HomeMy WebLinkAboutMin - PC - 1953.06.25Present
-BURLINGAME CITY PLANNING COMMISSION
Absent
MINUTES
Burlingame, California
Regular Meeting
June 25, 1953.
Others Present
Brown Diederichsen Mayor Simonds
Henderson Rooth City Attorney Karmel
Mattock City Engineer Marr
Mitchell Building Inspector Watson
Stivers Planning Consultant Mann
The meeting was called to order at 8:00 o'clock p.m. - Chairman
Mitchell in the Chair.
Ttie minutes of the previous regular meeting of May 28, 1953 and the
study meeting of June 11, 1953, as submitted to members of the Com-
mission, were unanimously approved on motion bf Commissioner Brown
and seconded by Commissioner Mattock.
Unfinished Business:
William Roese application for a proposed erection of a store building
on the Bayshore Freeway Road, west of the State Highway Maintenance
Yard, to house, furniture (used) wholesale, retail, etc., was unan-
imously approved on motion of Commissioner Brown and seconded by Com-
missioner Henderson.
Hearing:
Thursday, June 25, 1953, was scheduled as the time for a public hear-
ing on the application of Andrew L. Waechter to construct, maintain
and operate a concrete mixing plant on property fronting the Baysh ore
in the City of Burlingame.
Mr. F. E. Hoffman, representing the owner of the above property, Mr.
Floyd Hanchett, introduced Court Reporter E. A. Olsen and requested
that Mr. Olsen be sworn in officially to make a full recording of
the hearing. Following objections raised by several of the Commis-
sioners, Mr. Olsen was permitted to proceed on an informal basis only.
Chairman Mitchell stated that the purpose of the hearing was to bring
out for discussion full details to determine the desirability from
the "use" point of view for this type of enterprise in the City of
Burlingame. Chairman Mitchell further stated that the City Council
has questioned the "use" and has requested that the Commission submit
its recommendation subsequent to the public hearing.
Roy W. Seagraves, President of the Interclub Council of Burlingame
Improvement Clubs, addressed the Commission, and made reference to
written objections to the application, dated April 18 and May 27,
1953, previously submitted by the Interclub Council.
Minutes Planning Comm. Page 2
Mr. Seagraves read from a prepared statement, further written objec-
tions calling attention to the following facts:
V
1. That the applicant's plans submitted at a study meeting on May
14, 1953, indicated that the plans were complete except for the
footing specifications and that the applicant desired to learn
whether or not the use applied for would be approved before expend-
ing moneys to make soil tests.
2. That upon further examination, the plans do not disclose the
detailed plans and specifications for the concrete mix plant itself
and do not indicate the specifications for the underground cement
delivery pit.
3. Tentative approval was obtained upon the representation that the
maximum height would be 48 feet when the actual maximum height would
be 54 ft. 3 inches.
Mr. Seagraves supplemented the foregoing facts by stating that it has
been noted from the plans and specifications, the existence of large
storage bunkers and he desired to know whether the applicant intended
to sell aggregate in bulk from the storage bunkers.
Planning Consultant Mann stated that the matter before the Planning
Commission is the question whether it is a desirable "use" for that
section and zone and that inquiries such as raised by Mr. Seagraves
may be answered at such time as the plans are submitted in final form.
Questioned by the Chairman, City Attorney Karmel stated that the Com-
mission should determine whether the locale is proper in use and that
the Commission should study the case on that basis only and if it is
determined that it is a proper use then the Commission may pass on
the plans and specifications.
Commissioner Henderson questioned how the Commission may decide upon
the use when the question has not been answered as to how the material
is to be sold.
At this point, Mr. Andrew L. Waechter, the applicant, requested per-
mission to show illustrative slides, pertinent to the proposed transit
mix concrete plant. The request was granted and Mr. L. D. Olsen, rep-
resenting the Noble Company, was introduced.
Mr. Noble stated that a misconception must be cleared first - that
the plant is not a concrete mixing plant, nor a cement, nor an asphalt
plant, and that a transit concrete mix plant can not be classified,as
heavy industry. He then showed a number of slides, in an effort to
show that such a plant will not create a nuisance. At the conclusion
of the presentation of the slides, Mr. Noble stated that the proposed
location would be an asset to that area, inasmuch as development is
planned for that locality and it would eliminate the flow of traffic
which would occur if materials are brought in from outside the city.
Chairman Mitchell questioned whether there would be much noise to
which Mr. Taylor replied some but not extreme. Uhairman Mitchell
also asked whether there would be stock piling. Mr. Waechter advised
Minutes - Planning Comm. Page 3.
that there would absolutely be no stock piling.
Mr. James Himmel, Vice -President of the Burlingame Civic Welfare
League, questioned the statement made by Mr. Noble that the plant
could not be classified as heavy industry and submitted zoning
ordinances from other cities indicating that it was classified as
heavy industry.
Mr. R. E. Etienne, owner of property adjacent to the proposed site
of the plant, stated that during the past several years he has
turned down several opportunities to sell his property for indus-
trial use because of the Councills action in the past and that he
felt that city government should abide by its former decision and
action.
Mr. Taylor replied to the several questions raised by the opponents -
(1) Mr. Himmelts question on the subject as to the plant being
classified as heavy industry may be debatable but he felt it is not
heavy industry. (2) In regard to traffic, the major portion of
the traffic would occur on the Bayshore Freeway and would tend to
be minor in effect to the trucks now using the Freeway. (3) As
illustrated on the slides., it would not create a nuisance or a
distrubance to surrounding property.
Mr. Himmel addressed the Commission, stating that he felt the ap-
plication for the proposed plant should be well considered for the
following reasons: (1) that it would employ itinerant workers - not
considered solid citizens of Burlingame; (2) the work would be sea-
sonable; and (3) that Burlingame is at the crossroad in its future
development. He then presented a large drawing of his plan, en-
dorsed by the Burlingame Civic Welfare League, for the development
of the area between the Southern Pacific right-of-way and the Bay -
shore Highway, south of Broadway to Millbrae Avenue and the Mills
Manor.
Chairman Mitchell interrupted Mr. Himmel by stating that the pres-
entation of his plan at this time was irrelevant but Mr. Himmel
requested the opportunity to present his plans to illustrate points
on the reasons why such proposed plant would be undesirable for the
future development of his plan. Mr. Himmel was permitted to
continue.
He stated that he felt that the proper environment should be set-up
to maintain the historical standards of the City of Burlingame and
that every City Improvement Club has approved his plan for the de-
velopment of Mills Manor. Questioned at this point by the Chairman,
Mr. Himmel advised that 700 property owners are represented in the
Civic Welfare League. Mr. Himmel indicated further points - that
the same type of City be maintained by permitting only desirable
industries and that the type of business should be examined with
caution on their potential tax gross returns.
Mr. Robert Gans, 1112 Cambridge Road, addressed the Commission and
suggested that the Planning Commission postpone any action until
after the issue has been placed on a public ballot at a Municipal
Election in order that the voters may have Hill say. The above
suggestion was concurred in by both Mr. Seagraves and Mr. Himmel.
Planning Comm. Minutes - Page 4
JAr. Hoffman (representing Mr. Hanchett) stated that the property is
presently zoned for industry and whether the people vote the type
industry or not, it would not affect the zoning status.
Mr. Seagraves requested that his inquiry be answered as to whether
the applicant intends to sell aggregate in bulk from storage bunkers.
Mr. Waechter replied that sand mill be sold and rock will be sold
in bulk for contractors.
Mr. Seagraves then called the Commission's attention to the applicant's
original statement that there would be no selling of bulk aggregates
and entered an objection to the materials yard on that ground.
Chairman Mitchell questioned Mr. Waechter as to how it would be handled
to which Mr. Waechter replied that the sand would come out of the
hopper into a. truck.
Also questioned by the Chairman, Mr. Waechter advised that two::acres
of the proposed site would be developed for the project.
There being no further discussion, Chairman Mitchell asked for Com-
mission action. Commissioner Stivers moved that the Commission recom-
mend that the permit be denied on the basis that the Commission be-
lieves it to be a nuisance. The motion was seconded by Commissioner
Brown. Speaking on the question, Mr. Seagraves stated that the worts
"nuisance" is an ill-advised word and suggested that the motion indic-
ate that the permit be denied because of its "improper use" under the
ordinances of the City of Burlingame.
Chairman Mitchell requested the opinion of the City Attorney. Mr.
Karmel replied that if the Commission is to make a decision and a rec-
ommendation to the City Council,- he would suggest that it should be
supplemented by substantial statement of findings and facts. Mr.
Karmel further..-btated that the Commission may make a personal invest-
igation if they desire, but whatever final action is taken it should
be done at a regular meeting.
Commissioner Mattock thereupon moved that the motion be amended and
that the subject be held in abeyance so that a more complete invest-
igation may be made, and that the Planning Commission's recommendation
may be substantiated by facts and findings and presented for action at
the regular meeting of the Planning Commission on July 30, 1953. The
motion was seconded by Commissioner Henderson. The result of the vote
taken on the motion was as follows:
Ayes: Commissioners: Henderson - Mattock - Mitchell
Noes: Commissioners: Brown - Stivers
Absent Commissioners: Rooth - Diederichsen
New Business:
Miss Hazel Thompson, 1401 Bellevue Avenue, questioned the Commission
as to the next action to be taken on her previous request to have her
property rezoned from "apartment" to "Commercial". Planning Consult-
ant Mann advised Miss Thompson to obtain the proper forms for such
request from the office of the City Clerk and that it be supported by
a statement as to the reasons for such request.
Minutes - Planning Comm. Page 5.
A letter dated June 12, 1953, was read from F. K. Kennedy, 1557 Drake
Avenue, requesting permission to erect a fence and to plant shrubbery
on a portion of city property fronting the abovementioned premises.
Questioned by the Commission, City Engineer Marr advised that that
portion of city property joins the Ray Park area where a contract has
just been completed for a fence construction and that Mr. Kennedy has
agreed to pay for the extension of the chain link fence and to plant
shrubbery. City Attorney Karmel suggested that if the Commission ha
no objection to the request that it be granted with a revocable permi
Commissioner Brown moved that the Commission recommend that the reque
be granted with a revocable permit, seconded by Commissioner Henderso
and unanimously carried.
A letter dated June 17, 1953, was read from the Burlingame City
Council, requesting that the Commission submit a recommendation on
the Ray Park Improvement Clubts request for concurrence by the City
of Burlingame on the erection of two bus shelters on state highway
property on El Camino Real in the Ray Park area. The City Engineer
advised that he has viewed the detailed plans and that they would be
constructed of redwood with concrete floors. City Attorney Karmel
stated that in his opinion it would be more or less establishing a
precedent to permit the erection of bus shelters and the result may
be a series of shelters along the E1 Camino Real. Following further
discussion, action was postponed for discussion at the next study
meeting of the Commission.
A letter dated June 23, 1953, was read from Cecil G. Osborne, Pastor
of the First Baptist Church, advising that the church has purchased
a vacant lot at the southeast corner of El Camino Real and Palm Drive
and that it will be necessary to erect a retaining wall. A request
was therefore made that the Planning Commisslon express its approval.
Chairman Mitchell stated that it would be an improvement to its
present appearance but that a stipulation should be made to permit
no ingress or egress on the El Camino Real. Action was withheld unti]
the study meeting.
Chairman Mitchell appointed Commissioners Henderson and Mattock to
serve on a committee with the Chairman to consider the advisability
of either remodeling the present City Hall or to create a new Civic
Center by acquiring property appropriate to city government funct-
ioning, as requested by the City Council.
There being no further business, the meeting was regularly adjourned
at 11:00 otclock P.M.
Respectfully submitted
D. A. STIVERS
Acting Secretary
Notes by
EKLage