Loading...
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. Page 2 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. Page 3 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