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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMin - PC - 1944.11.30MINUTES CITY PLANNING COMAISSION Burlingame, California. November 30, 1944 The Regular Meeting of -the Planning Commission was held in the City Hall at 7:45 p.m., Thursday, November A 1944. MEMBERS PRESENT: Mitchell OTHERS PRESENT: Mayor Dahl Coles City Attorney Karmel Macomber Building Inspector Watson Broom Stivers ABSENT: Rapp Chairman Mitchell presiding. It was noted that there was a sizeable delegation present, evidently repre- senting the Burlingame Gardens Improvement Club with reference to their petition to rezone the remaining unimproved lots fronting Bayshore Highway between Toyon Drive and Morrell Avenue, and Lots 1 and 2 in Block 10, from "light industrial" to "first or second residential." Chairman Mitchell called on Dr. Milo Johnson of Burlingame Gardens Improvement Club to ask if he wished to make a statement, and Dr. Johnson responded that with the object of being entirely fair, the Club invited a hearing from the opposition, if any, to the proposed rezoning. Thereupon,Colonel C.N. Kirkbride requested and was immediately granted the floor. Colonel Kirkbride outlined his long relationship with the Bayshore Land Co. which developed a subdivision with lots fronting on the Bayshore Highway, which lots are practically all sold except those fronting on the highway which they were unable to dispose of. Within the past two or three years he said they have sold three or four corner lots, but during a period of twenty years, not a single family dwelling has been built on lots fronting Bayshore Highway. He said also that a few years ago they laid out a second sub -division but for financial reasons, found they were unable to put in all of the street improvements and finally sold the entire subdivision to William S. Leadley, rho changed the name to Burlingame Gardens. Among individual purchasers of some of the lots was John C. Forsythe. Colonel Kirkbride rent on to say that if those particular lots had been zoned for residential purposes Mr. Forsythe and Mr. Regan, also a purchaser, would not have bought them. He stated that he claims he has found by experience that this Bayshore frontage is not residential property and believes the Commission should find some use for it. He said that he favored light industrials along the Bayshore and Easterly of the Southern Pacific tracks as not being detrimental to the community. He asked the Commission not to fa- vor any reclassification, at the same time calling on John Forsythe if he agreed, and Mr. Forsythe answered in the affirmative. Mr. Winfrey appeared at the meeting and stated that he owns six unimproved lots bought from Mr. Regan with the expectation that they will be developed, and he said that he opposed rezonement. After hearing speakers representing opposition to rezoning, the Chairman inquired if there were any further remarks for or against the proposition. Dr. Johnson stated that the reason the Burlingame Gardens Improvement Club brought up the petition is that the classification "light industrial" seems to mean dliiUTES - Meeting November 30, 1944 Continued Page 2. anything, such as is illustrated by the dumping for storage of secondhand lumber in their neighborhood of homes where he said there are approximately sixty families in Burlingame Gardens who seek and believe that the Planning Commission will decide for the benefit of Burlingame as a whole, and keep it as a residential city, as it is knoiwa all over the world. Dr. Johnson said that he does not believe it makes a good impression to have the Bayshore Highway in Burlingame cluttered up the way it is in some other regions not restricted. A Mr. Luyke appeared and said that he came to Burlingame to make his resi- dence, believing this to be an attractive residential district and he expressed the belief that it would be a mistake to develop industry alone; the highway and that such a development would retard the residential attractiveness of the city. A Mr. Wall appeared to say he recently purchased a lot in Rose Court; that he is a construction engineer who has moved to Burlingame expecting to make hi's home here for the rest of his life, and that from an engineering; point of view, he would think it unwise to have industry on the highway for the reason that Burlingame is known as one of the most beautiful residential cities in the country, and he protests industrial development in a residential community. S. L. Griffiths, real estate broker, appeared and said that before he sold the property on the Bayshore Highway to John Forsythe, he referred.to a map which he purchased from the City of Burlingame, indicating that the property7zoned for indus- trial purposes and that the old 101 Highway will be changed by destruction of the ornamental trees and that both highways through the city will become trunklines for large trucks. He indicated that he was very much opposed to rezoning Bayshore Highway lots for residential purposes and urged industrial development. Mr. Griffiths also said that Mr. Forsythe could sell his Bayshore property for duplex purposes at a profit, but he favored the expansion of commercial and industrial interests in the city and additional business zoning. Dr. Johnson expressed the belief that after the war building will be resumed in the physically limited area of the City of Burlingame and inquired as to how it will be possible to have any material growth in the city after the relatively few va- cant residential lots are built upon. Colonel Kirkbride spoke again and indicated that while he was not suggesting heavy industrial development for the Bayshore Highway, he favored shops, warehouses, auto repairs, and activities of that character. A citizen, who did not announce his name, arose to speak. He said that he was formerly from Montana, came to Burlingame as an attractive residential community, and he wanted to cite the fact that in his travels he had observed that other resi- dential cities do not permit warehouses on their main highways. Dr. Johnson said that his group is entirely willing to leave the matter to the consideration of the Planning Commission. Each of the planning commissioners present indicated they believed that a full hearing had been held and that the subject of recommending tine rezoning of the Bayshore Highway lots is under consideration. Mr. Dore' presented plans for the proposed completion of a building which was started some time ago without a build'n permit behind the warehouse at Broadway and Rollins Road which, he said, is to be%R present as a shop and storeroom and later to be :Wade into a single family apartment. After considerable discussion.in which MINUTES -Meeting November 30, 1944 Continued Page 3. reference was made to the fact that the proposed structure was started without permit and the "heterogeneous" character of the development in that locality is not something that has the approval of the Planning Commission, it was stated that the Planning Com- mission recognizes the right of the owner of the property to its use, and intends to be entirely fair and just in the matter and seeks the cooperation of Mir. Dore'. Mr. Dore' assured the Commission that his intentions are solely as he represented them to be and on this assurance, Commissioner Coles made a motion that permit be granted for the completion of the structure for shop and storage space only, and that the specific approval of the Chief of the Fire Department be required. Commissioner Macomber seconded the motion, and the first roll call was as follows: Second roll call - Kitchell No Coles Yes Macomber Yes Brown No Stivers Not voting Rapp Absent Mitchell No Coles Yes Macomber Yes Brown Yes Stivers Not voting Rapp Absent The secretary read the following communication from Charles Fragulia: "I should like to request permission for resubdividing Lots 12 and 13 in Block 32, Lyon and Hoag Subdivision. I am enclosing sketch showing proposed resubdivision in which each lot will be more than five thousand square feet in area. Will you kindly give this matter your careful consideration." After consideration of the above request the secretary was instructed to com- municate with Mr. Fragulia to inform him that the Planning Commission did not raise any objection to the proposed new subdivision of the lots referred to but wished to inform him that it will be necessary to obtain the approval of the owner of Lot 14, who pre- sumably would be affected by having the rear of the new lot abutting his property line, and also'it will be necessary to have prepared by a qualified surveyor a formal map of the proposed resubdivision. Commissioner Coles stated that he would like to baring up for inquiry what progress is being made with local public works planning. In the absence of City Engineer Longson, City Attorney Karmei stated he understood that the City Engineer's office is working on the subject and that the projects are :Listed in the following or- der when the work can be done: 1. City Hall (Addition) 2. Caroian Avenue Extension 3. Ray Park Plater Development 4. .storm drains to avoid accumul&tion of vater. 5. Street Fepairs Commissioner Brown inuuired of the Chairman as to xl-ien the Piar_ning Commis- sion is going to bring up for consideration the subject of rezoiiing the undeveloped IINUTES - Meeting November 30, 1944 Continued Page 4. area North of Broadway betteen the railroad and the Bayshore highway. Chairman :ijitcheli stated he understands that this is a subject which the members of the Commission have had in mind for some time and that this is on the agenda for discussion at an early meeting of the Commission. There being no further business the meeting adjourned at 11:10 p.m. D. A. STIVERS, Secretary.