HomeMy WebLinkAboutMin - PC - 1996.05.13CITY OF BURLINGAME PLANNING COMMISSION
MINUTES
Monday, May 13, 1996
CALL TO ORDER
A regular meeting of the Planning Commission, City of Burlingame was called to order by
Acting Chairperson Ellis on May 13, 1996 at 7:30 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Present: Commissioners Coffey, Deal, Galligan, Key and Ellis
Absent: Commissioners Mink and Wellford
C. Ellis informed the applicants that with two commissioners absent they need to consider the
outcome of their request because 5 of 7 Commission members were present. The rules of
procedure for the Commission require a quorum (4) affirmative votes to pass a motion on action
items. He will ask the question when the agenda gets to the action items.
Staff Present: Planner, Leah Dreger; City Attorney, Jerry Coleman; City Engineer,
Frank Erbacher; Assistant Fire Chief, Bob Barry
MINUTES - The minutes of the April 22, 1996 meeting were approved as mailed.
AGENDA - The order of the agenda was approved.
ELECTION OF OFFICERS
Consistent with the commission's rules of procedure, Acting Chairman Ellis noted that this was
the meeting to elect new commission officers for the coming year. The nominations were
opened. C. Key nominated C. Ellis for Chairman for the 1996-97 term; C. Galligan moved
nomination be closed. C. Ellis was elected Chairman on unanimous voice vote.
C. Galligan nominated C. Key for Vice Chairman; C. Galligan moved the nomination be closed.
C. Key was elected Vice Chairman on unanimous voice vote.
C. Deal nominated C. Mink for Secretary; C. Galligan moved the nominations be closed. C.
Mink was elected Secretary on unanimous voice vote.
FROM THE FLOOR
There were no public comments.
ITEMS FOR STUDY
There were no study items.
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Burlingame Planning Commission Minutes
May 13, 1996
ITEMS FOR ACTION
The applicants were advised that 5 of 7 Commission members were present. The rules of
procedure for the Commission require a quorum (4) affirmative votes to pass a motion on action
items. The Chair asked if any of tonight's applicants would like to delay their action until a full
commission is seated. No applicants asked for a continuance.
1. APPLICATION FOR FOUR SPECIAL PERMITS FOR A SECOND FLOOR ADDITION
TO AN EXISTING DETACHED TWO CAR GARAGE AT 835 WALNUT AVENUE,
ZONED, R-1, (RUSSELL AND GAIL JACKSON, PROPERTY OWNERS AND
APPLICANTS).
Reference staff report, 5.13.96 with attachments. Planner Dreger discussed the request,
reviewed criteria, Planning Department comments, and study meeting questions. Four
conditions were suggested for consideration.
C. Ellis opened the public hearing. Russ Jackson, 835 Walnut Avenue presented his project.
He was asked if there are any other houses in the area that have garages that -exceed the 15'
height limit. He answered in the negative. Robert Louth, 1520 Carol Avenue, spoke in favor
of the application. There were no other comments and the public hearing was closed.
C. Deal noted this addition above the existing garage is specifically what Council is attempting
to regulate and the concern is related to the size of the proposed addition to the accessory
structure, 720 SF total where 600 SF is allowed, this does not include the dead space. He then
made a motion to deny this application based on the height and possibility the neighboring
building at the rear would be rebuilt at some future time.
Commission noted that this second story addition exceeds the code requirements, however they
are not asking for a sink, toilet, shower or any plumbing. Neighbors were in total support and
did not express any concerns about privacy.
Motion was seconded by C. Galligan noting there are no other houses in the neighborhood this
large and the impact of the house on Newhall will terminate when removed. The vote was 3-2
(C. Coffey and Key dissenting) roll call vote motion was defeated as four affirmative votes are
required. Therefore the motion failed, appeal procedures were advised. In the absence of any
other motion which does get 4 votes, the project is denied by the lack of any action.
2. APPLICATION FOR SIDE SETBACK AND PARKING VARIANCES FOR NEW
CONSTRUCTION AT 211 CLARENDON ROAD, ZONED R-1, (LEWIS AND K. A.
SALZMAN PROPERTY OWNERS AND APPLICANTS)
Reference staff report, 5.13.96 with attachments. Planner Dreger discussed the request,
reviewed criteria, Planning Department comments, and study meeting questions. Three
conditions were suggested for consideration.
Chm. Ellis opened the public hearing. Lewis Salzman, 211 Clarendon Road was present to
answer questions regarding his application. He clarified the use of the room at the rear of the
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Burlingame Planning Commission Minutes May 13, 1996
garage, where it says existing office. The original assessor's record notes it as a playroom.
Commission asked clarification of the plans, old walls vs. new walls, etc. Commission asked
if the applicant had considered tandem parking as a mitigation to the variance. Applicant stated
he had not since the code didn't recognize tandem parking as legal and because his neighbors
expressed a strong interest in not having a carport in front of his garage. Applicant discussed
with commission the existing substandard side setbacks and how that setback looks larger
because of the placement of the fence. Applicant explained how he could have left his porch off
and stayed under 50 % floor area and built the porch a year later, however he wanted to face the
problem now and go through construction once. There were no other comments and the public
hearing was closed.
Commission noted that the existing setbacks were of no concern and it was demonstrated that
all family vehicles could be parked on the property, however would have preferred one less
accessory structure in the rear yard.
C. Deal noted this application does not have a negative impact on the neighbors , he then made
a motion to approve these side setback and parking variances, by resolution, with the following
conditions: 1) that the project shall be built as shown on the plans submitted to the Planning
Department and date stamped May 6, 1996, Two Sheets including drawings V.1, V.2, V.3, V.4
and V.S; 2) that the new trellis structure shall not be increased over 100 SF in area without a
special permit from the Planning Commission; and 3) that the project shall meet all the
requirements of the California Building and Fire Codes as amended by the City of Burlingame,
1995 edition.
Motion was seconded by C. Galligan and passed on a 5-0 voice vote. Appeal procedures were
advised.
APPLICATION TO RECONFIGURE PARKING AND BALCONY AT 1212 EL CAMINO
REAL. ZONED R-3, (JACK KLEIN, PROPERTY OWNER AND APPLICANT).
Reference staff report„ 5.13.96, with attachments. Planner Dreger discussed the request,
reviewed criteria, Planning Department comments, and study meeting questions. Four
conditions were suggested for consideration.
Commission discussed the original intent of the original request is not changing. A portion of
the remodelling of the carport is the only thing that is changing. The dimension of the garages
is not changing, only the fact that one garage will now be uncovered. Code requires 80% of
the required parking be covered. This request falls within those guidelines.
C. Ellis opened the public hearing. Mr. Yanaga, 1650 Boreal, San Mateo, the project architect
and Martin Cloherty, 939 Helen Drive, Millbrae, the builder were present to answer questions.
The applicant was not available to respond. There were no other comments and the public
hearing was closed.
C. Deal moved approval of this application, by resolution, with the following conditions.: 1) that
the project shall be built as shown on the plans submitted to the Planning Department and date
stamped April 12, 1996, Sheets 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 and the minimum width of the driveway shall
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Burlingame Planning Commission Minutes May 13, 1996
be 10'-0" from property line for the length of the building and the new carport. Construction
shall not create any obstruction to the maneuvering area at the rear of the lot or access to the
adjacent property; 2) that there shall be covered parking spaces 1 uncovered parking space
dimensioned to current code requirements and any changes to the carports shall require an
additional review by the Planning Commission; 3) that a 36' wall shall be placed between the
uncovered parking space and the new at grade patio area and the small room being retained on
the second floor shall be improved to meet all the requirements of the California Building and
the Fire Code 1995 Edition as amended by the City of Burlingame and if present construction
of the room was not done with a permit then a retroactive building permit shall be obtained; and
4) that the entire project shall meet the California building and Fire Code, 1995 Edition as
amended by the City of Burlingame.
Motion was seconded by C. Key.
Chm. Ellis reopened the public hearing to address additional comments from the architect and
builder. Commission asked questions pertaining to the basis for retaining the small room. The
applicant was not available to respond and the architect and builder were not aware of the
owner's reasons. There were no other comments and the public hearing was closed.
Commission felt that there had been some discussion about this room with the previous applicant
and they felt they should give the property owner the opportunity to explain his reasons. After
further clarification by staff about the project C. Deal withdrew his motion, the second was in
agreement.
C. Galligan then made a motion to continue the application to public hearing on Tuesday, May
28, 1996 so that the applicant could have the opportunity to respond.
Motion was seconded by C. Key and passed on a 5-0 voice vote.
4. APPLICATION FOR A SPECIAL PERMIT FOR RETAIL AUTO REPAIR AT 45 STAR
WAY, ZONED, M-1, (N. & S. CRISAFI, PROPERTY OWNERS AND WILLIE DAVIS
AND RICHARD AMBROSIO. APPLICANTS) CONTINUED FROM APRIL 22, 1996
Reference staff report, 5.13.96, with attachments. Planner Dreger discussed the request,
reviewed criteria, Planning Department comments, and study meeting questions. Nine
conditions were suggested for consideration.
C. Ellis opened the public hearing. Richard Ambrosio, 324 Cedar Avenue, Millbrae, thanked
Commission for letting him come back again. He didn't want to be held responsible for the
existing parking problem in the area. Commission asked why there were cars in the applicants'
parking spaces. The applicant noted that those 5 cars were his and they were put there so that
the other businesses could not occupy those spaces. Commission discussed that the information
requested from the property owner was the same as in 1993, however there is still a parking
problem exemplified in the Fire Marshal's memo. Commission asked City Attorney to look into
this situation with the Fire Marshal. There were no other comments and the public hearing was
closed.
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Burlingame Planning Commission Minutes May 13, 1996
C. Galligan moved, based on the information supplied in the packet and provided by the
applicant, to approve this special permit application, by resolution, with the following
conditions;. 1) that the project shall be built as shown on the plans submitted to the Planning
Department and date stamped March 5, 1996, Floor Plan (8'/2" X 11"), and Building Plan (8'/2"
X 11") and Overall Site Plan (II" X 11"); 2) that the conditions of the Fire Marshals' February
26, 1996 and April 15, 1996 memos and the Chief Building Inspectors' February 26, 1996
memo shall be met; 3) that the uses at 45 Star Way shall be limited to automobile repair, and
paint preparation of automobiles including sanding, but no major auto body work including
cutting or welding, or auto body painting shall be allowed; 4) that the business shall be open
8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. Monday through Sunday with a maximum of four employees including
the proprietors, on site, at any one time; 5) that no vehicles shall be stored outside the building,
and all repairs shall occur inside the building; 6) that all exterior parking spaces shall be
available for use at all times and never blocked by inoperable vehicles or used to store operable
cars overnight, no cars shall be stored in fire access areas or lanes or on the railroad right-of-
way; 7) that any change in use or addition of other related repair activities shall require an
amendment to this special permit; 8) that no portion of the tenant space designated as 45 Star
Way shall be subleased to another business or activity without amendment to this use permit;
and 9) that the use and any improvements for the use shall meet all the requirements of the
California Building and Fire Codes 1995 edition as amended by the City of Burlingame.
Motion was seconded by C. Coffey and passed on a 5-0 voice vote. Appeal procedures were
advised.
VIII. PLANNER REPORTS
- Planner Dreger reviewed City Council regular meeting of May 6, 1996.
- Chairman Ellis thanked C. Key and Mink for their shopping and delivery of the retirement
gift to C. Jacobs.
IX. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 9:15 p.m.
MINUTES5.13
Respectfully submitted,
Karen Key, Secretary
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