mr. Hugh Drury, Blue Chip Stamp Company, and Mr. William Scott, Heath Company, were present. Mr. Scott distributed several photographs taken from the freeway, Broadway and Rollins Road, pointing out that the sign must clear the trees bordering the freeway to be effective. He stated that other signs in the industrial district may be of lesser height but appear to be greater area -wise and are closer to the freeway ---Blue Chip site is a block away. Mr. Scott advised that sign faces will be a combination of blue and white, lighting intensity comparable to any plastic illuminated sign. In response to the Chair, Mr. Scott indicated that the sign would be useless for freeway exposure, if restricted in height to the code maximum of 35 feet. The matter was scheduled for public hearing on _Monday, May 25,1970. 2. SIGN VARIANCE - AIRPORT MARINA FORMERLY LEBARON HOTEL. A letter dated April 24, 1970 from Nelson Neon, Benicia, signed by A.F. Moore, General Manager, concerned a change in the name of LeBaron Hotel to Airport Marina and, in behalf of Fred Harvey, Inc., the new operators, requested permission to install identification signs at a height greater than permitted in Waterfront Commercial District. The communication stated that the local hotel will be one of a chain operated by Fred Harvey, Inc., under the name Airport Marina and that it is important to establish the association through proper identification. The communication advised that the proposed display will be similar to that at Airport Marina, Los Angeles International Airport. Drawings prepared by Nelson Neon showed designs proposed for the front and both sides of the building. Mr. Moore stated that signs will be restricted to elevations indicated on the drawing, the back or bay side to be excluded. The City Planner reported that since the time the hotel was built and the signs installed, the zoning has changed from Industrial to Waterfront Commercial, with special restrictions regarding signs; as a consequence, the LeBaron signs became non --conforming and any changes must be made to conform to code. He stated that the proposal represents considerable change, requiring the Commission's approval to variances from Waterfront Commercial District sign regulations applicable to height. The matter wa.s scheduled for public hearing at the regular meeting of May 25, 1970. 3. VARIANCE FOR NEW CAR STORAGE IN R-4 DISTRICT. An application for variance filed by Jones Minto Ford Sales proposed a storage lot for new automobiles on a parcel of vacant land at 145 Highland Avenue, Zone R-4. A letter from the applicant dated April 23, 1970, signed by Kenneth W. Jones, stated that the lot is 50 by 145 feet, on the westerly side of the street and partially fenced; that a lease has been negotiated, contingent upon the city's approval to the use, and that paving, fencing and lighting will be completed to meet insurance requirements. -2- Mr. James Minto was present and advised that the lot will be used as a secondary storage area ---carriers deliver and unload at the main lot. He stated that the company is the leading Ford dealer in the San Jose district and is obligated to carry a large inventory to satisfy customer demands; the subject lot will provide space for approximately 40 cars in an ideal location, because of proximity to the showroom. The City Planner recalled that Burlingame Pontiac was granted a variance a few years back on the same property for the same purpose but was unable to proceed. He advised that the lot is immediately adjacent at the south to the city parking lot. The application was scheduled for public hearing at the regular meeting on May 25, 1970; Commissioner *link requested that the applicant be prepared at that time to report on the type of fencing to be installed and location and intensity of illumination; and that staff inspect the property to determine condition of curb and side- walk. The City Planner stated that the lighting must be directed away from the residence immediately to the south of -the lot. 4. CAR RENTAL SERVICE, SHELL OIL COMPANY STATION. Mr. Hugo A. Zunino, operator of the Shell service station, 1490 Burlingame Avenue, submitted an application for special permit to offer rental cars as an agent for Hertz Rent--A-Car. A letter from Mr. Zunino dated May 6, 1970, stated that there is ample on -site parking and -that experience of other suburban gasoline stations offering the same service indicates that no more than three cars need be available at any time. The communication noted that there are numerous car rental facilities in the city, confined to the airport/hotel area for the convenience of travelers and that it is felt that local residents and commercial firms will support a similar service in the central business area. Mr. Allan Nulle represented Mr. Zunino. The City Planner stated that -the code makes no mention of car rentals in connection with gasoline service stations and, for that reason, the applicants were advised to follow the use permit procedure. Mr. Nulle stated that there is sufficient space on the property to meet all parking needs. Regarding advertising, Mr. Nulle stated there may be a small "Hertz" sign in the office and possibly a listing in the telephone directory. The application was scheduled for public hearing at the meeting of May 25, 1970. -3- Commissioner Norberg mentioned an area between the sidewalk and the service station needing attention and suggested to Mr. Nulle that it be better maintained; also, the City Planner requested that the "gas war" sign be relocated back of the property line. 5. REQUEST FOR EXTENSION OF SPECIAL.PERMIT. A communication dated May 8, 1970, from Noble, Cooke Properties, Inc., Los Angeles, signed by A.W. Hall,requesting a six months extension to December 16, 1970 of the special permit for a high-rise hotel on Burlingame Shore Land Company property at Bayshore Freeway and Broadway, was referred to the meeting of May 25 for formal considera- tion. The City Planner explained that the project has been delayed, through no fault of the developers, because of property exchanges between the city and Burlingame Shore Land Company, in connection with improvements in the Broadway interchange area. 6. PROPOSED CODE AMENDMENT. Commissioners were furnished copies of a rough draft of a proposed addition to the zoning code, providing for "Revocation or Suspension of Variance or Use Permit," the City Planner advising that the material will be prepared in proper legal form by the City Attorney. 7. CO','lMISSIONER KINDIG COMMENT. In response to Commissioner Kindig's reference to an area that is overgrown with weeds, apparently used by Peninsula Tennis Club for parking, Chairman Sine stated that he would mention the matter to officials of the tennis club. ADJOURNMENT The meeting regularly adjourned at 9:00 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Everett K. Kindig, Secretary -4-