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Home My WebLink About247-251 California Drive - Approval LetterBUR�NGAME .n.�..' � �tr Lttlt Lt� ��ilt2liltljctlltr , - SAN MATEO COUNTY C•�Y HA�L— 501 PRIMFOSE RC'r` BURLINGAME, CALIFORNiA 94c,,i0 TEL :415� 342-8931 April 12, 1y�6 Mr. Thor Th�-stenson Thor Thorstenson, i c. 251 f,alifornia Driv� Burlingame, CA. 94010 Dear Mr. Thorstenson: The City Council heard your appeal and overruled the Planning Commission recommendation of �-14 22, 1976 to deny a special permit for the expansion of existin5 marine sales and service business to 247 California Drive. At their regular meeting held April 5, 1976 the City Council of the City of B�urlingame granted a special permit to allow expansion of the marine porticn of thz business into 247 California Drive, and the perm�� to b, given for a period of six months, until October �, 1�76. Yours very truly, WMS/s ee: Building Inspector City Clerk (2} Business Licensor //G�l.� ��G� Wayne M. Swan City Planner Property Owner: Louis and Jean ivani 96 Chester Street Daly City, CA. 94014 Assessor's Office, Redwood City, CA. (APN 629-211-050) �� O HEARINGS (continued) City Counc.il Minutes - 4/5/76 2. THO�2 THORSTENSON, INC., APPEAL FROM PLANNING COMMISSION DENIAL OF SPECIAL PERMIT FOR 247 CALIFORNIA DRIVE The formal appeal from the above applicant was filed with the City Council at its meeting of March 1, 1976, and scheduled for hearing this evening. The City Council receive:: the following material from the �ity Planner: l. Report "Appeal of Planning Commission Denial of Special Permit to Allow Marine Business in C-1 District at 247 California Drive." 2. Copy of Application for Special Permit filed by Thorstenson. 3. Thor Thorstenson staten,ant of February 9, 1976, filed with Planning Commission (copy). 4. Statement from legal owners of the property at 247 California Drive dated February 9, 1976 (copy). . ' 5. Map showing the block bounded by Burlingame Avenue, Iioward Avenue, Cali- fornia Drive, Highland Avenue and Lorton Avenue and designating uses on California Drive ai�d Highland Avenue frontage�. ' 6. Floor Plan of buildings - 251 and 247 California Drive. 7. Front Elevation of the two buildings. 8. Copy of report sent by City Planner to Planning Commission, dated February 18, 1976. � � 9. Copy of Planning Commission minutes February 23, 1976. (Negative Declaration posted February 13, 1976.) . The City Planner initiated the discussion at the request of Mayor Mangini, explainin� the applicant wished to expand his business from 251 California Drive into an adjacent vacant buildinq at 247. The zoning classification is C-l. In 1967, a business liceiise was issued Lo Mr. Tliorstenson for "foreign car and marine service." The business has colitinued to this day. The Planner explained there was concern about the type of use, i.e., rep�ir work in a C-1 District. 1lutomobile repair is a pennitted use in a C-2 District. The matter was placed before the Planning Commission with a reauest by the applicant for a Special Permit. The Planning Commission denied on a unanimous vote. In response to an inquiry from c.ouncilman Martin, the City Plan�:er stated that both buildings are in Fir2 Zor_e I. The Fire Chief stated the buildings are Type III, one-hour with masonry exterior w,.11s. Councilman Martin asked the City Planner on which building site the sign is located. The latter advised "251." Further, =n respor.se to Councilman Martin, tt� City Planner stated that :. pickup truck observ�d double parked in front of 2�17 California Drive was not Thorstenson's. The hearing was declared open to the floor. / Mr. Joseph Salem, employed at Thorstenson's, Inc., spoke for Mr. Thorstenson. Mr. Salem confirmed the business has been operating at the California Drive a"dress since ly6'/ when M.. Thorsienson was issued � permit for marize anci auto servicing. The readerboard shoc•�s on one side the type of auto services offered and, on the oppos_te side, indicates sale of marine eng'_nes, which indicates the building is being used for the two ourposes oerr.�itted in 1967. Mr. Salem stated that the pickup truck observed by the Planner does not belong to the Thorstenson operation. The truck and trailer mentioned by the Planner were moved at 5:00 p.M, to another locat=on to be par�ed overnight. Mr. Salen suggested ther� may have been some confusion �y the Plannirg Comm'ss�on as to the nature of the business that has existed 5inc� 1967. Mr. Thors*_en- son's business has been partly marine service and partly f�reian auto renair from the time he �ocated at 251 California Drive. The request to expand to 247 d�es not entail auto work; the only form of service in that build�na will be moving an engine from a bo:: on to a boat and some very minor installation. Apparently, the Planning Commission's denial was based on auto reDair at 247. If this was so, the Commission's denial was i�proper. The expansion from 251 into 247 is primarily for the purpose of boat sales, not services. whatever service performed ��ill be secondary and minimal to the retail operation. Mr. Salem stated there will be no detrimental environmental i::�pact on the area, nor aesthetic detriment. A recommendation at the P'annin; Comrtission hearing by Commissioner Minr that the business be re'_ocated seems to be impro�er inasmuc�i as NL-. Thor::enson is operating in the present location on a valid permit. Mr. Salem stated that the uses that have develooed on the street have outgrown the C-1 zoning classification. The applicant urges the City Council to direct staff to investigate the matter of rezoning from C-1 to C-2, petitions the Council to approve Special Perr.iit and to consider a teinporary spot-rezoning of the two buildings. The following comments were reard from the audience. J. McCoy Johnson, resident of Millbrae, infonned the Council he spoke for a few retired cit�zens who have had the opportunity� of dealing with bSr. Thor- stenson, of going to.a man in the area £or estimates ,nd receiving honest answers to questions concerning auto and boat servicinq. Mr. Johnson stated Mr. Thorstenson has always treated him fairly. Councilman Crosby asked Mr. Johnson about the tyge of repair work. The latter advised he owns a Saab automobile and a boat. He was having a problem �vith the boat, took it to Mr. Thorstenson, who put it in his garage, checked it and gave an honest opinion. Walter weaver, 1101 Douglas Avenue, supported Mr. Johnson's comments. He advised he has been a mechanic on aircraft for 42 years and can recognize a dishonest estimate for repair �vork. He has £ound Mr. Thorstenson to be honest, straightforwar�9, one of the best mechanics he has had the good fortune to deal with. Reuben �Vhite, San Mateo re:•ident, owner of the buildinn at 251 California Drive, considered Mr. Thorstenson an excellent tenant and asked that his application be given every consideration. Harry S. Graham, 1555 Altural Drive, local busine;;sman, suggested it miqltt be worthwh'•lc� to cons.ider rezoning to C-2, considerinq the nature of the several bu�inesses on the :�trcet. - F�