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Home My WebLink AboutMin - PC - 1987.11.09h) CITY OF BURLINGAME PLANNING COMMISSION NOVEMBER 9, 1987 CALL TO ORDER A regular meeting of the Planning Commission, City of Burlingame was called to order by Chairman Giomi on Monday, November 9, 1987 at 7:31 P.M. R OT.T. C A T.T. Present: Commissioners Ellis, Garcia, Giomi, H. Graham, S. Graham, Harrison, Jacobs Absent: None Staff Present: Margaret Monroe, City Planner; Jerome Coleman, City Attorney; Frank Erbacher, City Engineer MINUTES - The minutes of the October 26, 1987 meeting were approved with the following corrections: Item #3, page 5 and Item #4, page 6, were approved on a "7-0" roll call vote; Item #1, page 2, findings and motion were made by "C. S. Graham". AGENDA - Order of the agenda approved; the Chair noted Item #5, Special Permit, 1095 Carolan Avenue, has been withdrawn by the applicant. tiACTION ITEMS 1. FENCE EXCEPTION FOR A 7'-8' HIGH FENCE ALONG SIDE PROPERTY LINES AT 412 BAYSWATER AVENUE, ZONED R-1 Reference staff report, 11/9/87, with attachments. CP Monroe reviewed details of the request, staff review, applicant's letter, findings necessary for fence exception approval,•study meeting questions. Three conditions were suggested for consideration at the public hearing. Staff confirmed the portable spa planned by the applicant would require a building permit; it would not be counted in lot coverage; it was noted applicant's house and the neighboring house have ground floors above grade, from ground floor windows one could not see over a 7'-8' fence. Chm. Giomi opened the public hearing. Robert Glynn, applicant, was present. Responding to Commission questions, Mr. Glynn advised they have lived in this home 4-5 years, have been planning the fence improvement since they moved in but numerous other projects took precedence, they were burglarized six months ago, a 7'-8' fence would provide security and privacy; applicant felt exceptional circumstances existed with the ground floor of the house above grade, the height and location of the windows; this is a one story house; he erected the portion of the fence on the east side himself and will complete the fence himself. There were no audience comments and the public hearing was closed. Page 2 Burlingame Planning Commission Minutes November 9, 1987 ,Commission comment: a site inspection indicated the new fence gives privacy, on the other side the neighbor can look into applicant's house, think the circumstances are exceptional and a hardship upon the applicant; if that were true all houses in town would be exceptional, think 7' is high enough for this home especially with the approximate 2' elevation of the first floor, from most houses one can look over a 6' fence, approval would set a precedent and Commission could have a real problem if it starts finding exceptional circumstances because windows face each other; have no problem with allowing a 7' fence at the rear with 6' toward the front where it faces the street, the proposed fence would be too obtrusive; difficult to find exceptional circumstances peculiar to this property and hardship upon the applicant in order to justify the request. C. Jacobs moved to deny the fence exception. She noted there are no exceptional circumstances with this property that are not true with many other properties in the city and expressed concern about setting a precedent. Motion was seconded by C. S.Graham and approved on a 6-1 roll call vote, C. Harrison dissenting. Appeal procedures were advised. 2. PARKING VARIANCES FOR NUMBER OF SPACES AND FOR DIMENSIONS OF PARKING SPACES FOR A MOVING VAN AND STORAGE COMPANY AT 11 GUITTARD ROAD. ZONED M-1 Reference staff report, 11/9/87, with attachments. CP Monroe reviewed ,details of the request, staff review, Planning staff comments, applicant's letter, study meeting questions, findings necessary for variance approval. Five conditions were suggested for consideration at the public hearing. Commission/staff discussed landscaping, parking spaces at the rear, access to required parking for 15 Guittard Road, existing spur track. Chm. Giomi opened the public hearing. Bruce Meyers, applicant and Bill Brown, Cushman & Wakefield, applicant's agent, were present. Responding to Commission questions, they confirmed this company stores household goods in the warehouse, there is no self storage, there are 16 employees; the business involves bringing in household goods from various parts of the country, storing them while people are purchasing homes in the area and then delivering to the new homes, they also go to homes and pack for those moving elsewhere; they have not signed a lease for this space as yet; there is an existing unused spur track, it is their understanding gaining approval for removal of this track could take a long time. Redesign of the fence and additional paving to add two more spaces at the rear of the building would increase the cost considerably and would not be cost effective for a three year lease. There were no audience comments and the public hearing was closed. Commission/staff discussion/comment: use permit runs with the land, think Commission should require parking to code; possibility of removal of the spur track to gain the area for parking and create circulation Page 3 Burlingame Planning Commission Minutes November 9, 1987 )around the building; if two spaces were added at the rear, staff had a concern about the turning radius for the trucks; warehousing is a permitted use in the M-1 zone, trucking is a conditional use, this proposal is primarily warehousing; possibility of parking next to the building adjacent to the easement; it appears this is an incomplete project and applicant could provide additional parking, would like to explore this further; if this proposal were approved and applicant did not sign a lease, approval for this use would stay in effect for six months and then expire if not used. There are alternatives to provide more parking, see no reason for the variance for number of parking spaces; difficult to make a finding of exceptional circumstances. C. Jacobs moved to deny the variances without prejudice. She requested applicant investigate providing as many parking spaces as possible, consider providing two more spaces in the rear (financial circumstance is not an acceptable finding for a variance) and study the effect on truck turnaround, look into the possibility of parking adjacent to the easement at the side and removal of the spur track to gain more parking and create circulation around the building. Second C. H. Graham. In comment on the motion it was noted one variance was for number of spaces, the other for parking space dimensions; Commissioners expressed no concern about dimensions. Motion to deny without prejudice was approved on a 7-0 roll call vote. Appeal procedures were advised. FROM THE FLOOR David Hinckle, 1616 Sanchez Avenue requested procedural information for study item #4 on tonight's agenda. He was advised public comment would be heard when this item is put on an agenda for action. STUDY ITEMS 3. SPECIAL PERMIT - PATIO SHELTER - 225 BANCROFT ROAD Requests: why is this patio placed next to the neighbors, why not closer to the back door or in the center of the lot; what portions of the shelter will be covered on the sides; what utilities will be provided in the patio area. Item set for public hearing November 23, 1987. 4. TENTATIVE PARCEL MAP - 1628 FOREST VIEW AVENUE Requests: have there been any accidents at 1617 Sanchez which would make removal of the trees and raised ground or installation of a sidewalk and retaining wall actually necessary; setback requirements for the new lot; where will the driveway for the new lot be located. Item set for public hearing November 23, 1987. 5. SPECIAL PERMIT AMENDMENT - 1095 CAROLAN AVENUE Item withdrawn by the applicant in order to redesign the project to address issues raised by the Public Works Department. Page 4 Burlingame Planning Commission Minutes November 9, 1987 PLkNNER REPORTS The following special permit reviews were noted and accepted: - 211 West Lane, Martial Arts Studio (in compliance) - 1420 Howard Avenue, Walgreen Drug Company (in compliance) - 1430 Palm Drive, Peninsula Music for Children (in compliance) - 1200 Bayshore Highway, Mobil Gas Station snack shop and take-out food service (in compliance with denial - snack shop and take-out food service has been removed) - 1710 Gilbreth Road, Fence Enclosure (in compliance) - 1530-B Gilbreth Road, Art Studio and School (in compliance) Discussion of attendance and notification of absence: The Chair expressed her concern that the Planning Department be notified in advance of any absences. CP requested notification of absences be given to Ann Sprague in writing. Commission requested staff review fence ordinance regulations including input from other cities for discussion at a future meeting. Staff is continuing its study on regulation of mass and bulk in residential zones. Ck reported on litigation, recent and pending. C. Harrison and CP Monroe reviewed Council actions at its November 2, 1987 regular meeting. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 8:55 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Harry S. Graham Secretary