Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMin - PC - 1994.02.14CITY OF BURLINGAME PLANNING COMMISSION FEBRUARY 14, 1994 CALL TO ORDER A regular meeting of the Planning Commission, City of Burlingame was called to order by Acting Chairman Galligan on Monday, February 14, 1994 at 7:32 P.M. ROLL CALL Present: Commissioners Ellis, Galligan, Graham, Jacobs, Kelly, and Mink Absent: Commissioner Deal Staff Present: Margaret Monroe, City Planner; Jerry Coleman, City Attorney; Frank Erbacher, City Engineer; Keith Marshall, Deputy Fire Marshal MINUTES - The minutes of the January 24, 1994 meeting were unanimously approved. AGENDA - The order of the agenda was approved. FROM THE FLOOR There were no public comments. ITEMS FOR STUDY 1. PARKING VARIANCE AT 1319 BURLINGAME AVENUE, ZONED C-1 SUBAREA A (TRUST FUNDS INCORPORATED, PROPERTY OWNER AND STAN CLARK, APPLICANT). Requests: What is the mezzanine use at the present time. Do they have a mezzanine in the present location, how do they use it, where is their office area? Item set for Public Hearing February 28, 1994. ITEMS FOR ACTION 2. SPECIAL PERMIT FOR FINANCIAL INSTITUTION AND PARKING VARIANCE AT 1024 OAK GROVE AVENUE, ZONED C-1 (GLORIA CLAIRE CONTI, PROPERTY OWNER AND WESTATES FINANCIAL CORP., APPLICANT). Reference staff report, 2/14/94, with attachments. CP Monroe discussed the request, reviewed criteria, Planning Department comments, and study meeting questions. If recommended to Council for approval, 5 conditions were suggested. CA Coleman explained a letter was sent to the property owner requesting the removal of the cars at the rear of Burlingame Planning Commission Minutes FEBRUARY 14, 1994 the building. CP Monroe responded to Commissions questions regarding a variance's "run with the land", specifically condition #4, indicating the condition is written to tie the use permit and parking exception together so, in the event this tenant were to expand or leave, the parking variance could be reviewed to see if justification still exists. If the operating conditions of the use and the use remains the same there would be no review. Chm. Galligan opened the public hearing. Sue LeTourneau, 1024 Oak Grove, bookkeeper for Westates Financial Corp., was present to represent the applicant and field any questions. Bill Van Niekerken, 709 Linden Avenue repeated comments made in a letter to the Commission asking alleviation of the parking problem at the rear of the building where three cars seem to have been abandoned. He cited specifics concerning the cars; there have been 2 abandoned cars parked at this location for more than 2 years, and one for at least 1 year. Coincidentally 1 car was removed today. He also asked that the parking lot be lit in the evening hours and time of use of the rear lot be limited to the hours the businesses are open.- There pen.There were no other comments and the public hearing was closed. C. Mink referred to the unique and exceptional parking situation with the proximity of the high school stadium and the arrangement with parking being on and off private property. The property seems to be well equipped to take an inordinate number of vehicles at various occasions, the impacts of this business would not necessarily conflict with the use of the stadium and therefore would not have an adverse impact to the surrounding area. He then moved, by resolution, to approve the application with the following conditions; 1) that the mortgage brokerage office shall be limited to the 1905 SF space as shown on the plans submitted to the Planning Department date stamped January 5, 1994, sheet 1; 2) that the mortgage brokerage office shall be open 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and shall operate as stated on the commercial applications form and Westates letter dated January 31, 1994; 3) that the requirements of the City Engineer's memo dated January 10, 1994 shall be met by making application, within 30 days of action on this project, to the Building Department to close the driveway curbcut in front of this business on Carolan Avenue; 4) that the special permit for financial institutions and four space parking variance shall be tied together and should the special permit lapse or a request for an amendment to the conditions be made, then the parking variance shall be terminated; and 5) that the project shall meet all Uniform Building and Uniform Fire Code requirements as amended by the City. CA Coleman will continue to pursue the code enforcement issue regarding the abandoned cars.- -2- Burlingame Planning Commission Minutes FEBRUARY 14, 1994 Motion was seconded by C. Ellis and approved on a 6-0-1 (C. Deal absent) voice vote. Appeal procedures were advised. 3. SPECIAL PERMIT FOR SATELLITE DISH ANTENNA AT 221 PARK ROAD, ZONED C-1 SUBAREA A (HARMONIOUS HOUSING INC., PROPERTY OWNER AND FERGUS MCELENY, APPLICANT). Reference staff report, 2/14/94, with attachments. CP Monroe discussed the request, reviewed criteria, Planning Department comments, and study meeting questions. If recommended to Council for approval, 9 conditions were suggested. Chm. Galligan opened the public hearing. Fergus McEleny, 221 Park Road was present to answer any questions. There were no other comments and the public hearing was closed. C. Jacobs noted that this location would have been best from the beginning and the present visual impact will be reduced by the relocation and by the conditions, she then moved to approve the application, by resolution, with the following conditions; 1) that the satellite dish antenna shall be installed as shown on the plans submitted to the Planning Department and date stamped January 13, 1994, Site Plan; 2) that the conditions of the Chief Building Official's memo dated January 18, 1994 shall be met; that installation of this satellite dish requires separate application to the Building Department, with proper plans and calculations, as required for a Building Permit; 3) that the antenna dish installed shall not have a diameter greater than 7' -011, nor rise more than 8' -0" above the surface of the roof, be painted with a nonreflective paint, smoky gray in color to match the roof; 4 ) that the applicant or property owner shall be responsible for an amendment to this use permit if future construction on any adjacent property requires reliction of the dish antenna, removal and reinstallation costs shall also be borne by the applicant and/or property owner; 5) that the applicant shall permanently maintain the nonreflective surface of the dish and its support structure, or remove all the equipment and support structure; 6) that as installed the satellite antenna shall meet all the requirements of the Uniform Building and Uniform Fire Codes, including connections from the antenna inside the building to the television equipment; 7) that the satellite antenna shall be removed at the time this tenant leaves this premiss and if the new tenant wishes to install any type of antenna he shall comply with all the code requirements in effect at that time; 8) that the current antenna shall be removed from its present location within 30 days of the approval date of this application; and 9) that any modification to the antenna or its location shall require an amendment to this use permit. -3- Burlingame Planning Commission Minutes FEBRUARY 14, 1994 The Commission noted that there would be no limitation on the type of program the antenna received if there were a change in the character of the bar. Motion was seconded by C. Kelly and approved on a 6-0-1 (C. Deal absent) voice vote. Appeal procedures were advised. 4. SIGN EXCEPTION AT 700 AIRPORT BOULEVARD, ZONED C-4 (CALIFORNIA FEDERAL BANK, PROPERTY OWNER AND ARROW SIGN COMPANY, APPLICANT). Reference staff report, 2/14/94, with attachments. CP Monroe discussed the request, reviewed criteria, Planning Department comments, and study meeting questions. If recommended to Council for approval, 3 conditions were suggested. Chm. Galligan opened the public hearing. Shawn O'Keefe, Director of Administration for DHL at 700 Airport Blvd., presented some visual aids to the Commission. He noted this site is the technology center for DHL's electronic network and its location is necessary from 200' to 300' from the freeway turnoff so visitors can find the site safely. The current sign code would allow a sign about this size, on the third floor of the building. Because of the engineering and architectural design of this glass clad building a sign could not be installed on the facade without affecting views from the inside as well as the building heating and cooling system. This creates a need for a parapet sign. Further, the vegetation in front of the building obscures the view of a lower sign. Finally, their lease allows only them to place a sign on the parapet wall. The sign would demonstrate a level of international business, name recognition and corporate identity important to their domestic image. There are approximately 7,000 visitors expected to this site each year. The building has no identification other than a monument sign. DHL rents approximately 43,000 SF about 30% of the building and they have an option for an additional 15,000 SF which would put them at just about 50%. Part of the lease agreement is that they are the only tenant that is allowed a signature on the building. David Staub, 1170 Shady Creek, Danville, representing Arrow Sign, confirmed that the glossy photograph of the building with the sign shown at its proposed location was to scale. The sign will be illuminated at night. Larry Lyons, 1901 Garden Drive/1633 Bayshore, representing the Burlingame Chamber of Commerce, spoke in favor of granting this exception. He noted the February 8, Chamber Board's vote in support of this exception. The feeling among Chamber members is strong enough about the signage problems that they feel that the Chamber and Office Council should work together with the Council this year for changes to the sign code. Major tenants have been lost because of signage disagreements; this has contributed to the vacancy factor in Burlingame. -4- Burlingame Planning Commission Minutes FEBRUARY 14, 1994 Mr. Lyons was told the Commissioners emotionally agree with some of his comments in reference to code, however when the time comes to amend the code - there is a need for information based on solid data. The Commissioners hoped that the Chamber would begin to collect realistic data on business benefits of different kinds of signage. Bill Rogers, 809 Winchester Drive (representative of DHL's Adrian Road site) commented that the sign is visible from his home and is a fairly modest sign on a low building, lower and less obtrusive than the sign at Sterling Suites which is also visible from Winchester Drive. There were no other comments and the public hearing was closed. C. Graham noted after hearing testimony and seeing the photo evidence it is clear that the project is tastefully done and will not be detrimental to other properties in the area, in fact it will be good for the City. She then moved to approve the sign exception with the following conditions; 1) that the sign shall be installed as shown on the plans submitted to the Planning Department and date stamped December 9, 1993 and as described in the sign permit application; 2) that as installed the sign shall meet all the requirements of the Uniform Building and Uniform Fire Codes as amended by the City of Burlingame; and 3) that should DHL Worldwide Express cease to be a tenant in this building they shall remove this sign within 15 days of terminating tenancy. Motion was seconded by C. Mink and approved on a 6-0-1 (C. Deal absent) voice vote. Appeal procedures were advised. 5. TWO SPECIAL PERMITS FOR A LIMOUSINE SERVICE AND ROOF ANTENNA AT 1380 MARSTEN.ROAD, ZONED M-1 (PHILIP H. WONG ET AL, PROPERTY OWNERS AND DON MAHNKE, APPLICANT). Reference staff report, 2/14/94, with attachments. CP Monroe discussed the request, reviewed criteria, Planning Department comments, and study meeting questions. If recommended to Council for approval, 7 conditions were suggested. Commission asked if the limousines increased to 20 in five years would they still be parked in the warehouse as opposed to outside in the employee parking or on the street. CA Coleman recommended an amended condition 15 specifying "only light vehicle maintenance" and an added condition #8 eliminating the parking of limousines on public streets. Chm. Galligan opened the public hearing. The applicant was not present and there were no other comments. The public hearing was closed. -5- Burlingame Planning Commission Minutes FEBRUARY 14, 1994 C. Jacobs noted that this use is consistent with the automobile services allowed and present in the area and would not create any more of an impact. She then moved, by resolution, to approve the application with amended and added conditions as follows; 1) that the outdoor parking for employee and customers be provided as shown striped on the plans submitted to the Planning Department and date stamped December 17, 1993; sheet 1; 2) that the roof antenna shall be installed northeast of the 12" gravity vents shown on the site/roof plan submitted to the Planning Department date stamped December 17, 1993; 3) that within 60 days of commencing operations at this site, application be made for a building permit for all interior improvements, including the installation of the wash area and drainage system as required in the City Engineer's memo dated January 14, 1994; plans submitted for a building permit shall show that adequate ventilation shall be provided as required in the Fire Marshall's memo dated December 21, 1993; 4) that all vehicles shall be washed off-site until the interior wash area drainage system is installed; 5) that no light vehicle maintenance shall occur on site; 6) that the project shall meet all requirements of the Uniform Building and Fire Codes as amended by the City; 7) that this application shall be reviewed for compliance in one year and upon complaint thereafter; and 8) that no limousines shall be parked on the outside parking or on the public street/right-of-way. Motion was seconded by C. Graham and approved on a 6-0-1 (C. Deal absent) voice vote. Appeal procedures were advised. PLANNER'S REPORTS - CP reviewed City Council actions/ discussion at its February 7, 1994 regular meeting. - CP Monroe reviewed the ordinance establishing the office - manufacturing (O -M) district. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 8:55 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Ruth E. Jacobs, Secretary MIN2.14