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.
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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.
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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
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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.
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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