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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMin - PC - 1987.11.23CITY OF BURLINGAME PLANNING COMMISSION NOVEMBER 23, 1987 CALL TO ORDER A regular meeting of the Planning Commission, City of Burlingame was called to order by Chairman Giomi on Monday, November 23, 1987 at 7:33 P.M. ROT.L CAT.T. Present: Commissioners Ellis, Garcia, Giomi, H. Graham, S. Graham, Jacobs Absent: Commissioner Harrison Staff Present: Margaret Monroe, City Planner; Jerome Coleman, City Attorney; Frank Erbacher, City Engineer; Ken Musso, Fire Marshal MINUTES - The minutes of the November 9, 1987 meeting were unanimously approved. AGENDA - Order of the agenda approved. ACTION ITEMS 1. SPECIAL PERMIT FOR A PATIO SHELTER ATTACHED TO THE REAR OF THE EXISTING GARAGE AT 225 BANCROFT ROAD, ZONED R-1 Reference staff report, 11/23/87, with attachments. CP Monroe reviewed details of the request, staff review, Planning staff comment, applicant's letter, study meeting questions. Four conditions were suggested for consideration at the public hearing. CP clarified the requirement for a special permit under the accessory structure ordinance. Chm. Giomi opened the public hearing. Applicant and property owner, Charles Drechsler, was present. He advised he has a valuable 153 Ford pace car which he would like to put under cover in bad weather, the proposed shelter is the only feasible location in the rear yard because of the placement of the existing garage; he is the homeowner; his son, Charles Jr., drew the plans; they will be able to drive the car through the rear yard to the shelter area. Responding to Commission questions, he stated the garage is now used for storage, it is not big enough for a modern car; demolishing and replacing the existing garage would be too costly; there are no cars in the backyard now, he would put one car in the shelter during winter, would have cement where that car would be parked and for the patio itself; the family has four cars, some belonging to his children aged 21 years or more. There were no audience comments and the public hearing was closed. Page 2 Burlingame Planning Commission Minutes November 23, 1987 Commission comments: have some problem with this application, understand one car now in the driveway will be put behind the garage and engines will be stored in the garage, at present there are three cars and the engines behind the front setback, proposal will improve the situation, would have difficulty finding exceptional circumstances if this were a variance application; have a problem with the access which requires driving through the backyard, could a door be put on the other side of the garage (staff advised the proposed patio will be next to the garage but is not an extension of the garage, if any modification is made to the existing garage applicant would be required to bring it up to present code standards). Further comment: it will be difficult to get a car back there but it can be done, would like to add a condition that the back of the garage not be opened up into the patio. C. H.Graham found no problem with the request since it is only the patio shelter Commission is being asked to approve. C. H.Graham moved for approval of this special permit with the following conditions: (1) that as built the location and dimensions of the patio structure conform to the plans submitted to the Planning Department date stamped October 14, 1987; (2) that as built the patio structure conform to all the structural requirements of the Uniform Fire and Uniform Building Codes; (3) that the automobile engines presently stored in the driveway be removed from the driveway and required side and front yards so that the existing required covered off-street parking is accessible for automobiles; (4) that no utilities shall be extended into the patio area and it shall not be fully enclosed or ever used for residential purposes; and (5) that the rear wall of the existing garage shall never be opened up. Second C. Garcia; motion approved on a 5-1 roll call vote, C. S.Graham dissenting, C. Harrison absent. A sixth condition was suggested. C. H.Graham amended his motion, C. Garcia amended his second and the amended motion was approved on a 5-1 roll call vote, C. S.Graham dissenting, C. Harrison absent, to add condition (6) that this special permit shall be reviewed in two years time (November 1989). Appeal procedures were advised. 2. TENTATIVE AND FINAL PARCEL MAP TO DIVIDE AN EXISTING SITE INTO TWO PARCELS -1628 FOREST VIEW AVENUE Reference agenda memo, 11/23/87, with attachments. CE Erbacher reviewed his agenda memo, details of the application, alternative proposals for recommendation to Council, review by staff and utility companies, information on accidents in the area, setbacks. Engineering staff recommended approval of Alternative #1 in the staff report (with three conditions) which would require widening of Sanchez Avenue, removal of oak trees on Sanchez and tree replanting. Should Commission recommend Alternative #2 which would not require removal of the two large oak trees, five conditions were suggested. Commission/staff discussion: location/relocation of driveways; there would be no driveway closer to Sanchez than 151; Engineering Burlingame Planning Commission Minutes Page 3 November 23, 1987 Department's assignment of addresses and Planning's definition of lot frontages; if the oak trees are allowed to remain they will become street trees and under the care of the Parks Department. Chm. Giomi opened the public hearing. David Newsom, property owner and applicant, discussed Burlingame's annexation of this land from Hillsborough in process since March 1987; concerns of neighbors during the annexation procedure, specifically saving the oak trees on Sanchez and the possibility that four homes rather than two would be located on this site; he intends to add only one single family residence. For the record Mr. Newsom presented a copy of deed restriction which has been recorded with the county and which limits division of this property to two lots. He commented that Sanchez is not a heavily traveled street and expressed hope that the oak trees could be retained. Commission/applicant discussion: location of driveway on the new parcel; developer of the new lot is a builder and is prepared for either alternative; there has not been a high incidence of accidents on Sanchez, question the wisdom of widening the street when it narrows significantly on the other side of Newhall; extent of grading if trees are retained, applicant did not think the grading involved would adversely affect the trees; dedication of street right of way to the city is to allow sufficient paving for parking and two lanes of traffic; Forest View Avenue will remain the same. The Chair requested audience comments on the application. David Hinckle, 1616 Sanchez Avenue advised he bought the lot across the street from this property knowing the parcel on Newhall was not subdividable in Hillsborough; the trees are his main concern and saving all four of them. Mr. Hinckle read November 18, 1987 letter from Neil Murphy and Juliana Fuerbringer, 1516 Sanchez kvenue requesting the trees along Sanchez be saved, they add beauty and peace to the neighborhood. There were no further audience comments and the public hearing was closed. Further Commission discussion: think the two larger trees should be saved, have some concern about location of the driveway on the new lot and on the existing lot, would like to be sure the trees are kept unharmed; Director of Parks' November 4, 1987 memo ensures removal of roots is done under the direction of a qualified arborist, if trimmed to Park Department specifications trees should not be a hazard. C. S.Graham moved to recommend this tentative and final parcel map to City Council for approval with CE's conditions for the second alternative. Second C. Ellis. Comment on the motion: condition #5 will take care of concerns about a new driveway damaging tree roots on Sanchez; share CE's concern about sight distances along that portion of Sanchez, would like to prohibit parking on Sanchez as well as access to Sanchez from Parcel k, suggest a condition #6 be added, that no parking be allowed on Sanchez venue fronting Parcel N; will have to vote 'no', hate to see trees come down but am concerned about sight distances, it is hard to police vegetation, there is an opportunity to conform to city standards now, Page 4 )Burlingame Planning Commission Minutes November 23, 1987 think this is the time to do it; CE advised with the second alternative the two smaller trees would have to go, Engineering will work with the developer and Parks Department to keep a minimum clearance of 5' from the large trees. Motion with six conditions was approved on a 5-1 roll call vote, C. H.Graham dissenting, C. Harrison absent. Conditions follow: 1. roadway improvement shall be designed by the subdivider's Civil Engineer to the approval of the Public Works Department and shall consist of the alternate improvement on Sanchez Avenue, with a four to five foot (4' to 51) sidewalk adjacent to the existing curbs, a retaining wall and guardrailing; and the improvements on Newhall and Forest View; the retaining wall and guardrailing on Sanchez to be maintained by the owner of Parcel A; 2. the existing sewer lateral from Parcel B shall be tested and repaired in accordance with City Ordinance No. 1329; 3. all work on Condition #1 shall be either installed prior to recordation of this map or the subdivider shall enter into an agreement and provide bonds which will ensure that these improvements including utility relocations are installed prior to one (1) year from the date of map recordation or prior to issuance of a Building Permit on Parcel A, whichever comes first; 4. the two remaining oak trees shall be trimmed to Parks Department approval and shall be included in the bond and agreement; requirements of the Director of Parks' November 4, 1987 memo shall be met; 5. vehicular access from Parcel A to Sanchez shall be prohibited and so indicated on the map; and 6. no parking shall be allowed on Sanchez fronting Parcel A. Staff will forward Commission's recommendation to City Council. 3. REQUEST FOR EXTENSION OF PARKING VARIANCE FOR 1320-1350 HOWARD AVENUE, ZONED C-1 Reference staff report, 11/23/87, with attachments. CP Monroe reviewed details of the variance granted in 1986 and this extension request; staff review; applicant's letter; letter from Fred Caploe, attorney representing the city in pending litigation, stating extension of the variance will have no effect on this litigation. C. S.Graham moved to grant an extension of the parking variance to November 17, 1988; second C. Jacobs. Comment on the motion: will vote 'no' because did not vote for the variance in 1986; it is a routine action for Commission to grant a one year extension. Motion was approved on a 5-1 roll call vote, C. H.Graham voting no, C. Harrison absent. Appeal procedures were advised. 3Burlingame Planning Commission Minutes Page 5 November 23, 1987 4. SPECIAL PERMIT FOR FRONT SETBACK AS DETERMINED BY APPARENT WIDTH FOR A REMODELING OF THE LOBBY, RESTAURANT, BAR AREA AND INTERIOR PARTITION WALLS OF THE HOLIDAY INN CROWNE PLAZA, 600 AIRPORT BOULEVARD, ZONED C-4 Reference staff report, 11/23/87, with attachments. CP Monroe reviewed details of the proposed remodeling, original approval of the hotel, Design Guidelines, staff review, applicant's letter. Two conditions were suggested for consideration at the public hearing. Discussion: height of the remodeled area, there is no new driveway from the parking area onto Airport Boulevard, exiting from meeting rooms. Chm. Giomi opened the public hearing. Edward Gee, architect for the project, discussed the proposal and answered questions from Commission: meeting room exit doors go into a one hour protected corridor which leads directly to the outside; property owners wish to provide a quality hotel and be competitive in the area, presently the public areas are inadequate, restaurant needs to be improved, compared with other first class hotels these areas in the Crowne Plaza need to be expanded. With the aid of drawings Mr. Gee discussed the proposed renovations which are guest oriented with major remodeling of the existing lobby/registration area, relocating the bar to the front of the hotel and adding space vacated by the bar to the restaurant; exit corridors will meet code, there will be two doors from the bar area into a protected corridor; there will be no change in traffic circulation, there is no new driveway. He pointed out the proposed entry, the angular design; height of the dome will be 26-281; ratio of rooms to common area with the addition will be 612 SF per room, currently it is about 598 SF; the porte cochere exists now and will not be affected, it designates the main entrance; there will be a slight increase in seating capacity of the restaurant but it is designed mainly to service guests of the hotel; the bar area will be 2-2.5 times larger, there is a platform for live music but no plans for a disco which would not fit the image they are trying to create since the bar will be open to the lobby; door in the bar will be used primarily for an emergency exit. There were no audience comments and the public hearing was closed. Staff confirmed there is no change in the soft landscaping of the hotel; if live music were provided they would need an entertainment permit from the city. With the statement she had no problem with this proposal, it is a good design, C. S.Graham moved for approval of the special permit with the following conditions: (1) that the proposed remodeling shall be consistent with the plans submitted to the Planning Department and date stamped October 27, 1987 and November 23, 1987; and (2) that all interior remodeling work shall meet all the requirements of the Uniform Building and Uniform Fire Codes as amended by the City of Burlingame. Second C. H.Graham. In comment on the motion staff advised this Page 6 'Burlingame Planning Commission Minutes November 23, 1987 remodel does not affect parking requirements. Motion was approved on a 6-0 roll call vote, C. Harrison absent. Appeal procedures were advised. FROM THE FLOOR There were no public comments. Recess 8:47 P.M.; reconvene 8:57 P.M. STUDY ITEMS 5. FENCE EXCEPTION - 1512 HIGHWAY ROAD Requests: is his original contractor still representing the applicant and will he get a building permit; what does applicant feel the exceptional circumstances are for the 7' fence. Item set for public hearing December 14, 1987. 6. SPECIAL PERMIT - SATELLITE DISH ANTENNA - 835 AIRPORT BOULEVARD Requests: clarify rotation of the antenna; what area of the hotel looks out on the dish location; what color will the dish be painted. Item set for public hearing December 14, 1987. PLANNER REPORTS The following permit reviews were acknowledged: - 1225 Capuchino Avenue - denial of fourth unit variance - 1151 Vancouver Avenue - special permit, Peninsula Parent Inc. - 1419 Burlingame Avenue - Triple R Realty relocation to second floor 1988 Planning Commission Meeting Schedule - C. Jacobs moved for approval of this schedule. Motion approved unanimously on voice vote. C. Jacobs and CP Monroe reviewed Council actions at its November 16, 1987 regular meeting. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 9:22 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Harry S. Graham, Secretary