HomeMy WebLinkAboutMin - PC - 1985.10.15CITY OF BURLINGAME PLANNING COMMISSION
OCTOBER 15, 1985
CALL TO ORDER
A regular meeting of the Planning Commission, City of Burlingame was
called to order by Chairman Garcia on Tuesday, October 15, 1985 at
7:31 P.M.
ROLL CALL
Present: Commissioners Garcia, Giomi, Jacobs, Leahy,
Schwalm, Taylor
Absent: Commissioner Graham
Staff Present: Margaret Monroe, City Planner; Jerome F. Coleman,
City Attorney; Frank C. Erbacher, City Engineer
MINUTES - The minutes of the September 23, 1985 meeting were
unanimously approved.
AGENDA - Order of the agenda approved.
ITEMS FOR ACTION
1. TWO SPECIAL PERMITS TO ALLOW A 180 SF RECREATION ROOM ADDITION
TO THE EXISTING GARAGE AT 113 CHANNING ROAD
Reference staff report, 10/15/85, with attachments. CP Monroe reviewed
this request for use of an accessory structure for recreational
purposes and to allow a toilet in an accessory structure. She
discussed details of the request, staff review, Planning staff comment,
applicant's letter, study meeting questions. Three conditions were
suggested for consideration at the public hearing.
CP commented on a site visit which showed that at the present time
there is no access to the garage in the rear, the driveway has been
completely removed and a playhouse located along the side property line
which extends into the previous driveway area. It was noted the
applicant is not proposing to increase the size of the garage to
accommodate two cars; the playhouse is not counted in lot coverage.
Commission comment: if no covered parking is available, how can
Commission approve this request; did applicant have a building permit
for the apparent second story construction on the house, how did he get
a building permit for this if he had only one covered parking space.
Applicant was not present; Planning staff advised they were aware he
could not be present this evening and had suggested he request a
continuance. Chm. Garcia opened the public hearing. There were no
audience comments. The Chair then continued the public hearing to the
end of the action items this evening in order to allow the applicant
time to appear if he was late.
Burlingame Planning Commission Minutes
Page 2
October 15, 1985
2. SPECIAL PERMIT TO ALLOW A COURIER OPERATION IN A PORTION OF THE
EXISTING OFFICE/WAREHOUSE BUILDING AT 845 COWAN ROAD
Reference staff report, 10/15/85, with attachments. CP Monroe reviewed
details of the request, staff review, Planning staff comment, parking
for employees and vans, applicant's letters, study meeting questions.
Applicant had stated their company does not handle bulky air freight.
Five conditions were suggested for consideration at the public
hearing.
Commission/staff discussion: access to the fenced parking at the rear
of the adjacent building which the applicant is proposing to use and
which would require crossing another parcel, all three of these parcels
are in one ownership; number of expected trip ends and CE's comments;
need for the lease of the adjacent parking area to be coterminous with
the lease of the building area for this use.
Applicant's representative distributed a summary sheet addressing
parking and advised applicant will comply with all staff conditions.
Chm. Garcia opened the public hearing. There were no audience comments
and the public hearing was closed.
Commission discussion: right of access across the intervening parcel
should be included in the lease agreement for the additional off-site
parking; concern there could be overlapping with van drivers parking
their personal vehicles in van parking spaces; there is not enough
on-site parking for the building and applicant can get access to the
off-site parking only by traversing another parcel; if these three lots
were merged might be able to approve the proposal; believe vehicles
will be parked on the street, a site inspection today showed solid
on -street parking, cannot support an application that would impact this
area so heavily. Further Commission comment: it appeared from a site
inspection that there is parking available in the rear; if parking for
this use can be achieved off the street would vote for approval.
Concern was expressed about access to the off-site parking and that
this off-site parking is for compact size vehicles.
C. Giomi commented that the applicant had done his homework and
provided the extra parking needed for this use, he is aware of the
problems in the area and the application will be conditioned for review
in one year if problems do arise; she found off-site parking to be
acceptable in this case since it would be under the same ownership and
coterminous with the lease of the building area for this use. C. Giomi
moved for approval of the special permit and for adoption of Commission
Resolution Approving Special Permits with the following conditions: (1)
that the conditions of the Fire Marshal's September 4, 1985 memo and
the City Engineer's October 9, 1985 memo shall be met; (2) that the air
courier service at this location shall be limited to 11,616 SF of
building area, a maximum of 31 employees per shift, a maximum of 13
vans and operating 24 hours a day Monday through Saturday, 9:00 A.M. to
6:00 P.M. Sunday and as described in the TNT Skypak, Inc.
representative's letters of August 23, 1985 with attachment and
Page 3
Burlingame Planning Commission Minutes October 15, 1985
October 1, 1985; (3) that the air courier service operating at this
location shall have use of 24 on-site parking spaces and 14 parking
spaces in a fenced area on an adjacent property behind 837 Cowan Road;
the lease for this adjacent parking area shall be coterminous with the
lease of the building area at 845 Cowan Road and should the lease on
this additional parking be terminated so shall this use permit; (4)
that any changes in operation which cause an increase in any of the
items addressed in this use permit shall require an amendment to this
use permit; and (5) that this use permit shall be reviewed for
compliance with all its conditions in one year (October 1986). Second
C. Schwalm. Motion approved on a 4-2 roll call vote, Cers Jacobs and
Taylor dissenting, C. Graham absent. Appeal procedures were advised.
3. SPECIAL PERMIT TO ALLOW AN AUTOMOBILE LEASING OFFICE IN A PORTION
OF THE EXISTING BUILDING AT 1608 GILBRETH ROAD, ZONED M-1
Reference staff report, 10/15/85, with attachments. CP Monroe reviewed
details of the request, staff review, history of permitting actions on
this site, applicant's letter, study meeting questions, parking
availability study prepared by an applicant in 1984, Planning staff
comment. Seven conditions were suggested for consideration at the
public hearing.
Discussion: permit granted to the athletic club for a swimming pool on
this site will expire in January, 1986; present tenants of the
building; number of employees and parking for this use.
Tim Laughlin, Southwest Leasing and Rental, Inc. (applicant) was
present. His comments: this is a long term leasing company, not a
rental car company; they will meet UBC and UFC requirements for the
building to allow inside parking of cars; there will be eight
employees, one part time employee, two of these are outside leasing
agents; they do not transport cars but buy at local dealerships and
deliver direct to the customers; regarding condition #5 and removal of
the reserved parking stall signs on the Hinckley Road side of the
building, this would have to be discussed with the property owner;
their business in this area is strictly leasing, in some other areas
they do rent.
Chm. Garcia opened the public hearing. There were no audience comments
and the hearing was closed.
During further discussion the applicant advised they lease 25-30 cars
per month, the normal lease term is 36-39 months; there are very few
automobiles on the premise, only there for transfer to customers; at
the end of a lease the customer sells the automobile himself or trades
it in on another vehicle. Commission comment: it appears there is
adequate parking for the athletic club and sports therapy clinic, have
some concern about the unresolved condition of the designated spaces on
Hinckley; parking requirements for office and warehouse were noted, CP
advised the building itself meets present code; heavy use of the
athletic club is between 4:00 and 8:00 P.M.
Page 4
Burlingame Planning Commission Minutes October 15, 1985
In further explanation of his business applicant stated he is a broker
who deals in leasing vehicles, he acquires the type of vehicle a
customer wants; at times customers cannot pick up the car immediately
and the company needs some space inside to store expensive automobiles
safely; the company's services provide better financing, more flexible
leases than a regular dealer. Staff advised, if approved, this auto
leasing use would run with the property until it is discontinued for
six consecutive months.
C. Schwalm commented this appeared to be an inoffensive office type of
activity in that area if the applicant could comply with all the
suggested conditions. He then moved for approval of the special permit
and adoption of Commission Resolution Approving Special Permits with
the seven conditions listed in the staff report. Motion died for lack
of a second.
Comment on the motion: this area is impacted now, concern in that this
use runs with the land.
C. Leahy noted this business might fit in very well if it weren't for
the existing parking problem in the area and the additional impact of
this use. He moved to deny the special permit. Second C. Giomi.
Comment on the motion: difficult to justify approval in this impacted
area, applicant is looking in the wrong place; use is too intensive for
the area; this is a changing section of the city, perhaps Commission
should study uses in the area. Motion to deny was approved on a 4-2
roll call vote, Cers Schwalm and Garcia dissenting, C. Graham absent.
Appeal procedures were advised.
4. SPECIAL PERMIT TO REPLACE AN EXISTING GAS STATION AT
1101 BROADWAY, ZONED C-1
Reference staff report, 10/15/85, with attachments. CP Monroe reviewed
details of the request, code requirement for reviewing gasoline service
stations, staff review, study meeting questions. Four conditions were
suggested for consideration at the public hearing.
Discussion: two relatively new fuel tanks will remain; circulation
within the site; add to the conditions the requirement of four posts to
protect the sales building; provision of restrooms available to the
public; property owner is Chevron USA, Inc.; is an economic feasibility
report required (staff felt this station has demonstrated over the past
52 years its economic feasibility); snack room will not be open to the
public at night for security reasons.
Cliff Perry, Carroll/Resources Engineering & Management, San Mateo,
representing the property owner, was present. He commented on his
discussions with staff to establish agreement and displayed a colored
drawing of the proposal which is designed to allow safe circulation and
access. The station has been there since 1933 with some minor
remodeling in 1971; very little auto maintenance is done at the present
Page 5
Burlingame Planning Commission Minutes October 15, 1985
time; station has been redesigned to provide a facility suitable to the
community's present day standards; will provide air and water and add
landscaping, after intersection widening will provide more landscaping
to a net of 8.9%; applicant is in agreement with all suggested
conditions but would request public restrooms not be required; property
is deed restricted (1906 deed retrictions) from the sale of alcohol;
the plans address the entire improvement on the site and do not include
adjacent parcel.
Commission discussion/comment: concern that no public restrooms are to
be provided since this is a common service of gas stations the public
has become used to; Mr. Perry stated the public has become insensitive,
this type of service started in the early 130s, applicant does not wish
to encourage loitering and it could contribute to a traffic problem,
Chevron feels customers are not demanding restrooms now, this is a
neighborhood station and patrons would be close to home; also adding a
restroom would require removal of some landscaping. Several
Commissioners felt public restrooms should be provided, citing the
proximity of the freeway and that families traveling with small
children find this is a needed service. Concern was expressed about
on-site circulation, particularly when all pumps are in use; CE felt
there was sufficient room for vehicles to go in a circular movement
around the pump islands when they are in use. The full service
proposed to be available was defined as the service of an attendant
putting the nozzle in the tank and also checking the oil; there would
be two full time employees during the daylight shift; air and water
would be available in back out of the circulation path.
Chm. Garcia opened the public hearing. There were no audience comments
and the public hearing was closed.
Commenting she was sorry to see maintenance service leave the area, C.
Giomi moved for approval of this special permit and for adoption of
Commission Resolution Approving Special Permits with the following
conditions: (1) that the conditions of the Fire Marshal's August 21,
1985 memo and the City Engineer's October 2, 1985 memo shall be met;
(2) that the applicant shall make separate application to the Planning
and Building Departments for any signage on this site; (3) that the
project shall be built consistent with the plans submitted to the
Planning Department and date stamped October 1, 1985 with the addition
of four posts to protect the sales building and that restrooms be
available to the public 24 hours a day; and (4) that snack items be
limited to a 100 SF area housing a 3 -door refrigeration unit, one shelf
unit for snack items and one shelf unit for candy/gum/cigarettes, no
alcoholic beverages will be sold and patrons' access will be limited to
a pass-through window between 11:00 P.M. and 7:00 A.M. Second C.
Leahy; motion approved on a 6-0 roll call vote, C. Graham absent.
Appeal procedures were advised.
1. CONTINUATION OF PUBLIC HEARING - 113 CHANNING ROAD
Applicant was not yet present and Chm. Garcia closed the public
hearing.
Burlingame Planning Commission Minutes
Page 6
October 15, 1985
In view of the fact that the applicant was not present, that the one
car garage is not usable or accessible and that the accessory structure
is proposed with electricity and water with bathroom facilities,
C. Giomi moved to deny the two special permits. Second C. Leahy.
Details of staff's findings on a site inspection and communication with
the applicant, his inability to attend the meeting and staff's
suggestion he request a continuance or withdraw the application were
discussed. Commission requested staff follow up the lack of automobile
access to the garage no matter what action is taken on the motion.
Motion approved on a 6-0 roll call vote, C. Graham absent. Appeal
procedures were noted; staff will advise the applicant.,
Recess 9:25 P.M.; reconvene 9:35 P.M.
ITEMS FOR STUDY
5. SPECIAL PERMITS - GARAGE/STORAGE STRUCTURE - 1204 PALM DRIVE
6. VARIANCE - GARAGE/STORAGE STRUCTURE - 1204 PALM DRIVE
Requests: foundation of garage; include more dimensions (accurate) on
plans; number of bedrooms in the dwelling unit. Items set for hearing
October 28, 1985.
7. AMENDMENT OF MASTER SIGN PERMIT - 1000 BROADWAY
Requests: include original master sign permit; note error in filling
out Item #5 of the sign permit; has shrubbery on exit driveway been
lowered; is there an "open 24 hours" sign there now. Item set for
hearing October 28, 1985.
8. SIGN EXCEPTION - 1200 BAYSHORE HIGHWAY
Request: number of signs now on property. Item set for hearing October
28, 1985.
9. SPECIAL PERMIT TO CONSTRUCT NEW OFFICE SPACE - 1510 ROLLINS
Item set for hearing October 28, 1985.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT - City Attorney staff report to Council, 10/7/85
meeting; subject: Kowalski v. Burlingame.
PLANNER REPORT
CP Monroe reviewed Council actions at its October 7, 1985 regular
meeting.
ADJOURNMENT - The meeting adjourned at 10:10 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Robert J. Leahy, Secretary