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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMin - CC - 1996.12.02BURLINGAME, CALIFORNIA December 2, L996 CALL TO ORDER A duly noticed regular meeting of the Burlingame City Council was held on the above date in the City Hall Council Chambers. The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Mayor O'Mahony. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG Ird by City Attorney Jerry Coleman ROLL CALL COUNCIL PRESENT: COUNCIL ABSENT: HARRISON, JANNEY, KNIGHT, O'MAHONY, SPINELLI NONE MINUTES The minutes of the Regular Meeting of November 18,1996 were approved after correcting a name on pages 3 and 4 Francesca Tashjian. PUBLIC HEARING - APPEAL OF PLANNING COMMISSION DENIAL OF FRONT SETBACK VARIANCE AT 1319 BENITO - RESOLUTION 93-96 APPROVING SAME City Planner reviewed her memo of November 22 which recommended council hold a public hearing and take action. The applicant, Alan Olin, designer representing the property owners Brad and Laurie Gilbert, is requesting front setback variance in order to extend the front of a double car garage at the remodeled house to 2l feet from the property line (where 23 feet is required). As part of this remodel the existing garage area will be moved forward in the structure and the existing garage will become a low ceiling (7 to 3.5 feet) storage/crawl space. The new parking area will have interior dimensions of 24 feetby 27 feet (20 feet by 20 feet required). The remodel will increase the floor area of the house by 24 percent and the number of bedrooms from four to five. The project is not defined as new construction but will have 4,057.5 SF and increase the FAR to .67 (maximum FAR for new construction in this area would be .57 FAR). The Planning Commission denied this request at its October 15 meeting. Mayor O'Mahony opened the public hearing. Jerry Deal, designer representing the applicants, presented drawings to clarify the project; discussed various alternative locations for the garage door or doors consistent with code requirements, noting they will increase the visual mass in this case. He also discussed the fact that the face of the garage door was 23 feet from the property line, the wall in the workbench area and the decorative wing wall were all that was at 2L feet; council noted the code states garage, not garage door, so a variance is required. Brad Gilbert, property owner, spoke in favor of one garage door rather than two separate doors. The hearing was closed. Council rnembers had viewed the area; neighbors approve of plans; moving the garage doors back would totally change the second floor interior; there is visual movement in the design; had no objections. Vice Mayor Spinelli moved to reverse the Planning Commission denial and approve the 83 variance by adopting RESOLUTION 93-96 with conditions in staff report. The motion was seconded and carried unanimously by roll call vote. CHANGE ORDER OF AGENDA Mayor O'Mahony noted the applicant for the appeal of a sign exception at 1041 Broadway was not present and council would continue with other agenda items until he appeared. PUBLIC HEARING - SECOND READING - ORDINANCE 1564 RESTRICTING PARKING HOURS ALONG THE BAY SIDE OF AIRPORT BOULEVARD FROM BEACH ROAD TO FISHERMAN'S PARK City Engineer reviewed the Public Works memo of November 13, 1996 which recommended council hold a pubtic hearing and take action. This ordinance would prohibit parking on Airport Boulevard from Beach Road to Fisherman's Park between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. The police department has asked that signs be installed since quite a few vehicles use this area for overnight camping, creating a general nuisance. Mayor O'Mahony opened the public hearing. There were no comments and the hearing was closed Vice Mayor Spinelli moved to adopt ORDINANCE 1564. Seconded by Councilwoman Janney and carried unanimously. PUBLIC COMMENTS There were no comments from the floor. Mayor O'Mahony reviewed the City Manager's memo with attached list of assignments from 1996; she noted there were no vacancies on any committees. Councilman Harrison moved to approve the assignments same as last year. Councilwoman Knight asked if she could have some help in department budget interviews since she had all city hall departments and recreation. Councilman Harrison agreed to take the Park & Recreation Department. The motion was seconded by Council- woman Janney and carried unanimously. TRAFFIC. SAFETY AND PARKING COMMISSION APPOINTMENTS Vice Mayor Spinelli reviewed the City Manager's memo of November 26 which recommended council appoint two commissioners to the TSP Commission. He and Mayor O'Mahony had interviewed candidates this evening. He complimented all the candidates, noting it was a difficult decision. He and the Mayor recommended reappointment of James Evans, incumbent, and appointment of Maureen Laks-Harber to the commission. Council concurred. Mayor O'Mahony suggested the application form allow applicants to list a second choice of commissions. 1995-96 COMPREHENSIVE ANNUAL FINANCIAL REPORT Councilman Harrison said the city staff has done an excellent job. He complimented city staff: Rahn Becker, Finance Director; Linda ke, Senior Accountant, who supervised the work with the December 2, 1996 84 Burlingame City Council auditors; and Mary Asturias, Accounting Technician, who assisted. The Finance Director's memo of November 22 was sent to council with the Financial Report. The audit committee, consisting of Mayor O'Mahony, Councilman Harrison, the City Manager, Senior Accountant, auditors and the Finance Director, have met and reviewed the draft audit and financial statements. Once again the city has received a "clean" audit report with no management letter prescribing procedural correc- tions. Mayor O'Mahony asked about appropriations limits; City Manager responded. Councilman Harrison moved to accept the report. Seconded by Councilwoman Janney and carried unanimously. ADMINISTRATION - PROPOSED ORDINANCE LIMITING DEMOLITION. REOUIRING A City Planner reviewed her memo of November 22 which recommended council consider proposed changes to the zoning code and decide whether it is appropriate to introduce the ordinance to implement new direction. At the joint Council/Planning Commission meeting in October, council directed staff to prepare an amendment to zoning regulations to clarify that ":neighborhood compatibility: review is required for all residential construction. Three suggestions for doing this were: (1) strengthen the criteria for findings for variances and special permits, and whether this provision should apply to R-1 only or also to multiple family zones; (2) require remodeled houses whose size is greater than 40 percent of the lot area to have commission review for neighborhood compatibility; and (3) prohibit demolition of houses until a building permit has been issued. Council discussion ensued: could this be reviewed with a procedure like the minor modification notifying neighbors, notice distance was also discussed; 40 percent of lot size is too restrictive, perhaps 50 or 60 percent; consider using a set percentage plus an additional footage as we do in FAR; demolition issue should allow some discretion on staff; discussed extending compatibility review to apartments and condominiums, multiple family zones; would like to discuss adding multiple family at the joint Planning meeting, would also like data on the total number of multiple family projects built during past year; agreed the ordinance needs more work. Staff will bring a revised ordinance back to council at the next meeting. Mayor O'Mahony noted the applicant for the appeal at 1041-1049 Broadway had arrived PUBLIC HEARING - APPEAL OF PLANNING COMMISSION DENIAL OF A SIGN EXCEP- TION AND PARKING VARIANCE FOR USED CAR SALES LOT AT 1041-1049 BROADWAY - RESOLUTION 94-96 APPROVING SAME City Planner reviewed her memo of November 26 which recommended council hold a public hearing and take action. Mike Harvey, applicant, has added a used car sales use in the building and required parking area at LO4L-L049 Broadway. Monney Car Audio originally occupied the entire building at the corner of Carolan and Broadway and used the parking lot at the rear for customer and service parking. Mike Harvey has leased the northern part of the first floor area for his Honda Used Car Sales office. Monney car stereo has retained a showroom, installation shop, office and second floor office and storage in the remainder of the building. The present use requires 16 on-site parking spaces and the parking lot contains 33 spaces , 14 of which have been designated for employees requiring a 2 space parking variance. The remaining spaces will be used for used car inventory display. The applicant is also requesting a sign exception so he can add 10 signs to the site and add a double faced pole sign. The total proposed signs on the primary frontage (Broadway) Burlingame City Council 8s December 2, 1996 DISCUSSION OF NEIGHBORHOOD COMPATIBILITY AS A CONSIDERATION IN ZONING CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT FOR R-l STRUCTURES EXCEEDING 40 PERCENT GROSS FLOOR AREA AND ADDING FINDINGS FOR USE PERMITS AND VARIANCES including the existing Monney signs would be 12 signs (3 allowed) and 446 SF (150 SF allowed). On the secondary frontage (Carolan) the applicant is requesting no additional signs. He indicates he will remove all banner signs when the new sign program is approved. Monney also has been asked to remove all banner signs he installed. The Planning Commission denied this request at its meeting of October 28. Mayor O'Mahony opened the public hearing. Mike Harvey, applicant, spoke noting that he wanted a window sign which counts in his permitted square footage on this site which would be exempt in auto row on California Drive; once the pole sign is in place he can removed the banner signs; he has spoken to other dealers in the Broadway/Rollins area and they would like to have the auto row signage provisions apply in their area; he commented that signage is especially important to used car sales which are more spontaneous than new car sales; the used car buyer need to be drawn into the site, thus California Drive has an advantage being able to use bunting; new car sales are dependent on huge volume because of the low margin of profit to the dealer, real income comes from service and used car sales; he is paying the JPB to use their right-or-way area adjacent to Acura for supplemental parking, employees will use it; Vice Mayor Spinelli noted parking abuses and careless driving in the vicinity of Harvey's California Drive operations and Harvey said to avoid the problem of people driving the wrong way on West Lane the street could be made two-way. There were no other comments and the hearing was closed. Council members noted that staff should look at extending the auto row signage provisions to the area of the BroadwayiRollins auto dealerships. Councilwoman Knight wanted to remind council that Broadway is an entrance tot he city and that any signage should reflect that. Suggestions should be brought forward to the city council. Councilman Harrison moved to reverse the Planning Commission and approve the sign exception and parking variance by adoption of RESOLUTION 94-96 with conditions and findings in staff repofi. Seconded by Councilwoman Janney and carried unanimously by voice vote. BFI REFUSE COLLECTION. BRUSH PICKUP AND RECYCLING RATES City Manager briefly reviewed the Finance Director's memo of November 19 regarding the changes in the BFI pickups and noting there would be no rate increase. CONSENT CALENDAR Councilman Harrison would like the resolution for item "b" to reflect his negative vote. RESOLUTION 95-96 ACCEPTING COMPLETION OF MILLS CANYON STORM DRAIN REALIGNMENT AT TOLEDO COURT - CP 9607(1) Public Works memo of November 26 recommended council accept this job completed by Ed Boyan Construction Company at a cost of $53,800. RESOLUTION 96-96 CONFIRMING DENIAL OF TAKE-OUT PERMIT FOR 1118 BURLINGAME AVENUE City Attorney's memo of November 26 recommended council adopt this resolution formaliz- ing action taken at the last meeting to deny the application for a permit for take-out food a b December 2, 1996 86 Burlingame City Council service at 1118 Burlingame Avenue. The resolution will reflect Councilman Harrison's negative vote. c MID-YEAR BUDGET ADJUSTMENTS Finance Director's memo of November 21 recommended council approve mid-year budget adjustments for (1) Public Works - Engineering for $61,600; (2) Public Works - Street Maintenance adding $15,000 for sidewalk washing and $12,000 for overtime for cleaning parking lots and streets; (3) Police Communications Project for $29,994 for laptop comput- ers; (4) Fire-Paramedic salary in the amount of $27,000 and training $9,000; and City Hall ADA improvements in the amount of $50,000. d. CONFIRM COUNCIL MEETING OF DECEMBER 16. 1996 City Manager's memo of November 25 recommended council hold a meeting on December 16 as scheduled. e DENIAL OF CLAIM OF KYLE MCDONALD City Attorney's memo of November 25 recommended council deny this claim for $25,000 for a lost cat. Vice Mayor Spinelli moved approval of the consent calendar. Seconded by Councilwoman Knight and carried unanimously, with Councilman Harrison voting no on item "b. " COUNCIL COMMITTEE REPORTS Councilwoman Knight reported on Criminal Justice. Councilwoman Janney told about the CMAC meeting; also attended a restaurant and hotel manager's function. Mayor O'Mahony discussed the county investment committee meeting. OLD BUSINESS Vice Mayor Spinelli discussed a city informational flyer printed on a dark blue paper which was difficult to read because of the contracts; he suggested a lighter color paper be used. NEW BUSINESS Councilman Harrison acknowledged the letter from Councilwoman Janney asking for appointment to the Transpofiation Authority; he moved that council support this request. The motion was seconded by Councilwoman Janney and failed on a 2-3 vote, Councilwoman Knight, Vice Mayor Spinelli and Mayor O'Mahony voting no. a.Commission Minutes: Beautification, November 7; Traffic, Safety and Parking, November 14; Park and Recreation, November 21; Planning, November 25, L996. Burlingame City Council 87 December 2, 1996 b lrtter from the Burlingame Lions Club regarding renewal of its lease of the building at 990 Burlingame Avenue. City Manager noted this lease does not expire for another three years and then has an automatic 10 year renewal, he did not see any reason to consider it at this time. Council concurred and asked staff to correspond with the club. Letter from United Methodist Church requesting removal of four Eucalyptus trees on El Camino Real. City Attorney discussed Caltrans' responsibility for these trees, he will reply ktter from Betty Mae regarding condition of sidewalks. Letter from Dave Lombardi about trash in parking lots. Staff will check. ktter from Councilwoman Janney to San Mateo County Mayors expressing interest in appointment to the County Transportation Authority. At 8:33 p.m. the Mayor adjourned to a Closed Session regarding (a) labor negotiations with the Public Service Employees (BPSEA); and (b) litigation regarding the Welcome sign on State Highway 101. RECONVENE OPEN SESSION - APPROVAL OF LABOR AGREEMENT WITH BPSEA The meeting reconvened at 8:51 p.m. Mayor O'Mahony announced council unanimously approved a 5 year agreement with BPSEA for 2.5 percent salary increase in the first year, "2 percent at 55" PERS retirement plan in the second year, and CPI salary increases in the third, fourth and fifth years. ADJOURNMENT IN MEMORY OF AL KAUFMANN. CAMILLA FIRPO AND TARA REED Mayor O'Mahony noted with sadness the recent deaths of three residents: Al Kaufmann, long-time resident, business owner and member of the Burlingame Lions Club; Camilla Firpo, 106 year old long-time resident; and Tara Reed, beloved daughter of Thomas and Patricia Reed. After a moment of silence in their memory, the meeting was adjourned at 8:52. p.m. c d. e. f. CLOSED SESSION A City Clerk December 2, 1996 88 Burlingame City Council