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,
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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.
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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