Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutPC Minutes - 05.26.09 APPROVEDCITY OF BURLINGAME PLANNING COMMISSION UNAPPROVED MINUTES Monday, May 26, 2009 — 7:00 p.m. City Council Chambers — 501 Primrose Road Burlingame, California I. CALL TO ORDER Chair Terrones called the May 26, 2009, regular meeting of the Planning Commission to order at 7:00 p.m. II. ROLL CALL Present: Commissioners Auran, Brownrigg, Cauchi (arrived at 7:06 p.m.), Terrones, and Lindstrom Absent: Commissioners Yie and Vistica Staff Present: Community Development Director William Meeker and Associate Planner Lisa Whitman. III. MINUTES Commissioner A uran moved, seconded by Commissioner Brownrigg to approve the minutes of the May 26, 2009 regular meeting of the Planning Commission, with the following change: ■ Page 19, Item 10, second bullet under "Commission Comments",- after "rendering" add: relative to which windows are to be replaced, to ensure no confusion. Motion passed 4-0-3 (Commissioners Yie, Vistica and Cauchi absent). IV. APPROVAL OF AGENDA There were no changes to the agenda. V. FROM THE FLOOR None. VI. STUDY ITEMS There were no study items on the agenda. VII. ACTION ITEMS Consent Calendar - Items on the Consent Calendar are considered to be routine. They are acted upon simultaneously unless separate discussion and/or action is requested by the applicant, a member of the public or a Commissioner prior to the time the Commission votes on the motion to adopt. Chair Terrones asked if anyone in the audience or on the Commission wished to call any item off the consent calendar. There were no requests. 1a. 1109 CORTEZ AVENUE, ZONED R-1 — APPLICATION FOR DESIGN REVIEW, FRONT SETBACK VARIANCE AND PARKING SPACE DIMENSION VARIANCE FOR A FIRST AND CITY OF BURLINGAME PLANNING COMMISSION — Approved Minutes May 26, 2009 SECOND STORY ADDITION TO A SINGLE FAMILY DWELLING (JENNIFER AND ANTHONY LEE, APPLICANTS AND PROPERTY OWNERS; AND STEWART ASSOCIATES, ARCHITECT) STAFF CONTACT: RUBEN HURIN Commissioner Auran moved approval of the Consent Calendar based on the facts in the staff reports, Commissioner's comments and the findings in the staff reports, with recommended conditions in the staff reports and by resolution. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Brownrigg. Chair Terrones called for a voice vote on the motion and it passed 4-0-3 (Commissioners Yie, Vistica, and Cauchi absent). Appeal procedures were advised. This item concluded at 7:07 p.m. VIII. REGULAR ACTION ITEMS 2. 349 LEXINGTON WAY, ZONED R-1 — APPLICATION FOR CONDITIONAL USE PERMITS FOR A WORKSHOP/ART STUDIO IN AN ACCESSORY STRUCTURE (BARRY CHANDLER, APPLICANT AND DESIGNER: AND MARIE NASSER. PROPERTY OWNER) STAFF CONTACT: LISA WHITMAN Reference staff report dated May 26, 2009, with attachments. Associate Planner Whitman presented the report, reviewed criteria and staff comments. Nine (9) conditions were suggested for consideration. Chair Terrones opened the public hearing. Maurice Gonzalez, 818 Crestview Drive, Millbrae; and Marie Nasser, 715 Seabury Road, Hillsborough; represented the applicant. Commission comments: ■ Clarified that the drawings represent what has been built on the plans submitted with the application. ■ Requested clarification regarding who inspected the structure. (Gonzalez — he inspected the property; he is a licensed building inspector.) ■ The structure appears to be a living unit, not an art studio; how can the community be ensured that the structure will not be converted to a living unit? (M. Nasser— intention is to have daughter live in the house and use the structure as an extra room. Will not be rented out.) ■ Is the structure plumbed for a shower? (Gonzalez — is plumbed for a water closet.) Public comments: Steve Dwyer, 324 Dwight Road, spoke; ■ Have observed activities that indicate that the structure is being lived-in (provided photos). ■ Concerned about the utility pole on the property; it is about 3-feet from the property line; is there a prohibition on locating a structure within a distance of the utility pole? ■ No permits were issued for the project; seems an odd way to add a unit to the property; would have been more economical to build an addition onto the residence. ■ Requested denial, based upon evidence that it is intended to be a habitable unit. Additional Commission comments: Asked if gas service is available to the building? (Gonzalez — believes there is gas service. Noted that the building was inspected by Brooks MacNeil, Senior Building Inspector. Gonzalez only inspected during the framing stage.) 2 CITY OF BURLINGAME PLANNING COMMISSION — Approved Minutes May 26, 2009 Additional applicant comments: Refuted neighbor's contention that the unit is being rented out; the current tenants will move out and eventually her daughter will move into the residence. The structure is used purely for storage. Further Commission comments: Asked for clarification regarding occupancy of the dwelling. Asked if applicant would agree to eliminating window on the rear? (Nasser — yes.) Why was no permit received? (Nasser — wasn't aware of need for permit.) There were no further comments and the public hearing was closed. More Commission comments: ■ Must remove the rear window, remove plumbing and gas connections and revert it back to a storage building. ■ Would it be acceptable to allow only a sink, but no toilet or other fixtures? ■ Looks like a second unit. ■ Not knowing who completed the structure, it is possible that the structure hasn't been completed in a safe manner. ■ Likely would not have approved a toilet with a sink, but would have likely allowed a sink in association with an art studio. ■ Needs to be fully reviewed by the Building Division, and a permit issued. ■ Wanted clarification on the location of the utility pole. Commissioner Auran moved to deny the application, with prejudice. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Cauchi. Discussion of motion: None. Chair Terrones called for a voice vote on the motion to deny. The motion passed 5-0-2 (Commissioners Yie and Vistica absent). Appeal procedures were advised. This item concluded at 7:31 p.m. IX. DESIGN REVIEW STUDY ITEMS Chair Terrones noted that he will recuse himself from participating in the discussion regarding Agenda item 3 (1311 Paloma Avenue), since his firm prepared the project plans. He left the Council Chambers. Commissioner Cauchi assumed the role of Acting Chair. 3. 1311 PALOMA AVENUE, ZONED R-1 — APPLICATION FOR DESIGN REVIEW AND PARKING VARIANCE FOR A NEW ONE AND ONE-HALF STORY SINGLE FAMILY DWELLING (CAROLE VALENTINE, APPLICANT AND PROPERTY OWNER; AND DREILING/TERRONES ARCHITECTURE, ARCHITECT) STAFF CONTACT: ERICA STROHMEIER 3 CITY OF BURLINGAME PLANNING COMMISSION — Approved Minutes May 26, 2009 Reference staff report dated May 26, 2009, with attachments. Community Development Director Meeker briefly presented the project description. There were no questions of staff. Acting Chair Cauchi opened the public comment period. Jacob Furlong, 1103 Juanita Avenue; represented the applicant. Commission comments: ■ Nicely designed project; handsome building. ■ Was there any thought to providing a window on the dining room side of the structure? That side of the structure looks a bit bare. (Furlong — chose to not install a window; it is a location for a piece of art.) ■ Asked about the ceiling height. (Furlong — 8' 3"). ■ Landscaping will likely reduce the appearance of the wall of stucco. (Furlong — have needed to widen the driveway; but will look at adding landscaping to the area.) ■ A higher plate height on the first floor may be appropriate; perhaps 9', but completely up to the applicant. ■ Seems clear that the attic space will be used; might wish to install skylights, small windows, or a dormer to add light and break-up the roof line. (Furlong — have minimized cost by using 8' studs. Have eliminated dormers for the same reason. Primarily intends to use the attic for storage; will not be finished as living space; the stairway is for the convenience of the applicant.) ■ Asked about finishing details on south elevation at dining room; the element that juts out; is it a 2" x 10" wood trim piece? (Furlong — yes.) ■ Could add additional trellis detail at this point near the driveway. Public comments: ■ None. There were no other comments from the floor and the public hearing was closed. Place the item on the Consent Calendar when complete. This item concluded at 7:39 p.m. Chair Terrones returned to the dais. 4. 466 MARIN DRIVE, ZONED R-1 —APPLICATION FOR DESIGN REVIEW, FRONT SETBACK VARIANCE AND SPECIAL PERMITS FOR A NEW BASEMENT AND AN EXTERIOR STAIRCASE FROM A BASEMENT FOR A FIRST AND SECOND STORY ADDITION TO A SINGLE FAMILY DWELLING (STEVE AND SHEILA DRUSKIN, APPLICANTS AND PROPERTY OWNERS; AND LARRY KAHLE, ARCHITECT) STAFF CONTACT: ERICA STROHMEIER Reference staff report dated May 26, 2009, with attachments. Community Development Director Meeker briefly presented the project description. There were no questions of staff. Chair Terrones opened the public comment period. Commission comments: M CITY OF BURLINGAME PLANNING COMMISSION — Approved Minutes May 26, 2009 Asked that a proposed landscape plan be provided when the project appears before the Commission for action. Larry Kahle, 445 North Whisman Road, Mountain View; represented the applicant. Additional Commission comments: ■ What is the material on the north elevation, next to chimney, below window? (Kahle — is brick, and will be removed.) ■ Clarified that gable vents will be wood. ■ Have different window shapes or treatments been evaluated? (Kahle — felt that existing window was too narrow; wanted a new window to align with the garage door below it.) ■ Think the window above the garage door is a unique feature on the existing house; is there anything more interesting that could be proposed to add more life to the elevation? Consider enlarging middle window and bringing portion of it down. (Kahle — the gable above the cornice will be removed with the change in the roofline over the garage.) ■ Consider adding corbels at second floor pop -out at rear elevation to reduce plain, flat line on that elevation. ■ Is there a reason why a ladder could not be used for access to and from the basement, rather than a stairway. (Kahle — proposed to make it easier to access the rear -yard from within the home.) ■ Not a lot of detailing to the drawings. Call out and enhance trim details. ■ Note material of belly band. ■ Consider changing out the garage door to add more interest. It's a central element and should be dressed up. ■ Perhaps make one of the windows a picture window. ■ Provide more detail on the front porch. Clarify porch columns will be wood and note dimensions on the plans. ■ Consider adding iron detailing at window above garage. Public comments: None. There were no other comments from the floor and the public hearing was closed. Place the item on the Consent Calendar when complete. This item concluded at 7:53 p.m. 5. 855 MAHLER ROAD, ZONED IB — APPLICATION FOR DESIGN REVIEW AND PARKING DIMENSION VARIANCE FOR A NEW WAREHOUSE BUILDING ADDITION AT THE REAR OF THE LOT (AHMAD MOHAZAB, TECTA ASSOCIATES, APPLICANT AND ARCHITECT; AND RABIH BALLOUT, PROPERTY OWNER) STAFF CONTACT: LISA WHITMAN Reference staff report dated May 26, 2009, with attachments. Associate Planner Whitman briefly presented the project description. There were no questions of staff. Chair Terrones opened the public comment period. 5 CITY OF BURLINGAME PLANNING COMMISSION — Approved Minutes May 26, 2009 Ahmad Mohazab and John Pschenica, 2747 191h Street, San Francisco; and Rabih Ballout, 3000 Hillside Drive; represented the applicant. ■ Provided clarification regarding compliance issues cited in staff report; particularly, seating areas, pervious surfaces; no seating is proposed and the impervious surfaces are existing. ■ With respect to landscaping; the existing building is at the street -front; it is most beneficial to leave it as it is. ■ With respect to sidewalk design issues; does not apply due to existing development. ■ Since the proposed building is in the rear of the lot, the existing building in front meets the design guidelines. Commission comments: ■ Clarified that front office building services the other building. (Pschenica — yes.) ■ Clarified that the smaller parking spaces are employee -related. (Mohazab — yes.) ■ Requested clarification regarding the nature of the business; will any manufacturing take place onsite? (Bailout — purely distribution. Items are shipped by containers.) ■ Do customers come to the facility? (Ballout — purely wholesale; not open to the public. Small showroom on the site. Visitors on the site perhaps once a week; is primarily internet-based business.) ■ Could an area be provided outside for employee breaks? (Ballout — would defer to architects judgement; doesn't see how it could work. Mohazab — willing to look at an outside seating area for employee breaks behind the new building.) ■ Third -party logistics trucks will deliver product? (Ballout — yes.) ■ Trucks will back into loading area from street? (Ballout — yes. Mohazab — the loading area has been evaluated and found to be workable.) Public comments: None. There were no other comments from the floor and the public hearing was closed. Place the item on the Consent Calendar when complete. This item concluded at 8:12 p.m. X. COMMISSIONERS' REPORTS There were no Commissioner's Reports. XI. DIRECTOR'S REPORT Commission Communications: The applicant for the project at 1140 Cortez Avenue has appealed the Planning Commission's approval of amendments to the Design Review Permit for the project. The public hearing will be held by the City Council on June 1, 2009. Actions from Regular City Council meeting of May 18, 2008: 0 CITY OF BURLINGAME PLANNING COMMISSION — Approved Minutes May 26, 2009 Noted that the City Council adopted an ordinance increasing the number of full -service food establishments downtown by five (5), creating a definition for "ready -to -eat food shop", and amending the parking standards for consistency with residential design review policies. The amendments will become effective on June 17, 2009. FYI: 1450 Rollins Road — review of landscape plan and LEED certification checklist: Accepted. XII. ADJOURNMENT Chair Terrones adjourned the meeting at 8:13 p.m. Respectfully submitted, William Meeker Community Development Director 7