HomeMy WebLinkAboutMin - PC - 1989.11.13CITY OF BURLINGAME PLANNING COMMISSION
NOVEMBER 13, 1989
CALL TO ORDER
A regular meeting of the Planning Commission, City of Burlingame
was called to order by Chairman Ellis on Monday, November 13, 1989
at 7:30 P.M.
ROLL CALL
Present: Commissioners Ellis, Giomi, Graham, Jacobs, Kelly, Mink
Absent: Commissioner Harrison
Staff Present: Margaret Monroe, City Planner; Jerry Coleman, City
Attorney; Frank Erbacher, City Engineer; Bill
Reilly, Fire Marshal
MINUTES - The minutes of the October 23, 1989 meeting were
unanimously approved.
AGENDA - Order of the agenda was approved with the addition of
Resolution of Commendation and Appreciation for
Commissioner A. C. "Bud" Harrison. The Chair read this
resolution for retiring Commissioner Harrison who was
recently elected to City Council. Resolution was
approved unanimously on voice vote.
Chairman Ellis introduced Gretchen Trees, new reporter
for the BOUTIQUE & VILLAGER.
ITEMS FOR STUDY
1. SPECIAL PERMIT TO CONDUCT RETAIL SALES AND SERVICE IN THE
INDUSTRIAL ZONE AT 1039 EDWARDS ROAD, ZONED M-1
Requests: with the proposed hours, 8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. Monday
through Friday, will applicant be delivering to businesses or
residences, what sort of expansion might occur; clarification of
applicants statements - "general public is limited to appointment
only", "no customers on the premises", "maximum number of visitors
should not exceed two", how would visitors be regulated; number of
people employed, who will take orders in the office, who will
deliver; can this permit be conditioned to prohibit on-site retail.
Item set for public hearing November 27, 1989.
Burlingame Planning Commission Minutes Page 2
November 13, 1989
2. ZONING CHANGE FROM R-4 MULTIPLE FAMILY RESIDENTIAL TO M-1
LIGHT INDUSTRIAL AT 1011 CADILLAC WAY, ZONED R-4
Requests: clarification of the parking, number of spaces on site
and those leased from Northpark, exactly what parking is there; use
status if rezoned to M-1, does Northpark have excess parking in the
daytime, what environmental review is required; correct zoning of
adjacent land uses in the staff review sheet; clearly identify the
10 parking spaces allocated by Northpark. Item set for public
hearing November 27, 1989.
ITEMS FOR ACTION
3. SPECIAL PERMIT AND PARKING VARIANCE TO OPERATE A COMMERCIAL
RECREATIONAL ESTABLISHMENT IN THE M-1 ZONE AT 1317/1321
NORTH CAROLAN AVENUE, ZONED M-1
Reference staff report, 11/13/89, with attachments. CP Monroe
reviewed details of the request, staff review, Planning staff
review and comment, applicants letter, study meeting questions.
Five conditions were suggested for consideration at the public
hearing.
Discussion: policing, clean-up, previous uses on the site. Chm.
Ellis opened the public hearing. Lonnie Sopko, applicant, was
present. His comments: there seems to be a misunderstanding of the
flow of traffic in and out of the facility, people can come alone
but the game is more interesting with a group of 60, there are rare
occasions of only one or two people but the norm is 4-5 people per
car; the equipment is rented to individuals. They did a parking
survey along North Carolan and on Rollins to the fire station
(number of cars parked and number of businesses open between 6:00
P.M. and midnight). Staff advised North Carolan is a public
street. Applicant stated, based on their rough measurements, they
counted 51-52 spaces, subtracting the cars parked on the street,
they estimated highest number of spaces available would be 49, the
lowest would be 36. They did not want to open this business if
there were no space to park.
Responding to Commission questions/comment, applicant stated they
had considered changing their opening hour to later than 5:30 P.M.,
businesses in the area tend to stay open until 6:00-6:30 P.M., they
based their hours on other similar operations; one of the other
businesses had warned them of garage uses in the area; presently
during the day there is a lot of on-site parking but it begins to
thin out about 5:30 P.M., by 6:00 P.M. it is minimal. Regarding
clean-up, they would not hose down because there is a gel type
material that holds the water paint together, it's like a casing,
takes 6-8 hours to break down and absorbs some of the paint. They
will handle this by sprinkling something similar to kitty litter
and then sweep it up.
Burlingame Planning Commission Minutes Page 3
November 13, 1989
A Commissioner noted applicant's response with regard to the
special permit but could find nothing addressing findings for the
variance and asked what is exceptional about this property that
will allow Commission to grant a parking variance of this
magnitude. John Sopko, applicant's son, stated this business is
different from others in the area, they need the parking for a
customer base, substandard parking on site could still be used for
smaller cars, at the worst it could be used by employees, he and
his father are the two primary employees and could use one car;
there is enough on -street parking during their operating hours,
there is also public parking at the SP, people can walk to the
site.
A Commissioner pointed out there are other commercial recreation
uses in this zone, the city has been adamant that they provide on-
site parking, there used to be an ice skating rink near this site,
even though they had a lot of on-site parking and most people
arrived in groups it was still a "zoo". John Sopko replied they
were told this building was the one used for the skating rink;
their business might not be exceptional or different from other
recreation uses but they would be open when other businesses in the
area were closed. He responded to questions: people would not be
allowed to bring their own guns and pellets, they can't get
insurance for this, he was not aware of similar operations having
problems of this nature; they have not operated a business like
this before, he has been a customer and helped out at one of the
similar facilities.
There were no audience comments in favor. Speaking in opposition,
Norman Olson: he owns and occupies the building next door (1327
North Carolan), conducts his business from this site; they have a
substantial parking lot, 26-27 spaces, and use their building
evenings and on weekends; he did his own parking study and with the
exception of Saturday afternoons late and Sundays he was not able
to count 37 spaces readily available on North Carolan at any time
day or night, he did not include the eight spaces in front. Mr.
Olson expressed concern about policing his lot if he leaves it
open, it would be inviting to people who trespass, he didn't want
to lock it but didn't want to burden the police with tow-aways or
police it himself; he was also concerned about the paint and where
it would wind up, what the load factor would be. There is a vacant
building near the fire station which has a substantial lot, if this
proposed business is allowed and that vacant lot is in use what
would the parking impact be. There were no further audience
comments and the public hearing was closed.
Commission comment: this is a much too intensive use for the area,
over the years there have been problems here with car repair shops,
have heard no legitimate reasons to support the request, wish
applicant success in his business but at a more suitable location;
Burlingame Planning Commission Minutes Page 4
November 13, 1989
agree, have no problem with the business itself but this location
is not ideal for the applicant or his business or the surrounding
property owners; have a concern about the parking variance, 37
spaces is a big variance particularly in this area, many businesses
here are open later than 5:00 P.M., have no problem with the type
of business, just the proposed location.
John Sopko commented none of their surveys or records indicate 37
spaces is what is needed; a Commissioner responded, speaking for
himself, whether 37 spaces, 27 or 17, it is still a big variance.
C. Jacobs moved for denial of the application for the reasons
stated in discussion and with the hope the applicant could find a
more suitable site. Motion was seconded by C. Graham with the
statement in this particular location a parking variance is not
acceptable. Motion for denial was approved on a 6-0-1 roll call
vote, C. Harrison absent. Appeal procedures were advised.
4. REQUEST FOR A ONE YEAR TIME EXTENSION OF SPECIAL PERMITS AND
VARIANCE FOR CONSTRUCTION OF AN ADDITION TO THE CROWNE PLAZA
HOTEL, 600 AIRPORT BOULEVARD, ZONED C-4
Reference staff report, 11/13/89, with attachments. CP Monroe
reviewed this request which architect stated was behind schedule
because of market conditions. The proposed revised schedule was
noted.
Commission/staff discussion: code allows one extension of up to one
year; approval should be conditioned to meet all requirements of
the Uniform Building Code in effect at the time building permit
application is made.
C. Giomi moved for approval of a one year extension to November 7,
1990 for the special permits and variance granted for an addition
to the Crowne Plaza Hotel, the schedule in Condition #21 to be
revised as follows: Submit Final Plans - June 1990, Pick up
Building Permit - September 1990, Foundation Inspection - January
1991, Final Framing Inspection - May 1991, Occupancy Permit - March
1992; and that all requirements of the Uniform Building Code as
amended by the City of Burlingame in effect at the time building
permit application is made shall be incorporated into the project.
Motion was seconded by C. Kelly and approved 5-1-1 on voice vote,
C. Jacobs dissenting, C. Harrison absent.
FROM THE FLOOR
There were no comments from the floor.
Burlingame Planning Commission Minutes Page 5
November 13, 1989
PLANNER REPORTS
- CP reported on the status of an application at 1333 Marsten Road
which had been a study item on the October 23, 1989 agenda.
- League of California Cities Conference in San Francisco has been
rescheduled to December 17-19, 1989.
- CP reviewed Council actions at its November 6, 1989 regular
meeting.
- Council study meeting has been reset for December 6, 1989.
- CP noted November 14, 1989 public forum to discuss issues
regarding unreinforced masonry buildings in Burlingame and
compliance with Senate Bill No. 547.
- C. Jacobs requested Commissioners inspect and comment on a recent
addition at Lincoln and Paloma.
- CA advised of an appeal of the 1440 Chapin decision.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 8:40 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Patrick J. Kelly
Secretary