Loading...
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