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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMin - PC - 1975.05.27THE CITY OF BURLINGAME PLANNING COMMISSION May 27, 1975 COMMISSIONERS PRESENT COMMISSIONERS ABSENT OTHERS PRESENT Francard Norberg (illness) Asst.City Planner Yost Jacobs Taylor (excused) Asst.City Engineer Kindig Rebarchik Mink Sine ROLL CALL The above named members were present. CALL TO ORDER A regular meeting of the Burlingame Planning Commission was called to order by Chairman Sine on the above date at 7:30 P.M. MINUTES The minutes of the meeting of May 12, 1975 were approved and adopted. 1. DRAFT SEISMIC SAFETY ELEMENT OF THE GENERAL PLAN. (ND-GP3 POSTED MAY 16, 1975) At the request of Chairman Sine Assistant City Planner Yost reviewed the draft Seismic Safety Element. He told Commissioners that the city under California State Law must adopt a seismic element as part of its General Plan. This element must contain identification and appraisal of surface hazards as well as other earthquake connected hazards such as tsunamis, seiches, landslides, mudslides, etc. He commented that the report as prepared is a first draft, and the intent is that this would be a continuing effort, with the report being updated as new facts are determined. The Assistant City Planner stressed that earthquakes are a force of nature, a hazard which the city cannot avoid, but the element of risk can be reduced. The intent of the report is to discuss the degree of hazard and raise the question of how much risk the community is prepared to accept, and what steps should be taken to reduce the risk. He then reviewed the Element's Summary of Findings. These are briefly stated as: 1. Burlingame has no known major active faults. San Andreas Fault lies immediately west of the City. 2. The Serra Fault, a minor fault, bisects the western hills. 3. Alluvial deposits overlaying bedrock, and baymuds intensify ground shaking. 4. Soil instability would probably be confined to limited areas of the western hills. - 2 - 5. Hazard from loss of soil stability and liquefaction may be present, but degree of risk has not been established. 6. Inundation hazard is limited to the immediate shoreline. 7. The majority of single family homes will not constitute a significant risk in a major earthquake. 8. Multi -storied, multi -family structures would be more vulnerable. 9. Many older commercial structures will be hazardous. 10. City and County disaster planning presently does not make extensive provision for major earthquake disasters. Assistant City Planner Yost went on to review Major Policy Recommendations, which he identified as: 1. Develop a "balanced risk" policy. 2. Require that new development incorporate mitigation measures. 3. Establish standards to reduce risk in existing hazardous buildings. 4. Review and update disaster preparedness plan. 5. Improve interjurisdictional cooperation. 6. Advocate improved seismic safety programs for schools. Promote greater public awareness. 7. Periodically -,update and refine seismic element. There was no response to Chairman Sine's request for audience comment on this presentation, and the public hearing was declared closed. Commissioner Jacobs questioned what measures had been taken by other cities to mitigate hazardous buildings. The Assistant City Planner, giving the example of San Francisco, stated that a building can be strengthened, i.e. structural steel can be added to increase lateral stability; there can be a parapet ordinance; or hazardous buildings can be removed. In response to another question from Commissioner Jacobs, he stated that municipalities normally bear the cost of inspection for hazardous buildings. There followed discussion of the Field Act which sets certain standards for the safety of schools, and it was noted that all Burlingame schools comply with this Act with the exception of Pershing, which is now an administration building. The Assistant City Planner made the point, however, that the city has the responsibility to look carefully at the level of safety in any building used by the public. Peninsula Hospital was discussed, with Chairman Sine pointing out that while the hospital's first increment was built to conform with then existing construction codes, as each additional increment was built it was made to conform to revised building regulations with respect to earthquake safety. - 3 - Commissioner Francard questioned how school children would be transported in event of an earthquake, and was informed that School District policy is that the children walk home. Commissioner Mink commented that staff had presented what appears to be an outline of work to be done, and that he found the document complete for that purpose. He moved the Seismic Element be approved and recommended to the City Council for certification. Commissioner Kindig seconded the motion and it carried on unanimous roll call vote. 2. SPECIAL PERMIT FOR AUTO SALES AND SERVICE ESTABLISHMENT IN M-1 DISTRICT AT 1017-25 ROLLINS ROAD (APN 026-240-300/310) BY ALFRED G. MOLAKIDIS FOR NEUFELD PORSCHE -AUDI INC. (ND -57P POSTED MAY 16, 1975) Chairman Sine requested the Assistant City Planner to report on this application. Assistant City Planner Yost reminded the Commission that at the study meeting of May 12 staff had requested revisions of plans to correct some concerns which they had. These amended drawings had not been received until late this morning, May 27, and had not yet been reviewed. There was no staff report. Commissioners Mink and Kindig commented they did not wish to consider the application without a staff report, and recommended continuance. Mr. Hugh Connally, attorney for the applicant, was given permission to address the Commission. He apologized for the lateness of the submission, stating that the structural engineer is located in Los Angeles. He stated correction had been made of the three items of concern and listed them as change in method of parking from diagonal to 90 degree as shown on the revised plant more detail on the landscaping; identification of portion of premises not clearly defined previously. This is now designated on plans as new car storage and future body shop. He suggested the Commission might deal with these relatively minor changes at this meeting. However, Chairman Sine concurred with Commissioners' desires to have a staff report, and announced this hearing item would be continued to'the meeting of June 9, 1975. 3. SIGN PERMIT FOR 223 SF ILLUMINATED POLE SIGN 35 FEET IN HEIGHT AT 1017-25 ROLLINS ROAD FOR NEUFELD PORSCHE -AUDI INC. With the concurrence of the Commission and Mr. Connally, Chairman Sine continued this item to the meeting of June 9, 1975. 4. SPECIAL PERMIT FOR TRUCKING ESTABLISHMENT IN M-1 DISTRICT AT 189 AIRPORT BOULEVARD (PORTION OF LOTS 7 AND 8, ANZA AIRPORT PARK UNIT NO. 2, RSM 65/27, 28) BY GLEN HUBBARD OF GLENCO TRUCK LINES; L. IZMIRIAN. OWNER. (ND -56P POSTED MAY 16, 1975) It was established that the applicant was not present. Assistant City Planner Yost reported that copies of the revised plans were only received at 4:10 P.M. this date. Therefore there was no staff report. With the agreement of the Commission, Chairman Sine continued this hearing to the meeting of June 9, 1975. Mr. Hubbard arrived later in the meeting and was informed the Commission did not wish to consider plans that had not been reviewed by staff. He was advised of the continuance and agreed to it. - 4 - 5. SIGN PERMIT FOR TWO ILLUMINATED GROUND SIGNS OF 18 SF EACH AT 1616 ROLLINS ROAD BY STEVE MUNKDALE OF MUNKDALE BROS.INC. Mr. Munkdale was not present at this time. It was agreed the Commission would consider the City Planners Report pending the arrival of Mr. Munkdale. CITY PLAMNER REPORT The Assistant City Planner reported that there was a meeting of the City Planner, City Attorney, City Engineer, and Mr. Glen Yarbrough of Bank of America regarding the Dore property. His understanding was that a subdivision map would be forwarded for submission to the City Engineer. A request has been submitted to San Mateo County for Bikeways Funds. An application is being prepared for a BCDC Permit on the improvement of Airport Boulevard. A contract has been executed with Earth Metrics Incorporated for preparation of a Noise Element of the General Plan. Staff will prepare a Safety Element for study;in June, a Scenic Roads Element for study in July, and Earth Metrics is scheduled to have the Noise Element for study and hearing in August. This should complete the mandated elements within the time deadline of September 20. Burlingame Transit, which has now been operating about a year, is shortly to have new routes and schedules to cooperate with the San Mateo system and incorporating areas not previously served. RECESS At this time there was a short recess to give Mr. Munkdale time to arrive at the meeting. The Commission then reconvened and proceeded with the hearing since Mr. Munkdale did not appear. 5. SIGN PERMIT FOR TWO ILLUMINATED GROUND SIGNS OF 18 SF EACH AT 1616 ROLLINS ROAD BY STEVE MUNKDALE OF MMKDALE BROS . INC . Assistant City Planner Yost distributed plans for these two ground signs. Each sign consists of two bars of redwood supported by 8 posts set in a concrete slab. The redwood bars would have white fiberglass letters mounted on them. The signs would be'lit by ground lights in the shrubbery. Copy is submitted for one sign. No copy is available for the other because it is for a prospective tenant. The Assistant City Planner cited several exceptions from the sign ordinance: 1. Clearance under sign is 5". Code requires 2'. 2. Code requires ground signs to be of incombustible material. These signs are of redwood. 3. Code requires posts to be 3' in ground. These are 1'6". - 5 - 4. While ground signs in this area are not subject to setback require- ments, the site plan has no dimension showing where this sign is located behind the front property line. Chairman Sine requested audience comment. There was none and the public hearing was declared closed. There was some Commission discussion. Commissioners felt the ground clearance would suffice because of the concrete slab under the signs, and the posts were deep enough since they were set in this slab. They saw no justification for having the signs lighted in this area. Commissioner Mink moved that the sign permit with the exceptions listed by the Assistant City Planner be approved for Munkdale Bros. with these conditions: 1. The sign to be constructed according to plans submitted. 2. The major portion of the material to be of fire retardant lumber. 3. The location of the sign to be as close as possible to the scale drawing. 4. The sign to be unlighted. 5. Copy on the second sign to be submitted to staff for approval. Commissioner Kindig seconded the motion and it carried on unanimous roll call vote. ADJOURNMENT: The meeting regularly adjourned at 8:45 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Ruth E. Jacobs Secretary