Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMin - CC - 1994.03.21110 BIJRLINGAME, CALIFORNIA March 21, 1994 CALL TO ORDER A duly noticed regular meeting of the Burlingame City Council was held on the above date in the City HaII Council Chambers. The meeting was called to order at 7:31 p.m. by Mayor O'Mahony. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG kd by Frank Kelly from audience. ROLL CALL COUNCIL PRESENT: COUNCIL ABSENT: HARRISON, KNIGHT, O'MAHONY, PAGLIARO, SPINELLI NONE MINUTES The minutes of the Regular Meeting of March 7, 1994 were unanimously approved after a change by Councilman Harrison on page three to show he stated he "did not like to see council assume the role of architectural redesign. " PUBLIC HEARING CANCELED - CALTRANS RECOMMENDATION TO CHANGE SPEED LIMIT FROM 35 MPH TO 40 MPH ON EL CAMINO REAL 320 FEET NORTH OF ROSE- DALE AVENUE TO MURCHISON DRIVE Public Works Director reviewed the memo of March 17 which recommended council cancel the public hearing. On March 17 he received a request from Caltrans rescinding their recommendation for an increased speed limit on El Camino north of Rosedale. Mayor O'Mahony canceled the hearing. In response to council questions, Public Works Director and Police Chief explained that data and accident records would support either 35 or 40 mph speed limits for traffic control. Councilwoman Knight said she was presented with a petition from neighbors in that area who opposed an increase in speed limit. PUBLIC HEARING AND SECOND READING POSTPONED TO APRIL 4. 1994 - ORDINANCE 1498 - REOUIRING TRANSIENT OCCIJPANCY TAX GOTEL TAN BOND AND OTHER SECURITY PROVISIONS City Attorney's memo of March L7 recommended council pospone the hearing to the next meeting. Copies of the draft ordinance were sent to all hotels and the hotel managers have asked to meet with the City Attorney and Finance Director to discuss some modifications they propose. Council postponed the hearing to April 4. PUBLIC HEARING - SECOND READING - ORDINANCE 1499 - AMENDING NON-CON- FORMING SIGN PROVISIONS City Attorney reviewed his memo of March 1 which recommended council adopt the ordinance to amend the sign code regarding non-conforming signs. At a recent meeting regarding the Radisson t11 Hotel's request to change the Sheraton sign, council determined that the Business and Professional Code sections concerning nonconforming signs preempted our municipal code sections and that we should amend our code to reflect that determination. Councilman Pagliaro voted against the introduction because he objected to removing the wording in the nonconforming sign section regarding "alteration and reconstruction" of such signs. Mayor O'Mahony opened the public hearing. There were no comments and the hearing was closed. Councilman Harrison moved adoption of ORDINANCE 1499. Seconded by Councilman Spinelli, carried 4-1 on ro11 call vote, Councilman Pagliaro voting no. PUBLIC COMMENTS George Corey, attorney located at 700 El Camino in Millbrae, urged council to put his request on an agenda for action at the next meeting; he had presented a letter with supporting material earlier today. Walter and Barbara Renner own property at 1247 Broadway and are in danger of losing the properfy to foreclosure; the first floor has not been rented out for two years; they have attempted to rent the property but only interest has been from restaurants which are precluded from that use by the 1985 limitation on number of restaurants. They have a buyer who would purchase the property if they could locate their insurance company downstairs. He asked that council determine the crty zoning code allows insurance and property management uses on first floor on Broadway. Bob Vasquez presented a leffer and spoke concerning the vacant property at the corner of El Camino and Adeline; requested council consider changing the 20 foot setback requirement; that setback is for the future widening of El Camino Real and the State does not intend to widen El Camino; he requested removal of the setback so that a building could be placed there; he urged a hearing on the matter. Councilman Harrison noted this is site of the former Chevron station. Mayor O'Mahony said Councilman Pagliaro called her attention to need to give George Corey some direction; staff responded and would bring alternatives for council action at next meeting. Glenn Mendelson, 475 Cumberland, said Pacific Cable TV will begin broadcasting council meeting tapes on a one day delay beginning tomorrow at 5:00 p.m. Regarding the airport expansion, he noted Millbrae is appealing the court decision regarding their lawsuit and that San Mateo has withdrawn from the MOU; there is also a suit with CCAG; we have given the airport long enough to respond to mitigation; he urged our city to join Millbrae and San Mateo and reject the MOU and to also join Millbrae's lawsuit as "friend of the court. " Mayor O'Mahony requested change of order of agenda to take the Broadway Parking issue next because so many merchants were present to hear the matter. BROADWAY PARKING - 1133 CHULA VISTA City Manager reviewed his memo of March 7 which recommended council review the purchase of 1133 Chula Vista for future Broadway parking and the possible development of the parking lot at an estimated cost of $250,000. In April 1992 council approved the purchase of the Chula Vista site at a price of $630,000; it is estimated that 48 parking spaces could be developed on the site; in L992 the Rhinette lot was appraised at $445,000; because of concerns about gasoline leaks from an adjacent service station, the city ordered soil tests and a subsequent report indicated gasoline had migrated to ground water under that site; in April 1993 council removed the Rhinette lot from the 11? market. The city is renting out six units at 1133 Chula Vista and net operating income from the property in 1993 was $34,960 or 5.5 percent on the $630,000 investment. Two of the original tenants have been relocated. If a lot were developed with 48 spaces the average cost per space would be $19,375; this compares with $32,500 per space for the "bowling alley" lot on Howard and $24,875 per space for the library parking structure. He listed alternatives available to council: 1) complete the Chula Vista parking lot in 1994-95; 2) continue to rent Chula Vista stores pending sale of the Rhinette lot (in order to effectively develop the Rhinette lot it should be joined with the Biscay property next to it); 3) abandon the parking project and sell 1133 Chula Vista; or 4) chose alternative one or three and retain the lot at Rhinette for future use. He asked for council direction. David Hinckle, representing the Broadway BID and merchants, introduced the members of the Broadway BID Board who were present; the BID Board offered 25 percent (about $10,000) of its budget for landscaping costs for a new parking lot on Chula Vista. Mayor O'Mahony said it was time to move on this project; Councilman Harrison thanked the BID board and recommended council budget the parking lot for the next fiscal year. Councilman Spinelli thought city should hire an urban planner to make recommendations for Broadway; look at Broadway as a unit and is the proposed parking lot in the right place; a good urban planner who is familiar with the city could do such a study in short time at a low cost. Councilman Pagliaro thought an urban planner was an interesting proposal; agreed with combining Rhinette lot and Biscay property to use for affordable housing; he wondered what city has done in the past regarding parking studies and need for this parking lot. Staff said several parking studies were done in past; there had been several attempts at assessment districts; noted there is no vacant land so any lot would have to take property; regarding joining with Biscay lot, there is the question of toxins to consider. Councilman Pagliaro agreed we should no longer tie the Rhinette lot sale with the development of the Chula Vista site; perhaps we should have a study. Mayor said she felt Chula Vista was the best site for a parking lot; further down the road we could consider the Rhinette lot for housing. Councilwoman Ifuight recalled the purchase of Chula Vista was not unanimous, she had voted against it; agreed that if any parking is considered Broadway parking should be next; of all the parking we have provided on Burlingame Avenue area we still have complaints; concerned about spending $1 million on a parking lot when there are so many other projects that need to be done; she preferred option two to wait on development and try to sell Rhinette; she could support a study. Councilman Harrison agreed Chula Vista seemed the best site for a parking lot; noted we are not going to spend $1 million, only $250,000 to develop since the site has already been purchased; he moved to fund $250,000 in next fiscal year for Chula Vista development. Councilman Spinelli really wanted a study for the whole picture; objected to putting money forward without professional input regarding the entire street, city owes it to Broadway to look at the entire thing. Mayor O'Mahony seconded the motion. Spinelli said a study would look at 10-15 years down the road, to where the street was headed, it would not cost more then $5,000-$10,000 and could be done in a short time. Councilman Pagliaro felt the Chula Vista development was best for Broadway, could suppoft a study. Councilman Harrison and Mayor O'Mahony withdrew the motion. Staff noted we should develop a proposal and go to bid for a study; could take three to six months. Mayor O'Mahony thought a study was a waste of money; she suggested a cap on cost. Councilman Pagliaro said a study should address whether this lot would alleviate the parking problem, basically it is a parking study we need; he was not interested in spending money on a study. Spinelli asserted a study would take the street as a whole, consider types of business and their draw; would not take long or be expensive. Councilman Pagliaro suggested staff meet with Spinelli. There was discussion of the six units being rented at Chula Vista site and costs of relocating tenants; of changing parking fee for Rhinette lot to increase use, or make it free parking; staff noted free parking would create enforcement problems and meter installation would be expensive; could be 113 problem with commuter parking; should make lot same fee as commuter parking across street; mentioned possibility of permit parking; council decided to continue this item to our next meeting with a possible scope for a study. 1990-95 DRAFT HOUSING ELEMENT City Planner reviewed her memo of March 16 which recommended council review the draft Housing Element including changes proposed by the Planning Commission and the comments made by the State Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD). Council should also review the proposed schedule for study and adoption hearings and direct staff. On March 14 the Planning Commission held a public hearing and voted to recommend the negative declaration and Draft 1990-95 Housing Element to council; at the meeting they discussed comments made by the State and decided that all but one of the State's concerns were addressed in the draft element; HCD did not appear to understand our city's unique zoning regulations and procedures. The one policy issue HCD wanted was to allow second units in the areas zoned for single family use; the council noted second unit program to create additional affordable units was addressed by the proposed amnesty program. Regarding the schedule, council liked the idea of discussion at the joint Planning Commis- siorVCouncil meeting on Saturday, April 16. Councilman Spinelli asked if the amnesty program would be a zoning change. Staff responded no. Discussed the difference between State certified housing element and self-certified; discussed cities being sued for non-compliance; council noted our city is half single-family and half multi-family homes; discussed need for a criteria before develop- ing city ordinance for amnesty program. Council approved of the proposed schedule for hearings. CONSENT CALENDAR Councilman Pagliaro asked removal of item b regarding an encroachment permit for TCL a, WARRANTS AND PAYROLL Finance Director recommended approval of Warrants 31058 - 31440, duly audited, in the amount of $520,154.09 (note: 31011 - 31057 are Library's check run of February 15, 1994) and Payroll Checks 64148 - 64879 for the month of February 1994 in the amount of $1,196,001.23. Removed. DENIAL OF CLAIM OF LOTTA J. WILLIAMS City Attorney's memo of March 8 recommended council deny this claim for a fall on Azalea. Councilman Harrison moved approval of the Consent Calendar items a and c. Seconded by Councilman Spinelli, carried unanimously. REMOVED CONSENT ITEM Councilman Pagliaro asked about the conduit and thought the amount of rent city is receiving should be more. City Manager reviewed the manner rent was determined; he said he also had a request from Pacific Cable for a change in wording of the permit; there was discussion about the installation b. c. 114 process for the conduit in the street and the size of the trench; TCI serves Millbrae, Hillsborough and San Mateo and needs the connection; discussed the rent city would receive for use of the street and that the city would get one conduit for its use; Councilman Harrison said he would abstain. City Manager's memo of March 9 recommended council approve the encroachment permit with TCI Cablevision to allow installation of underground fiber optic cable along the edge of roadway on Skyline plus portions of Trousdale and Hunt Drive. TCI will pay an annual rent of $1 per foot or approximately $6,735 per year plus inflation index for this use of the public right-of-way. No equipment will be installed above ground. Mayor O'Mahony moved approval of the permit. Seconded by Councilwoman Knight and carried 4-0 with Councilman Harrison abstaining from vote. COUNCIL COMMITTEE REPORTS Councilwoman Knight reported on the Community Picnic planned for September 18; on Criminal Justice meeting; and on the legislative committee which is recommending constituents refuse to sign the petition sponsored by R.J. Reynolds tobacco company to change smoking laws, and AB 3505 which could result in a loss of some sales tax funds. Councilman Pagliaro reported on CCAG and funding distribution of AB 434 funds. Councilman Spinelli showed a map of 15 hours of flight activity in the SFO area. Mayor reported on the BART advisory committee meeting where the Millbrae Avenue station was discussed and an alternate proposed by South San Francisco to move the Tanforan station further north so that both San Bruno and SSF can share it; the BART steering committee voted unanimously to support adding the Millbrae Avenue station alternative to the DEIR being prepared; she had drafted a letter to BART and requested council input regarding any suggestions for changes to the letter be referred to the City Manager; there is no mutual planning for coordinating Caltrain with BART. Councilman Pagliaro reported on the public information meeting at Millbrae City Hall regarding BART. OLD BUSINESS Councilman Spinelli thanked Glenn Mendelson for donating his time and talent for videotaping the meetings, Cable TV will begin showing the tapes on the following day at 5:00 p.m. NEW BUSINESS Mayor O'Mahony would like to accommodate the requests from two businesses made during the public comments earlier this evening; in this tough business climate we should do everything to help our business people. Councilman Harrison agreed, times change and council and staff should update old ordinances. REOUEST FROM BROADWAY MERCHANTS FOR EASTER CELEBRATION. MARCH 26 - LAGUNA AVENUE STREET CLOSURE City Manager noted the city received too late for the agenda a request from the Broadway Merchants to hold a Spring/Easter Celebration on Broadway this Saturday, March 26 from 12 noon to 4:30 p.m. with a petting zoo, egg hunt and "big bounce" set up on Laguna Avenue. He noted tls that if council approves the concept staff could process a special event permit. The merchants would need to provide insurance and meet all city conditions for such a permit. Council approved FIRE DEPARTMENT CONSOLIDATION STUDY City Manager announced the Draft Burlingame/Hillsborough Fire Study is nearly completed and the draft report would be delivered simultaneously to both cities' council members on March 28. He suggested a joint meeting on April l1 at 7:00 p.m. at Hillsborough. Council concurred. OTHER BUSINESS Councilwoman Knight commented on the article in the San Mateo Times regarding the "dump site" Caltrans is using on El Camino where it is storing road material. She also asked about the letter regarding gun violence; would like to evaluate the gun dealers in our city. Staff noted there are about 17 licensed gun dealers in our city, some have home occupations. Councilman Pagliaro asked about the 20 foot setback on El Camino that Vasquez talked about during Public Comments; staff noted the city might want to use that additional area for a right turn lane in the future. Council took no action. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS a. Commission Minutes: Beautification, March 3; Civil Service, February 8; Library Board, February 19; Traffic, Safety and Parking, March 10; Planning, March 14, 1994. b. Department Reports: Police, February 1994; Treasurer, February 28, 1994. c. lrtter from Alameda Board of Supervisors regarding gun violence. d. Proclamation for National Library Week, April 17-23, L994. e. Request for endorsement of the CALPAW (Parks and Wildlife) Bond Act. f. Memo from Fire Chief regarding AB 3l2l and AB 3156. Council unanimously approved letters in opposition to both these bills. CLOSED SESSION - LITIGATION - CRISAFI V BURLINGAME Mayor O'Mahony adjourned the meeting to a closed session on the Crisafi litigation at 9:54 p.m. Council unanimously approved payment of $188,829 for characterization and cleanup costs for fuel tank at the old police station site on Howard subject to reimbursement from the State cleanup fund. ADJOURNMENT IN MEMORY OF ELVA OUADRI Mayor O'Mahony noted with sadness the passing of our Park Director Rich Quadri's mother, Elva Quadri. After a moment of silence in her memory, the meeting was adjourned at 10:20 p.m A. Malfatti City Clerk