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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMin - CC - 1993.11.1763 CITY OF BURLINGAME CITY COLTNCIL STUDY MEETING Wednesday, November 17, 1993,7:30 p.m. City Hall Council Chambers Mayor Rosalie O'Mahony convened the study session of the Burlingame City Council on the above date in City Hall Council Chambers at 7:31 p.m. PRpspNr CotrNcnl,mMBERS HannrsoN, KNIGHT, O'MaHoNy, PacttaRo, Sptt tgLtI Srerr PRBSBT.TT: ARGYRES, COTETT,TAN, ESCOTUBR, KIRKUP, MONROP OTHSRS PnESBNT: RBpRSSSNTATIVES OF THE LBRARY BOARD, ENO CSETIMER OF Com,mncp Orrtcp CouNcn 1. REVIEW PROPOSED MAIN LIBRARY RENOVATION SCIIEMATIC DESIGN Mayor O'Mahony reviewed the prior council consideration of the library design at the July 21 and August 2 meetings. Councilman Pagliaro asked the Mayor if he could make a statement before continuing this matter. He indicated that in the preceding 48 hours, the city had had an election for mayor and vice mayor. Since then, he has been shocked at the dissention that has occurred over his selection as vice mayor. He believes the differences of opinion are splitting the city in two and something needs to be done about it and done now. Therefore, he indicated that at the next regular city council meeting on December 6, he intends to do three things: Make a statement about what he feels is happening in Burlingame; will step down as vice mayor; and will nominate Marti Knight for the position of vice mayor. He stated that we all need to work for the good of the community. The Mayor thanked Frank for his comments. She then asked that staff present the library schematic design. Al Escoffier reviewed the process to date, the mission goals of the library and the expected technological changes which need to be addressed in the design. He introduced Cynthia Ripley of the architectural firm Bull, Stockwell, Allen and Ripley. She reviewed slides of the project including historical pictures of the building, the current interior and exterior, proposed floor plans and sections, and views of the model done to evaluate the mass of the proposed project. She also showed slides of a model with an alternative design with a flat roof structure behind the 1930s wings. She then invited council questions. Councilman Pagliaro stated that he liked the proposed project although he had been critical earlier. He still had questions concerning the windows on the sides on either side of the front entrance where the existing building has solid panels; he felt we should continue the arched windows of the old section into the new, and that we should look at the tower height. The architect indicated that, seismically, we must replace the existing tower although we could look at ways to decrease the height. Councilman Harrison commented on the 44-foot tower and it was indicated that the majority of the building is at 39 feet whereas the cornices are at 33 feet. He asked how much the tile roof added to the project cost. The architect replied that a tile roof adds approximately $180,000. Overall, Councilman Harrison felt pleased with the project. Councilwoman Knight stated her concerns prior to the current presentation with the topics of building mass, space needs, height of the project, and two floors versus three floors. Tonight, 54 she was satisfied that some of these questions have been answered. She was glad that she did not have to make any final decision tonight but felt that we are trying to blend the existing with something unique for Burlingame. The architect replied that if we are looking for a 2- floor solution, we would need to use the site much differently than the current arrangement reducing the distance the structure is set back from the sidewalk. One example would be a library similar to Pasadena, California. Councilman Spinelli stated that he has a number of architects in his family and generally, he feels strongly about historic preservation. He felt we needed to look at the tower height and look at alternatives to reducing it because the height changed the character of the older portion of the building. He also questioned the architect about the seismic retrofit of the existing building and how much space inside would be lost in that retrofit. He agreed with Councilman Pagliaro that we should look at the windows. Overall, he liked the project. Mayor O'Mahony stated that at first she wanted an all new library but she did like the pitched roof of the proposal. She felt the height was acceptable and agreed that we need more consideration of the windows. She would support keeping the existing tile roof. She liked the proposal and felt there was no need to look at more alternatives. Councilman Pagliaro stated that he would like to see additional drawings of different ap- proaches to the tower, windows, and entrance; the questions that he has asked. Councilwom- an Knight thought we need to be careful to retain the historic appearance and feel on the inside of the library, not just the exterior. The architect noted the vaulted/beamed ceilings would be retained in the 1930s wings. The basement and second floors would be more contemporary in design but would include features which would echo the interior design themes of the original building. The architect went on to note that by saving the existing two wings, copying the tower, and saving and refinishing some of the existing and stored furniture, we could have an excellent project. Mayor O'Mahony asked the library board for any comments. Jane Taylor, Library Board Chairman, stated she was pleased that we would be maintaining the historic structure and feel of the library while addressing the issues of budget, state handicap and safety requirements, as well as the program needs of the library. Kris Cannon thought it was interesting that the definition of historical by the architect could be different than how a Burlingame resident might feel. She has recently visited the Pasadena library and felt comfortable about what we are trying to save and the fact that the building layout addresses the future needs of the library. It was council's consensus and direction that the architect should prepare additional drawings addressing the issues of tower height, windows, and front entrance, as well as cost of the proposed project. 2, PROPOSED NEW REGULATIONS AND REZONING OF INDUSTRIAL AREAS EAST OF HIGHWAY 101 City planner gave an opening summary of the work to date. A subcommittee of the office council has been working for a year on the area on the east side of 101 which is currently zoned M-1 light industrial. The impetus for the discussion was to try and simplifu our zoning regulations for that district to reduce the number of uses which require city review and to upgrade the image of the area. 55 The proposed changes have been developed after seven meetings. The revisions focus on performance standards for manufacturing uses, simplifring office use limitations, allowing retail uses, and parking requirement revisions. There were two letters in the packet from the Office Council outlining remaining issues. Two of these issues were destination restaurants and outside storage. Councilman Spinelli stated that one of his issues is the large trucks in the Glbreath area and the need to improve the appearance of the area. He supported the concept of destination restaurants as a conditional use anywhere in the zone. Mayor O'Mahony stated that she wanted to retain warehouse in the area as an allowed use for revenue generation purposes. Councilman Pagliaro agreed with Councilman Spinelli on restaurants and stated he had no interest in allowing additional outdoor storage in the area. Councilwoman Knight asked if items such as a comedy club would be allowed in the zone. City planner replied that a new conditional use would allow this type of theater use. Councilman Harrison commended the office council for its work and indicated his support of the simplification efforts and urged that council introduce the ordinance. Mayor O'Mahony asked Bob Brown of the office council to review his concems on two specific sites regarding size requirements for car rental agency lots. There were additional comments and discussion with the office council from Bob Brown, Skip Green, and Dick Lowenstein. After additional discussion, it was the consensus of the council to direct staff to introduce the proposed ordinance with revisions that would allow destination restaurants as conditional uses anywhere in the Cowan/Burlway portion of the zone and with the limitation of the ten percent of gross site area for outside storage. 3. COUNCIL COMMENTS Council asked that the Burlingame Avenue merchants request for installation of Christmas decorations be discussed. Stan Clark and Dave Domlas of the Merchants Association reviewed their proposal and desire to improve the appearance of Burlingame Avenue. City manager reviewed the memo from the public works director indicating that the cost of installation would be from $500 to $700 plus the issue of equity with Broadway. Public works director felt that two trucks would be necessary for the installation. After discussion, the council directed that staff work with the merchants to install the Christmas decorations for this year. City manager indicated that we have received a request from the Califomia Statewide Communities Development Authority to hold a hearing to allow issuance of industrial development bonds for Merrill's Packaging on Rollins Road. Council asked for additional information at the hearing but agreed to proceed with the noticing. 4. FROM TIIE FLOOR Bob Brown asked for the city's assistance in trying to work with Caltrans to prevent flooding near Mills Creek. It was indicated that replacement of a Caltrans pipe would need BCDC and Army Corps permit. There were no other public comments, and council adjourned at 9:50 p.m. to closed session on labor negotiations. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at l0:06 p.m. Iudith A. Malfatti City Clerk