Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout247-251 California Drive - Staff ReportCity of Burlingame Parking Variance for Change in Use From Retail to Office Item # Study Calendar Address: 247 California Drive Meeting Date: 9/24/O1 Request: Parking variance for three parking spaces for a change in use from retail to office. Applicant: Jan Haseman Property Owner: Basim and Linda Azar General Plan: Service and special sales commercial APN: 029-211-050 Lot Area: 2975 SF Zoning: C-1, Subarea B, BACA Previous Use: first floor and mezzanine used for retail sales; no parking provided on site Proposed Use: first floor used for graphic design office with limited retail sales and at the rear of the building and mezzanine used for office; no parking provided on site. Allowable Use: Personal service, retail, and offce. History: On July 23, 2001, the owner of London Road Design, Jan Haseman, rcquested a use determination from the Planning Commission for the proposed use of 247 California Drive. London Road Design is a firm that produces and sells custom printed products. The Planning Commission determined (July 23, 2001 PC Minutes) that London Road Design did not fit the code definition of a pedestrian- oriented retail business and is an office use. The result of determining that London Road Design is an office use means the new use must comply with parking on site or receive a variance. As a part of their action, the Planning Commission directed the applicant apply for a parking variance for the new use in the building at 247 California Drive. Summary: The commercial building at 247 California Drive was formerly used as a retail shop (Fat Cat Antiques) with no on-site parking. The combination of retail and storage uses on site for the antique business, occupying the first floor and mezzanine in the building, generated a parking deficit of 12 spaces. The retail use was existing and non-conforming in parking. The applicant, Jan Haseman, is proposing to use the entire building (first floor 3186 SF and mezzanine 2075 SF) for an office use. No on-site parking will be provided. The intensification of use within the building (497 SF retail, 3978 SF of office, 1283 SF of storage) generates a parking requiremcnt of 15 spaces. The first floor of the site will be used for a combination of office, retail, and storage. The mezzanine level will be used for a combination of office and storage. The applicant is requesting the following: • Parking variance for 3 spaces (additional spaces required because of intensified use from retail, 1 space: 400 SF to office, 1 space: 300 SF). PROPOSED EXISTING ALLOWED/REQ'D Use: office retail --- (London Road Design) (Fat Cat Antiques) Parking Variance 247 Calijornia Drive PROPOSED EXISTING ALLOWED/REQ'D Parking: 0 * * 0 * 15 (deficit 15) (deficit 12) 1 space : 300 SF for all areas intensified from office to retail use * Existing non-conforming in parking (no on-site parking provided required for a retail and storage use). ** Parking variance required (no on-site parking provided where � intensification of use from office to retail). where 12 parking spaces are spaces are required for the Staff Comments: Planning staff would note that there is some debate about how the previous retail tenant used this site. Based on a site inspection made by staff before the previous business closed, the use for the site appeared to be 4198 SF retail and 1063 SF storage. The 12 space parking deficit number is based on this inspection. Staff would also note that if any of the existing building were to be used as permanent off-street parking, proper fire separations would have to be created between the parking area and the remainder of the building, including enclosing all required exits form the second floor through and adj acent to the area with fire rated walls as required by the Fire Department. Erika Lewit Zoning Technician c: Jan Haseman � �r`, CiTY o� STAFF REPORT BURI.INGAME 4� oe 0 �AwTEn vua �'• To: HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL DATE: FROM: NOVEMBER 27. 2001 CITY PLANNER AGENDA ITEM # MTG. DATE 12.3.01 � i � � �In �t� . ����1�1 . l� APPROVED BY strs.�cT: REVIEW OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION'S DECISION TO GRANT A PARIaNG VARIANCE FOR A CHANGE IN USE FROM RETAIL TO OFFICE USE AT 247 CALIFORNIA DRIVE,ZONED C-1 SUBAREA B, BURLINGAME AVENUE COMMERICAL AREA. RECOMMENDATION: City Council should hold a public hearing and take action. Affirmative action should include findings for the variance and should be taken by resolution. The reasons for any action should be clearly stated for the record. The Action alternatives and the criteria for granting a variance are included at the end of the staff report. Conditions of approval recommended by the Planning Commission: 2 3 4 C� that the office use on this premise shall conform to the plans submitted to the Planning Department and date stamped July 23, 2001 (two 11 x 17 sheets), that the retail portion of the business shall not exceed 497 SF, that the offce portion ofthe business shall not exceed 3978 SF, and that the storage portion of the business shall not exceed 1283 SF; and that any storage space will be used only for the business on site; that there shall be no more than 12 employees on site at any time, including the owner; that the business may not be open for business except during the hours of 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. during the weekdays and 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on weekends; that the use and any improvements for the use shall meet all California Building and Fire Codes, 1998 Edition as amended by the City of Burlingame; that any expansion of the office or retail areas within the premise shall require an application to the Planning Department and review by the Planning Commission; and that this permit shall be reviewed for compliance with its conditions in one year (October, 2002) and upon complaint thereafter. REVIEN� liF THE PLANNING COMMISSION'S DECISION TO GIiANT A PARKING VARIANCE FOR A CHANGE IN USE FROM RETAIL TO OFFICE I/SEAT 2-J7 CALIFORNIA DRIVE,ZONED C-1 SUBAREA B, B(IRLINGAMEAVENUE COMMERICAL AREA. DECEMBER 3, 2001 Planning Commission Action At their meeting on October 22, 2001, the Planning Commission held a public hearing and voted 4-1-1-1 (C. Bojues dissenting, C. Auran abstaining, C. Vistica absent) to grant a three space parking variance for a change in use from retail sales to office on the site at 247 California Drive (in the Burlingame Avenue Commercial Area) which has no on site parking. As a condition of approval the Commission extended beyond the applicant's request the week day business hours to 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. The Planning Commission did not address the issue of requiring an in lieu fee for the three parking spaces not provided. Commissioners in support noted: this tenant is a low impact business, there is not a high level of pedestrian use in this area, the area is improperly laid out for pedestrian oriented retail use, the city, the land owner and the tenant are stuck; this is a high traff'icked area, cars speed on California, this business does not have a lot of pedestrian customers, there were none present on three different site inspections; the vehicular traffic load and the off Burlingame Avenue position of the building requires the City to make a mature decision about what to do with the site, by keeping the conditions as proposed and limiting the number of employees the city establishes a way to keep contact with the business and landowner and with the effect of the use over time; orientation of the side street makes it difficult for people passing by to see the store fronts; location is near parking in the CalTrain lot, city lot on California and other nearby city lots. Commissioners in opposition noted: previous use was retail, the t� which London Road Design pays is not a sales tax it is a t� required of corporate direct mailers, not the same meaning to the city; potential tenant should see the city about code compliance before taking a lease, concerned that retail space is cheaper than office space so office uses will squeeze out retail users, this is the real issue and this action would create a precedence and is therefore a mistake; for a variance there must be exceptional circumstances associated with the property, this was undisputedly a retail store, variances are required by the code, staff must require them; a business based on computers can get a lot more people into space than other businesses so could expand a lot with a greater parking impact, this parking variance will go with the property into the future, and cannot be limited to a given tenant, this is a bad precedence. BACKGROUND: Jan Haseman, London Road Design, is proposing to use the entire building (5,261 SF) at 247 California Drive, zoned C-1, Subarea B, Burlingame Avenue Commercial Area for an office use. The previous use of this building was retail sales (Fat Cat Antiques). No parking is provided on site. A change of use from retail sales to office in Subarea B requires that parking be provided on site or a variance be granted. The previous retail use was nonconforming in parking and required 12 on site parking spaces (1:400 SF). The proposed office use would require 15 parking spaces (1 space:300 SF). The applicant is being required to provide the difference in parking between the previous nonconforming 12 spaces (not provided on site) and the current 15 parking spaces; or three parking spaces. The variance request is for three paxking spaces. During the Planning Commission review of this project the applicant contended that at the time he purchased the site and rented the retail space at 247 California Drive to Fat Cat Antiques the mezzanine area was used as office space. In 1999 a member of the Planning staff was on the site and the mezzanine area was being used as retail sales area. The uses used were 4198 SF of retail (first floor and mezzanine) and 1063 SF storage (first REVIEW t7F THE PLANNING COMMISSION'S DECISION TO GRANT A PARKING VARIANCE FOR A CHANGE IN USE FROM RETAIL TO OFFICE USEAT 2-l7 CALIFORNIA DRIVE,ZONED C-1 SUBAREA B, BURLINGAMEAVENUE COMMERICAL AREA. DECEMBER 3, 2001 floor rear of the building). These facts became an issue since the applicant noted at the determination hearing that if the Commission counted the mezzanine area as office space and included one off street parking space in the storage area accessed off Hatch lane, only a one space parking variance would be required for using the entire building as office.. In determining parking for a change in use, Planning Staff always uses the last known use of areas within the building. In this case, the last observed use of the mezzanine by city staff was as retail display/sales area; so the parking requirement was based on the square footage of uses proposed by the applicant: 497 SF retail sales on the first floor; 3978 SF of office on first floor and mezzanine combined, and 1283 SF of storage for the business on the site. In the determination discussion of increase in the parking requirement, the applicant's representative also discussed the possibility of parking a car in the storage area at the rear of the building to reduce this number to one space. This storage area is accessed by a roll-up door from Hatch Lane. In later plans the applicant never showed this storage area being used for parking. The Planning Commission staffreport (October 22, 2001) points out that if any of the existing building were to be used as permanent off-street parking as discussed at the time of the determination hearing, proper fire separations would have to be created between the parking area and the remainder of the building, including enclosing all required exists from the second floor through and adjacent to the area with fire rated walls as required by the Fire Department. Condition number 4 addresses this. The use of the storage area to provide permanent off street parking was never included as an off-set to the parking variance requirement. History This project was initiated as a code enforcement action with the graphics design studio claiming to be a pedestrian oriented retail sales use, and therefore not a change in use from the previous retail antique store. The applicant requested a determination on the classification (office or retail) of the graphic studio use . In July Z001 the Planning Commission held a public hearing on the issue of whether a graphic studio is a retail or office use and determined that it was an office use. (July 23, 2001 Planning Commission Minutes) While office uses are permitted uses in Subarea B, the determination triggered application of the higher office parking ratio (1:300SF) and the need for a three space parking variance because the zoning code requires parking to code standards for any change in use in Subarea B. The applicant subsequently applied for the parking variance. City Policy Regarding In-Lieu Fees in the Burlingame Avenue Commercial Area In Apri12000, as a part of reviewing and implementing the Burlingame Avenue Commercial District Parking Study (February 16, 2000), City Council adopted Resolution 48-2000 which establishes the city's policy regarding in-lieu parking fees in the Burlingame Avenue Subareas A and B in connection with applications for planning applications in variance cases. The property at 247 California Drive is located in Subarea B of the Burlingame Avenue Commercial Area so is subject to this policy. The applicant is requesting to intensify the use of a building from retail to ofFice use with no parking provided on site. The request requires a parking variance for 3 parking spaces. Resolution 48-2000 establishes the arnount of the in-lieu fee as $34,100 per parking space and lists criteria for the Council to use in considering whether to allow a variance and to require an in lieu fee. The steps or criteria to be considered are: • Some planning applications made for development or intensity may require parking be provided and the applicant may be unable to provide parking on site; REi'IcW OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION'S DECISION TO GRANT A PARKING VARIANCE FOR A CHANGE IN USE FROM RETAIL TO OFFICE USEAT 2a7 CALIFORNIA DRIVE,ZONED C-1 SUBAREA B, BURLINGAMEAVENUE CUMMERICAL AREA. DECEMBER 3, 2001 To better implement or encourage development in the area consist with community goais and policies of contiguous pedestrian oriented retail sales, the City Council may wish to offer the possibility of in lieu fees to a property owner or applicant seeking relief from parking requirements; • Any approval of the use of in lieu parking fees should only be used in connection with planning applications that significantly advance the community's goal of enhancing the contiguous retail and pedestrian environment of the Burlingame Avenue Commercial Area. The policy establishes the standards for eligibility for consideration for an in lieu fee: intensification of a use requires more parking that cannot be provided on site; the city wishes to encourage the proposed development because it will support the character of the commercial area; and the in lieu fee should be used as a carrot for projects which significantly support the community's development goals in the Burlingame Avenue area. If all three tests are not met the project does not comply with the policy. At the public hearing on this action there was considerable discussion about the uses within the tenant space when it was in retail use. Prior to the retail business closing it was observed that the entire 5,261 SF was used for merchandise display and retail sales. The applicant contends that this was a closing business sale and in fact the mezzanine area had been used as an office for the business. In their presentation the present applicant noted that they would divide the use of the space: 497 SF retail, 3978 SF office; and 1283 SF storage. It was this proposed use of space which became the basis for calculating the 15 space parking requirement; and which is reflected in the conditions of approval. When the applicant expressed concern about the size of the parking variance, it was noted that the parking variance could be reduced by changing use of the areas within the building and this would reduce the parking requirement; for example storage area could be increased (parking requirement of 1:1000 SF). The Planning Commission was concerned that dividing the tenant at 247 California space up in to different uses would be difficult to enforce, particularly since the parking calculation was based on the division. The Commission attached conditions which set out the square footage of each use, the number of employees and the hours of operation. This type of condition is standard, imposed on many businesses with conditional use permits in the city. The basis used in the proposed conditions came directly from application material submitted to the Planning Department by the applicant. The only exception is the weekday hours of operation which the Planning Commission increased from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. in order to allow employees more time to deal with customers in different time zones. If this business should move, the conditions of approval go with the property and another business which would agree to operate within these same conditions ( of space allocation, number of employees and hours of operation) could locate on this site without any additional city review. If the applicant's business is more successful than they expected and they wish to add more employees or change their hours of operation to address foreign markets, they may do so by applying for an amendment to the conditions of approval. Such amendment requests are common practice and provide the city with the opportunity to review the impact of the operation and determine if the proposed change will have an impact on the parking in the area. ATTACHMENTS: Action Alternatives and Requirements for Findings for a Variance Monroe letter to Jan Haseman, November 14, 2001, setting appeal hearing Planning Commission Minutes, October 22, 2001 Planning Commission Minutes, July 23, 2001 REVIEW (�F THE PLANNING COMMISSION .S DECISION TO GRANT A PARKING VARIANC E FOR A CHANGE IN USE FROM RETAIL TO OFFICE USEAT 2-J7 CALIFORNIA DRIVE,ZONED C-1 SUBAREA B, BURLINGAMEAVENUE COMMERICAL AREA. DECEMBER 3, 2001 City Council Resolution 48-2000, Resolution of the City Council of the City of Burlingame Establishing Policy Regarding In-Lieu Parking Fees in the Burlingame Avenue Subareas A and B in Connection with Applications for Planning Applications in Exceptional Cases. Planning Commission Staff Report, October 22, 2001 with attachments Notice of Public Hearing, appeal, mailed November 21, 2001 Resolution c ACTION ALTERNATIVES 1. Cit}� council ma�� vote in favor of an applicant's request. If the action is a variance. use permit, hillside area construction permit, fence exception, sign etception or exception to the antenna ordinance, the Council must make findings as required by the code. Findings must be particular to the given properties and request. Actions on use permits should be b�� resolution. A majorit�� of the Council members seated during the public hearing must agree in order to pass an affirmative motion. 2. City Council may deny an applicant's requcst. The reasons for denial should be clearly stated for the record. City Council may� den�� a request «�ithout prcjudice. This action should be used ���hen the application made to the Cit�� Council is not the same as that heard b�� thc Planning Commission: when a Planning Commission action has been justifiably, with clear direction, denied without prejudice; or when the proposed project raises questions or issues on which the Council ��ould like additional information or additional design work before acting on the project. Direction about additional information required to be given to staff, applicant and Planning Commission/City Council for the further consideration should be made ver}� clear. Council should also direct whether an`� subsequent hearing should bc held before the City Council or the Plaaining Commission. REQUIREMENTS FOR FINDINGS FOR A VARIANCE (a) there are eYceptional or eYtraordinar�� circumstances or conditions applicable to the propert}� involved that do not apply� generally to propert�� in the same district; (b) the granting of the application is necessary for the preservation and enjoyment of a substantial property right of the applicant, and to prevent unreasonable propert�• loss or unnecessary hardship: (c) the granting of the application will not be detrimental or injurious to property or improvements in the vicinity and will not be detrimental to the public health, safety, general welfare or convenience; (d) that thc use of the property ���ill be compatible with the aesthetics. mass, bulk and character of existing and potential uses of properties in the general vicinit��. 247 California Drive, December 3, 2001 , � �� CITY � � � BURLINGAME e �o qo "A�T[n �u�[ 6. The City of Burlingame CITY HALL 501 PRDvIItOSE ROAD TEL: (650) 558-7250 PLANNING DEPARTMENT BiJRLINGAME, CAI.IFORNIA 94010-3997 FAX: (650) 696-3790 November 14, 2001 Jan Haseman 1740 Lexington Avenue San Mateo CA 94402 Dear Ms. Haseman , At the City Council meeting ofNovember 5, 2001, the Council called up your application for a three-space pazking variance. This application was to allow the conversion of a retail space to and office use at 247 California Drive, zoned C-1, Subarea B1. A public hearing will be held on December 3, 2001, at 7:00 p.m., in the Council Chambers, 501 Primrose Road, Burlingame, CA. We look forward to seeing you there to present your project. Please call me if you have any questions. Sincerely yours, �� �� Margaret Monroe City Planner MM/s 2a�cai,�..��� c: City Clerk Cl/j� OiI3l!/�lll/�'7l)1C PI.'Ill/ll/l�' C011ll)]ISSJOII Minutes l)r[oGer2`l, `1001 Department date stamped September 27, 2001, Sheets G-1 and G-2, site plan, floor plans and building elevations; 2) that the conditions of City Engine 's and Recycling Specialist's Oct er 1, 2001 memos shall be met; 3) that�the approval of Building Departm t demolition and construction p its for the d ed garage shall be su 'ect to a Certified Arborist's repo ddressing the impact of the new age ndation on the two existing Re ood trees and the future impact f the existing Redwood trees on e new detached garage structure. If th borist's report indicates that the etached garage cannot be built i he location as shown on the plans date s ped September 27, 2001, Shee G-1 and G-2, the project shall b eviewed by the Planning Commission; a d 4) that the project shall meet a1� �he requirements of the Californ Building and Fire Codes, 1998 edition, amended by the City of Burlingame. The motion was seconded b C. Key. � Actirl �C�hair Keighran called for a ice vote on t11e motion to approve. The motion passed on a 6-0-1 (C. Vistica �bsent). Appeal procedures we°Xe advised. This item concluded at 8:00 p.m. 6. 247 CALIFORNIA DRIVE B ZONED C-1, SUBAREA B, APPLICATION FOR PARKING VARIANCE FOR AN OFFICE USE (JAN HASEMAN, APPLICANT; BASIM AND LINDA AZAR, PROPERTY OWNERS) PROJECT PLANNER: ERIKA LEWIT Reference staff report, 10.22.01, with attachments. CP Monroe presented the report, reviewed criteria and staff comments. Six conditions were suggested for consideration. C. Auran recused himself since he was the leasing agent for this site. He stepped down from the dais. Commission had no questions of staff. Acting Chair Keighran opened the public hearing. Mark Hudak, attorney, representing the applicant, 216 Park Road; Jan Haseman, London Road Design; and Basim Azar, properiy owner, were present to respond to questions. In their presentation it was noted that this is a difficult location within the Burlingame Avenue Commercial area for pedestrian oriented activity, code would like to link Howard and Burlingame Avenue but it is not a reality, California Drive is too busy to be pedestrian friendly, use is in the middle of auto related uses, next door is an auto repair which parks cars across the sidewalk as a part of their business; other sites in the area are vacant or have low day time activity, Christy's restaurant is the only draw on the block; if the code were applied strictly this site would be vacant. London Road Design is upscale, has a good list of clients, is a low impact business in which 4 employees walk or use public transit to work. In fact there are 8 full time employees, one part-time and occasionally a customer generated by this business, don't know why need to provide 15 parking spaces; there are many 5,500 SF sites in the area which generate far more parking demand such as La Pinata; this business generates $1 million in taxable sales a year, so is not just an office but also retail and internet business. A central issue of debate is the use of the mezzanine, when purchased the property two years ago the mezzanine was an office use, provided photos of the area taken before the area was remodeled by London Road, City staff report 1999 inspection which noted merchandize for sale on mezzanine, this was not a formal inspection but a shopping trip, don't know why one trip should justify concluding a change in use. Opposed to conditions of approval proposed which would limit the number of employees on site, restrict the uses within the building or suggest blocking off space in order to meet the parking requirement and avoid a variance, and restrict the hours of operation, this is giving the wrong message to businesses; it is also unfair to have a condition which restricts the tenant from subletting the storage area. If the Commission would detertnine that the mezzanine area was indeed office space previously, only a one space parking variance would be required; if a different, mixed use parking requirement of 1:350 SF were used because this is an office/retail use the applicant would be only a fraction of a space over the number of parking spaces required for the previous retail use. There were no further comments from the floor and the public hearing was closed. 6 Crty ofl3mlif,g,v��e Plv» li�,g GDl�ll]]1S.SlOL Miuutcs October `l `l, 2001 Commission discussion: the previous use was retail, the tax which London Road Design pays is not a sales tax it is a tax required of corporate direct mailers, not the same; at a previous meeting C. Auran had mentioned that potential tenants should see an attorney about code compliance before taking a lease; concerned that retail space is cheaper than office space, so if can use retail space for office applicant is home free, that is the real issue and this action creates a precedence and is a mistake. The staff report points out that to grant a variance there must be exceptional circumstances on the property; this was undisputedly a retail store, variances are required in the code for good reason, and staff must require them; a business based on computers can get a lot more people within the space, and can expand a lot within this space; this parking variance will go with the property into the future, it is hard to approve because it is a bad precedence. If property owner wanted to open a restaurant here it would have a greater impact, see this as innocuous, can variance be limited to this user. CA Anderson noted variance cannot be limited to a given tenant or use. Once the variance is in place growth within office use could be unlimited. CA Anderson noted that variance could be conditioned to defined the number of employees, hours of operation and by other factors which would reduce the effect of the use within the context of the issues in the area affected. Commission discussion continued: Agree that this is a low impact business, also that there is not high pedestrian use in this area, need to find a way to wordsmith to regulate number of employees and hours of operation to make this fit better, it is a change in use that could set a poor precedent. CA Anderson noted that Commission could limit the future growth by conditions on the use on the site as has been commonly done before in such circumstances. If the city had tried to design a bad intersection and street configuration, no one could have done better than what we have here; if apply conditions to establish number of employees and hours of operations the applicant may always come back and ask for adjustment and the change can be evaluated in the context of what is going on in the area at that time; these concerns need to be addressed now, if as proposed they do not work someone will complain, if it is OK may ask for more later; for now we need a place to start and these are numbers proposed by the applicant. Findings for a variance need to be based on facts, and the fact is that the area is improperly laid out for pedestrian oriented retail use, the tenant, landowner, and city are stuck; we need to get the best for all, support the conditions in the staff report. Agree and to add to findings this is a high trafficked area, cars speed on California, this business does not have a lot of pedestrian customers, been to the site to inspect three time and there have been no customers on site, would like the conditions to address the number of employees and customers because of parking problems in the area. Would approval set a precedent for all of C-1 zone. CA Anderson noted no, this site is in Subarea B, to avoid broad precedent need to make findings which address this specific site or property which make it different from any other place in Burlingame. Given the use and low pedestrian traffic not need restriction on business hours, people could be locked inside working on computers on internet, not time dependent for customer service. CP Monroe noted that for retail customers a single parking space is used about eight times a day; for an office worker a single space would be used once all day, thus the impact of office workers on parking is greater, and has a particularly negative effect on the peak retail usage times which, in the Burlingame Avenue area, are lunch time and early evening; she also noted that after the recent downtown parking study the Council has discussed a policy of requiring in lieu parking fees for new parking variances in order to facilitate construction of additional parking to meet the increase demands created by changes in uses in the downtown area. C. Mink made a motion to approve the three space parking variance with the conditions in the staff report based on the findings stated in the discussion and on the fact that the vehicular traffic load and the off Burlingame Avenue position of the building requires the City to make a mature decision about what to do 7 City of �13urlii�une Plvluiilg Cominrssion Minutes October 22, `1001 with the site, by keeping the conditions as proposed and limiting the number of employees the city establishes a way to keep contact with the business and landowner and with the effects of the use, the motion is taken by resolution with the following conditions of approval: 1) that the office use on this premise shall conform to the plans submitted to the Planning Department and date stamped July 23, 2001 (two 11 x 17 sheets), that the retail portion of the business shall not exceed 497 SF, that the office portion of the business shall not exceed 3,978 SF, and that the storage portion of the business shall not exceed 1,283 SF; and that any storage space will only be used for the business on site; 2) that there shall be no more than 12 employees on site at any time, including the owner; 3) that the business may not be open for business except during the hours of 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. during the weekdays and 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., noon, on weekends; 4) that the use and any improvements for the use shall meet all California Building and Fire Codes, 1998 Edition as amended by the City of Burlingame; 5) that any expansion of the office or retail areas within the premise shall require an application to the Planning Department and review by the Planning Commission; and 6) that this permit shall be reviewed for compliance with its conditions in one year (October, 2002) and upon complaint thereafter. The motion was seconded by C. Key. Comments on the motion: to add to the findings would note that the orientation of this side of the street makes it difficult for people passing by to see store fronts, this is compounded by the awkward configuration of the public streets in the area; suggest that the hours of operation could be extended, since the time change for international work will affect the hours of operation, suggested 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays and 8 a.m. to 12 noon on week-ends, maker of the motion and second agreed to the proposed change. It was also noted that this location is near parking in the CalTrain lot, city lot on California and other nearby city lots. Acting Chair Keighran called for a voice vote on the motion to grant a three space parking variance for a change in use from retail to office use at 247 California Drive. The motion passed on a 4-1-1-1 (C. Bojues dissenting, C. Auran abstaining and C. Vistica absent) Appeal procedures were advised. This item concluded at 8:55 p.m. C. Auran took his seat on the dais. 7. 1160 BROADWA AMENDMENT T� RETAIL BUILDI DESIGNER; BON RUBEN HUR1N Y B ZONED C-1, BRO WAY COMMERCIAL AREA B APPLICATION FOR COMMERCIAL DESIG VIEW TO REMODEL AN EXISTING COMMERCIAL (RAYMOND LEE, S,EAR DESIGN ASSOCIATES, APPLICANT AND A A/LAMB PARTNERS LI1k1ITED, PROPERTY OWNER) PROJECT PLANNER: Reference staff report, 10.2 O1, with attachments. CP �1�Q,�onroe presented the report, re iewed criteria and staff comments. Five conditi s were suggested for consicleration. Commission had no estions of staff. Acting Chair Keighran opened th ublic hearing. John Weisb g, property owner; Dave De nchenzi and Todd Morgan, Regional representa 'ves of Walgreen's, together r resented the project. The app 'cant noted that after the commission approval t ey went back to Walgreen's discuss the 18 inch sill heig for the four windows along Broadway. Walgr en's was unable to arrange th 'r floor plan without putting the backs of the cashiers to the windows, causing s�rious operational security issU�s. In response developer has come up with two options: install the 18" sills and place 2'-6" high display wi�dow above the sill in three of the four windows, the fourth window would be left open to the sill; or insta�l benches on the outside of the building in front of three of the four windows, these 6 foot long benches would extend into the public right E'� .�!'ity ofBurlingame Planning Commission Minutes July 23, 2001 4. 247 CALIFORNIA DRIVE — ZONED C-1, SUBAREA B— APPLICATION FOR DETERMINATION OF USE�JAN HASEMAN APPLICANT; BASIM AND LINDA AZAR, PROPERTY OWNERS) C. Auran noted that he was listing agent for this site and must recuse himself. He stepped down from the dais. Reference staff report, 7.23.01, with attachments. CP Monroe presented the report, reviewed general plan and zoning code as they apply, noted that either use being considered is allowed in Subarea B, however the change in use to office would require on site parking to current code requirements. Commission asked if staff knew when the applicant occupied this site, staff noted a building permit for electrical upgrade was issued in January 2001, perhaps the applicant has more information. Chairman Vistica opened the public hearing. Mark Hudack, attorney, 216 Park Road, and Jan Haseman, London Road Design,'represented the project. They noted that when Subarea B was drafted in 1980 things were different, today retail sales operates differently, the code should be flexible and not force uses into categories; this business is a hybrid operation they do $1 million in retail taxable sales, but they do not sell in the traditional "pedestrian oriented" way; they are also not asking to be located on Burlingame Avenue, they are located next to an auto repair shop; hoping will find that they are a retail use so that they will not be required to find additional parking; debated the way staff had arrived at the parking requirement for the present use, contradiction in staff report one place says mezzanine is now in office use another it was retail; how mezzanine counted could affect parking requirement for future variance; discussed providing one on site parking space. Commission asked when this business occupied this space, applicant noted the end of January or first part of February 2001; how many clients walk in as opposed to having appointments, would like more walk-in but oriented to appointments. Commissioner did site inspection, this is not retail in traditional sense, no display area (did see a piece of office furniture and one picture on the wall for sale), no invitations or cards, what one would ask to purchase is not clear at the door. The work is done on the computer and customized for the client. Applicant noted work done recently for local businesses, and customized wedding invitation. Commission noted that the number of employees 8 to 10 indicates an office compared to number of employees at retail, why not be an office and ask for a parking variance. Applicant responded cost of in lieu fee for additional parking is high and limit the options for the use of the property in the future, one must come up with a hardship on the property for a variance to be granted. There were no further comments from the floor. Commission comment: can not buy that this is retail, retail in this size space has fewer full time employees and more visitors, this bigger impact on parking because employees park a11 day, customers turn over during the day; prefer to see this as office and apply for pazking variance; agree sounds as if this use is being forced into retail category, this location is appropriate for this proposed use; this proposed use does not meet the definition of retail, do not want to set a precedent for the future; how big would the parking variance be 1, 2, or 3 spaces. CP Monroe noted that it was unknown since staff needed plans to scale of interior use areas before and proposed not provided. The public hearing was closed. C. Luzuriaga moved tp determine that the proposed use does not constitute a retail sales use as defined in the code and finds that the use is an office use for the reasons stated during the public hearing; and directed that the applicant apply with in 30 days for a parking variance to support the office use. The motion was seconded by C. Keighran. Chauman Vistica called for a voice vote on the motion which deternuned the proposed use was an office use and directed the applicant to apply for a parking variance within 30 days. The motion passed on a 4 , City of 1�urlingame Planning Commission Minutes July 23, 2001 5-0-1-1 (C. Auran abstaining, C. Bojues absent). Appeal procedures were advised. This item concluded at 8:20 p.m. 5. 1504 BERNAL AVENUE — ZONED R-1 — APPLICATION OR DESIGN REVIEW AND SPECIAL PERMIT FOR DECI��ING HEIGHT ENVELOPE FOR A FI 1' AND SECOND STORY ADDITION (BARRY AND MONI EHLERS, APPLICANTS AND�ROP TY OWNERS; ANTHONY K. NGAI, 6. R ference staff report, 7.2 Ol, with attachment CP Monroe presen d the report, reviewed criteria and Pl ing Department com ents. Four co itions were suggested consideration. The ere no qu stions of staff. Ch 'rman Vistica opened the pu ic earing. Barry and Monica Ehlers prop y o ers, Anthony Ngai, arc tect, represented the project el addressed the 8 issues clearly on the revi d plans, did pop out and area 0. feet by 1 foot in dept n the orth elevation to add articulation, this ten beyond the declining heigh envelope; there �vere o questions om the commissioners or from t floor. e public hearing was closed. C. Keig n co nded the applicant on the responsiveness to e commission's conce , feel that the declining eigh exception on the north elevati benefits the esign and moved approval f the revised project by r s ution with the following conditio • 1) that e project shall be built as shown n the plans submitted t e Planning Department date stampe uly 6, 2001, Sheets A1.0 through A5.2, site plan, floor pla an building elevations; 2) that any chang to the size or envelope of the second floo which would ' clude a ding or enlarging a dormer(s) or a ing the roof height or pitch, shall be sub ct to desig review; 3 that the conditions of the Cit ngine 's and Recycling Specialist's April 16, O1 me os shall be me • and 4) that the project sh meet all th requirements of the California Building a F e Codes, 1998 e ition, as amended by e City of Burl game. The motion was seconded b . Dreiling. Chairman Vistica called or a voice v te on the motion to approve tli desibn review and d ining height envelope special permit. e moti passed on a 6-0-1 (C. Bojues ab nt) voice vote. peal procedures were advised. This it�m co clu ed at 8:26 p.m. 10 BE�,VEDERE CQURT ONED R-1— APPLICATION FOR DESIG VIEW AND HILLSIDE AREA CONSTRUCTIO PE IT FOR A FIRST AND SECOND RY DECK ADDITION (RICHARD AND D RA BI NCHINA, APPLICANTS AND P PE Y OWNERS; JOHN Reference staff staff comment: outlining tree pi 1ort, 7.23.01, with at� Five conditions were ;ction requirements, s� Chairmar3J0�istica opened the public hearing. It� He asked how to get the trees evaluated, CP Mon� material would be used ��in construction of the dec for both decks. There were no further comments CP Monroe pre ented the report, re ' wed criteria and i for consider on. Commissioner ask about a study compliance uld be added to the conditio of approval. hard B' china, property owner, represented e project. e ted that he could call staff. Commission asked what , a licant noted a synthetic wood material would be used fro the floor and the public hearing was closed. 5 RESOLUTION NO. 4g-2oo0 RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BURLINGAME ESTABLISHING POLICY REGARDING IN-LIEU PARKING FEES IN THE BURLINGAME AVENUE SUBAREAS A AND B IN CONNECTION WITH APPLICATIONS FOR PLANNING APPLICATIONS IN EXCEPTIONAL CASES WHEREAS, the City is cunently studying the parking needs and possible parking improvements in the Burlingame Avenue area; and WHEREAS, the City expects that there will be some additional development and increased intensity of use in the area over the coming decade; and WHEREAS, some of the planning applications made for that development or intensity may require that parking be provided pursuant to the City Zoning Code or environmental review, and in some of those applications, a property owner or applicant may be unable to provide parking on-site; and WHEREAS, the property owner or applicant may wish to propose that a parking in-lieu fee be paid to the City in mitigation of the need to provide parking; and WHEREAS, in order to better implernent or encourage development in the area consistent with community goals and policies, the Planning Commission or the City Council may also wish to offer this possibility to a property owner or applicant seeking relief from parking requirements; and VVHER�AS, any approval ofthe use ofin-lieu parking fees should only be used in connection with planning applications that significantly advance the community's goal of enhancing the contiguous retail and pedestrian environment of the Burlingame Avenue Commercial Area; and WHEREAS, any approval of th'e use of in-lieu parking fees should not involve the City in the financing of any project, either directly or indirectly; and WHEREAS, the Burlingame Avenue Commercial District Parking Study dated February 16, 2000, prepared by Wilbur Smith Associates details the costs of increasing the number of public parking spaces in the Burlingame Avenue Area, and explains that the least expensive and feasible project in the area would be improvement of Parking Lot 7, and this study and analysis provides the most appropriate basis for the cost basis for these fees; and WHEREAS, the costs that might be incuned in such a parking improvement project show PARHING IN-LIEU FEES 0 that the cost ner additional parking space would be appro�cimately $ 34 ,100 in Year 2000 dollars, NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED: 1. The policy statement and parking in-lieu fee set forth in Exhibit A is approved. %�•�s�.C�' !l, • � � Mayor I, ANN T. MUSSO, City Clerk ofthe City ofBurlingame, do hereby certify that the foregoing Resolution was introduced at a regular meeting ofthe City Council held on the »th day of Ap r i 1 , 2000, and was adopted thereafter by the following vote: AYES: COLTNCILNIEMBERS: COFFEY, GALL I GAN, JANNEY, SP I NELL I 0'MAHONY NOES: COLTNCILMEMBERS: NONE ABSENT: COUNCII.MEMBERS: NONE C�G-/1•ULL- �J- `��2-{�/ City Clerk C:\W P51 �FILES�RESO�parkingfee.pin.wpd PARKING IN-LIEU FEES 2 EXHIBIT A POLICY REGARDING APPROVAL OF LAND USE APPLICATIONS FOR PAYMENT OF PARKING IN-LIEU FEES IN SUBAREAS A AND B OF THE BURLINGAME AVENUE COMMERCIAL AREA 1. This policy only encompasses land use applications for approval of development projects within Subareas A and B of the Burlingame Avenue Commercial Area as defined in Title 25 of the Burlingame Municipal Code. 2. An applicant for approval of a development within the areas designated in paragraph (1) above may request approval of payment of a parking in-lieu fee pursuant to this policy in order to satisfy in whole, or in part, the parking requirements of the Burlingame Zoning Code or the parking required to reduce a potentially significant environmental impact to less than significant pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act. 3. In addition to meeting the requirements for approval of a parking variance, the applicant shall demonstrate and the Planning Commission or the City Council must also determine that the proposed development project, including the parking solution proposed, significantly advances the community's goal of preserving and enhancing the contiguous retail and pedestrian environment of the Burlingame Avenue Commercial Area. 4. Any in-lieu fee approved upon request of the applicant pursuant to this policy shall be fully paid by the applicant before the time that the first building permit for the development project is issued. 5. The parking in-lieu fee shall be in the following amount: $ 34 ,� 0o per parking space 6. On May 1 of each year (hereinafter Adjustment Date), the approvable in-lieu fee shall b� adjusted to an amount equal�to the greater of: a. The in-lieu fee in effect immediately prior to the applicable Adjustment Date; or b. The product obtained by multiplying the in-lieu fee then in effect by a fraction, the numerator of which is the Index as defined below, published for the month of February immediately prior to the Adjustment Date, and the denominator ofwhich is the Index published for February, 2000. Index means the Consumer Price Index-Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-V�, All Items, for San Francisco-Oakland-San Jose, CA (1982-84=100) published by the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics. Should the Index no longer be published, the City shall select a comparable index that it deternunes measures the increase and decrease in the cost of living in the San Francisco-Oakland-San 7ose area. PARII�NNG IN-LIEU FEES A-1 7. Nothing contained in this policy nor any approval of any in-lieu fee shall be interpreted or construed as conveying any entitlement or property interest of any kind to any person in any City property, parking area, or parking space nor any right or entitlement to compel or request improvement, construction, or provision of any City property, parking area, or parking space whatsoever. PARKING IN-LIEU FEES A-2 City of Burlingame Cost Estimate for 3-Level Parking Structure at Lot J Scope of Work Three level parking structure, 310'x130' foot print, total 340 stalls. Includes 33 stalls in adjacent surface lot and 8,620 retail floor area. Lot Area Existing Lot J 37,040 sq.ft. Retail Only 15,525 sq.ft. Lot J with Retail Total 52,565 sq.ft. Floor Area Parking Stall Costs Slab on Grade Elevated Slab Existing Lot Added Spaces Slab on Grade Elevated Slab 53,555 sq.ft. 70,070 sq.ft. Total 123,625 sq.ft. 75 spaces 265 spaces Total 340 spaces $536,000 $1,822,000 Subtotal $2,358,000 Other Costs Site Work Foundation designed to bridge over culvert Additional Reinforcement to stiffen the exterior for a future 3rd floor New Drain System 1 Elevator Exterior Spandrels Utility Stubs for Retail Elastomeric Coating over Retail Exterior Walls at Retail Signs & Graphics Sprinkler System Electronic Parking Meters � Subtotal Contractor Overhead & Profit Contingency Total Construction Cost Construction Indirect Cost Property Acquisition Relocation Expense & Legal Fee Total Project Cost Total Construction Cost per sq.ft. of floor area per total stall ' per added stall Total Project Cost per sq.ft. of floor area per total stall per added stal! 9908 Cost Estimate 1.xls $67,000 $200,000 $371,000 at $3/sq.ft. of floor area $100,000 $70,000 $176,000 $30,000 $28,000 $94,000 $30,000 $105,000 $204,000 at $600/meter $1,475,000 $3,833,000 $575,000 15% of Subtotal $958,000 25% of Subtotal $5,366,000 ' $1,878,000 35% of Total Const. Cost $1,707,750 at $110/sq.ft. of lot area $75,000 $9,026,750 $43.41 $15,800 $20,200 $73.02 $26,500 $34,100 4/6/005:31 PM . � . City of Burlingame , • Cost Estimate for 2-Level Parking Structure at Lot J Scope of Work Two level parking structure, 310'x130' foot print, total 212 stalls. Includes 33 stalls in adjacent surface lot and 8,620 retail floor area. Lot Area Floor Area Parking Stall Costs Existing Lot J Retail Only Lot J with Retail Siab on Grade Elevated Slab Existing Lot J Added Spaces Slab on Grade Elevated Slab 37,040 sq.ft. 15,525 sq.ft. Total 52,565 sq.ft. 53,555 sq.ft. 35,035 sq.ft. Total 88,590 sq.ft. Total Subtotal Other Costs Site Work Foundation designed to bridge over culvert Additional Reinforcement to stiffen the exterior for a future 3rd floor New Drain System 1 Elevator Exterior Spandrels Utility Stubs for Retail Elastomeric Coating over Retail Exterior Walls at Retail Signs & Graphics Sprinkler System Electronic Parking Meters Subtotal Contractor Overhead & Profit Contingency Total Construction Cost ConstruCtion Indirect Cost Property Acquisition Relocation Expense & Legal Fee Total Project Cost Total Construction Cost per sq.ft. of floor area per total stall per added stall Total Project Cost per sq.ft. of floor area per total stall per added stall 9908 Cost Estimate 1.xls 75 spaces 137 spaces 212 spaces $536,000 $911,000 $1,447, 000 $67,000 $200,000 $266,000 at $3/sq.ft. of floor area $100,000 $70,000 $117,000 $30,000 $28,000 $63,000 $30,000 $53,000 $127,000 at $600/meter $1,151,000 $2,598,000 $390,000 15% of Subtotal $650,000 25% of Subtotal $3,638,000 $1,273,000 35% of Total Const. Cost $1,708,000 at $110/sq.ft. of lot area $75,000 $6,694,000 $41.07 $17,200 $26,600 $75.56 $31,600 $48,900 4/6/005:31 PM City of Burlingame Parking Variance for Change in Use From Retail to Office It m Regular Action Calendar Address: 247 California Drive Meeting Date: 10/22/O1 Request: Parking variance for three parking spaces for a change in use from retail to office. Applicant: Jan Haseman APN: 029-211-050 Property Owner: Basim and Linda Azar Lot Area: 2975 SF General Plan: Service and special sales commercial Zoning: C-1, Subarea B, BACA CEQA Status: Article 19. Categorically Exempt per Section: 15303 - Construction or conversion of small structures; (b) construction or conversion of apartments, duplexes and similar structures, when not in conjunction with the building or conversion of two or more such structures. Previous Use: first floor and mezzanine used for retail sales; existing and non-conforming in parking (12 parking spaces required, no parking provided on site) Proposed Use: first floor used for graphic design office with limited retail sales, with the rear of the building used for storage and mezzanine used for office; non-conforming status of parking is lost because the use on site is intensified from retail to office (15 spaces required, no parking provided on site). Allowable Use: Personal service, retail, and office. Current Proposal: At the September 24, 2001, study meeting for this parking variance application, the Commission asked the following questions of the applicant and of staff (September 24, 2001 Planning Commission Minutes): • when this use was discussed during the use determination hearing, the applicant indicated that a one space variance would be required, the current staff report indicates that three are required; what has caused this discrepancy; • if an in lieu fee is assigned, will the applicant or owner be responsible for paying it; • can the applicant provide a commercial application which describes the pattern of use on site; • what is the typical length of stay by a client and how many clients are expected to visit in a day; • how much would the office area need to be reduced to have the on-site parking requirement match that of the previous retail use; and • how are the regulations for this site different compared to the architect's office over Cheese Please or the office use in the Federal Auto Parts building. The applicant has submitted a letter date stamped October 15, 2001, in response to the Commission's questions. The letter makes the following statements in support of the parking variance: The applicant asserts that the mezzanine level has been used as office since 1979. Pictures were submitted (see attachment to letter) showing that portions of the mezzanine were divided prior to it's being remodeled by London Road Design. If there were any antiques stored in this area for the prior retail use, they may have been being processed before being taken to the first floor retail space or they were displayed for close-out sales to get rid of inventory. 2. The applicant asserts that the proposed office use will have very little impact on parking. There will be very few clients visiting the site because London Road Design conducts a majority of their retail business over the Internet. A Commercial Application submitted shows that presently there Parking Variance 247 California Drive are a total of 9 employees on site and a maximum number of 10 persons on site at one time, including employees, owners and clients. In 5 years the maximum number of employees will grow to 12 persons. In response to the Commission's questions staff would note the following: 1. Planning staff would note that there is some debate about how the previous tenant used this site. This has resulted in the applicant maintaining that a 1 space parking variance is required, while staff maintains that a 3 parking space variance is required. Based on a site inspection made by staff 6months before the prior business closed, the use for the site appeared to be 4198 SF retail (first floor and mezzanine) and 1063 SF storage (first floor at the rear of the building). The 12- space parking deficit number for the prior retail use is based on this inspection. Planning staff noted in the original use determination report (see July 23, 2001 Planning Commission minutes) that if the Planning Commission determined that London Road Design was an office use, a parking deficit of 3 spaces would result. 2. The applicant has several options for re-arranging space within the proposed business so that the parking deficit for the proposed use (currently 15 spaces) matches the existing parking deficit (12 spaces). The parking requirements are as follows: storage is 1 parking space: for 1000 SF; retail is 1 parking space: for 400 SF; and office is 1 parking space: for 300 SF. The applicant could remove both offce and retail square footage and replace it with storage or remove office square footage and replace it with a combination of retail and storage to reduce the parking deficit to match the existing 12 space deficit. 3. The previous retail use (antique shop) at 247 California Drive had no on-site parking and so was non-conforming. This is a similar situation to long time uses in the other nearby commercial zones, such as the offce space over Cheese Please. When a non-conforming use changes (parking is a use), the site is evaluated for its non-conforming status. If the site cannot be made conforming, a variance is required. If the use over Cheese Please has always been office, the type of office may change without triggering new parking requirements and a possible parking variance. In the case of the application at 247 California Drive, a permitted retail use that is non-conforming in parking is being changed to a permitted office use that has more intense parking requirements and therefore, a parking variance is required. History: On July 23, 2001, the owner of London Road Design, Jan Haseman, requested a use determination from the Planning Commission for the proposed use of 247 California Drive. London Road Design is a firm that produces and sells custom printed products. The Planning Commission determined (July 23, 2001 PC Minutes) that London Road Design did not fit the code definition of a pedestrian- oriented retail business and was an office use. The result of determining that London Road Design was an office use means the new use must comply with parking on site or receive a variance. As a part of their action, the Planning Commission directed the applicant apply for a parking variance for the new use in the building at 247 California Drive. � Parking Variance 247 California Drive Summary: The commercial building at 247 California Drive was formerly used as a retail shop (Fat Cat Antiques) with no on-site parking. The combination of retail and storage uses on site for the antique business, occupying the first floor and mezzanine in the building, generated a parking deficit of 12 spaces. The retail use was existing and non-conforming in parking. The applicant, Jan Haseman, is proposing to use the entire building (first floor 3186 SF and mezzanine 2075 SF) for an office use. No on-site parking will be provided. The intensiiication of use within the building (497 SF retail, 3978 SF of office, 1283 SF of storage) generates a parking requirement of 15 spaces. The first floor of the site will be used for a combination of office, retail, and storage. The mezzanine level will be used for a combination of office and storage. The applicant is requesting the following: Parking variance for 3 spaces (additional spaces required because of intensified use from retail, 1 parking space: 400 SF to office, 1 parking space: 300 SF). PROPOSEll EXISTING ALLOWED/REQ'D Use: office retail --- (London Road Design) (Fat Cat Antiques) Parking: 0 * * 0 * 15 (deficit 15) (deficit 12) 1 space : 300 SF for all areas intensified from office to retail use * Existing non-conforming in parking (no on-site parking provided where 12 parking spaces are required for a retail and storage use). ** Parking variance required (no on-site parking provided where 3 spaces are required for the intensification of use from office to retail). Staff Comments: Staff would note that if any of the existing building were to be used as permanent off-street parking as discussed at the time of the determination hearing, proper fire separations would have to be created between the parking area and the remainder of the building, including enclosing all required exits form the second floor through and adjacent to the area with fire rated walls as required by the Fire Department. Required Findings for Variance: In order to grant side setback and parking variances the Planning Commission must find that the following conditions exist on the property (Code Section 25.54.020 a-d): (a) there are exceptional or extraordinary circumstances or conditions applicable to the property involved that do not apply generally to property in the same district; Parking Yariance 247 California Drive (b) the granting of the application is necessary for the preservation and enjoyment of a substantial property right of the applicant, and to prevent unreasonable property loss or unnecessary hardship; (c) the granting of the application will not be detrimental or injurious to property or improvements in the vicinity and will not be detrimental to the public health, safety, general welfare or convenience; and (d) that the use of the property will be compatible with the aesthetics, mass, bulk and character of existing and potential uses of properties in the general vicinity. Planning Commission Action: The Planning Commission should hold a public hearing. Affirmative action should be taken by resolution and should include findings for the parking variance. The reasons for any action should be clearly stated for the record. At the public hearing the following conditions should be considered: 1. that the office use on this premise shall conform to the plans submitted to the Planning Department and date stamped July 23, 2001 (two 11 x 17 sheets), that the retail portion of the business shall not exceed 497 SF, that the office portion of the business shall not exceed 3978 SF, and that the storage portion of the business shall not exceed 1283 SF; and that any storage space will only be used for the business on site; 2. that there shall be no more than 12 employees on site at any time, including the owner; 3. that the business may not be open for business except during the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. during the weekdays and 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on weekends; 4. that the use and any improvements for the use shall meet all California Building and Fire Codes, 1998 Edition as amended by the City of Burlingame; 5. that any expansion of the office or retail areas within the premise shall require an application to the Planning Department and review by the Planning Commission; and 6. that this permit shall be reviewed for compliance with its conditions in one year (October, 2002) and upon complaint thereafter. Erika Lewit Zoning Technician c: Jan Haseman 4 CITY OF BURLINGAME PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES 501 Primrose Road, Burlingame, CA September 24, 2001 Council Chambers I. CALL TO ORDER Chairman V'rstica called the September 24, 2001, regular meeting of the Planning Commission to order at 7:04 p.m. II. SEATING NEW COMMISSIONERS Chairman Vistica welcomed Cers. Key and Mink. He noted that both Commissioners have served previously on the Commission, for 8 and 25 years respectively, and thanked them for being willing to serve on an interim basis to December 31, 2001. III. ROLL CALL � IV. MINUTES V.APPROVAL OF AGENDA Vl. ,. I'ROM THE FLOOR VI1 1. STUDY ITEMS Present: Commissioners Auran, Keighran, Key, Mink, Osterling and Vistica Absent: Commissioner Bojues (arrived at 7:07 p.m.) Staff Present: City Planner, Margaret Monroe; Planner, Catherine Keylon; City Attorney, Larry Anderson The minutes of the September l0, 2001 meeting regular of the Planning Commission were approved as mailed. Item # 3, 1819 Montecito �ay, was continued to the October 9, 2001, meeting at the request of the applicant. The agenda was then approved as amended. � C. Bojues arrived. (at 7:07 p.m.) There were rw public comments. 247 CALIFORNIA DRIVE ZONED Gl, SUBAREA B APPLICATION FOR PARKING VARIANCE (JAN HASEMAN APPLICANT; BASIM AND LINDA AZAR PROPERTY OWNERSI CP Monroe presented a summary of the staff report. C. Auran recused himself because he was the leasing agent for the property. C. Key noted that she knew the property owner and had eaten in his restaurant for years, he had told her in July that this item was going to the Commission but they had not discussed it so she did not feel it was necessary for her to recuse herself from this action. Commission questions: how are the regulations different for this site and use compared to the architects office over Cheese Please or the office use in the Federal Auto Parts building; could staff fill in the missing square footage numbers on page 2; if an in lieu fee is assigned which party is responsible for paying it, the property owner or the tenant; when discussed determination applicant indicated that they would have a one space parking variance, how did it become3; could the applicant discuss the pattern of use of the site, how many employees come and go during the day and how often, how many come and stay all day, how many are part time and what are their schedules, and how would this pattern of movement affect the parking usage; what is the typical length of stay by a client and how many clients are expected to visit each day; how much would the office area need to be reduced to have the on-site parking requirement match that of City of Burlingante Planning Commission Minutes September 24, 2001 the previous rctail use. The applicant s attorney noted that he would be unable to attend the next Planning Commission meeting. There were no further questions by the commission. Chairman Vistica set this item for the regular action calendar at the October 22, 2001, meeting providing the information requested has been submitted and reviewed by the Planning Department in time. This item concluded at 7:15 p.m. V111. ACTION 1TEMS COnSCnt Cale[lda[' - Iten:s on the consent calendar are considered to be routine. They are acted on sin:ultaneously unless separate discussion and/or action is requested by the applicant, a member of the public or a commissioner prior to the time the Conamissfon votes on the motion to adopt. Chairman Vistica asked if any member of the commission or audience wanted to remove any item from �he consent calendar. There were no requests. 2. 1424 BERNAL AVENUE ZONED R-1 APPLICATION FOR DESIGN REVIEW FOR A FIRST AND SECOND STORY ADDITION AND A NEW DETACHED GARAGE ALFREDO REYES, STEWART ASSOCIATES, APPLICANT AND DESIGNER; JON AND KELLY MC GOVERN, PROPERTY OWNERS� C. Keighran moved approval of the consent calendar based on the facts in the staff report, staff and commission comments, the findings in the staff report and with the recommended conditions in the staff report by resolution. The motion was seconded by C. Bojues. Chairman Vistica called for a voice vote on the motion to approve and it passed on a 7-0 voice vote. Appeal procedures were advised. IX. REGULAR ACTION ITEMS 3. 1819 MONTECITO WAY - ZONED R-1 APPLICATION FOR FLOOR AREA RATIO VARIANCE AND HILLSIDE AREA CONSTRUCTION PERMIT FOR A FIRST FLOOR ADDITION (BINEY SAGOO, RYS ARCHITECTS, APPLICANT AND ARCHITECT; NATUBHAI D. AND NARMADABEN PATEL, PROPERTY OWNERS)CONTINUED TO TUESDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2001 PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING This item is continued at the request of the applicant. 4. 1�1 LOMA VISTA AVENUE ZONED R-1 APPLICATION FOR DESIGN REVIEW AMENDMENT AND SPECIAL PERMIT FOR HEIGHT FOR A FIRST AND SECOND STORY ADDITION (VINC$NT AND DOREEN CAUCHI, APPLICANTS AND PROPERTY OWNERS; IBARRA ASSOCIATES. DESIGNER� Reference staff report, 9.24.01, with attachments. Planner Keylon presented the report, revi.ewed criteria and Planning Department comments. Five conditions were suggested for consideration. Chairman Vistica opened the public hearing. Vincent Cauchi, property owner, represented the project. He apologized for the incomplete plans and explained that he looked at various ways to alter the plans but a 12 sided turret that is over engineered, there did not seem to be many choices. Not irrtent to make turret higher, � CARR, MCCLELLAN, INGERSOLL, THOMPSON & HORN PROFESSIONAL CORPORATION MARK D. HUDAK mhudak@cmithlaw.com ATTORNEYS AT LAW 216 PARK ROAD, POST OFFICE BOX 513 BURLINGAME, CAL[FORNIA 9401 1-05 1 3 TELEPHONE (650) 342-9600 FACSIMILE (650) 342-7685 www.cmithlaw.com October 15, 2001 BY HAND Planning Commission City of Burlingame 510 Primrose Road Burlingame, CA 94010 Re: London Road Design 247 California Drive Dear Commissioners: RECEIVE� OCT 1 5 2001 CITY OF BURLINGAMF PLANNING DEPT Our office represents London Road Design, the tenant at 247 California Drive. This letter is offered in support of London Road's application for a parking variance. With this letter, I am also submitting statements from Jan Haseman, the principal of London Road, and Basim Azar, the building owner. There are several issues to consider. Use Of Mezzanine The chief issue seems to be a dispute about the prior use of the mezzanine area in the premises. The staff contends that the mezzanine area was retail and,is now being converted to office, necessitating a three space variance. We believe that the staff is incorrect and that, at most, only a one space variance is required. Historically, the mezzanine space was used for offices, going back as far as 1979, according to Mr. Azar. Indeed, the mezzanine was divided up for individual offices. We are including photographs taken by London Road during the remodeling which show these offices before the dividing walls were removed. Unquestionably, the mezzanine was an office use. The Planning Departrnent contends that the mezzanine was used for retail, based on personal shopping that was done by a staff inember during the last half of 1999 while the premises were leased by Fat Cat Antiques. The staff inember says that she made several purchases during that time and that she saw merchandise up on the mezzanine. While we do not question the staff inember's veracity, we do question the significance of what she saw. For example, Fat Cat could have been processing new antiques that had arrived and readying them for sale on the first floor. Since Fat Cat's lease was up at the end of 1999, the store could have been trying to sell off its remaining inventory and using the mezzanine as a temporary sales area. RECEIVED Planning Commission October 15, 2001 Page 2 OCT 1 5 2001 CITY OF BURLINGAME PLANNING DEPT. Given the passage of time, there is no way to know the exact circumstances or what the staff member actually saw. From the building owner's perspective, when Mr. Azar bought the building, the mezzanine was an office use and had been for many years. He never authorized any other use and would not have agreed to let Fat Cat change to a less intensive use, thereby giving up the right to have offices on the mezzanine. Our calculation of the variance is based on the mezzanine's historical use as an office and the continuance of that use by London Road, so no additional parking is required for this portion of the space. We feel that the materials submitted with this letter allow the Commission to conclude that the office use by London Road on the mezzanine does not require any additional parking. Retail Parking floor. The second issue is the proper standards to be applied to London Road's use on the main When the current Code was adopted in 1980, retail and office uses were clear and distinct, so the Code included only a limited number of classifications. Some businesses that are prevalent today did not even exist two decades ago. Unfortunately, the Code has not kept pace. Today, the use of computers and the Internet has altered the nature of retail business. The Planning Department has asked us to provide a layout showing what portion of the premises are "retail" and what portions are "office" on the first floor, but London Road's business does not work that way. During out prior proceeding on these premises, we provided sales tax returns showing that London Road had taxable retail sales of over $1 million. These sales cannot be ignored in calculating the parking requirements. Under Section 25.70.040, "offices" must provide one space for every 300 SF while "retail stores" provide one space for every 400 SF. There is no separate requirement for "pedestrian friendly" retail space. Even though the Commission felt that London Road's business did not provide "pedestrian friendly" retail, the fact remains that the business has a strong retail component and its parking requirements should be based on the 1:400 ratio rather than the 1:300 for traditional office. At worst, given the hybrid nature of the use, some middle ground should be struck. When some credit is given for the retail component of London Road's business, less than one additional parking space is required for the first floor use. Parking Impact and In Lieu Parking Fee London Road's decision to relocate to Burlingame was based in part on convenience to its employees. Of the eight employees, three live in Burlingame and can walk to work while another takes the train in each day. The remaining employees park in the long term lots. Planning Commission October 15, 2001 Page 3 Most of the company's sales are made through presentations at the clients' offices or through the Internet. Relatively few customers need to come to the business premises. While London Road hopes to develop more customers in the local business community, there is relatively small need for client parking. With these factors in mind, the space at 247 California is over 5,000 SF and has very little parking impact compared to other spaces that size in the Burlingame Avenue Commercial District, whether retail or office. During the study session on this item, one Commissioner commented about the possibility of imposing an in lieu parking fee. The in lieu fee may be appropriate for new developments or conversions that create disproportional parking impacts that cannot be mitigated in any other way. The adopted policy statement makes clear that the applicant must request or propose the in lieu fee as a mitigation measure. In this instance, neither the property owner nor the applicant has proposed using an in lieu fee and neither would pay it if one were imposed as a condition of granting a variance. We feel that an in lieu fee would be overkill, given the minimal impacts from this project. Basically, the "intensification" arises from definitions, not any actual parking impact from this project. This is a very difficult location and it is unrealistic to think that a true "pedestrian friendly" retail store would be attracted to this space. If the Commission begins imposing an in lieu fee in this area, few tenants will be able to afford it and this block of California Drive will be in worse condition. London Road has greatly improved this space. Its business is permitted in this subzone and is wholly appropriate for the location. The company wants to be valuable part of our business community. We ask that the Code be applied in a realistic manner and that the variance application be granted. Sincerely, ,� / �% i ; ' ' _ �! ��__. Mark D. Hudak MDH:Ijs Enclosures cc: London Road Design Basim Azar 21759.00001 �BGLIB 1 \ 1119218.1 RECE►V�E� ocr 15 200� CITY OF BURLINGAME PLANNING DFPT STATEMENT OF BASIM AZAR IN SUPPORT OF VARIANCE APPLICATION I am the owner of the commercial building located at 247 California Drive. I am submitting this statement in support of the application by my tenant, London Road Design, for a parking variance for these premises. Since 1979, I have owned and operated Christie's Restaurant, which is located next to the 247 California building. Over the years, I was in the 247 California premises many times and observed the businesses that were conducted there. When I first began at Christie's, the 247 California space was occupied by Thor Thorstensen. He had a business installing marine engines and the space was often used for storing vehicles. The mezzanine area was used for office. Some years later, the space was taken over by Fat Cat Antiques. Fat Cat Antiques used the first floor for selling its antiques. The mezzanine area was subdivided for office space. I purchased the building two years ago. At that time, I thoroughly inspected the premises. The mezzanine was still divided into offices and that was the use in existence when I bought the building. I bought the building on this basis. I did not authorize any different uses by Fat Cat Antiques. I understand that Burlingame wants to have "pedestrian friendly" retail in this block. The Planning Commission should understand that it is very difficult to have retail stores this far from Burlingame Avenue. There are offices and automotive uses on our block but little in the way of traditional retail to attract shoppers to this area. One large space in the block has been for lease for months, with no offers. Some of the other shops are struggling to stay in business. The City is not doing much to promote shopping on California Drive, compared to what is being done for Burlingame Avenue, and this makes it hard to find a true retail tenant. As it is, 247 California is right next to a shop that installs automotive accessories, which makes the space in my building unattractive for "pedestrian friendly" retail. London Road Design is a good tenant for this space. They spent a lot of money to bring the space up to current standards. They have a low impact business that fits into this location. These facts should be considered in applying the parking standards for this location. , J �._.. _. ` asim ar RECEIi�ED OCT 1 5 2001 CITY OF BURLINGAMF PLANNin�� nr�T 21759.00OOI�BGLIBIU 119215.1 RECEIVED STATEMENT OF JAN HASEMAN 0 C T 1 5 2 0 01 IN SUPPORT OF VARIANCE APPLICATION CITY OF BURLINGAME PLANNING DFPT I am the owner of London Road Design, the tenant at 247 California Drive. I ask that the planning Commission consider the following facts and circumstances relating to our application for a parking variance. First, when I first viewed the space at 247 California Drive as a potential location for our business, I was told that the mezzanine had been in use as an office and that we could continue the use. When I went upstairs, I saw that it had been divided into several offices, which was consistent with what I was being told. We leased the space on this basis. While we were renovating the space, I took some pictures of the construction, which are attached to my statement. The offices are clearly visible in these photos. Our design called for the mezzanine to be totally open, so we removed the walls that had enclosed the offices. Second, our business has a strong retail component. During our last proceeding, we provided the Commission with sales tax statements showing annual sales in excess of $1 million. Even though the Commission felt that this retail component was not "pedestrian friendly" for purposes of establishing a precedent on Burlingame Avenue, the fact remains that we have a retail business with substantial sales. At the same time, we have a very low impact on the surrounding area. Most of our sales result from presentations we make at our customers' offices. We also do some business over the Internet. Few of our customers actually drive into Burlingame, so there is little parking impact compared to our retail sales volume. In addition, our employees create a relatively small parking burden. We usually have eight employees (one part-time). Three of our employees live in Burlingame and walk to work. Another takes CalTrain each day. One of the reasons we took this location was its proximity to the train station and other public transportation. The employees who do drive to work park in the long term lots in the area, keeping the short-term street parking free for customers of the businesses in the area. While we cannot guarantee that the same number of employees will always be Burlingame residents or take public transportation, we do take this into account. Third, it is unrealistic to expect a traditional retail operation to take this space and use it all for "pedestrian friendly" retail. We are too far from Burlingame Avenue to get many window-shoppers and there is not much pedestrian traffic, except for diners on the way to Christie's Restaurant. We are located right next to a shop that installs automotive accessories, so there is usually one or more cars protruding from their installation area while they work on it. This gives the immediate area an industrial look and is a real negative for our image. We spent a lot to improve this space and move our business here from Redwood City. We want to fit into the business community and be a success in Burlingame. Like other businesses, our company is suffering with the weakening economy and we could not afford the 21759.00001 �BGLIB 1 \l l 19217.1 additional cost of an in lieu parking fee. Since our business has so little impact, we feel that an in lieu fee would be unfair. � ---- Jan Hasem Principail, ndon Road Design RECEIVEd OC7 1 5 2001 CITY OF BURLINGAME PLANNING DEPT 21759.00001 �f3GLIB 1 \1119217.1 2 � ...._ _ .._ _ � �-�—..,...n___._.:_,_--- — �---. �,.. - .. _ y, ��: . . �, =_ . � -_.�-----�--s..=._ ...- ---� _ � �� r '� D � Z T Z zc n �o �r � Z � L� --� D � � 0 n � � cn N O O �i � rn l / � � � �� r� j,r, . � q - r. � ;, � y � _ �. �. ..._.�sa:�._.. �.�. c� � r� � O T �0 n 1'1 z T � � z � ~, � � � � i� 17r N � r� z � � � O !'�'� �a r � � � �,e ��_;�.. -_ - -- n D � O z � —1 z c° r—' � � cn � r � � � O � G� O � �� _.. N rn � � � � �� �'f ..:.�% ti -- - � � � �- ';� - � , . . __. 1 r_ a , _._ _..� �, . _`~ �. A' ,� _ A �,,. , '_. .. . .. Nk¢.. . _ � i� �'� 'tu�*^ .. � , i a�� � � : . � � h'S{��f3. r .-, r.... ��...�aa,... ». ,��,..... �., .. ,.s.. ; � `: . � �4t j 0 � ..� .v_. ���iY.� I�� � . ..k y �' ; � � _ , . .s'.��i. �.fl�vC�tf!4F, � � .,-...-._� . . _:',H�.ry�-.,.o�� - � . i �. ��t � � A€ �` . E�`°-`_` ; t. � � ' ' ° f� "� '"` = � r ,.. 1 � d � `� �` i , ..�MJ�. �e� .,�� i�i�n� ����� . . �++. � � f.,F ".��. � �k' _- � . • � ..,a. � . ' . . � �.u.t.S,.�r>iss w :^ � 'F _� �f P i � ` � � tRe #. 4 ` � � � � � t � � {� ��� 4 q� � .}� 4 ' . f 9• w��+ty� �R �:�� i * �' r � �� � a . �' �` � �� r j' + ? �� `''' fi 4�' , j $ T � t;� t< i: .. � � � `��; . �� � � ��'� ' ��+ . , , '. �, j I r� � • �: jU �' S �� , : ^4�. .,� � �.ri.. � ;1 7'Z:� . ,. IZ : f �1 � .1 i ,��„ �'i` � e,� � { .�� rF„ .., �� : i: � ':. +�. . .. . �t� � `. ii ' �.� � ..i s> : . : �. � . � � � ;,:�s � . _ , 3 .. . � �� ! y `�� .,, j rs i y , ;'r .� �� �: ', ;� , f .; � � ', ... . . ,.: ��.,. �,. n-f : 1i s..� � ` rl . �ry: t �� ' s4. 7 . F . � �III�N�'••! r] �' 1. �f t .. �:-... � �i ti h' �i H"'T-rtT+9 � f � � j � { � �! i i� �Tsftl7i! ��fi �. Ft � i ,f 4 . , , r�1`�� ,¢ �� s x f�€����� + 7 t�b3f � r� i � t' xiv e :� r� _,r: + � 'trl's� �i � �.. t I� �6i�d ��'�r F �1 t hn�n�� F�h�rr : 1� ���t ,*���i �' �� 1� I .�� ak � f � : i�S4�� lt � ' i �' i '�tl � �� � . ry�'� . �._ �,�. ..� _._.� _...,.., � . .. ..�:�i . � , . �����.���I . . ..._. .L �v'✓�.-...A s...aricv�..�..., ...,e . ... �, ...... _. . _. _, � �,W' . . . "'T" ..._ . . .- ; � , � �.. .. , � . n� +�' 1�4 i u ,! } . � � t f .s'�,�dy �� �. . � , . . '�� � • � :. � � � J . � : ., � � . Y ,� ���*— � i � ,� .� = ; # 6� � a � - - — _.,, r � � �: — '" � / it —' � '� `. ; - �y� �r� ! 1 + � ' tr { . � FaY �;.�� ! � ' £ ��ir � � �I . � �' • . $�' . ��� Kf � . .� j `F�-� "�b � � � , .,�'y?r g �. ; ., - � - ;� •�`""'."`�;i:t ..i '� :i � � "*'_`� ! , # � f .� � , � ���t :� �, � �� !- f= a � ; c, *:� � �: �. � - � �,. ,.1 ;�_..�, � � �� :�� i; � :� w � � y t�I� � L�� ��"�'' 1 �`s�i 1 :,�, � , �� � . . i �:_,.. .. os ::' � . 4 r E ,I j �::��. .+ ' , _, � . � k. ��� �: s�` z�` "!�' 4 . I _.. _—_ . .. . . ������ � +.v r � ��� . f� t ,. , i S . 2tl h; � 1 yLJ .: k s ;� � � �� � .. t ro- , ; -�t'`�� �S� ,'�: �� ,t� � ' ,� ,� z� ��t ��,���5 .i.�..6'"1,�.'�.r;� 4�.' �`� l, � :: �,t � ^<� . -.,�,�.,_,�—� .;il�L6s:�rw..,.- _..__. ReCeived: 9/20/ 1 1�:25AM; Q50 696 3700 -> CARfl MCCLELLAN; Pape 2 Sent By: CITY OF BURLIN(3AME PLANNINO; 850 896 3790; Sep-20-01 10:39AM; Page 2/2 Cl7Y OF B[1R1.[NCAMB PLANNITVG DBPARI'MEtV!' S01 17tlMRpSg Rp,�D p(b,sp� SS8-7Zso F(650) 696.3790 - co�MERCIAi. ArpLICAT�Or� E C E I V E D .,..4N� PLANNiNQ Cp�yT$$jON APPLICATION SUPPLEMENTAL FORM } OCT 1 5 2001 CITY OF BURLINGAME 1. P1'OPOSCd 11SC Ufti10 S1te Desi n and itetail Sales PLANNING DEPT. 2. Days and hou� ofoperatio M-F S: 30-5 : 00 ;deekends 8: 00-12 : 00 (app .) 3. Number of trucks/service vehicles to be parkod 8t aite (by type rlone 4. Currcnt and ro'ected maximum number of em lo oes inclu ' owner at tbis tocation: Existing In 2 Years In S Ycars Hours of AM to After S:flO AM to After S:U(1 AM to Af%r S:QO Operat�on pM PM PM PM PM PM Weekdays Fu11-tune 8 � 9-10 � 0 9-10 0 Part-time 1 0 1-2 0 1-2 0 Weekends Fuil-timc 1 0 1 0 1 0 Part time �` d 0 0 0 0 p . G�rrent and Hours of Operation Weekdays Wcckends ro'ected maximum nuenber of visitors/customcrs who ma come to the site: Existing In 2 Years �n 5 Years AM to After 5:00 AM to Aftcr S:UO AM to After 5:00 PM PM PM PM PM PM 2-3 0 3-4 0 3-4 0 5-10 0 5-10 0 5-10 0 6. What is thc maximum numbcr of �oplc expected on site at any ane timo (include owner, employaes and visitorsJcus#omers): 1 7. Where ddwill the owner and cmployoes park7 ''� r e e wa 1 k, o n e t ak e s p ub 1 i c transportation. Employees park in long-term lots. 8. Where doJwil! the customers/visitors psuk? S t r e e t an d s ho r t- t e rm 1 o t s. 9. 1'resentormostreCetttuSeOfsit� Present - London F'.oad Design 10. List of other tenants on property, thoir numbcr of employcea, h�urs of oparation (attech list if nocessary) coN�,�c��c,.� ` -� � -�� �,� �-I _ � //4 ���,-�Q� �,�. CITti' OF BURL1NGAh1E PLANNING DF.PARTMF,NT �01 PRIM11ROSF'. ROAD P(6ip) ii�7�gp F(65p) 696-3790 tj , r}�- A, c�.��>�� ��� ciTr o.n . BURIJNGAME APPLICATION TO THE PLANNING COMMISSION �F:� '�,. Type of application: Design Review Conditional Use Permit Variance Special Permit Other Parcel Number: Project address: Z� I �N�l/r� `��� �1[il Y� APPLICANT ' t�� PROPERTY OWNER Nan�S� ��u�r� / � a�, r�� • Name:_ _f%trl�M � �` A'ddress:�� r �-�!V ���� v��, �' City/State/Zip:pU�1N�/7'�G� V� 'l��l� Phone (w): ��'� • � �� �h,: 6Sb • �iS�—�b11 (�� ��J����Z�� ARCHITECT/DESIGNF.R Name: Address: City/State/Zip: Phone (w): �h�� — Address: � v''��1,C'O�V'� Y��- City/State/Zip:���fil�'/E �`'L Z"� � Phone (w); (h): (fl: Please indicate with an asterisk * the contact person for this project. � . � � � � � �i1��il�.►.. '�� : � 1. . %� : � ' i_[ - �-���. .. � .,._�. AFFADAVIT/SIGNATURE: I hereby certify under penalty of perjury that the infoimation given herein istrue and correct e best of my knowledge and belief. Applicant� signature: Date: " � � � I know about the proposed ap � ation and hereby authorize the above applicant to submit this application to the Planning Commission. Property owncr§ signature: Dat,�/� _ �� �� / RECEIVED �`�"��F�", JUL 0 3 2001 CITY OF BURLINGAME CITY OF BURLINGAME PLANNING DEPARTMENT 501 PRIMROSE ROAD P(650) 558-7250 F(650) 696-3790 ��� CITY 0� BURLINGAME APPLICATION TO THE PLANNING COMMISSION �'b,. Type of application: Design Review. Project address: Special Permit `� � �-(�l. � � �L U� Conditional Use Permit Variance Other Parcel Number: .� v� APPLICANT �NW�'N �o� ���I Name��ol � ���i Address: ��1%��,� �l�'�%Gl�� City/State/Zip: ��J�/l ��`�0 �-- Y11ViiC �w): ��`O�� (h). �5�� �J57� g0'j � (�: � �� 5�' i zz-z ARCHITECT/DESIGNER Name: Address: City/State/Zip: Phone (w): (h): i�� PROPERTY OWNER Name: Address: City/State/Zip: Ph�nP (;x�l• i �• (h): c�:. Please indicate with an asterisk * the contact person for this project. PROJECT DESCRIPTION: ���!� �L, AFFADAVIT/SIGNATURE: I hereby certify under penalty of perjury that the information given herein is true and corrcct to the b st of my knowledge and belief. Applicant's signature: Date: �O 5 � I know about the propo plication and hereby authorize the above applicant to submit this application to the Planning Commission. Property owner's signature: Date:_ , �' L �' Date submitted: .��,,w, o � ` �.-1� �� �� y� _, , ��or P�q �!V%vG,vf� T; �%; PCAPP.FRM VARIANCE APPLICATION LONDON ROAD DESIGN 247 CALIFORNIA DRIVE This variance application is submitted by London Road Design for the premises it leases at 247 California Drive in Burlingame. London Road seeks a one-space parking variance. The premises had been occupied by an antique store which had retail sales on the first floor and office uses on the partial second floor. London Road extensively remodeled the premises to obtain a more contemporary look. London Road has continued the office use on the second floor. The first floor is devoted to design services, retail sales, and storage. Earlier this year, London Road requested a determination as to whether the mixed uses on the first floor required additional parking on-site. At that time, the staff determined that the premises needed 15 parking spaces for the combination of uses. The parking burden for the prior retail/office use was 14 spaces. At the public hearing on the matter, the Planning Commission favored the project but preferred that the applicant request a variance rather than having its mixed use declared a retail use, since that determination might set a precedent for uses on Burlingame Avenue itself. Based on these comments, London Road did not appeal the Planning Commission's decision and therefore applies for a one-space parking variance. a. Describe the exceptional or extraordinary circumstances or conditions applicable to your property which do not apply to other properties in this area. The premises are located within Subarea B of the Burlingame Avenue Commercial District. Recently, Section 25.36.040 of the Burlingame Municipal Code was amended to require that retail uses within Subarea B be "pedestrian-oriented." The 247 California Drive property is located at the outskirts of the Burlingame Avenue commercial area and well away from normal pedestrian "window shopping" routes, making it difficult to offer the same type of "pedestrian friendly" retail and services as are found on Burlingame Avenue itself. b. Explain why the variance request is necessary for the preservation and enjoyment of a substantial property right and what unreasonable property loss or unnecessary hardship might result from the denial of the application. London Road is a hybrid business. It offers design services, custom printed materials, and on-site sales of design-oriented goods. A portion of London Road's sales are directed to commercial customers, so the business on site is not entirely "pedestrian-oriented" as required by the recent amendments to the Code. However, the hybrid use is appropriate for the ��c�ir � I v E� SEP 1 1 2001 21759.00001 �BGLIB 1\ l l I 5410.1 CITY OF BURLINGAME PLANNING DEPT. Drive setting and it may not be feasible to attract a completely "pedestrian-oriented" retail business, given the distance from Burlingame Avenue. c. Explain why the proposed use at the proposed location will not be detrimental or injurious to property or improvements in the vicinity or to public health safety, general welfare or convenience. All of the proposed uses on the property (retail, service, and office) are permitted uses in Subarea B. The proposed variance will have only minimal impact on the surrounding area. There is ample on-street parking on California Drive. The property includes a large storage space at the rear, with a garage door that opens onto Hatch Lane. The owners of London Road often park in this space. Although the Planning Commission felt that this space was not a legal on-site space (which would have satisfied the one space differential between the prior use and current mixed use), it can be considered a mitigating factor. d. How will the proposed project be compatible with the aesthetics, mass, bulk and character of the existing and potential uses on adjoining properties in the general vicinity? The proposed variance will not affect the exterior of the 247 California Drive property, so there is no impact on the appearance of the surrounding properties. The only effect on surrounding properties arises from the impact of having one less parking space than would be required by the Code formula. This impact is offset because London Road has significantly improved the property, benefiting the surrounding properties (which are also being updated). Respectfully Submitted, _ � /j �� � , ��. � �'w � ��/%- �''\ ' Mark D. Hudak Carr, McClellan, Ingersoll, Thompson & Horn 216 Park Road Burlingame, CA 94010 Attorneys for Applicant London Road Design 21759.00001\BGLIBIU 115410.1 2 C�ty of fiurlingame Planning Commission Minutes July 23, 2001 4. 247 CALIFORNIA DRIVE — ZONED C-1, SUBAREA B— APPLICATION FOR DETERMINATION OF USE (JAN HASEMAN, APPLICANT; BASIM AND LINDA AZAR, PROPERTY OWNERS) C. Auran noted that he was listing agent for this site and must recuse himself. He stepped down from the dais. Reference staff report, 7.23.01, with attachments. CP Monroe presented the report, reviewed general plan and zoning code as they apply, noted that either use being considered is allowed in Subarea B, however the change in use to office would require on site parking to current code requirements. Commission asked if staff knew when the applicant occupied this site, staff noted a building permit for electrical upgrade was issued in January 2001, perhaps the applicant has more information. Chairman Vistica opened the public hearing. Mark Hudack, attorney, 216 Park Road, and Jan Haseman, London Road Design, 'represented the project. They noted that when Subarea B was drafted in 1980 things were different, today retail sales operates differently, the code should be flexible and not force uses into categories; this business is a hybrid operation they do $1 million in retail taxable sales, but they do not sell in the traditional "pedestrian oriented" way; they are also not asking to be located on Burlingame Avenue, they are located next to an auto repair shop; hoping will iind that they are a retail use so that they will not be required to find additional parking; debated the way staff had arrived at the parking requirement for the present use, contradiction in staff report one place says mezzanine is now in office use another it was retail; how mezzanine counted could affect parking requirement for future variance; discussed providing one on site parking space. Commission asked when this business occupied this space, applicant noted the end of January or first part of February 2001; how many clients walk in as opposed to having appointments, would like more walk-in but oriented to appointments. Commissioner did site inspection, this is not retail in traditional sense, no display area (did see a piece of office furniture and one picture on the wall for sale), no invitations or cards, what one would ask to purchase is not clear at the door. The work is done on the computer and customized for the client. Applicant noted work done recently for local businesses, and customized wedding invitation. Commission noted that the number of employees 8 to 10 indicates an office compared to number of employees at retail, why not be an office and ask for a parking variance. Applicant responded cost of in lieu fee for additional parking is high and limit the options for the use of the property in the future, one must come up with a hardship on the property for a variance to be granted. There were no further comments from the floor. Commission comment: can not buy that this is retail, retail in this size space has fewer full time employees and more visitors, this bigger impact on parking because employees park a11 day, customers turn over during the day; prefer to see this as office and apply for parking variance; agree sounds as if this use is being forced into retail category, this location is appropriate for this proposed use; this proposed use does not meet the definition of retail, do not want to set a precedent for the future; how big would the parking variance be 1, 2, or 3 spaces. CP Monroe noted that it was unknown since staff needed plans to scale of interior use areas before and proposed not provided. The public hearing was closed. C. Luzuriaga moved tg determine that the proposed use does not constitute a retail sales use as defined in the code and finds that the use is an office use for the reasons stated during the public hearing; and directed that the applicant apply with in 30 days for a parking variance to support the office use. The motion was seconded by C. Keighran. Chairman Vistica called for a voice vote on the motion which determined the proposed use was an off'ice use and directed the applicant to apply for a parking variance within 30 days. The motion passed on a 4 City ofb'urlingame Planning Commission Minutes 5-0-1-1 (C. Auran abstaining, C. Bojues absent). Appeal procedures were advised. This item concluded at 8:20 p.m. 5. 1504 BERNAL AVENUE — ZONED R-1— APPLICATION OR DESIGN REVIEW AND SPECIAL PERMIT FOR DEC��IVING HEIGHT ENVELOPE FOR A FI T AND SECOND STORY ADDITION (BARRY AND MONI�A EHLERS, APPLICANTS AND�ROP TY OWNERS; ANTHONY K. NGAI, 6 R ference staff report, 7.2 O1, with attachment CP Monroe presen d the report, reviewed criteria and Pl ing Department com ents. Four co itions were suggested consideration. The ere no qu stions of staff. Ch 'rman Vistica opened the pu ic earing. Barry and Monica Ehlers prop y o ers, Anthony Ngai, arch tect, represented the project el addressed the 8 issues clearly on the revi d plans, did pop out and area 0. feet by 1 foot in dept n the rth elevation to add articulation, this ten beyond the declining heigh envelope; there �vere o questions om the commissioners or from t floor. e public hearing was closed. C. Keig n co nded the applicant on the responsiveness to e commission's conce , feel that the declining eigh exception on the north elevati benefits the esign and moved approval f the revised project by r s ution with the following conditio • 1) that e project shall be built as shown n the plans submitted t e Planning Department date stampe uly 6, 2001, Sheets A1.0 through A5.2, site plan, floor pla an building elevations; 2) that any chang to the size or envelope of the second floo which would ' clude a ding or enlarging a dormer(s) or a ing the roof height or pitch, shall be sub ct to desig review; 3 that the conditions of the Cit ngine 's and Recycling Specialist's April 16, O1 me os shall be me • and 4) that the project sh meet all th requirements of the California Building a F e Codes, 1998 e ition, as amended by e City of Burl game. The motion was seconded b . Dreiling. July 23, 2001 Chairman Vistica called r a voice v te on the motion to approve t design review and d ining height envelope special permit. e moti passed on a 6-0-1 (C. Bojues ab nt) voice vote. peal procedures were advised. This item co clu d at 8:26 p.m. 10 BE�,VEDERE CQURT ONED R-1— APPLICATION FOR DESIG VIEW AND HILLSIDE AREA CONSTRUCTIO PE IT FOR A FIRST AND SECOND RY DECK ADDITION (RICHARD AND D RA BI NCHINA, APPLICANTS AND P PE Y OWNERS; JOHN Reference staff staff comment; outlining tree pi �ort, 7.23.01, with att Five conditions were �ction requirements, s . CP Monroe pre ented the report, re ' wed criteria and i for consider on. Commissioner ask about a study compliance uld be added to the conditio of approval. Chairman�J�istica opened the public hearing. 'chard B' china, property owner, represented t'l�e project. He asked how to get the trees evaluated, CP Mo e ted that he could call staff. Commission asked what material would be used ��in construction of the dec , a licant noted a synthetic wood material would be used for both decks. There were no further comments fro the floor and the public hearing was closed. � �� �, Nbh Barcn �" Y1l 6WIf,N � SGI10.8mkuM J �G�ao�E BariN � P�CG�tl � CLIENT MEETINGS �RE♦ Clr� � F�CCW CNv hEEaC 9ar�N v U DOWNSTAIRS RESTROOIA � NITCNENETTE O F,� APE� GooW �L� ��� i � a 3 a STAIqS W W�RDS I�;��� HP l50p Cda l�aa� � li3l�nq�MWA I� 1NFNtlNo�O�pWN NVItlO 1HpItl�K�d�MVM xl'l�STi �E� D�SPU� AREA /� (/ ( � -...�/ � � � � CO SULTAT N � AR � � /��,� J < 1 � S COUDITERTOP AND D�SPLAY AREA � DI PLAV ARE CONS TATION AREA � � DISPUYAREA �� RECEIVED JUL 0 3 2001 CITY Of BURLINGAME 25' 6ack Door w„�ao..� Work Bench ? N � � DOWNSTAIRS RESTROOM � STAIRS UPWARDS Lower Level � m �. / 25' / � � 0 Upper Level 25' REC�IVED JUL 1 3 1U01 CITY OF BURLINGA�.1E PLANNING DEPT. � w London Road Design 247 California Drive r,�r�" ��T� �r, CITY OF BURUNGAME euRUH�an�E PLANNING DEPARTMENT � 501 PRIMROSE ROAD o,��:-.- BURLINGAME, CA 94010 TEL: (650) 558-7250 247 CALIFORNIA DRIVE Application for parking variance office use at 247 California Drive, 1, Subarea B. (APN: 029-211-050) for an zoned C- PUB�IC HEARING NOTICE The City of Burlingame Planning Commission announces the following public hearing on Monday, October 22, 2001 at 7:00 P.M. in the City Hall Council Chambers located at 501 Primrose Road, Burlingame, California. Mailed October 12, 2001 (Please rE��er to other sicic ) CITY nF BURLINGAME A copy of Che application and plans for this projcct n�ay be reviewed prior to the meeting at the Planning Department at 5p1 Primrose Road, Burlingame, California. If you challengc the stihject application(s) in coLtrt, you may be limited to raisiug only those issues you or someone else raised at the public hearing, described in the notice or in written correspondence delivered to the city at ��r prior to the public hearinb. Property owners who receive this notice are responsible for informing their tenants about this notice. For additional i��i'ormation, please call (650) 558-7250. Thank you. Mar�arct Monroe .�i�l �'�=� ��,'�.'`: "=�"� "�,�/ ����� -�'`_ � City Planner PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE (Please rc fer to oihe�- sicic) � RESOLUTION APPROVING CATEGORICAL EXEMPTION AND A THREE-SPACE PARKING VARIANCE RESOLVED, by the Planning Commission of the City of Burlingame that: WHEREAS, a categorical exemption has been proposed and application has been made for a three- space parking variance for a change in use from retail to office at 247 California Drive, zoned C-1 ubarea B. Basim and Linda Azar, property owner, APN• 029-211-050; WHEREAS, said matters were heard by the Planning Commission of the City of Burlingame on October 22. 2001, at which time it reviewed and considered the staff report and all other written materials and testimony presented at said hearing; NOW, THEREFORE, it is RESOLVED and DETERMINED by this Planning Commission that: 1. On the basis of the Initial Study and the documents submitted and reviewed, and comments received and addressed by this commission, it is hereby found that there is no substantial evidence that the project set forth above will have a significant effect on the environment, and categorical exemption, per CEQA Article 19. Categorically Exempt per Section: 15303 - Construction or conversion of small structures; (b) construction or conversion of apartments, duplexes and similar structures, when not in conjunction with the building or conversion of two or more such structures. 2. Said parking variance is approved, subject to the conditions set forth in Exhibit "A" attached hercto. Findings for such parking variance are as set forth in the minutes and recording of said meeting. 3. It is further directed that a certified copy of this resolution be recorded in the official records of the County of San Mateo. CHAIRMAN I, Joseph Bojues, Secretary of the Planning Commission of the City of Burlingame, do hereby certify that the foregoing resolution was introduced and adopted at a regular meeting of the Planning Commission held on the 22nd day of October, 2001 , by the following vote: AYES: COMMISSIONERS: NOES: COMMISSIONERS: ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS: SECRETARY 1 EXHIBIT "A" Conditions of approval for parking variance 247 California Drive effective November 5, 2001 l. that the office use on this premise shall conform to the plans submitted to the Planning Department and date stamped July 23, 2001 (two 11 x 17 sheets), that the retail portion of the business shall not exceed 497 SF, that the office portion of the business shall not exceed 3978 SF, and that the storage portion of the business shall not exceed 1283 SF; and that any storage space will only be used for the business on site; 2. that there shall be no more than 12 employees on site at any time, including the owner; 3. that the business may not be open for business except during the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. during the weekdays and 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on weekends; 4. that the use and any improvements for the use shall meet all California Building and Fire Codes, 1998 Edition as amended by the City of Burlingame; 5. that any expansion of the office or retail areas within the premise shall require an application to the Planning Department and review by the Planning Commission; and 6. that this permit shall be reviewed for compliance with its conditions in one year (October, 2002) and upon complaint thereafter. CITY /�r� a�,\ CITY OF BURLINGAME '-�- PLANNING DEPARTMENT i 6URLINGAME 501 PR�MfiCSF_ ROAD ����� BURLINGAME. CA 94010 � ��-�-'—/` TCL: (350) 55£: ,.,,50 . c 247 CALIFORNIA DRIVE Appeal of a Planning Commission approval of an application for parking variance for an office use at 247 California Drive, zoned C-1, Subarea B. (AYN: 029-211-050) The City of Burlingame City Council announces the following public hearing on Monday, December 3, 2001 at 7:00 P.M. in the City IIall Council Chambers located at 501 Primrose Road, Burlingame, California. Mailed November 21, 2001 (Plense r�%��r to othc�i• side) PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE � CITY OF B URLINGAME A copy of the application and plans for this project may be reviewed prior to the mecting at the Plailtiin�� Deparhnent at 501 Primrose Road, Burlingame, California. � If you challenge the subject application(s) in court, yot� may�be limiCed to raisin� only those issues you or someone else raised at tlle public hearing, described in the notice oc in written con'espondence delivered to the city at or prior to the public hearing. �� � � � ° Property owners who receive this notice are resporisible far informing their tenants about this notice. For additional information, ple-ase call (650) 558-7250. Thank you. .��� � ` , .�� � ; Margaret Monroe ������ �� City Planner PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE (Pleasc� rc�fe�- to other side) _�. RESOLUTION NO. RESOLUTION APPROVING CATEGORICAL EXEMPTION AND A THREE-SPACE PARKING VARIANCE RESOLVED by the CITY COUNCIL of the City of Burlingame that: WHEREAS, a categorical exemption has been proposed and application has been made for a three-space parking variance for a change in use from retail to office at 247 California Drive, zoned C- 1 Subarea B Basim and Linda Azar propertv owner, APN: 029-211-050; WHEREAS, the Planning Commission held a public hearing on said application on October 22, 2001, at which time said application was approved; WHEREAS, this matter was called up City Council and a hearing thereon held on December 3, 2001 , at which time it reviewed and considered the staff report and all other written materials and testimony presented at said hearing; NOW, THEREFORE, it is hereby RESOLVED and DETERMINED by this Council that: 1. On the basis of the Initial Study and the documents submitted and reviewed, and comments received and addressed by this commission, it is hereby found that there is no substantial evidence that the project set forth above will have a significant effect on the environment, and categorical exemption, per CEQA Article 19. Categorically Exempt per Section: 15303 - Construction or conversion of small structures; (b) construction or conversion of apartments, duplexes and similar structures, when not in conjunction with the building or conversion of two or more such structures. 2. Said parking variance is approved, subject to the conditions set forth in Exhibit "A" attached hereto. Findings for such parking variance are as set forth in the minutes and recording of said meeting. 3. It is further directed that a certified copy of this resolution be recorded in the official records of the County of San Mateo. ' MAYOR I, ANNE MUSSO, City Clerk of the City of Burlingame, do hereby certify that the foregoing resolution was introduced at a regular meeting of the City Council held on the 3`d day of December, 2001 , and adopted thereafter by the following vote: AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS: NOES: COLJNCILMEMBERS: ABSENT: COLTNCILMEMBERS: CITY CLERK I_ . . . EXHIBIT "A" Conditions of approval for parking variance 247 CALIFORNIA DRIVE effective DECEMBER 3, 2001 t�ie office use on this premise shall conform to the plans submitted to the Planning Department and date stamped July 23, 2001 (two 11 x 17 sheets), that the retail portion of the business shall not exceed 497 SF, that the office portion of the business shall not exceed 3,978 SF, and that the storage portion of the business shall not exceed 1,283 SF; and that any storage space will only be used for the business on site; 2. that there shall be no more than 12 employees on site at any time, including the owner; 3. that the business may not be open for business except during the hours of 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. during the weekdays and 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., noon, on weekends; 4. that the use and any improvements for the use shall meet all California Building and Fire Codes, 1998 Edition as amended by the City of Burlingame; 5. that any expansion of the office or retail areas within the premise shall require an application to the Planning Department and review by the Planning Commission; and 6. that this permit shall be reviewed for compliance with its conditions in one year (October, 2002) and upon complaint thereafter.