HomeMy WebLinkAboutMin - PC - 1980.02.25CITY OF BURLINGAME PLANNING COMMISSION
FEBRUARY 25, 1980
CALL TO ORDER
A regular meeting of the Planning Commission, City of Burlingame was called to order
by Chairman Jacobs on Monday, February 25, 1980 at 7:35 P.M.
ROLL CALL
Present: Commissioners Cistulli, Harvey, Jacobs, Mink, Sine, Taylor
Absent: Commissioner Francard (excused)
Staff Present: City Planner John R. Yost; City Engineer Ralph E. Kirkup;
City Attorney Jerome F. Coleman
MINUTES - The minutes of the February 11, 1980 meeting were approved as sent.
AGENDA - Approved with two additions under Other Business, requested by the Chairman.
ITEMS FOR ACTION
1. CONDOMINIUM PERMIT FOR 16 LORTON PLACE, A SIX UNIT TOWNHOUSE AT 16 LORTON AVENUE
IN THE R-4 DISTRICT, BY D. L. WALKER ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES FOR THOMAS J. GLYNN
CP Yost reviewed this application to construct a six unit two story townhouse.
Reference staff report dated 2/21/80; Project Assessment revised 2/20/80; February 20,
and January 8, 1980 memos from the Assistant City Engineer; memo received February 19,
1980 from the Chief Fire Inspector; and February 8, 1980 memo from the Chief Building
Inspector. CP noted Commission and Engineering Dept. had expressed concerns about
the grade of the concrete slab separating basement parking from the two story townhouses,
and reported on discussions with the project architect. Three conditions of approval
were recommended by staff if the project were found to be generally consistent with
the condominium guidelines.
Barry Smith, architect for the project was present. Chm. Jacobs opened the public
hearing. There were no comments and the hearing was closed. It was determined the
project meets all zoning code requirements and Planning Commission criteria for
condominiums; and that a soils report had been prepared. Commission concerns and
discussion: the 25% driveway slope; configuration and size of the parking spaces
provided; guest parking.
C. Mink found the project as submitted met the code requirements of the City of
Burlingame. He, therefore, moved for approval of this condominium permit with the
following conditions: (1) that the final working drawings for 16 Lorton Place be
consistent with the plans filed with this application and date stamped February 21, 1980;
(2) that the construction requirements identified in the February 8, 1980 memo from the
Chief Building Inspector and the February 19, 1980 memo from the Chief Fire Inspector be
met; and (3) that the final landscaping and irrigation plans be approved by the Park
Department prior to the issuance of a building permit. Second C. Harvey and approved
6-0 on roll call vote, C. Francard absent. Appeal procedures were advised.
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City of Burlingame Planning Commission February 25, 1980
2. TENTATIVE SUBDIVISION MAP FOR 6 TOWNHOUSES AT 16 LORTON AVENUE
C. Mink moved for approval and recommendation to City Council of this tentative
subdivision map. Second C. Harvey and approved 6-0 on roll call vote, C. Francard
absent.
Staff was requested to report back to Commission on possible performance criteria for
parking spaces and maximum driveway slope, with a specific request from two Cers to
focus the area of concern on public health and safety.
3. SPECIAL PERMIT TO OPERATE A SNACK BAR IN THE M-1 DISTRICT AT 851 BURLWAY ROAD,
BY.JOHN DOUVEAS OF LA PETITE CAFE
CP Yost reviewed this application to operate a snack bar on the second floor of the
Wells Fargo Building at 851 Burlway Road. Reference staff report dated 2/20/80;
Project Assessment revised 2/20/80; January 18, 1980 letter from the applicant;
petition in support received January 30, 1980 signed by 10 nearby office workers;
site drawing received January 30, 1980; site plan dated 2/6/80 showing available parking;
aerial photo of the site; map showing coffee shops in the M-1 District updated to
February, 1980; and February 19, 1980 memo from the Chief Fire Inspector. Staff
recommended approval with six conditions as listed in the staff report.
The applicant, John Douveas was present. Chm. Jacobs opened the public hearing.
There were no comments and the hearing was closed. During discussion it was determined
this coffee shop had been in operation under several owners without a business license
or special permit from the City. C. Taylor stated his belief that a sign warning of
'microwave oven in operation' should be made a condition of all such permits.
C. Sine moved to approve this special permit with the following conditions: (1) that
the permit be approved to John Douveas, and be nontransferable; (2) that the size and
location of the coffee shop be consistent with the plan date stamped January 30, 1980;
(3) that not more than 6 tables/20 seats be available for customer use; (4) that the
hours of operation not exceed 8:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M.; (5) that the code requirements
identified in the February 19, 1980 memo from the Chief Fire Inspector be observed;
and (6) that the permit be subject to review in one year and be subject to possible
modification at that time. Second C. Cistulli and approved 6-0 on roll call vote,
C. Francard absent.
4. SIGN EXCEPTION TO ALLOW THE EXISTING NEUFELD PORSCHE AUDI, INC. POLE SIGN AT
1025 ROLLINS ROAD TO BE ENLARGED, BY AMERICAN SIGN AND INDICATOR CORPORATION
FOR NEUFELD PORSCHE AUDI, INC.
CP Yost reviewed this application to allow two sign exceptions for the addition of
a new double faced electronic message display panel to the existing pole sign.
Reference staff report dated 2/21/80; February 20, 1980 letter from Stephen S. Taylor
of American Sign and Indicator Corporation; Sign Exception application filed 2/19/80;
site plan showing location of signs; Sign Permit form giving details of the signs;
Planning Commission minutes of 6/9/75 and 7/28/75 covering previous sign permit and
sign exception approvals. Further references received this evening: February 25, 1980
letter from David Neufeld explaining his absence from the meeting; photographs submitted
by the applicant showing typical installation of such a display panel. Mr. Yost
discussed code requirements for a sign exception. Staff did not believe the legal
requirements for a code exception had been satisfied, and recommended denial.
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Burlingame Planning Commission Minutes February 25, 1980
Stephen Taylor of American Sign and Indicator Corporation was present. He discussed
similar signs in the area; this proposal by Neufeld Porsche Audi; and contended the
electronic display panel would not add height or width to the sign, merely another
dimension. He also noted Mr. Neufeld's offer to allow community service messages
on the panel approximately 50% of the time.
Commission discussion included: the fact that this proposal would increase the total
signage on the property from 542 SF to 743 SF; whether the code requirement for
exceptional circumstances had been satisfied; the code prohibition with regard to
off -premise advertising; the excessive amount of advertising copy proposed for this
property, which was felt by one Commissioner to be contrary to the intent of the
code section relating to signs visible from a freeway.
Chm. Jacobs opened the public hearing. There were no audience comments and the
hearing was closed. It was determined that the original sign installations at this
site were not done by the present applicant; that the 700+ SF of signage is more than
twice the maximum permitted on auto row; that the applicant had not considered
bringing the existing pole sign closer to present code.
C. Taylor found there had been no testimony given which would substantiate there were
exceptional circumstances applicable to the subject property not generally applicable
to other properties in the area. He therefore moved to deny these sign exceptions.
Second C. Sine; motion to deny approved 6-0 on roll call vote, C. Francard absent.
Appeal procedures were advised.
5. 3' MAXIMUM HEIGHT FOR ALL FENCES CONSTRUCTED ON EL CAMINO REAL: RECOMMENDED
TITLE 25 CODE AMENDMENT
CP Yost discussed the alternatives reviewed by Commission at its February 11 meeting
in considering a code amendment for fence height on E1 Camino; a draft ordinance was
prepared in accordance with Commission consensus at that time. Reference staff report
dated 2/21/80 with draft ordinance attached.
Enforcement procedures were discussed, and it was noted a fence or hedge behind the
20' setback on E1 Camino Real could be at the regular height allowed by code. C. Sine
then moved to approve "Ordinance Limiting Fences and Hedges on E1 Camino Real to
Three Feet" and to recommend it to City Council for adoption. Second C. Harvey and
approved 6-0 on roll call vote, C. Francard absent.
Recess 8:50 P.M.; reconvene 9:10 P.M.
COMMUNICATIONS
6. APPEAL FROM CITY PLANNER DETERMINATION; PENINSULA PROFESSIONAL CENTER, 1828 EL
CAMINO REAL
Reference staff report dated 2/21/80; February 19, 1980 letter from Robert Podesta,
partner, Peninsula Professional Center; and February 15, 1980 letter to Robert Podesta
from John R. Yost, City Planner. CP Yost reviewed off-street parking requirements
for medical or dental offices, clinics and similar uses; his determination that a
variance would be required since the proposed remodeling of the Peninsula Professional
Center does not meet the off-street parking standards established by Code Sec. 25.70.
030(i); and Mr. Podesta's appeal of this determination. CP recommended Commission
review present code requirements for medical/dental buildings and the possibility of
a code change to relate parking for such uses to gross floor area; the appellant's
alternatives during this process were noted.
Burlingame Planning Commission Minutes
Page 4
February 25, 1980
Further references: parking study by D. K. Goodrich, traffic consultants; parking
survey by Prodis Associates, architects and planners; Peninsula Professional Center
tenant roll (revised and updated from June, 1979); list of suites, doctors and/or
tenants, including days worked; Peninsula Professional Center summary of Prodis
Associates' parking survey; Parking Requirement Summary; and further supplementary
data presented this evening.
Robert Podesta was present and discussed his appeal. He noted the number of group
practices now in existence, with differing hours and with offices in several different
locations. His further comments: the Goodrich report indicated there is no problem
with parking at present nor would there be in the future; there are 77 spaces off-site
for staff parking; at some peak hours there are empty spaces in the building garage;
the specialty of the doctor governs the amount of space that is needed; it would be
impossible to expand some of the suites; one practice demands more parking space
than another. He stressed the concept of part time doctors and believed the parking
would stand on its own, without the off-site parking, if it were based on the times
the doctors were present in the building and not on the make-up of the suite in general.
There was considerable Commission discussion including: the history of the building
and the on-site parking required; the language of the present code; the principal
issues raised by this appeal; a concern if the mix of the building changed to all
full-time doctors; and several estimates of required parking and deficiencies.
The general consensus was that a variance was required.
C. Taylor moved that Commission sustain the determination of the City Planner that
a variance be required. Second C. Sine and approved 5-0-2 on roll call vote,
C. Jacobs abstaining, C. Francard absent. Applicant was advised to confer with staff.
There was consensus to consider possible code changes at some future time.
OTHER BUSINESS
The next item was heard out of order to accommodate the applicant.
10. REVIEW OF AUGUST 27, 1979 SPECIAL PERMIT TO OPERATE AN EQUIPMENT AND TRUCK RENTAL
BUSINESS AT 1337 MARSTEN ROAD, ZONED M-1, BY MILLBRAE RENTS, INC.
Reference staff report dated 2/22/80; 2/22/80 letter from Patrick T. Smith, president
of Millbrae Rents, Inc. and August 22, 1979 memo from the Director of Public Works.
Patrick Smith was present and discussed the deficiencies in complying with Conditions
3, 4, 6 and 8 of the August, 1979 special permit. He stated that available financing
was a major problem in completing the improvements. Commission discussed the
conditions in detail with the applicant; provisions for screening and landscaping
were stressed. Mr. Smith advised that a general commitment to complete the improvements
by the middle of the summer could be made.
C. Sine moved to allow a six months extension to complete all eight conditions of
the August 27, 1979 special permit. Second C. Taylor and all aye voice vote.
ITEMS FOR STUDY
The following items were set for public hearing on March 10, 1980.
7. SPECIAL PERMIT TO OPERATE A COURIER SERVICE IN THE M-1 DISTRICT AT 865 HINCKLEY
ROAD. BY BRIAN C. REED OF DHL COURIER SERVICES
Burlingame Planning Commission Minutes
Page 5
February 25, 1980
8. SPECIAL PERMIT TO SELL USED RENTAL CARS IN THE M-1 DISTRICT AT 1815 BAYSHORE
HIGHWAY, BY JAMES E. SAUNDERS OF DOLLAR RENT -A -CAR
9. AMENDMENT OF MAY 14, 1979 SPECIAL PERMIT TO ALLOW MUNKDALE BROS., INC. TO STORE
AND GROW PLANT MATERIALS ON THE 3.4 ACRES OF LAND UNDER THE PG&E LINES BEHIND
1576-1700 ROLLINS ROAD
OTHER BUSINESS
11. REVIEW OF JULY 23, 1979 PERMIT TO OPERATE TRAINING PROGRAMS, SEMINARS AND BUSINESS
PRESENTATIONS IN THE CROCKER BANK BUILDING AT 330 PRIMROSE ROAD, ZONED C-1, BY
DYNIQUE OF SAN FRANCISCO
Reference staff report dated 2/21/80. CP reported that a recent site inspection found
this firm had moved to 430 Peninsula Avenue in San Mateo; no further action by
Commission is required.
lla. Chm. Jacobs acknowledged receipt of February 13, 1980 letter from Mrs. Emogene
Bowling regarding dangerous street corners in residential north Burlingame.
Staff was directed to refer the letter to the Traffic, Safety & Parking
Commission for review and comment.
llb. Staff was requested to review the present regulations for hot tubs and prepare
a report to be discussed at a future meeting.
CITY PLANNER REPORT
12. SIGN EXCEPTION, 1016 CAROLAN AVENUE: FEBRUARY 19, 1980 COUNCIL HEARING ON
APPEAL BY DAVID JAMES ARATA
CP Yost reported City Council sustained Mr. Arata's appeal of Planning Commission denial
of a Sign Exception with conditions. The application was approved to allow 209 SF of
signage, with a maximum pole sign height of 20' and an 11:00 P.M. limit on the period
of illumination.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Annual Commissioners dinner to be held at Kee Joon's, Friday evening, March 21, 1980.
Commission breakfast/field trip, Saturday, March 22, 1980.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 11:03 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Charles W. Mink
Secretary