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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMin - PC - 1990.02.26CITY OF BURLINGAME PLANNING COMMISSION FEBRUARY 26, 1990 CALL TO ORDER A regular meeting of the Planning Commission, City of Burlingame was called to order by Chairman Ellis on Monday, February 26, 1990 at 7:30 P.M. ROLL CALL Present: Commissioners Deal, Ellis, Giomi, Jacobs, Kelly, Mink Absent: Graham Staff Present: Margaret Monroe, City Planner; Larry Lautenschlager, Zoning Technician; Jerry Coleman, City Attorney; Frank Erbacher, City Engineer; Bill Reilly, Fire Marshal MINUTES - The minutes of the February 13, 1990 meeting were unanimously approved. AGENDA - Order of the agenda approved. ITEMS FOR STUDY . 1. NEGATIVE DECLARATION, FRONT SETBACK VARIANCE AND CONDOMINIUM PERMIT FOR A NINE UNIT PROJECT - 518 ALMER ROAD, ZONED R-3 2. TENTATIVE MAP FOR A NINE UNIT CONDOMINIUM - 518 ALMER ROAD, ZONED R-3 Requests: aerial indicating properties used to determine front setback requirement; field check data on front setback measurements; is there a security gate into the parking garage; where is this site with respect to buildings under construction in that area; request applicant reappraise his remarks with regard to exceptional circumstances to support the variance, what is exceptional with the property itself; problem is with wording in the application, applicant states the building is complying with setbacks, but they need a variance and therefore are not complying. Items 1 and 2 set for public hearing March 12, 1990. Burlingame Planning Commission Minutes Page 2 February 26, 1990 3. VARIANCES FOR LOT COVERAGE AND PARKING AND CONDOMINIUM PERMIT FOR A THREE UNIT PROJECT - 1109 BAYSWATER AVENUE, ZONED R-4 4. TENTATIVE MAP FOR A THREE UNIT CONDOMINIUM - 1109 BAYSWATER AVENUE, ZONED R-4 Requests: statement from applicant addressing -variance findings supporting exceptional circumstances, these should relate to the property; regarding the row of trees on the neighbor's property, would like an arborist to determine if these trees will be affected by foundation excavation; are the fireplaces working or just architectural detail; how will guest parking be accessed inside the security gate. Items 3 and 4 set for public hearing March 12, 1990. 5. TWO SPECIAL PERMITS IN ORDER TO ADD A COVERED SPA AT 475 CUMBERLAND ROAD, ZONED R-1 Reference staff report, 2/26/90, with attachments. ZT Lautenschlager reviewed details of the request, staff review, applicant's letter, study meeting questions. Two conditions were suggested for consideration at the public hearing. Responding to Commission questions staff advised the pool ordinance requires the spa be fully enclosed by a 6' fence; it also requires the spa be located 10' from property lines, the assumption is this will mitigate noise to the neighboring properties. Chm. Ellis opened the public hearing. Glenn Mendelson,,applicant, was present. He advised no water service will come from the house, they will fill the spa with a garden hose. There were..no audience comments and the public hearing was closed. C. Jacobs saw no reason not to approve this request, the structure will muffle some of the noise and be located 10' from property lines, it will not be detrimental to the neighbors. C. Jacobs moved for approval of the two special permits by resolution with the following conditions: (1) that the project shall be built as shown on the plans submitted to the Planning Department date stamped January 31, 1990 and amended February 16, 1990; and (2) that the project shall meet Uniform Building and Fire Codes as amended by the City of Burlingame. Motion was seconded by C. Mink. In comment on the motion CP stated all neighbors within 300 feet of the site had been noticed. Motion was approved on a 6-0 roll call vote, C. Graham absent. Appeal procedures were advised. Burlingame Planning Commission Minutes Page 3 February 26, 1990 6. 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 Reference staff report, 2/26/90, with attachments. CP^Monroe reviewed details of the request, staff review, applicant's letters, study meeting questions. She noted parking ,studies by Richard Hopper for 1209 Howard Avenue and 1320-1350 Howard Avenue as well as studies by the Traffic, Safety and Parking Commission (1982) and Chamber of Commerce (1984) which document a shortage of parking in the Burlingame Avenue Commercial Area at lunch time (11:00 A.M. to 2:30 P.M.). CP requested the negative declaration be amended by referencing these four studies. Five conditions were suggested for consideration at the public hearing. Commission discussion/comment: seven on-site parking spaces will be designated for the use of this applicant, a maximum of 22 people on site at one time is estimated, staff does not recommend applicants revised proposal that one class be held between 11:30 A.M. and 2:30 P.M.; in a letter from applicant's attorney most of the square footage as listed for the tenants in the building shows parking at less than the 1:300 SF ratio required, it would seem some of the parking allocated to other tenants will be used up by this new proposal. Chm. Ellis opened the public hearing. Rod Polentz, attorney representing the applicant, responded to Commission questions. He stated there are Jenny Craig operations across the country, the type of operation depends upon the neighborhood, this is the first time they have been classified as a school and required to get a special permit; the number of people allowed to come into a suburban or downtown area has not been an issue in most of the municipalities where they are located, in other areas there are opportunities for siting such as regional shopping malls; this site was chosen because it did have the most available parking compared to Broadway or Burlingame Avenue; the classes are aimed at counseling and behavioral modification, diet and exercise. A concern was expressed about delivery trucks double parked on the street; attorney- stated there is no specified time for arrival of delivery trucks, applicant would agree to some restrictions on this; products would be delivered through the front door from the street, there is limited clearance getting to the open parking at ground level. There were no audience comments and the public hearing was closed. C. Jacobs moved for approval of Negative Declaration ND -431P amended by reference to the following parking studies which document a shortage of parking in the Burlingame Avenue Commercial Burlingame Planning Commission Minutes Page 4 February 26, 1990 Area at lunch time (11:00 A.M. to 2:30 P.M.): Richard Hopper for 1209 Howard Avenue and 1320-1350 Howard Avenue; Burlingame Traffic, Safety and Parking Commission (1982) and Chamber of Commerce (1984). She noted this type of business is something new for the downtown area but there are restrictions in the conditions which address traffic impact, classes will not be allowed between 11:00 A.M. and 2:30 P.M., Monday through Friday, there is a regular review required. C. Jacobs moved for approval of the special permit by resolution with the following conditions: (1) that the group sessions or classes which are incidental to this business should be limited to the hours of 8:30 A.M. to 11:00 A.M. and 2:30 P.M. to 8:30 P.M. Monday through Friday and between -.9:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. on Saturday, no classes on Sunday, with classes spaced at least 30 minutes apart (a maximum of nine classes each day); (2) that the maximum size of. class shall be 12 people with one instructor/employee and the total number of employees on site shall be six including the instructor and the business owner or manager; (3) that seven parking spaces on site shall be designated for this use from the building's required off-street parking, three shall be at grade outside the gate and four behind the gate, employees of this business shall use the four spaces.behind the gate: (4) that any changes to the meeting time, group size, days -of the week or other aspects of the group activity of this business shall require an amendment to this use permit; (5) that there shall be no truck deliveries to this business between the hours of 11:00 A.M. and 2:00 P.M.; and (6) that this use permit shall be reviewed for compliance with its conditions in six months time (August, 1990), every two years thereafter, or upon complaint. Motion was seconded by C. Kelly and approved on a 6-0 roll call vote, C. Graham absent. Appeal procedures were advised. 7. SPECIAL PERMIT FOR AN OFF-SITE CAR RENTAL AUTO STORAGE YARD FOR ALAMO RENT -A -CAR AT 840 COWAN ROAD, ZONED M-'1_ Reference staff report, 2/26/90, with attachments. CP Monroe reviewed details of the request, present use of the site by Dollar Rent A Car, staff review, Planning staff comment, applicant's letters, study meeting questions. CP noted a change to statement in the staff report (page 3): storage on the Alamo Bayshore/Burlway site will remain at 225 cars in addition to the 300 cars at the Cowan Road site. Eight conditions were suggested for consideration at the public hearing. Discussion: all CE's requirements of the Dollar permit are included in the conditions; add to condition #5 ". . . washed, serviced or repaired ."; hours during which vehicles shall not be transferred should be the same in the conditions for 840 Cowan and 1470 Bayshore/778 Burlway, i.e., 7:00 A.M. to 9:00 A.M. and 4:30 Burlingame Planning Commission Minutes Page 5 February 26, 1990 ..M. to 5:30 P.M.; concern about creating an eyesore with chain link fence and weeds (CP noted plans include that 10% of the site will be landscaped with required irrigation, the rest of the site will be paved, landscaping plans must be approved by the Director of Parks). Further comment: possibility of opaque fencing, would like to improve appearance in this area; damaged vehicles%will be visible, something should be done to screen them with fencing and maintain the landscaping; landscaping always seems to be on the drainage channel, would rather see more landscaping in the front, even placing a berm 4' high would help in screening. Chm. Ellis opened the public hearing. Lester Meu, representing Alamo Rent-A-Car was present. He stated the circumstances of the application have been well described by the City Planner. Alamo has asked him to request a continuance if there are operational issues and/or significant changes to the project, in this way they could investigate and work with staff to determine if they want.to go ahead with purchase of the property, they would rather do this than appeal a decision later. There were no audience comments and the public hearing was closed. Commission discussion/comment: would like to see a plan showing more. landscaping to the front of the property which would help screen parking areas from the street; parking on Cowan is an extreme problem, there is a lot of on -street parking now, like the proposed use of this site for parking; would suggest some type of ..germing, 4-1/2' to 5' high, so that cars are not seen to such an extent from the street, prefer the strip along the front to be wider and strip along the back narrower; seems logical to require landscaping further into the property, possibly 251, at the front and take a comparable amount of space off the back as long as applicant still has space to park cars. Commission discussion continued concerning a fence with slats, height of berm; Park Department with its knowledge could..work with the applicant to maximize the berm within the limits .of good landscaping and oversee planting between curb and the 25' setback line, leave it to the Park Department to maximize the effects. Staff pointed out at the building permit stage landscaping and irrigation plans must be approved by the Park Department. 4. With the statement the conditions make the use acceptable and compatible in this area, C. Jacobs moved for approval of the special permit for an auto storage facility at 840 Cowan Road by resolution with the following conditions: (1) that the site shall be developed and improved as shown on the plans submitted to the Planning Department and date stamped February 5, 1990 except that 15 easily accessible parking spaces shall be designated on site for employee use and the site shall be relaid out to facilitate loading and unloading of car carrier/vehicle transport trucks on site; (2) khat the conditions of the City Engineer's memo of January 3, 1989, Burlingame Planning Commission Minutes Page 6 February 26, 1990 revised January 16, 1989, shall be implemented; (3) that the 2.5 acre site shall be regraded to drain toward the street and paved; (4) that the site shall only be used for off-site auto storage by Alamo Rent-A-Car to be used in conjunction with their facility at 1470 Bayshore Highway and no part of the site shall be sublet to another business for any use; (5) that no cars shall be, rented, washed, serviced or repaired on this site nor shall customers be dropped off or picked up from this site; (6) that the storage area shall operate between 6:OO A.M. and 10:00 P.M. daily except that no cars shall be transferred to or from the storage area to the rental facility at 1470 Bayshore Highway between the A.M. peak (7:OO A.M. to 9:00 A.M.) and P.M. peak (4:30 P.M. to 5:30 P.M.) traffic hours; (7) that 10% landscaping shall be provided on the 2.5 acre site including a 25, landscaped and bermed area parallel to the street of sufficient height *to screen the view of parked cars from pedestrians and vehicles passing by on the street, the remaining required landscaped area may be placed at the rear of the property; an opaque fence no higher than 8o shall be placed along the rear of the 25' deep front landscaped area parallel to the street and along the remaining sides of the 2.5 acre site; all landscaping shall be irrigated with an automatic system and shall be maintained by the tenant, all landscaping, irrigation systems and plant material shall be approved by the Director of Parks for compliance with these conditions before installation and inspected at the completion of installation; (8) that any change to the. manner, hours or any other aspect of this operation or termination of the Alamo use at either 840 Cowan Road or 1470 Bayshore Highway shall result in review of both use permits; and (9) that this use shall be reviewed for compliance with the conditions in six months (August, 1990), every two years thereafter or upon complaint. Motion was seconded by C. Giomi and approved on a 6-0 roll call vote, C. Graham absent. Appeal procedures were advised. 8. AMENDMENT OF SPECIAL PERMIT FOR A CAR RENTAL AGENCY AT 1470 BAYSHORE HIGHWAY/778 BURLWAY ROAD, ZONED C-4_ Reference staff report, 2/26/90, with attachments. CP Monroe reviewed details of the request, staff review, Planning staff comment, applicant's letter, study meeting questions. Six conditions were suggested for consideration at the public hearing. Responding to Commission questions CP stated initial complaints about this operation at 1470 Bayshore have been resolved, she has not received any complaints for a number of years; condition #5 requiring an amendment to the use permit for changes in the operation is to be taken literally, often it is the number of employees which cause the problems. Chm. Ellis opened the public hearing. Lester Meu, representing the applicant, was present. There were no audience comments and the public hearing was closed. Burlingame Planning Commission Minutes Page 7 February 26, 1990 C. Mink found that this continued use in this location will not be detrimental or injurious to property or improvements in the vicinity and it will be conducted in accordance with the general plan of the city. C. Mink moved for approval of the amendment to the special permit for a car rental agency at 1470_ Bayshore Highway/778 Burlway Road by resolution with the f8 -l -lowing conditions: (1) that Conditions 1-2, 4-11 of the July 7, 1983 use permit shall be met; (2) that no more than 1,300 cars shall be rented from this site each month, that there shall be on-site dead storage for 225 cars, and that employee parking for 40 cars will be provided and designated on site and employees required to park in it while at work; (3) that no vehicles destined for auto storage at 840 Cowan Road shall be moved from the Burlway/Bayshore site to Cowan Road during the hours of 7:00 A.M. to 9:00 A.M. and 4:30 P.M. to 5:30 P.M. weekdays; (4) that loss of the use of the site at 840 Cowan Road shall cause the use permit for Alamo Rent-A-Car at 1470 Bayshore Highway/778 Burlway Road to be reviewed by the Planning Commission; (5) that any change to the number of employees, size of the fleet or any other aspect of the operation of the car rental business at this location shall require an amendment to this use permit; and (6) that this use shall be reviewed in conjunction with the permit for 840 Cowan Road for compliance with all of its conditions in six months (August, 1990), every two years thereafter, or upon complaint. Motion was seconded by C. Kelly and approved on a 6-0 roll call vote, C. Graham absent. Appeal procedures were advised. FROM THE FLOOR There were no comments from the floor. ACKNOWLEDGMENT Letter from Ms. J. A. Savage, Computerworld, 500 Airport Boulevard to the Manager, Embassy Suites, 150 Anza Boulevard with Manager's letter to Savage;, attached (copies to all Planning Commissioners), re: herbicide spraying. PLANNER REPORTS CP Monroe reviewed City Council actions at its February 21, 1.990 regular meeting and summarized the February 24, 1990 study meeting. Burlingame Planning Commission Minutes ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 9:22 P.M. Page 8 February 26, 1990 Respectfully submitted, Patrick J. Kelly Secretary-