HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 2001-07-18 MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL
AND
PLANNING COMMISSION
CITY OF SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO
SPECIAL JOINT MEETING
JULY 18,2001
MUNICIPAL SERVICES BUILDING
COMMUNITY ROOM
33 ARROYO DRIVE
1. Call to Order:
2. Roll Call:
6:06 p.m.
Present:
(Cassette Tape No. 1)
Councilmembers Gonzalez, Matsumoto and
Penna, Mayor Pro Tem Mullin and Mayor
Fernekes
Commissioners D'Angelo, Honan,
Ochsenhirt, Sim, Teglia*, Vice-Chairman
Romero and Chairman Meloni
Absent: None
*Commissioner Teglia arrived at 6:09 p.m.
3. Public Comments: None
Mayor Fernekes announced that Item No. 4 will be considered after Item No. 6 on the Agenda.
5. Study Session: Consideration of proposed Child Care Facilities Development Impact Fee
Staff report presented by Chief Planner Sparks. Consultants Joann Brion and Christine
Anderson were introduced and a visual presentation of the study and project was presented.
Mayor Fernekes opened up the discussion for Ms. Brion to respond to questions.
Councilwoman Matsumoto discussed the cost estimates and factors that were taken into
account when preparing the report and other methods to provide child care upon build-out.
Councilman Gonzalez questioned the comparisons made with other communities regarding
child care fees and the needs assessment.
In response to Mayor Pro Tern Mullin, Ms. Brion further explained the comparison data,
AB 1600, the 50% unmet child care demand assumption, the community meetings that were
conducted, stakeholder interviews, the low return rate on survey forms, and the projected
residential growth rate.
Ms. Brion clarified for Councilman Penna the proposed hotel development fees that are based
on the building's square footage, and how the formula was determined.
In response to Mayor Fernekes, Ms. Brion discussed the projections for employment child care
needs and that the issue has been addressed in the report.
Vice Chairman Romero questioned the current "four children to one licensed child care space"
ratio. Ms. Brion stated it was not calculated for the report, but it would roughly improve to a
two-to-one ratio. Ms. Brion further addressed items of concern, including locating child care
centers in closed schools, the School District's participation, a parcel tax as a potential funding
source, and child care user fees.
At the request of Commissioner Ochsenhirt, Ms. Brion discussed the feedback obtained from
developers in other cities and their interest in wanting to know all the user fees in advance.
In response to Commissioner Honan, Ms. Brion clarified that the city's growth is coming from
employment uses, whereas a small percentage of child care is coming from employment uses.
Commissioner Honan commented that she'd like to see more employers providing on-site child
care. Ms. Brion discussed possible mechanisms for using the impact fee revenue and policies
for creating incentives for employers to provide child care for infants or special needs.
In response to Commissioner Teglia, Ms. Brion explained that the plan is to have the City
become partners with developers or non-profit providers, rather than the City building child
care facilities. She further indicated that several projects under current development are
working together to provide child care centers.
In response to Councilwoman Matsumoto's question regarding the effect the fee may have on
building affordable housing units, City Attorney Mattas explained that Council and the
Planning Commission will have the option to waive the child care impact fee as a density
bonus. He stated that the unmet need will not have to be made up.
Councilman Gonzalez stated a concern is unlicensed daycare, when older children miss school
to stay home and baby-sit siblings. Ms. Brion and Ms. Anderson responded that policies can
be adopted to address this concern by reducing fees, providing child care subsidies, etc., when
the program fees are administered.
Mayor Pro Tem Mullin reiterated Councilman Gonzalez's concern regarding unlicensed
daycare, and that child care providers are undervalued. He discussed with an audience member
current legislation for subsidized child care based on a regional area's medium income rather
than the state's medium income.
Ms. Brion concluded her presentation. She stated that the next step will be a Planning
Commission public hearing in September.
(Recess: 7:09 p.m.-7:18 p.m.)
SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING JULY 18,2001
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19o
Study Session: Transit Oriented Development Overlay District in the area surrounding the
South San Francisco BART Station, San Bruno BART Station, and the South San Francisco
Caltrain Station
Staff report presented by Chief Planner Sparks. Consultant, Mr. Rick Williams, Van Meter
Williams and Pollack presented a visual presentation.
Mayor Fernekes opened up the discussion for Mr. Williams to respond to questions.
In response to Commissioner D'Angelo's questions, Mr. Williams stated the Mission
Road/Chestnut Avenue retail development will not conflict or compete with the downtown.
He also stated that the linear park will extend into Colma and may extend through many cities.
Commissioner Ochsenhirt stated his support for lower height limits and skepticism for opening
up the PG&E easements to activities. He asked for clarification on the proposed areas
designated open space. Mr. Williams responded and explained the importance of the first
piece of the proposal to be the linear park from the BART station to Grand Avenue. Further
discussion included the location of intersection traffic circles and the Crestwood Drive
residents' concerns regarding the McLellan extension.
Chairman Meloni stated that a concern of the Planning Commission is that the Hickey
Boulevard extension be completed by the time the BART station opens, or there will be traffic
problems in the Sunshine Gardens neighborhood. He stated his support for the project.
Commissioner Teglia stated his concerns regarding big-box retail being incompatible with the
proposal, current traffic/parking problems at the Costco site, and suggested that the problem be
resolved before the TOD is considered. Mr. Williams responded to concerns such as the
queuing at the Costco gas station, how that problem is being addressed, and the twenty-year
plan for the Costco site including its demise.
Commissioner D'Angelo questioned the student drop-off point from Mission Road to
McLellan Boulevard. Mr. Williams responded that a recommendation will be for the
engineering staff of BART and E1 Camino High School to meet and coordinate the circulation
elements.
In response to Councilman Penna, Mr. Williams discussed the pedestrian connection between
Mission Road and El Camino Real and the exorbitant cost of a pedestrian over-crossing. They
further discussed the market analysis conducted for commercial-retail/offices uses around a
BART station that found such uses to be unsuccessful. Councilman Penna questioned the
residential development regulations and stated his support for high quality construction
products surrounding the BART station that includes tall residential buildings, seven-eight
stories in height.
Mayor Pro Tem Mullin questioned if Mr. Williams was aware of the quarter mile TOD
standard being increased to a third of a mile for subsidized funding from regional agencies.
Mr. Williams stated he will contact MTC and other sources to verify if a threshold exists.
SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING JULY 18, 2001
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In response to Mayor Pro Tem Mullin, Mr. Williams stated that the Costco facility has been
factored into the plan at every level. Mayor Pro Tern Mullin commented on Kaiser's need for
additional parking and that it is considering several options. He asked for a color rendition of
the Power Point presentation and stated he would like to look at other TOD's built. Mr.
Williams agreed to provide him with a list of locations that Mayor Pro Tem Mullin could visit.
Councilman Gonzalez stated his concerns regarding the pedestrian traffic on El Camino Real,
the benefits of a pedestrian over-crossing, parking at E1 Camino High School, architectural
design features in the TOD that are representative of the community' s diversity.
Councilwoman Matsumoto stated her skepticism that the BART station's landscaping will be
maintained. She stated her support for limiting the number of parking spaces in the residential
development, the proposed mixed uses near the BART station, bikeways, etc. She felt that
Costco shoppers will patronize retail uses in the area. She further stated her support for high-
rise residential and reiterated the need to force drivers out of their cars.
Mr. Williams stated that the issues of quality of housing, height, and open space will be looked
at closely for the next meeting.
Mayor Fernekes stated his support for the plan and that he does not oppose the residential
going higher in order to meet residential allocations.
Motion-Ochsenhirt/Second-Honan: To adjourn the Planning Commission meeting at 8:52 p.m.
Unanimously approved by voice vote.
(Recess: 8:52 p.m. - 8:58 p.m.)
Resolution authorizing inclusion of a ballot measure related to the City' s commercial parking
tax on the next Municipal Election ballot in November, 2001, requesting consolidation of
election with the County of San Mateo, authorizing the ballot title and statement, authorizing
preparation of an impartial analysis by the City Attorney and authorizing specified City
Council members to prepare and sign a ballot argument in favor of the proposed initiative
measure
Staff report presented by City Attorney Mattas.
Council discussed alternative wording for the ballot question. Council's concern was that the
question indicate clearly to the voters that the tax is being imposed on commercial parking
companies and not residents. Council agreed to the following wording:
Alternative No. 3: Shall an ordinance be adopted confirming and approving a previously
authorized increase in the South San Francisco commercial parking facility business license
tax, which is a tax that applies only to the gross receipts received by commercial parking
companies, from four percent of gross receipts to eight percent of gross receipts?
SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING JULY 18, 2001
MINUTES PAGE 4
/"?2..
Mayor Fernekes and Mayor Pro Tem Mullin volunteered to prepare and sign a ballot argument
in favor of the measure and a rebuttal argument, if necessary.
Council directed staff to prepare a fact summary sheet for public consideration.
Motion-Matsumoto/Second-Penna: To adopt Resolution No. 71-2001, to place before the
voters of the City of South San Francisco an ordinance confirming and approving the
Commercial Parking Facility License Tax at eight percent (8) of gross receipts; authorize
Mayor Fernekes and Mayor Pro Tem Mullin to prepare the written argument in favor of and
rebuttal argument if necessary, and directing staff to prepare a fact sheet. Unanimously
approved by voice vote.
7. Consideration of City Council policy related to process for annual selection of Mayor and
Vice-Mayor and possible adoption of proposed policy
Mayor Fernekes informed Council that he asked the City Attorney to prepare Appendix iA,
Selection of Mayor and Vice-Mayor, for the Council Handbook.
Council agreed that it took at least two years for a newly elected Council member to prepare
for the role of vice-mayor, and subsequently, mayor. City Attorney Mattas explained the
proposed two-year progression that will include a process for newly elected members to move
right into line upon taking office. He stated the language will be prepared for Council's review
and then will become part of the Council Handbook. If further revision is necessary the item
will be re-agendized.
Motion-PennaJSecond-Mullin: To direct the City Attorney to prepare an amendment to the
City Council Handbook to provide for a two year process and insuring all newly elected
Council members fall in order behind existing members who are continuing in service.
Unanimously approved by voice vote.
8. Adjournment
Motion-Mullin/Second-Gonzalez: To adjourn the meeting at 9:30 p.m. Unanimously approved by
voice vote.
Submitted by:
Syl~a M. Payne, City'Clerk
City of South San Francisco
Approved:
/,
JoYeph A. Fernekes, Mayor
City of South San Francisco
SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING JULY 18, 2001
MINUTES PAGE 5