HomeMy WebLinkAboutMin - PC - 2018.02.12BURLINGAME CITY HALL
501 PRIMROSE ROAD
BURLINGAME, CA 94010
City of Burlingame
Meeting Minutes
Planning Commission
7:00 PM Council Chambers Monday, February 12, 2018
1. CALL TO ORDER
Chair Gum opened the meeting at 7:00 p.m.
2. ROLL CALL
Gum, Gaul, Terrones, Sargent, Loftis, Kelly, and Comaroto Present 7 -
3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
a. Draft Planning Commission Minutes - January 8, 2018
Draft Planning Commission Minutes - January 8, 2018 Attachments:
Chair Gum made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Terrones, to approve the Minutes of January
8, 2018. Chair Gum called for a voice vote, and the motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: Gum, Gaul, Terrones, Sargent, Loftis, Kelly, and Comaroto 7 -
4. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
There were no changes to the agenda. Commissioner Comaroto noted that she would recuse herself from
participating in the discussion regarding Agenda Item 9b (1206 Lincoln Avenue) as she owns property within
500-feet of the property. Commissioner Kelly noted that he would recuse himself from participating in the
discussion regarding Agenda Item 8c (1245 Cabrillo Avenue) as he resides within 500-feet of the property.
5. PUBLIC COMMENTS, NON-AGENDA
There were no public comments on non-agenda items.
6. STUDY ITEMS
There were no study items.
7. CONSENT CALENDAR
a. 129 Bloomfield Road, zoned R-1 - Application for a Conditional Use Permit for windows
within 10 feet of property line in a new detached accessory structure approved for use as
an accessory dwelling unit. This project is categorically exempt from the California
Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15303 (e).
(Su-ling Slaton, SLC Design, applicant and designer; Jerry Zakatchenko, property owner)
(61 noticed) Staff Contact: Ruben Hurin
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129 Bloomfield Rd - Staff Report
129 Bloomfield Rd - Attachments
129 Bloomfield Rd - Plans
Attachments:
Commissioner Terrones noted that he had contact with the property owner regarding access to the property.
Chair Gum made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Loftis, to approve the application. Chair Gum
called for a voice vote, and the motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: Gum, Gaul, Terrones, Sargent, Loftis, Kelly, and Comaroto 7 -
8. REGULAR ACTION ITEMS
a. 1431 El Camino Real , zoned R-3 - Application for Environmental Review, Condominium
Permit, Design Review, and Parking Variance for the use of mechanical parking lifts for a
new 3-story, 6-unit condominium building (Levy Design Partners, applicant and architect;
GGH Investment LLC, property owner) (71 noticed) Staff Contact: Catherine Keylon
1431 ECR - Staff Report
1431 ECR - Study minutes and response
1431 ECR - Application mtrls- parking lift details
1431 ECR - Resolutions
1431 ECR - Dept Comments, Notice, Aerial
1431 ECR - 02.12.18 - plans
1431 ECR - CEQA doc, Mitigated Neg Dec
1431 ECR - Comment letters
1431 ECR - CEQA - Response to Comments
Attachments:
All Commissioners had visited the property. There were no ex-parte communications to report.
Senior Planner Keylon provided an overview of the staff report.
Questions of Staff:
> Clarified that a parking variance is requested because the property lies outside of the Downtown Specific
Plan Area. (Keylon: confirmed this fact; policies within the Downtown Specific Plan area permit the lifts to be
considered without a variance.)
Chair Gum opened the public hearing
Toby Levy and Bruce Chen represented the applicant.
Commission Questions/Comments:
> May be difficult to grow grass within the median strip; what does the applicant suggest? (Chen: noted
that grass is not proposed, low ground-cover is proposed.)
> What is the makeup of the existing units on the property? (Grace: two, two -bedroom, one bath units and
two, one-bedroom, one bath units.)
> Could the project be developed without the garage? (Levy: wanted an enclosed garage as it is nicer to
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look at.)
> How will delivery vehicles access the property? (Levy: there are adequate turnaround areas.)
> Asked about the noise generated by the garage doors? (Levy: referenced other cities' evaluations that
show that the noise studies prepared by the provider are accurate.)
Public Comments:
There were no public comments.
Chair Gum closed the public hearing.
Commission Discussion:
> The project has been thoroughly vetted. Comfortable with the findings of the Mitigated Negative
Declaration.
> The site constraints make it difficult to replicate the development that exists on the property currently
without losing units. The project will replace and minimally increase the number of units on the property.
Other areas near the location are permitted to use car-stackers for parking.
> The building is similar in scale and massing as well as finishing to other projects in the area. The project
is approvable.
> Confirmed that the variance approval will run with the property.
> The density proposed is well within the density permitted under the General Plan.
Commissioner Sargent made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Loftis, to approve the application.
Chair Gum called for a voice vote, and the motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: Gum, Gaul, Terrones, Sargent, Loftis, Kelly, and Comaroto 7 -
b. 1455 Cortez Avenue, zoned R-1 - Application for Design Review for a major renovation for
a first and second floor addition to an existing single family dwelling. The project is
Categorically Exempt from review pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act
(CEQA), per Section 15301 (e)(1) of the CEQA Guidelines. (Jesse Geurse, applicant and
designer; Art Lierman, property owner) (62 noticed) Staff Contact: Catherine Keylon
1455 Cortez Ave - Staff Report and Attachments
1455 Cortez Ave - plans - 02.12.18
Attachments:
All Commissioners had visited the property. There were no ex-parte communications to report.
Senior Planner Keylon provided an overview of the staff report.
Questions of Staff:
There were no questions of staff.
Chair Gum opened the public hearing.
Jesse Geurse and Art Lierman represented the applicant.
Commission Questions/Comments:
There were no Commission questions/comments.
Public Comments:
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There were no public comments.
Chair Gum closed the public hearing.
Commission Discussion:
> Is a very nice project, likes the reduction of the deck.
Commissioner Loftis made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Comaroto, to approve Action Item.
Chair Gum called for a voice vote, and the motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: Gum, Gaul, Terrones, Sargent, Loftis, Kelly, and Comaroto 7 -
c. 1245 Cabrillo Avenue, zoned R-1 - Application for Design Review and Special Permit for
building height for a first and second story addition to an existing single family dwelling
and new detached garage. The project is Categorically Exempt from review pursuant to
the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), per Section 15301 (e)(1) of the CEQA
Guidelines. (Chu Design Associates Inc., applicant and designer; Eric and Jennifer Lai,
property owners) (58 noticed) Staff Contact: Ruben Hurin
1245 Cabrillo Ave - Staff Report
1245 Cabrillo Ave - Attachments
1245 Cabrillo Ave - Plans - 02.12.18
Attachments:
All Commissioners had visited the property. There were no ex-parte communications to report. Commissioner
Kelly was recused from the discussion as he resides within 500 -feet of the property; he left the dais and the
chambers.
Community Development Director Meeker provided an overview of the staff report.
Questions of Staff:
There were no questions of staff.
Chair Gum opened the public hearing.
James Chu represented the applicant.
Commission Questions/Comments:
> With respect to the left elevation, second floor; the master bedroom and master bath appear co -planar on
the floor plan, but not on the elevation. (Chu: is cutting a well into the roof plan.)
> Noted that the well would only be under the two tall windows.
> Need to prepare a roof plan that more accurately shows the detail of the roof well on the left elevation.
Public Comments:
There were no public comments.
Chair Gum closed the public hearing.
Commission Discussion:
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> Is a nice project. Appreciates that the applicant is retaining the existing siding. The revisions are nicely
done.
> Need an FYI to finalize the roof plan on the left elevation, second story.
> Well articulated project.
Commissioner Loftis made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Sargent, to approve as the
application with the added condition that a revised roof plan shall be submitted as an FYI. Chair Gum
called for a voice vote, and the motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: Gum, Gaul, Terrones, Sargent, Loftis, and Comaroto 6 -
Recused: Kelly 1 -
d. 2683 Summit Drive, zoned R-1 - Application for Design Review, Hillside Area Construction
Permit, Special Permit for building height and Front Setback Variance for a first and
second story addition to an existing single family dwelling.The project is Categorically
Exempt from review pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), per
Section 15303 (a) of the CEQA Guidelines. (Samaneh Nili, TRG Architecture + Interior
Design, applicant and designer; Sunil and Katherine Koshie, property owner) (38 noticed)
Staff Contact: Sonal Aggarwal
2683 Summit Dr - Staff Report
2683 Summit Dr - Attachments
2683 Summit Dr - Plans - 02.12.18
Attachments:
Commissioner Kelly returned to the dais. All Commissioners had visited the property. Chair Gum spoke to the
neighbors to the rear and to the left of the site. Commissioner Terrones noted that he met with the neighbor to
the left to gain access to view the story poles.
Senior Planner Keylon provided an overview of the staff report.
Questions of Staff:
There were no questions of staff.
Chair Gum opened the public hearing.
Randy Grange represented the applicant.
Commission Questions/Comments:
There were no Commission questions/comments.
Public Comments:
Debra Cosco, 6 Hillview Court: don't really have an issue with the height, but want to know if they are looking
at a wall of windows. Currently has total privacy. Has a view of the Bay Bridge.
Chair Gum closed the public hearing.
Commission Discussion:
> Is a good looking project. Appreciates that the architect installed the story poles. Appreciates the
neighbor bringing her concerns about privacy forward. Doesn't see that this addition will affect distant
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views. The windows at the rear fit into the design guidelines. The applicant's justification for the variance is
supportable. The project is approvable.
> Appreciates that the windows are obscured. The windows facing the neighbor do not appear to be in the
line of site of the neighbor.
> Is a good design solution for the property. Clarified that external lighting cannot fall off of the property.
Commissioner Sargent made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Kelly, to approve the application.
Chair Gum asked for a voice vote, and the motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: Gum, Gaul, Terrones, Sargent, Loftis, Kelly, and Comaroto 7 -
e. 50 Broderick Road, zoned RR - Application for a Conditional Use Permit for automobile
storage for a car rental business. This project is categorically exempt from the California
Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines SEction 15303. (The
Hertz Corporation, applicant; Thomas and Martina Murphy Trust, property owner) (16
noticed) Staff Contact: Erika Lewit
50 Broderick Rd - Staff Report
50 Broderick Rd - Attachments
50 Broderick Rd - Plans - 02.12.08
Attachments:
All Commissioners had visited the property. Commissioners Sargent, Comaroto, Gaul, and Gum spoke with
with the applicant.
Community Development Director Meeker provided an overview of the staff report.
Questions of Staff:
> Isn't a timeframe normally imposed upon a conditional use permit like thi s? (Meeker: we're trying to move
away from this approach. This use is permitted; conditions have been imposed upon non -conforming uses in
the Bayfront.
> Will improvements to mechanical systems be required before the use is implemented? (Meeker: yes.)
> How will monitoring of vehicle movements be achieved? (Meeker: Code Enforcement will investigate any
complaints.)
Chair Gum opened the public hearing.
Christian Rotzog and Colin Regan represented the applicant..
Commission Questions/Comments:
> Will mechanical improvements be put in place before opening? (Rotzog: have already begun this work.)
> Will vehicle repair/maintenance occur on the property? (Regan: no.)
> Requested details regarding landscaping materials. (Regan: have a landscape plan that can be
submitted.)
> What is the design of the opaque fence? (Regan: grey slats in a chain-link fence.)
> What is the length of the lease? Is this a permanent storage area? (Rotzog/Regan: ten years; will occupy
for at least that period of time.)
Public Comments:
There were no public comments.
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Commission Discussion:
> Will be nice to have something happening on the property. Doesn't appear that the use will impact
surrounding properties. Would like to see a landscape plan that shows drought -tolerant materials that will
revitalize the site.
> Perfectly acceptable use.
Commissioner Kelly made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Terrones, to approve the application
with the additional condition that an FYI shall be submitted for the landscape plan. Chair Gum called
for a voice vote on the motion, and the motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: Gum, Gaul, Terrones, Sargent, Loftis, Kelly, and Comaroto 7 -
f. 740 El Camino Real, Unit D, zoned R-3 - Application for Design Review to remove and
replace/enlarge a second story deck of an existing condominium unit. This project is
categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to
CEQA Guidelines Section 15301 (e)(2). (Halle Hagenau, applicant and architect; Chris
and Jordan Chavez, property owners) (127 noticed) Staff Contact: 'Amelia Kolokihakaufisi
740 El Camino Real - Staff Report
740 El Camino Real - Attachments
740 El Camino Real - Plans - 02.12.18
Attachments:
All Commissioners had visited the property. There were no ex-parte communications to report.
Community Development Director Meeker provided an overview of the staff report.
Questions of Staff:
There were no questions of staff.
Chair Gum opened the public hearing.
Halle Hagenau and Chris Chavez represented the applicant.
Commission Questions/Comments:
There were no Commission questions/comments.
Public Comments:
There were no public comments.
Chair Gum closed the public hearing.
Commission Discussion:
> The project is approvable.
> This is a prominent place on El Camino Real; is technically a front -yard deck. Concerned that the deck
could be used as a storage space or other use than intended by this applicant. Is this what is wanted in this
highly visible area. Not a good place for a deck of this scale and size. Is not compatible with the pattern in the
neighborhood.
> There is a homeowners' association that will ensure that the deck is maintained.
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> Likes the changes to the rail.
> The property is sandwiched between El Camino Real and the activities at McKinley Elementary School.
The deck is open-air and unlikely to be used for storage. It's prominent location ensures that it could not be
enclosed without being noticed.
> Be advised that if the design changes, bring back changes before built.
Commissioner Terrones made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Comaroto, to approve the
application. Chair Gum called for a voice vote, and the motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: Gaul, Terrones, Sargent, Loftis, Kelly, and Comaroto 6 -
Nay: Gum 2 -
9. DESIGN REVIEW STUDY
a. 846 Paloma Avenue, zoned R-1 - Application for Design Review for a first and second
story addition to an existing single family dwelling and Special Permit for a new detached
garage in the rear 40% of the lot. (Robert Medan, applicant and designer; Sharyl Wong
and Andrew Blanco, property owners) (70 noticed) Staff contact: Sonal Aggarwal
846 Paloma Ave - Staff Report
846 Paloma Ave - Attachment
846 Paloma Ave - Plans - 02.12.18
Attachments:
All Commissioners had visited the site. There were no ex-parte communications to report.
Senior Planner Keylon provided an overview of the staff report.
Questions of Staff:
There were no questions of staff.
Chair Gum opened the public hearing.
Sharyl Wong and Robert Medan represented the applicant.
Commission Questions/Comments:
> Not certain why an angled bay is proposed below the square bay on the right side elevation. (Medan:
thought the angled approach on the fist floor would be a bit more playful on the interior.)
> The massing is handled nicely. Is there a possibility for extending the roof overhang from the front along
the side to the full two-feet, connecting the line, and dropping the stairway windows down; would make the
two gables on the front look like a dormer on the roof. (Medan: yes, can do this.)
> Had a similar question regarding the right-side elevation. There might be a way to review the bump-out
on the master bath to make it a bit smaller; may be some extra space to work with. (Medan: can see making
this change to make the bump-out for the bath a bit smaller than the one below.)
> With respect to the special permit for the garage; describe the rationale. (Medan: feels that pushing the
garage back further will encroach upon an existing tree's roots.)
> Any thought given to screening the back more to protect privacy of the adjoining properties? (Medan: this
is acceptable.)
> Neighbor noted that the fence is in disrepair; any possibility of incorporating a new fence into the project?
(Wong: will repair as needed.)
> Could the front porch be made larger? (Medan: there is a tree directly in front of the porch that would be
impacted. The driveway is also a constraint.)
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Public Comments:
There were no public comments.
Chair Gum closed the public hearing.
Commission Discussion:
> Nice project.
Commissioner Sargent made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Loftis, to place the application on
the Regular Action Calendar when ready for action.
Discussion of Motion:
> Nice project. On the point of the stacked bays; may be better as two identical bays, or a better
distiction between the bays.
> Suggested engaging the neighbor on the rear fence matter.
> The special permit request is supportable since the tree is being preserved.
Chair Gum asked for a voice vote, and the motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: Gum, Gaul, Terrones, Sargent, Loftis, Kelly, and Comaroto 7 -
b. 1206 Lincoln Avenue, zoned R-1 - Application for Design Review for first and second story
addition to an existing single family dwelling (Jack Backos Architects, applicant and
designer; Miki and Spencer Behr, property owners) (65 noticed) staff contact: Sonal
Aggarwal
1206 Lincoln Ave - Staff Report
1206 Lincoln Ave - Attachments
1206 Lincoln Ave - Plans - 02.12.18
Attachments:
All Commissioners had visited the site. Chair Gum spoke to the neighbor on the right. Commissioner
Comaroto recused herself from the discussion as she owns property within 500 -feet of the property; she left
the dais and the chambers.
Community Development Director Meeker provided an overview of the staff report.
Questions of Staff:
> Are their limitations to the trellis in the rear as far as being close to the property line? (Backos: The trellis
is being removed.)
Chair Gum opened the public hearing.
Jack Backos represented the applicant.
Commission Questions/Comments:
> Windows above the garage and dormer windows are odd in scale.
> Will rear lawn go fence to fence or will there be planters there? (Backos: No changes are to be made.)
> There were a series of additions to the house before? (Backos: Yes.)
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> The existing east elevation is a simple single plane, the addition build s on that making very large flat
plane, suggest more articulation instead of one big mass like a bellyband. (Backos: difficult because
bathrooms are on that side but will look into it.) Doesn't need to be windows, can be a trim detail or look at the
roof. (Backos: Side that faces neighbor and Redwood trees, it's difficult to see that elevation.) Can be
convinced of that - not to do anything.
> Slender trim works on a small cottage but does not fit as well as the building grows. Suggests widening
the trim to relate to the massing. (Backos: the volumes of the house create interest. Would change the overall
aesthetic of the house. Feels it is successful as designed.)
> Front elevation - two things that strike me with two dormers windows seem smaller than other windows.
Should match sizing and muntin pattern to bring it together more.
Public Comments:
There were no public comments.
Chair Gum closed the public hearing.
Commission Discussion:
> There are some scale issues going on with the plan. Several very large planes. The roof seems very
huge.
> The left elevation is confusing where the roof slopes come together. And west elevation proposed needs
to be simplified - it's a lot of gables.
> Is a difficult project to start from; the existing mass ing is a bit odd. Is a traditional split-level that wants to
appear like a bungalow. Biggest concern is with the east elevation; is there something that can provide relief
with this sheer plane.
> Will help to have all the windows detailed on the rendering.
> Good candidate for a design reviewer. The house looks like it's maxed out but proposed FAR shows that
it is not so there should be some ways to move around.
> Trellis over front entry, would like it to be addressed.
Commissioner Sargent made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Loftis, to refer the project to a
Design Reviewer.
Discussion of Motion:
> Doesn't understand the trellis over the front entry on the three-dimensional drawing; look at this
element more closely.
> What is proposed serves to make the home look taller. The added roofline and the space above
the garage are the most troubling.
Chair Gum called for a voice vote, and the motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: Gum, Gaul, Terrones, Sargent, Loftis, and Kelly 6 -
Recused: Comaroto 1 -
c. 1402 Grove Avenue, zoned R-1 - Application for Design Review for a first and second
story addition to an existing single-family dwelling (Jesse Geurse, Geurse Conceptual
Designs, Inc., applicant and designer; Lisa Ley, property owner) (73 noticed) Staff Contact:
Sonal Aggarwal
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1402 Grove Ave - Staff Report
1402 Grove Ave - Attachments
1402 Grove Ave - Plans - 02.12.18
Attachments:
Commissioner Comaroto returned to the dais. All Commissioners had visited the property. Chair Gum spoke
to the neighbor on the left.
Senior Planner Keylon provided an overview of the staff report.
Questions of Staff:
There were no questions of staff.
Chair Gum opened the public hearing.
Jesse Geurse represented the applicant.
Commission Questions/Comments:
> On the left side, the existing family room: is the west wall being preserved to retain the side setback?
Looks like its on a brick foundation. (Geurse: intend to rebuild the foundation an d the wall. Was once a patio
that was enclosed. Will review this. Keylon: because the lot is only 45-feet wide a three-foot setback is all that
is required.)
> With respect to the exit to the balcony; it seems strangely centered. Is there a reason it was d esigned
that way? (Geurse: keeping the gable out of the declining height envelope, but wanted to center the door over
the window below.)
> Likes the assymetry of the gable that was referenced. The bedroom gable is a bit quirky, but works okay.
Offsetting the doors off of the master bedroom creates a sitting area. (Geurse: added the extra knee-braces
to add to the articulation.)
> Will the gargoyle be relocated? (Geurse: wasn't aware it was there.)
Public Comments:
There were no public comments.
Chair Gum closed the public hearing.
Commission Discussion:
> The front and rear elevations are nice. The side elevations need work; break down the sense that they
are pancaked. The siding/shingles running into the stucco does not work.
Commissioner Sargent made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Comaroto, to bring the item back
on the Regular Action Calendar when ready for action. Chair Gum called for a voice vote, and the
motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: Gum, Gaul, Terrones, Sargent, Loftis, Kelly, and Comaroto 7 -
d. 250 California Drive, zoned CAR - Application for Design Review and Conditional Use
Permit for office use in a portion of the ground floor for construction of a new, 4-story
mixed use office building (retail and office) (20 Hobart LLC, applicant and property owner;
MBH Architects, architect) (38 noticed) Staff Contact: Ruben Hurin
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250 California Dr - Staff Report
250 California Dr - Attachments
250 California Drive - Plans - 02.12.18
Attachments:
All Commissioners had visited the property. Commissioner Kelly had a brief email exchange with the
developer. Chair Gum and Commissioners Terrones, Comaroto, and Sargent met with the applicant to review
the plans. Commissioner Loftis noted that he was unable to meet with the applicant.
Community Development Director Meeker provided an overview of the staff report.
Questions of Staff:
There were no questions of staff.
Chair Gum opened the public hearing.
Ryan Guibara and Andres Grechi represented the applicant.
Commission Questions/Comments:
> Is there an attendant that monitors the car lifts? (Guibara: the system is intended to be fully operated by
the public, though there will be an attendant available.)
> What is meant by "temporary" users; how will they access parking? (Guibara: such users will need to call
a receptionist to gain access to the garage. Tenants will have cards to open the garage.)
> If some of the space is commercial, will some of the parking be made available to the public? (Guibara: is
providing the in-lieu fee for eleven parking spaces. Employees of the first floor retail will likely use the parking,
rather than visitors. Noted that 225 California was not required to provide retail parking.
> Likes the amount of retail space provided with this project.
> What is the height when compared to 225 California Drive? (Guibara: the same height.)
> How will traffic impacts be evaluated? (Meeker: the project is categorically exempt, therefore no
additional analysis will be provided.)
> Will there be an analysis of the need for crosswalks by Public Works? (Meeker: that department has
reviewed the project and has not weighed-in on that particular issue.)
> Has a concern about a continuation of the trajectory toward building more office space. When do we
need to become more concerned about density, scale, etc? (Meeker: noted that the project is Categorically
Exempt from CEQA. It complies with all policies and analyses in the Downtown Specific Plan. Are limited only
to discussion of the design of the project; there should be no discussion of the jobs/housing balance.)
> Noted that the project has been found not to result in any environmental impacts that rise to a level of
significance, pursuant to CEQA. (Meeker: the exemption analysis found that the past analysis done for the
Downtown Specific Plan assumed this level of development at the site.)
> Clarified that the Commission's job is to find the project consistent with zoning.
> Feels that collectively a variety of smaller projects and their impacts must be considered.
> The Downtown Specific Plan assumed a variety of projects that would be built under the analysis in the
Plan.
> Requested clarification regarding the design of the window system. (Grechi: designed to break down the
windows into a more human scale.)
> Seems like the south-facing wall nearest the railroad tracks needs to be broken up a bit more. (Guibara:
have broken up that side pretty significantly already. Grechi: is broken into three parts. Can't put windows in
the brick wall; will have much texture itself.)
Public Comments:
There were no public comments:
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Chair Gum closed the public hearing.
Commission Discussion:
> Feels that the brick wall on the southeast face should include some depth rather than just smooth brick.
> Feels the use is appropriate.
> Likes the materials and the massing. Has a functional design. Likes the parking lifts.
> Likes that the vehicle entry and exits will be on the least busy street.
> Believes that the use will promote pedestrian activity.
> Appreciates the preservation of the mural and the work that has been done with the Historic Society.
> Will significantly alter the building skyline in this area of the City. Lies close to the historic Train Depot.
> Is concerned that the building looks like it is from the 1980s. Is missing the opportunity to have some
interesting details for a brick building. Doesn't buy the oversize window mullions. There is detail missing;
doesn't feel welcoming. Part of the problem, per the rendering, is the colors used; the mullions make the
project feel somewhat prison-like, where darker mullions would make the windows appear more transparent.
Look at treating in another way, perhaps consider using terra-cotta. The supports for the trellis on the top of
the building do not appear substantial enough. The building appears very chunky. Missing opportunities to do
something very special at the entrance. There is a level of detail that is necessary for a successful brick
building.
> Is a well-crafted, well-planned project. Though the project will significantly change this area, the project is
much better than an underutlized parking lot.
> Sees this as a Modern Industrial interpretation of a brick building. Wants be be certain that the brick does
not look cheap. Could consider using a Blonde-colored brick. A problem with introducing terra-cotta would
remove it from the clean, industrial look that the design embraces.
> The trellis does need to be revisited and may be designed to contribute more to the aesthetic of the
building. Likes the direction and program for the project.
> The color rendering is likely a bit different from what is represented on the sample board.
> Feels more work needs to be done on the southeast wall.
> Need to look into the concept of adding crosswalks to the area.
> Likes the project; is a good location for it. Likes the red brick. The more traditional brick softens the
Modern elements and help it fit into the area.
> The conditional use permit for office use is supportable since the space will be used by the Historical
Society which will have interaction with the public.
> Is the third project in this area that is to be built at this height; will fit in as time progresses.
> Is not certain if the design needs to be complicated by adding more details. Perhaps a mix of brick coul d
be considered. This project represents the direction that the Downtown is going.
> There is too much building occurring in the City. The public wishes the building to stop. The project
doesn't fit the sight and the surrounding development; overpowers the adjacent Train Depot, the most
photographed building in the City.
> The project is not compatible with the height, mass and scale of other buildings in the neighborhood.
> Happy that the wallscape is being preserved and will be visible to those visiting the building. Although the
project will largely block it from pedestrian view; and is a significant impact.
> Building heights have been increased when in the past 35-feet was the maximum that would be allowed
in the City.
> Project is short eleven parking spaces; will be a cumulative effect over time.
> The Specific Plan policies are intended to preserve auto -related uses; feels allowing the office is contrary
to this intent.
> The impact fees that will be collected as a result of the project will not help to alleviate the concerns
expressed by community residents.
> Would prefer either building nothing on the property, or something significantly smaller.
> Noted that in an industrial-style building, the window mullions would have had a smaller profile.
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February 12, 2018 Planning Commission Meeting Minutes
> Statements made in opposition to the project based upon CEQA lead to a misunderstanding of how
CEQA is used and its purposes. The project is exempt from further analysis based upon the prior analyses
prepared under prior planning efforts. If changes are to be made to CEQA, then the State legislators must be
lobbied.
No action required as the project will return on the the Regular Action Calendar when ready for action.
10. COMMISSIONER’S REPORTS
Note that the Basecamp users are jaywalking across California Drive in the early morning hours. Who should
be contacted to encourage the users to use crosswalks? (Meeker: will determine who should become
involved.)
11. DIRECTOR REPORTS
There were no Director's Reports.
a. 705 Walnut Avenue - FYI for proposed changes to an approved Design Review project.
705 Walnut Ave - Memorandum Attachments:
Accepted.
12. ADJOURNMENT
Meeting adjourned at 9:57 p.m.
Note: An action by the Planning Commission is appealable to the City Council within 10 days of the
Planning Commission's action on February 12, 2018. If the Planning Commission's action has not been
appealed or called up for review by the Council by 5:00 p.m. on February 22, 2018, the action becomes
final. In order to be effective, appeals must be in writing to the City Clerk and must be accompanied by an
appeal fee of $533, which includes noticing costs.
Any writings or documents provided to a majority of the Planning Commission regarding any item on this
agenda will be made available for public inspection during normal business hours at the Community
Development/Planning counter, City Hall, 501 Primrose Road, Burlingame, California.
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