HomeMy WebLinkAboutOrd 1928ORDINANCE N0. 1928
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BURLINGAME
AMENDING TITLE 25 OF THE BURLINGAME MUNICIPAL CODE (ZONING
ORDINANCE) C.S. 25.08.265 (DEFINITIONS — FLOOR AREA RATIO (FAR)),
REVISING FLOOR AREA RATIO EXEMPTIONS FOR COVERED PORCHES
The City Council of the City of Burlingame hereby ordains as follows:
Division 1. Factual Background
WHEREAS, Title 25 of the Burlingame Municipal Code (Zoning Ordinance), Chapter
25.08.265 (Definitions — Floor Area Ratio), allows covered porches or decks on the first floor
totaling one hundred (100) square feet or less to be deducted from the floor area computation
for single family residences are; and
WHEREAS, the provision of street -facing covered porches contributes to a positive
relationship between homes and the surrounding neighborhood; and
WHEREAS, the Burlingame Planning Commission considered amendments to the floor
area exemptions for covered porches at public hearings held on November 23, 2015, January
11, 2016 and April 11, 2016; and
WHEREAS, following a duly noticed public hearing on April 11, 2016, the Burlingame
Planning Commission recommended that the floor area deduction for covered porches or decks
on the first floor of single family residences shall be increased from one hundred (100) square
feet to two hundred (200) square feet; and
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Burlingame conducted duly noticed
public hearings on May 16, 2016 and June 6, 2016 at which it considered the Planning
Commission's April 11, 2016 recommendation regarding the floor area deduction for covered
porches or decks on the first floor of single family residences; and
WHEREAS, after considering all written and oral testimony presented at the May 16,
2016 and June 6, 2016 public hearings regarding the proposed amendment, the City Council
introduced an ordinance, by title only, waiving further reading.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BURLINGAME DOES
ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:
Division 2. The Burlingame Municipal Code, Title 25 - Chapters 25.08.265 (Definitions —
Floor Area Ratio), is amended as follows (amendments are shown in bold italics):
Chapter 25.08 DEFINITIONS
25.08.256 Floor Area Ratio (FAR).
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ORDINANCE NO. 1928
(a) "Floor area ratio' or "FAR" means the ratio of the gross square footage of
the floor area of a building or buildings to the lot on which the building or buildings are
located. FAR for any lot includes new structures to be built and those remaining.
(b) Single -Family Residential.
(1) In calculating FAR on a lot, the measurement shall include the gross floor
areas of the primary dwelling, attached garages, and all accessory structures on
foundations, and shall include all basements with a ceiling height of six (6) feet or
greater. Open spaces within the structure that are higher than twelve (12) feet shall be
counted as two (2) floors.
(2) Up to six hundred (600) square feet of basement with a ceiling height of
six (6) feet or greater shall be deducted from the floor area measurement for FAR under
subsection (b)(1) above if it meets both of the following standards:
(A) The top of the finished floor above the basement is less than two (2) feet
above existing grade; and
(B) No part of the basement is intended or used for parking.
(3) Deducted from the floor area computation for single family residences
are:
(A) Covered porches or decks on the first floor totaling two hundred (200)
square feet or less which face a street and are not located on the rear of the
dwelling. An area under a balcony shall be considered a covered porch if the balcony is
over an exterior exit from the building; and
(B) Uncovered balconies and decks on the second floor; and
(C) Existing attic areas that are retained or reduced, but not extended in new
construction. In all other cases, habitable attic areas shall be counted as floor area in
calculating FAR; and
(D) Accessible space between the surface of the ground and the bottom of
the first floor joists that measures less than six (6) feet in height shall not be counted as
floor area in calculating FAR; and
(E) Lower floor or basement of one hundred (100) square feet or less, even if
the lower floor or basement extends more than two (2) feet above existing grade.
(c) Commercial Development.
(1) In calculating FAR for commercial development the measurement shall
apply to the gross floor area of the building above the average elevation of the curb
opposite the front wall and does not include basements or cellars.
(A) For parking structures and buildings having enclosed space without
floors, each twelve (12) feet in height shall be considered as a story. In addition, each
fraction of twelve (12) feet in height shall be calculated as a fraction of a story. The
calculated gross floor area of parking structures, auditoriums and other buildings with
large enclosed spaces shall be determined by multiplying the covered lot area by the
equivalent number of stories plus any fraction thereof.
(B) The floor area for the parking structure or building having enclosed space
without floors will then be added to the floor area of the other building space on-site and
dividing by the total lot area of the project.
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ORDINANCE NO. 1928
(2) Exempted from floor area ratio computation for commercial development
are:
(A) Chimneys, cupolas, flag poles;
(B) Water tanks, elevator penthouses or other mechanical appurtenances;
and
(C) Fire or hose towers.
(3) In some of the commercial districts in the city, a separate maximum floor
area ratio is established for a particular use on a lot as well as a maximum overall floor
area ratio for a lot.
Division 3. This ordinance, or a summary as applicable, shall be published as required by law
and shall become effective 30 -days thereafter.
L X��L -
Ann Keighr Mayor
I, Meaghan Hassel -Shearer, City Clerk of the City of Burlingame, do hereby certify that the
foregoing ordinance was introduced at a regular meeting of the City Council held on the 6th day
of June 2016, and adopted thereafter at a regular meeting of the City Council held on the 20th
day of June 2016, by the following vote:
AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS: BEACH, BROWNRIGG, COLSON, KEIGHRAN, ORTIZ
NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS: NONE
ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: NONE
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