HomeMy WebLinkAboutMin - PC - 1990.02.13CITY OF BURLINGAME PLANNING COMMISSION
FEBRUARY 13, 1990
A regular meeting of the Planning Commission, City of Burlingame
was called to order by Chairman Ellis on Tuesday, February 13, 1990
at 7:30 P.M.
ROLL CALL
Present: Commissioners Deal, Ellis, Graham, Jacobs, Kelly,
Mink
Absent: Commissioner Giomi
Staff Present: Margaret Monroe, City Planner; Jerry Coleman, City
Attorney; Frank Erbacher, City Engineer; Bill
Reilly, Fire Marshal
MINUTES - The minutes of the January 22, 1990 meeting were
unanimously approved.
AGENDA - Order of the agenda approved.
ITEM FOR STUDY
1. TWO SPECIAL PERMITS IN ORDER TO ADD A COVERED SPA AT 475
CUMBERLAND ROAD, ZONED R-1
Requests: is structure on a foundation; clarify rear setback; will
there be water line from the house to the spa. Item set for public
hearing February 26, 1990.
2. SPECIAL PERMIT FOR CLASSES ASSOCIATED WITH A RETAIL SALES
AND SERVICE USE AT 1440 CHAPIN AVENUE, ZONED C-1, SUB AREA
B-1, BURLINGAME AVENUE COMMERCIAL AREA
Requests: was there a tenant in this space previously; maximum
number of customers/visitors projected; support groups may overlap,
there is no parking on the street, how will parking be provided;
explain statement in the negative declaration that "maybe" there
will be generation of substantial additional vehicular movement and
an effect on existing parking; precise times of day when classes
will be held. Item set for public hearing February 26, 1990.
Burlingame Planning Commission Minutes Page 2
February 13, 1990
3. SPECIAL PERMIT FOR AN OFF-SITE CAR RENTAL AUTO STORAGE YARD
AT 840 COWAN ROAD, ZONED M-1
4. AMENDMENT TO SPECIAL PERMIT TO ADD OFF-SITE AUTO STORAGE
WITH RENTAL FROM 1470 BAYSHORE HIGHWAY, ZONED C-4
Requests: compare this proposal with the one approved for Dollar
Rent A Car; where will employees park; would like a condition that
if the operation terminates at either site the other comes up for
review; complete description of activities which will take place on
the 840 Cowan site, will they store damaged cars, wash cars, do
minor maintenance, etc.; what is the current use of that site,
there appear to be a number of new cars there now. Items set for
public hearing February 26, 1990.
ITEM FOR ACTION
5. SIDE SETBACK VARIANCE TO CONTINUE AN EXISTING WALL AT 26
VICTORIA ROAD, ZONED R-1
Reference staff report, 2/13/90, with attachments. CP Monroe
reviewed details of the request, staff review, applicant's letter,
findings required for variance approval. Two conditions were
suggested for consideration at the public hearing.
Chm. Ellis opened the public hearing. Stephen Haag, applicant and
property owner, was present. He distributed photographs of the
site and commented on his application: given the existing setback
of 31 and placement of the neighbor's garage as well as lack of
visibility from the street he felt his request to extend the
existing setback of 3' for 24, should be allowed; they hoped to
design an addition so that it would not look remodeled, because of
declining height envelope regulations they will lose 200 square
feet in the second story, therefore they need to obtain as much
space on the first floor as possible; meeting side setback
requirements and a loss of one foot would disrupt the kitchen
design and result in a remodeled appearance; redesign of the first
floor would be an additional $500-$800.
Regarding exceptional circumstances to support the variance
request, the addition would not be seen from the street with a 31,
41 or 51 setback, adjacent property owners would not be affected,
the proposed addition since it is almost invisible from the street
would be aesthetically compatible with the area; the need for
additional square footage has become an issue with them, with two
children and, hopefully, more they need more space. Mr. Haag
advised they have discussed their plans with their neighbors,
neighbors had no concerns other than trimming the pine tree which
has been done.
Burlingame Planning Commission Minutes Page 3
February 13, 1990
There were no audience comments and the public hearing was closed.
C. Graham commented this is an interesting block, every house is
different, setbacks vary, plate lines vary, garages and their
locations are different; this makes it difficult to find
exceptional circumstances, or these are exceptional circumstances;
she had no problem with the request, it is next to a neighbor's
existing garage, it would not be detrimental, she could understand
the need for expansion. C. Graham moved for approval of the
variance with the suggested conditions in the staff report; motion
was seconded by C. Mink.
Comment on the motions can understand applicants desire for a
bigger house and that he wants to follow the same line, but
Commission must find there are exceptional circumstances applicable
to this property which do not apply generally to property in the
same district, cannot make this finding, it is a typical lot, an
offset could be integrated into the building design to blend with
the existing structure as they do on other parts of this same
house; have supported in the past continuation of lines within the
side setback for particular reasons, have a problem with this
proposal, there is an extra wide one car garage, one foot could be
added to the floor plan by taking it off the garage and adjusting
the floor plan, it is a flat lot.
Motion for approval failed on a 3-3 roll call vote, Commissioners
Deal, Ellis and Jacobs dissenting, C. Giomi absent. Appeal
procedures were advised.
The Chair recognized the applicant who asked what would look better
aesthetically, a continuation of the existing wall or a setback and
then a continuation. Commissioner Deal responded: -the one foot
setback is not that important to the design of the home, the home
can be designed to incorporate the setback the same as has been
done on the other side of the property, Commission must find
exceptional circumstances relating to the physical dimensions of
the property which forced applicant into this design, this he could
not do.
FROM THE FLOOR
There were no comments from the floor.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
- January 25, 1990 letter from Ms. J. A. Savage, Computerworld, 500
Airport Boulevard to Manager, Embassy Suites, 150 Anza Boulevard
(copies to all Planning Commissioners), re: herbicide spraying.
Burlingame Planning Commission Minutes Page 4
February 13, 1990
CITY PLANNER REPORTS
CP Monroe reviewed City Council actions at its February 5, 1990
regular meeting and February 7, 1990 study meeting.
"N 16111�
The meeting was adjourned at 8:45 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Patrick J. Kelly
Secretary