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Home My WebLink About1515 Bernal Avenue - Approval LetterT0: City Planner FROM: Planner SUBJECT: 1515 Bernal Avenue - Study Questions DATE: April 14, 1989 There are a total of 4 bedrooms on this property. Based on the original approved plans for the house and garage (1976 and 1977), lot coverage appears to be at 39-40�, including the covered patio area at the rear. The first floor of the house totals 1,349 SF (not including the patio area) and the second floor totals 675 SF for a total of 2,024 SF. The detached garage totals 840 SF. In November, 1975 there was a fire in the rear portion of the house on this property. In March, 1976 a variance was approved by the City for a 1� side yard setback where 3' was required in order to rebuild the house and add a dining room and kitchen extension on the first floox as well as add a 675 SF, 2 bedroom/bath second story. The garage at this time consisted of an "L" shaped structure. In June, 1977 a building permit was issued for a garage addition in order to fill in the structure and make it into a rectangular shape. Approved plans for the garage do not show a bath in the structure. The applicant noted in a phone conversation (4-13-89) that originally there had been an accessory structure on the property which had plumbing and electricity. When this structure was removed and the current garage was built in its place, the plumbing and electricity remained. The rear of the existing garage was originally used as a greenhouse and had electricity as well as a sink. And it is this existing plumbing and electricity which was used for the bath addition. The applicant has explained that the conversion of the garge was done by a family friend. Work on the bathroom in the garage was started a few months ago. iRUNGAME ,x,..� ��ir Lttlt ltf �lilil'1tltt�ct22tr SAN MATEO COUNTY CITY HALL- 501 PRIMROSE ROAD 6URLINGAME,CALlFORNIA 940t0 TEL�(415) 342-8931 Aprit 12, 1976 Mr. and Mrs. Robert Davenport 1515 BernaT Avenue Burlingame, CA. 940�0 Dear Mr. and Mrs. Davenport: Since there was no appeal or suspension by the City Council of the Planning Commission action at their March 22, 1976 meeting, �'�e variance from sideyard requirements in an R-1 District at 1515 Bernal Avenue became effective April 6, 1976. Yours very truly, WMS/s cc: Building Inspector ,�fr'rfy C l e r k Cyrus J. McMillan, Esq. 1450 Chapin AvPnue Burlingame, CA. 94010 Assessor's Office, Redwood City, CA. (APN 026-034-�90) / /►Q� �Z� �� Wayne M. Swan City Planner 0 - - _ .,<,., .� � - � - 15 - � � � . 4_, \ . . _ ,,\ ' � � =; , )' '� { Kindig seconded the motion and it carried on unanim�us roll call vote. Chairman Sine informed the applicant i�e had the right of appeal to Council. y� 10. VARI�IIVCE FROM SIDEYARD REQUIREMENTS AT 1515 BERNAL AVENUE (APN 026-034-090) ZONED R-1, BY CYRUS J. MC MILLAN FOR MR. AND MRS. ROBERT DAVENPORT. Chairman Sine announced tiiis application for consideration. The Assistant City Planner reported on circumstances which had brought it about. The first of thL year there had b�.an a fire in this dwelling which has a non-conforming side y�rd which is 2' t�o narrow. The Building Departme�it, after estimating the damage to this non- conforming building, had not issued a building permit for repairs. The owners of the property have decided that in addition to the fire repairs they would like to add a 6' addition at the rear of the house and also add a second story, consis*-ing of two bedrooms and one bath, over the rear half of the house. W'`h these prc:posed changes, the rem�deled house would have four bedrooins and 2 2 baths, v��ith a lot coverage of 300. This application is for two variances. One is to repair a non- conf�rming structure which has fire damage that exceeds 1000 of the assessed value; the other is to add on to and remodel a structure with a non-conforming sideyard. The Assistant City Planner quoted the appropriate code sections for these two variances. He pointed out that the fire might suggest special circumstances and � also a degree of hardship. He introduced Mr. Davenport. Mr. Da�port reported that it would c�st him about $4,500 to correct the s��eyard non-conformity by taking the extra 2' off the side of the house; it would also destroy an existing bedroom closet and much of the bathroom. In addition, he wished to expand his house because he has four children and one bedroom at present for them. Chairman Sine reguested audience comment. A Mr. Stanford, 1519 Bernal, stated the house had been built for fifty years, and he saw no reason why the owner should have to cut part of it off. Mr. Frank Burri, 1512 Bernal, stated he was aqainst removing part of the house to make it conform. He noted the extensive damage to the house, the fact that the Davenports are good neighbors, and the fact they have four children, which makes this situation a hardship upon them. There were no further comments and the public hearing was declared closed. Commissioner Jacobs suggested that the Davenports do have a need and do not seem to have an alternative. Commissioner Francard commented that after seeing the property and realizing that the house had been there about 50 years, he thought it would be wrong to pe na1_ize the Davenports. Commissioner Kindig agreed, but specified � � �. 1� f -16 - there must be adequate fire access. Commissioner Taylor summed up findings of f.act for variance that there were special circumstances; there would be no detriment to the neighborhood by the granting of the variance, but rather an improvement; and that the variance would not be contrary to the purpose of the Genera� Plan. Howe✓er, the Commissioner was concerned with the design of the addition and its effect on the aesthetics of the neighborhood. Mr. Davenport explained that the structure would be stucco, Spanisr. style. He added that he is a licensed painting contractor and hi� work is known in this city. Chairman Sine q�iest�.oned Mr. Davenport about t:�e long structure at the rear of the lot near the greenh��ase. Mr. ua-:-:zport informed him it was used i�i its entiret� as a garage, with no possibility of residential use, and that the greenhouse might be taker. down. Commissioner Kindig agreed there were exceptional circumstances, and moved that this application be approved. Commissioner Francard seconded the motion and it carried on unanimous rol? call vote, Commission;�r Norberg absent. Chairman Sine noted that Attorney �;yrus McMillan had been absent from this hearing becau:e of a previous commitment. lla REQUEST FROM JOAN MC LELLAN TAYLER, J. M. TAYLE�� COMPANY REALTORS, FOR IDENTIFICATION SIGNS AT 100 EL CAMINO REAL. Assistant City P12.nner Yost stated this anticipated application had not materialized, and that a letter had been received from Ms. ^'ayler asking that the item be removed from the agenda. CITY PLANNER REPORT The City Planner remarked he considered that more firmness must be employed in judg�ing applications for completeness before they reach the Commission. He noted meeting to be held at San Francisco Noise Abatement Center on March 23 which he will attend. He remarked a letter had been directed to the San Francisco Airport to ask if they would consider establishing additional noise monitoring stations in Burlingame. No reply had been received as yet. He remarked on Planring Department efforts regarding a flag decorated building on California Drive. The City Planner discussed letter in the hands of Commissioners from the Attorney General on the State requirement for a Housing Element. He noted that the City now has only a preliminary eval•�ation, and- failure to comply with the State requirement could result in the loss of funding from Federal or State agencies. There was discus.,ion. There was some discussion of findings of fact on variance applications and methods of implementing this process. ; ^"'3 �