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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05.17.08 PC CC Minutes - Joint MtgJoint City Council/Planning Commission Meeting UNAPPROVED MINUTES Public Works Corporation Yard — Training Room 1361 North Carolan Avenue Saturday, May 17, 2008 — 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. CALL TO ORDER Mayor O'Mahony called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m. ROLL CALL A. City Council Present: Mayor O'Mahony, Vice -Mayor Keighran, Councilmembers Nagel and Deal Absent: Councilmember Baylock B. Planning Commission Present: Commissioners Auran, Brownrigg, Lindstrom, Terrones, Vistica (arrived 9:10 a.m.) and Yie Absent: Chair Cauchi C. Staff Present: City Manager, Jim Nantell; Community Development Director William Meeker; Senior Planner, Maureen Brooks; and City Attorney, Larry Anderson III. MEETING OVERVIEW CDD Meeker gave a brief overview of the format of the meeting, noting that the Department is seeking direction for the Planning Division work program for the upcoming fiscal year. IV. STATUS OF CITY COUNCIL WORK PROGRAM ITEMS FOR PLANNING DIVISION/PLANNING COMMISSION (FY 2007-2008) CDD Meeker reviewed last year's Work Program, noting the items that have been completed and the remaining outstanding items, noting that an overview of key indicators was included in the meeting packet. He also noted that in the coming year, Planning will continue to work on the Downtown Specific Plan and begin a State -mandated update of the Housing Element of the General Plan. Comments: Disappointed that nothing has been done regarding the policy for no net loss of residential units, in the last few years there have been several projects which have resulted in less units on a site, getting larger units and fewer units, should be a top priority to look at incentives for providing more units on a site. The biggest hurdle to proposing more units on a site is providing the required parking, might look at allowing tandem parking as an incentive to provide more units; could look at more flexible standards, at least in the downtown area or on a transportation corridor. CITY OF BURLINGAME Joint City Council/Planning Commission Meeting - Unapproved Minutes May 17, 2008 The size and number of units proposed to a large extent comes down to the pro forma, could ask the Economic Development Specialist to research with developers what it takes to make a project viable when it includes more units that are smaller. V. REVIEW OF DRAFT CITY COUNCIL GOALS RELATED TO PLANNING FOR FY 2008-2009 A. Create Below Market Rate Housing Options This can be explored in the upcoming Housing Element update process. B. Research and Recommend Incentives to Promote Economic Development The new Economic Development Specialist will come on board in June, this will be one of the first tasks to explore. C. Explore Establishment of an Art Commission ■ Would like to see opportunities to incorporate art both in the Downtown area and as a requirement for larger development projects. ■ Art Commission would require staffing, and if there is no budget, what would they do. ■ Would like to look at opportunities for the performance arts. ■ Downtown Specific Plan is an opportunity to create policies regarding public art. D. Determine City Council Expectations Regarding Sustainability Recommendations Refer to discussion under Item VI.B. E. Research and Recommend Options for Better Use of City -Owned Parking Lots Use of City -owned parking lots, whether as a public/private partnership for development which would include City parking or to enhance landscaping and open space will be part of the discussions and policies developed as part of the Downtown Specific Plan. F. Consider Creating Opportunities for Public Education Forums Don't see the need for events with speakers like you see in Redwood City, but would like opportunities for public education by staff on topical issues related to major Planning initiative such as the Downtown Specific Plan and the Housing Element, can incorporate into the work programs for these items. VI. ADDITIONAL SUGGESTED WORK PROGRAM ITEMS A. Consider Implementation of Recommendations of the Green Ribbon Task Force Gave direction to the Green Ribbon Task Force to pursue the items for further study outlined in their recommendations. Suggested that Kathleen Gallagher be brought in as a staff resource to help formulate recommendations, she has worked with other jurisdictions. 2 CITY OF BURLINGAME Joint City Council/Planning Commission Meeting - Unapproved Minutes May 17, 2008 When the recommendations are refined, should be brought to the Planning Commission for review. B. Revisit the Provisions of the City's Inclusionary Housing Ordinance Gave direction to look at this issue as a part of the Housing Element update which is already a part of the work program for upcoming fiscal year. C. Review the City's Appeals Procedures for Planning Commission Actions Don't see that many appeals now, could require the applicant to give reason. State law requires that there be an option to appeal a Planning Commission decision. Fees will go up in July to reflect cost of processing, this may discourage frivolous appeals. D. Research and Consider Adoption of a Solar Access Ordinance Can be a conflict when second story addition is installed next to a house with solar panels, but can also be an issue with trees, always a balancing act. State law restricts regulations on solar panels based on aesthetics, aren't seeing a lot of solar installations in Burlingame, want to make sure it is encouraged, current process is working. Technology is improving so newer installations aren't as massive as was seen in the past, Green Ribbon Task Force can look into current regulations and how to implement, provide information on website to explain process. E. Research and Consider Adoption of Property Maintenance Standards for Private Properties Concern is with maintenance of property storefronts and overgrown fields, can we require maintenance. Staff noted that the weed abatement program was significantly reduced with budget cuts four or five years ago, is now enforced as a fire code violation; will be working on an administrative citation policy next year, can pursue as code enforcement item. VII. OTHER DISCUSSION TOPICS A. Consider Videotaping Planning Commission Meetings Will cost about $15,000 a year to implement, would not be fair to impose a surcharge on application fees to cover costs, some items are on the consent calendar, so would be very little air time, while more controversial projects may require many hours of discussion. Want the information available to the community, but don't want to increase fees, can look into next year, in the meantime can look into what it would take to post staff reports and audio recordings of the meetings on the website. 3 CITY OF BURLINGAME Joint City Council/Planning Commission Meeting - Unapproved Minutes May 17, 2008 B. Update Regarding Number of Food Service Uses within the Burlingame Avenue Commercial Area, Subarea A ■ Given that the Downtown Specific Plan will address land use issues for the Downtown area, it was determined that no changes would be made to the zoning regulations for food establishments in Subarea A of Burlingame Avenue Commercial Area at this time. C. View Protection Policy in the Hillside Area ■ Concern with how landscaping comes into play when reviewing additions in the Hillside Area, need to balance view protection with tree policies, the Planning Commission considers these impacts when reviewing projects. ■ Staff noted that the Beautification Commission came up with a policy a few years ago to address conflicts between neighbors with regard to trees and views, will provide a copy of that policy to Council members. Vill. FROM THE FLOOR Susan Castner-Paine, 728 Concord Way, Pat Giorni, 1445 Balboa Avenue; Michael Barber, 1316 Palm Drive; Patricia Gray, 1616 Adeline Drive; Mike McCord, 209 Bloomfield Road; John Root, 728 Crossway Road; and Mike Kerwin, 3105 Margarita Avenue, spoke. ■ When reviewing projects, should limit the amount of area devoted to grass, promote the use of drip irrigation and drought tolerant landscaping, promote the use of gray water for irrigation, should offer classes in xeriscape; look at planting trees that are carbon sequestering, land around the treatment facility could be planted with marsh grasses to purify water. ■ Should only consider allowing second units on larger parcels. ■ Support a "percent for Art" program, encourage formation of an Art Commission. ■ Should stick with current appeal procedures so people will feel they are getting a fair process. ■ Should track the loss of rental versus condominium units, when looking at the rate for affordable units should include the cost of condominium association fees. ■ Support the work being done by the Green Ribbon Task Force, have found ways to use solar on school buildings, could look at for City buildings, process for solar can be minimized by providing information to people up front. ■ When looking at funding arts should also look at the opportunity to create public space. ■ Need to find a way to provide free public transportation locally to reduce the use of cars, need east -west connections. ■ Support providing more housing units to provide opportunities for people to live and work here rather than to drive here to work. IN CITY OF BURLINGAME Joint City Council/Planning Commission Meeting - Unapproved Minutes May 17, 2008 ■ Downtown Specific Plan Citizens Advisory Committee has spent a lot of time refining ideas, hope that when gets to Planning Commission and City Council there is an understanding of what went into the process. ■ City should be making sure that it is easy for residents to implement green choices. ■ Ask that Green Ribbon Task Force be given a chance to pursue the additional recommended tasks. IX. ESTABLISHMENT OF WORK PLAN PRIORITIES FOR THE FY 2008-2009 PLANNING DIVISION/PLANNING COMMISSION WORK PROGRAM ■ It was determined that the following items would be folded into the ongoing Downtown Specific Plan work program: - Look at options for better use of City -owned parking lots. - Encourage public art with new development. - Include community education forums as part of major planning initiatives. ■ It was determined that the following items would be considered as a part of the Housing Element update to be completed this fiscal year. - Revisit the Inclusionary Housing Ordinance and explore the creation of more below - market rate housing options. - Develop a policy and proposed regulations to ensure "No Net Loss" of residential units when new development occurs and explore ways to incentivize the construction of additional units. - Update condominium regulations. ■ It was determined that the following will be priorities for the new part-time Economic Development Specialist - Create an Economic Development program for the City. - Research and recommend incentives to promote Economic Development. X. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 12:05 p.m. 47