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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMin - CC - 1994.05.181 49 CITY OF BURLINGAME CITY COUNCIL STUDY MEETING Wednesday, May 1,8,'1.,994 City Hall Council Charnbers Mayor Rosalie O'Mahony convened the Council in closed session at7:1,5 p.m. in Conference Room A. Subiect of the closed session was personnel concerning selection of a recreation director. The Council moved to the Council Chambers and public session at 7 240 p.m. Cotxctl PRpssNru: HennIsoN, KNIGHT, O'MeHoNy, PRGLnRo, St'lNeLLI Srepp PRgsewr: ARGyRes, ColeuaN, EsconntnR, KIRKUP, MoNRoe, QuRoRl Otnr,Rs: LrnReRv TRusrses 1,. PRESENTATION BY ARCHITECTS--RARY RECONSTRUCTION PROTECT Mayor O'Mahony indicated that this was the tirne for presentations by the rwo architec- tural firms who are finalists for the library reconstruction project. She stated that the library trustees are currently studying the future needs of libraries and how important it is for the new Burlingame library to be able to handle future technology. The first firrn to make a presentation was Bull, Stockwell, Allen & Ripley represented by Cynthia Ripley. Ms. Ripley introduced the project team for their proposed services, reviewed their qualifications and extensive experience with other libraries. Current and past library projects on which they are working include public libraries in Berkeley and Redwood Ciry. They have been responsible for project design to this point in Burlingarne. In reviewing the work to date, she noted that more work is needed on preserving the entry way, possibly lowering the tower, matching the windows, and using fenestration to blend the old and new portions of the structure. She presented some additional studies addressing these issues and noted that they had added to their tealn an architect who specializes in renovation of historic buildings of this period. Councihnan Pagliaro noted that he may have a possible conflict since his firrn has represented the civil engineering firrn which is proposed for this project. He also asked questions about the budget differences for structural engineers. Hal Davis, structural engineer, noted that their proposed fee was based on a thorough understanding of the difficulry of cornbining the old portion of the building with the new. Councilwotnan Knight questioned the architect on their experience with electronic technology. Jane Light, library consultant, noted that libraries needed to be designed with electronic flexibiliry so that they are able to adapt to future technology. Mayor O'Mahony added that libraries must have the abiliry to add technology and asked whether the team included a computer consultant. Ms. Ripley noted that their computer capabiliry was in- house. Councihnan Spinelli said he liked the proposed changes to the library entrance and asked about exterior lighting. Councihnan Harrison stated he also liked the suggested change to the front of the building. He asked what experience the firrn has had in relocating libraries to temporary locations. Ms. Ripley noted they had assisted with this in the Irvine library and in Menlo Park. She briefly sutnt'narized their proposal and indicated their desire to continue to work on the project. 150 Council called for a brief recess at 8:40 p.rn. for the next finn to set up its displays. The council reconvened at 8:52 p.rn. The second firm to make a presentation was Group 4/Architecture represented by l7ayne Gehrke. Mr. Gehrke introduced their tearn and reviewed their understanding of the project. He noted that assistance with the ternporary library would be very important, as would the need to include the computer links to the existing Peninsula Library System. He discussed the importance of electronics/computer technology in the new library. Mr. Gehrke said he felt his finn truly understands the cotntnunity because of its work with the fire sration, as well as his being a resident of Burlingarne. Their finn has worked on renovarion and expansion of other historical buildings as well as a Norberg building in South san Francisco. Their firm is very proud of the work and final product at the Burlingarne fire station. He said their approaclt to the proiect would be to save as much as possible and that the new should match the old. He indicated that they would begin by spending one month reviewing the schematic design efforts to date and would be proposing certain changes. He noted they would review changing the entry to the comrnunity rooln, provide for a book storage area, make changes in the location of the children's restroom area, propose to rehabilitate and reuse some of the existing furniture, and retain the historic entry at a savings of $120,000. He also indicated that they would work extensively on irnproving both the interior and exterior lighting while maintaining the character of the interior design. During the question period, Counciluran Pagliaro inquired about the structural engineer- ing budget and the time estiurated for cornpletion of the entire project. Mr. Gehrke said their schcdule calls for eleven lnonths to bidding and approxirnately one year construc- tion period. Councihnan Spinelli questioned the lighting consultant concerning interior and cxterior lighting. Councilwornan Knight asked about incorporation and flexibiliry for cornputers and technology; the consultant and his specialist responded. Mayor O'Mahony asked where the relocation assistance costs are included in their design fees. Mr. Gehrke noted the proposal included hours for studying ternporary locations but did not include design costs if drawings for structural adjustrnents were needed. Mr. Gehrke asked the council what their rnain concern was with the project. Councihnan Harrison noted that it was im;rortxnt to stay within budget and the public needed to understand the reasons for the inconvenience of relocation. Councilwoman Knight said it was very irnportant to save the children's room. Councihnan Pagliaro relayed that this project would be our footprint in time and we needed to do it right with proper accommodation for the future. Councihnan Spinelli agreed and noted that the library should be the center of Burlingarne. Mayor O'Mahony thanked the irrchitect and stated that the city council will make a final selection at its rneeting of June 6. 2. REGULATI OF FOOD ESTABLIS NTS IN BURLINGAME A VENUE AND BROAD AY COMMERCIAL AREAS City planncr gave a sun'lrnary of her staff report including the background for our regularion which started in 1985, revierved solne of the issues concerning definition, and discussed probleurs with food esteblishments in unreinforcecl urasonry structtlres. 151 Councilman Pagliaro said he was particularly concerned with the problems created by upgrading unreinforced masonry structures and asked the public works director on how long it took to retrofit buildings. The public works director reviewed the experience we've had to date; he reported that some projects have a rather short relocation of rwo to five weeks and other more complicated projects could be significantly longer. Councilman Spinelli questioned the ciry planner on parking standards for food establish- ments. The city planner replied they are one space per every 200 sf gross. Councilman Harrison noted that the regulation of food establishments stemmed from the parking problem. Since 1985, we have added parking in the Burlingame Avenue area. He would favor reducing regulation and eliminating the current quota system. Mayor O'Mahony agreed with Councihnan Harrison stating that the market should set the number of restaurants. She noted that some property owners and tenants are now selling their restaurant rights. She asked whether we also needed to revise or remove our take-out permit standards. The city planner discussed possible revisions based on performance criteria. Councilman Spinelli inquired whether we really have a problem. He expressed that he did not wish to change the current code unless it was clear that a problem exists. He remarked that some take-out businesses are adding tables and chairs on the sidewalk. Councihnan Pagliaro stated that in his opinion we needed both retail and restaurant uses. He felt that under the present regulation, we had many restaurants in both the Broadway and Burlingame Avenue area. He saw no need to change. He would like to discuss further adjusting the ordinance some way to allow relief for food establishments in unreinforced masonry buildings (URMs) on an individual basis. Councilwoman Knight supported Councihnan Spinelli and Councihnan Pagliaro and stated that we shouldn't try to fix something that isn't broken. Councilman Harrison asked that we build in some rype of appeal process for food establishments in URMs for a ternporary relocation. City attorney remarked that we would need to revise the ordinance to address this alternative. Mayor O'Mahony asked for public comment. A representative of Copenhagen Bakery saicl that parking in his area is currently overused and he was in favor of rnaintaining the ordinance. He also expressed that Burlingarne needs a variery of businesses. Properry owner Joe Karp agreed there was not a need for change. He suggested that we look at the provisions of our existing URM ordinance. He said that businesses such as 'lTaiters on 'S7heels should be required to have take-out pennits even if they are from out of town. He also stated that the variance application is very difficult to fill out. Owner of the rlew restaurant on Burlingame Avenue, Alana's, conveyed that she liked the lirnit on food establishrnents since it prreserves the retail character of the downtown. She cited the experience of Chestnut Street in San Francisco which has become a restauranr row. Eclith M"y, owner of the art store on Lorton, related that parking in her area is full at all tirnes; she feels that we have been granting too many parking variances. She doesn't wish to see council change our ordinance and wished there was some way for the ciry to purchase the fire site on Burlingarne Avenue for parking. Ron Karp noted that it was good for the council to review our orciinances and positions, but we shouldn't change it at this time. He fclt th:rt parking was still a problern. Sarn r52 Malouf, representing the Burlingarne Avenue Merchants, agreed on the need to continue tlre existing limits on food establishments. A tenant of 1,420 Burlingame Avenue supported the lirnits but noted that we should allow for some type of permanent relocation for URM. Council closed the public cornments and directed staff to review the current number of URMs which contain food establishments, the extent of repairs required, and to study proposing amendrnents to our code to allow temporary relocation of restaurants for URM purposes. They also requested the city attorney to examine if there was a way the ciry could lirnit the sale of food establishment "rights"/designations. 3. LEAF BLO\rERS Tlre ciry manager briefly reviewed the staff report and prior discussion in '1.992 of this issue. Councihnan Pagliaro felt there were two issues concerning hours and decibel noise levels. He believed that, at a minimuln, we should be phasing out older mow- ers/blowers. The council queried the park director as to the difference between older and newer blowers. The park director responded that currently five of the six city blowers are new, and there's a considerable irnprovement in noise reduction with the new blowers properry operated. Council invited public comrnent. Mrs. Hornblower, Easton Drive, said that the noise frorn leaf blowers is awful and she cannot entertain in her yard; she asked council to address this problern. Dennis Huajardo indicated that he felt council should review all motorized equiprnent and seek long-term solutions for irnproving the qualiry of living. Delores Huajardo distributed articles n'bout EPA rreports ron rsrnall rgas'powered rengirres and the ;rollution problerns they create. She said we lnay want to consider a ban of motorized equipxnent on weekends. Two other residents agreed with the limits on leaf blowers and noted the possible rnedical affects of the clust created by use of these tools. Council held a general discussion on what direction the ciry should take. Councilman Spinelli and Mayor O'Mahony thought we rnight consider a ban of certain equipment on weekends. Councilman Pagliaro questioned whether we could ban certain blower models. He asked staff to review solne alternatives to a decibel standard that would allow phase-out of the older equiprnent. Councilwornan Knight felt there was a significant difference berween Z-cycle and 4-cycle engines and that we needed to educate the gardeners. She did understancl the needs of the park departrnent. Councihnan Harrison questioned whether we were limiting just cotnmercial gardeners or all equip- lnellt users. After additional discussion, staff was directed to review methods of lirniting certain rnodels of leaf blowers and possible ban of use during tirne periods on weekends. 4.COUNCIL CO MMENTS Councilman Spinelli rernarked that he would like to place the train station insurance rnatter on the next agenda. This rnatter had been discussed at the May 16 rneeting. He asked that the cornrnittee organizers present a financial report sltowing the funds raised to date and their use and a budget showing wltat is proposed. 153 Councilwoman Knight mentioned that at the mock train wreck today, San Francisco Supervisor Tom Hseih had asked individual council members for a letter supporting Proposition H on the San Francisco ballot. Councihnan Pagliaro noted he had difficulry with Burlingame residents voicing an opinion on how San Francisco voters should vote. After discussion, council took no action. 5. FROM THE FLOOR Kerry Abshire, owner of Nature's Pets on Broadway, presented council with a petition containing 45 signatures asking that the Broadway BID be voted upon each year. He reviewed seven different recornmendations that he felt the BID should implement for improvement. Mayor O'Mahony commented that the council had approved the BID continuance at its last meeting for this year, and Mr. Abshire should work with the BID committee. She noted that the ordinance implementing the BID would be up for renewal next year. CLOSED SESSION At 11:34 p.m., the meeting was adjourned to a closed session on labor negotiations. ADIOURNMENT Mayor O'Mahony adiourned the study meeting at llz46 p.m. Judith A. Malfatti Ciry Clerkv