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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 03/13/1972 MINUTES March 13, 1972 of the regular meeting of the South San Francisco Planning Commission TIME: 8:00 p.m. DATE March 13, 1972 PLACE: City Hall South San Francisco, California MEMBERS PRESENT: Vice Chairman Raffaelli, Commissioners Botieff, Gardner, Lazzari, Zlatunich, and Chairman Campredon MEMBERS ABSENT: Commissioner Boblitt ALSO PRESENT: City Planner and Secretary to the South San Francisco Planning Commission, Daniel M. Pass Assistant Planner William A. Timmons Planning Aide Surendra N. Amin Building Inspector Roy Ghi lardi MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING Minutes of the Planning Commission meeting of February 28, 1972 Vice-Chairman Raffaelli moved that the minutes of the regular meeting of the South San Francisco Planning Commission of February 28, 1972 be approved; seconded by Commissioner Lazzari, passed by the following roll call vote: AYES: Vice Chairman Raffaelli, Commissioners Botieff, Gardner, Lazzari, Zlatunich, and Chairman Campredon NOES: None ABSENT: Commissioner Boblitt ANNOUNCEMENT CONCERNING TAPE RECORDING OF r~ETING Chairman Campredon announced that this meeting of the South San Fran- cisco Planning Commission would be recorded on tape, but that anyone who wished to come before the Commission in order to be heard, but objected to having his voice recorded in this manner, could request the Chairman to order the tape recorder turned "off" for the duration of the time that he is speaking or is heard. - 3091 - V-12S March 13, 1972 V-12S, variance request of Patrick Canavan to construct a one-story addition to a one-story, single-family dwelling in a required side yard of No. 141 April Avenue, in the R-l District. Secretary Pass read the following' report into the record. Report and recommendation of City Planner, Daniel M. Pass. "The Planning Office respectfully recommends that the Planning Commission adopt the "findings" embodied in the attached, preliminary Official Action Report, and grant the requested bulk variance. FINDINGS: 1. There are exceptions or extraordinary circUmstances or conditions applying to the land or building referred to in the application, which circumstances or conditions do not apply generally to land or buildings in the same district. 2. The granting of the application is necessary for the preserva- tion and enjoyment of substantial property rights of the petitioner. 3. That the granting of the application will not, under the circum- stances of the particular case, materially affect adversely the health or safety of persons residing or working in the neighbor- hood of the property of the applicant, and will not, under the circumstances of the particular case, be materially detrimental to the public welfare or injurious to property or improvements in said neighborhood. 4. The granting of the requested variance will be in harmony with the general purpose of the Zoning Ordinance. S. The requested variance is necessary to prevent practical diffi- culties, unnecessary hardships, and results inconsistent with the general purpose of the Zoning Ordinance. 6. The requested variance would not estab lish a new building line., but would merely extend an existing one. 7. Similar variances have been granted in the Serra Highlands sub- neighborhood.w *Examples: V-67, Robert Plunkett;V-S6, Norman L. Snyder; V-33, T. La Grave; V-37, Donald J. Frolli; V-27 Don Fagundes; V-20, John Tamburini; and V-87, Edward Andrews. Names and addresses of Proponents and Opponents: Proponents: Patrick Canavan, 141 April Avenue, South San Francisco, Cal., the applicant Opponents: None - 3092 - V-12S Cont'd. March 13, 1972 Mr. Patrick Canavan, the applicant, advised the Commission that he had two small girls and wishes to use the addition as a Family Room and would be pleased if they granted his request. Commissioner Lazzari moved that the Planning Commission adopt the findings and conditions as set forth in the preliminary Official Action Report, and approve V-12S upon the condition that the applicant comply with the submitted requirements of the City's reporting department heads; seconded by Vice-Chairman Raffaelli; The motion was passed by the following rolll vote: AYES: Vice-Chairman Raffaelli, Commissioners Botieff, Gardner, Lazzari, Zlatunich, and Chairman Campredon NOES: None ABSENT: Commissioner Boblitt V-126 V-126, variance request of William T. Mitchell to cover 44% of the building site at No. lIS Sherwood Way, and to encroach upon the required rear yard thereof, in the R-I District, with an enlarged one-story, single-family dwelling. Secretary Pass read the following report into the record. Report and recommendation of City Planner, Daniel M. Pass "The Planning Office respectfully recommends that the Planning Com- mission adopt the "findings" and action indicated in the attached, preliminary "Official Action Report. FINDINGS: 1. There are exceptions or extraordinary circumstances or conditions applying to the land or building referred to in the application, which circumstances or conditions do not apply generally to land or buildings in the same district. 2. The granting of the application is necessary for the pres- ervation and enjoyment of substantial property rights of the petitioner. -- 3093 -- V-126 cont'd March 13, 1972 3. That the granting of the application will not, under the circumstances of the particular case, materially affect adversely the health or safety of persons residing or working in the neighborhood of the property of the appli- cant, and will not, under the circumstances of the particular case, be materially detrimental to the public welfare or injurious to property or improvements in said neighborhood. 4. The granting of the requested variance will be in harmony with the general purpose of the Zoning Ordinance. S. The requested variance is necessary to prevent practical difficulties, unnecessary hardships, and results incon- sistent with the general purpose of the Zoning Ordinance. 6. The requested bulk variances are supported by the substan- dard size and depth of the subject building site. 7. The Planning Commission has granted many similar variances to freeholders in Brentwood. Names and addresses of Proponents and Opponents. Proponents: William T. Michell, lIS Sherwood Way, South San Francisco, Cal., the applicant Opponents: None Vice-Chairman Raffaelli moved that the Planning Commission adopt the findings and conditions, as set forth in the preliminary Official Action Report, and approve V-126 upon the condition that the applicant comply with the submitted requirements of the City's reporting department heads; seconded by Commissioner Gardner; The motion was passed by the following roll call vote: AYES: Vice-Chairman Raffaelli, Commissioners Botieff, Gardner, Lazzari, Zlatunich, and Chairman Campredon. NOES: None ABSENT: Commissioner Boblitt -- 3094 - UP- 212 March 13, 1972 UP-212, use-permit request of Nat Lucchesi to construct a sixth dwelling unit in a dwelling group-commercial store complex at No. 341 Baden Avenue, in the C-2 District. Secretary Pass read the following report into the record. Report and recommendation of City Planner, Daniel M. Pass "The Planning Department respectfully recommends that the Planning Commission adopt the "findings" and action indicated in the attached, preliminary Official Action Report. FINDINGS: I. The establishment, maintenance, operation or the use of the building or lands for which the permit is sought will not, under the circumstances of the particular case, be detrimental to the health, safety, morals, comfort and general welfare of persons residing or working in the area of such proposed use, and will not be detrimental or injurious to property and improvements in the neighborhood or the general welfare of the city. 2. The approval of the requested use permit meets the requirements of Section 6.23 of the Zoning Ordinance. 3. The expanded dwelling group would be served by sufficient off-street parking. 4. The expanded urban-core complex would substantially meet the City's minimum landscaping requirements. CONDITIONS: The applicant shall comply with the submitted requirements of the City's department heads, and the subsequent requirements of the Planning Commission's Architectural Committee. Memorandum dated February 24, 1972 from Chief of Police Salvatore Rosano "Reference noted subject, this Department recommends for security purpose that garage doors be installed. Interoffice Memorandum dated March 3, 1972 from Landscape Specialist John Hoffman "Plans reviewed in this office for subject Use Permit 212. Our comments are as follows: 1. Working drawings shall comply with City of South San Francisco Minimum Landscape Standards, including irrigation for all landscaped areas. - 309 S - UP-212 cont'd. March 13, 1972 "2. Juniperus Chinensis "Pfitzeriana" is not suitable for use in shady locations. The use of other plant material is recommended. 3. Minor discrepancies are noted in listed dimensions and actual scaled lengths. These are to be corrected in the working drawings. Names and addresses of Proponents and Opponents. Proponents: Fred R. Strathdee, 3606 Reposa Way Belmont, Ca., the agent of the applicant Opponents: None Considerable discussion ensued among the Commission regarding the recommendation from the Chief of Police that garage doors and internal partitions be installed and enclose each garage completely for security purposes. Commissioner Lazzari moved that the Planning Commission adopt the findings and conditions, as set forth in the preliminary Official Action Report, and approve UP-212 upon the condi tion that the applicant comply with the recommendation of the Chief of Police and the submitted requirements of the City's report- ing department heads; seconded by Commissioner Gardner; The motion was passed by the following roll call vote: AYES: Vice-Chairman Raffaelli, Commissioners Botieff, Gardner, Lazzari, Zlatunich, and Chairman Campredon NOES: None ABSENT: Commissioner Boblitt UP-2l3 UP-213, use-permit request of the Blue Line Transfer, Inc., to establish a solid-waste transfer station on the southerly side of Oyster Point Blvd., approximately 1270' easterly of Industrial Way, in the M-2-H District. Secretary Pass read the following report and letters into the record. Report and recommendation of City Planner, Daniell M. Pass. " "It is respectfully recommended that the Planning Commission adopt the "findings" listed in the attached, preliminary Official Action Report, and approve the requested use permit upon the condition that the applicant comply with the submitted requirements of the City's depart- ment heads, and the subsequent requirements of the Planning Commission's Architectural Committee. UP-213 contd. March 13, 1972 FINDINGS: 1. The establishment, maintenance, operation or the use of the building or lands for which the permit is sought will not, under the circumstances of the particular case, be detrimental to the health, safety, morals, comfort and general welfare of persons residing or working in the area of such proposed use, and will not be detrimental or injurious to property and improvements in the neighborhood or the general welfare of the ci ty . 2. The approval of the requested use permit meets the requirements of Section 6.23 of the Zoning Ordinance. 3. The proposed use would be characterized by sound site planning. 4. On November 23, 1970 the Planning Commission conditionally granted UP-168, a use-permit request similar to the instant one. UP-168 expired on November 23, 1971, due to nonuse. CONDITIONS: I. The applicant shall comply with the submitted requirements of the City's department heads, and the subsequent requirements of the Planning Commission's Architectural Committee. 2. The Commission's conditional approval of the requested use permit does not constitute its approval of the submitted building elevations of the proposed station. The Architectural Committee is instructed to hold the proposed building to the Architectural standards of the newer facilities in the Cabot- Utah Industrial Neighborhood." Interoffice Memorandum dated March I, 1972 from Fire Marshall, William A. Fox "The plans for the above named subject are not acceptable to this department for the following reason: Underground gasoline and diesel tanks located in front of building. They shall be moved to rear of property as shown in original drawing UP-168, dated November 23, 1970. PI eas e resubmit new drawings." Memorandum dated March 2, 1972 from Chief of Police, Salvatore Rosano "Reference noted subject, please be advised that this Department has no objection." - 3097 - tJP-213 Contd. March 13, 1972 Interoffice Memorandum dated March 3, 1972 from Landscape Specialist, John Hoffman "Plans for subj ect proj ect have been reviewed by this office. Our recommendations are: I. Additional Screen planting and mounding in the front of the site. 2. Where the plan indicates "weed treated soil", planting to be used instead. If this area is desired to be used for future develop- ment, ice plant would be an acceptable temporary ground cover planting. " Subsequent Interoffice Memorandum dated March 13, .1972 from Fire Chief John A. Marchi "We approve relocation of the underground tanks from prior location, front of building, to new location west side of building." Names and addresses of Proponents and Opponents. Proponents: George Avanessian, AIA, Avanessian & Associates, Archi tects 914 Linden Avenue, South San Francisco, Calif., Agent of the applicant Opponents: None Commissioner Botieff moved that the Planning Commission adopt the findings and conditions, as set forth in the preliminary Official Action Report, and approve UP-213 upon the condition that the appli- cant comply with the submitted requirements of the City's reporting department heads, with the exception of Item No.2 of Landscape Specialist John Hoffman's report. The motion was seconded by Commis- sioner Zlatunich and passed by the following roll call vote. AYES: Vice-Chairman Raffaelli, Commissioners Botieff, Gardner, Lazzari, Zlatunich, and Chairman Campredon. NOES: None ABSENT: Commissioner Boblitt - 3098 ... Preliminary Seismic Safety Element of the General Plan March 13, 1972 Secretary Pass read the following report into the record. "SEISMIC SAFETY ELEMENT OF THE GENERAL PLAN INTRODUCTION The Rift Zone of the San Andreas Fault, the principal fracture in the crust of the North American continent, and several auxiliary faults traverse the Westborough Community of the City of South San Francisco. The ground trace of the 1906 earthquake bisects the West Park Neighbor- hood, and provides grim evidence of this municipality's geological hazards. The South San Francisco areas' seismic problems are not confined to the Westborough Community, Sign Hill, San Bruno Mountain, and other physical features of recognized diastrophic activity, but extend to the very tide lots of San Francisco Bay. The shoreline, marshlands, and mudflats are primarily situated upon unstable, new Bay mud, and could, during a major earthquake, lose much of its bearing strength. This loss oill bearing capacity could result in the subsidence of structures, or even the sub- mergence of those heavy buildings which have been erected on poorly- engineered fill. While ground shaking and failures, surface rupturing, and liquefaction would probably be the main agents of destruction of any major dias- trophic movement in the South San Francisco area, the danger from seiches should also be mentioned. Seiches, or the oscillations of inland bodies of water, could, in the event of a major seismic shock, occur in the Bay. These seiches could destroy marinas, boats, wharves, and littoral buildings, dykes, and earthworks. Although few examples of damage caused by seismically induced tsunamis are available in San Francisco Bay, the potential does exist. The rapid rising of Bay waters could cause considerable damage to adjacent land uses and structures located in the water or founded on wetlands. GENERAL OBJECTIVES, GOALS, POLICY, AND STANDARDS I. ~he City of South San Francisco will continue to participate with the County of San Mateo, the San Mateo Regional Planning Committee, the Association of Bay Area Governments, the Bay Conservation and Development Commission, the State of California, the United States Geological Survey and other agencies in the study of geological hazards, and the enactment of legislation which is oriented towards the safety of the people, property, and wildlife of this subregion. 2. Ordinance No. 603, the Subdivision Ordinance of the City of South San Francisco provides: "Section 9.04 Statements o. A geological report shall be required in any area, so determin ed by the City Engineer, where there are known geological hazards." The above provision has been rigorously applied to the subdivision and parcel-mapping of this municipality since said provision's adoption in February, 1970. The Planning Commission, upon the recommendation of the City Engineer, has extended and will continue to extend the requirement embodied in Section 9.04 to all city- planning and zoning matters. 3099 -- Preliminary Seismic Safety Element of the General Plan contd. 3. This Seismic Safety Element of the General Plan should be con- sidered a tentative plan. As the city's seismic knowledge increases, new general and specific plans should be prepared and adopted. Notwithstanding the tentative nature of this plan, the Seismic Safety Element shall be construed as the City of South San Francisco's restatement of its seismic policy, to wit: "No lands shall be subdivided, developed, or filled in the absence of unequivocal, professional evidence that the proposed subdivision, development, or filling would be geologically safe." Letter dated March ,3, 1972 from Dr. Jon C. Cummings Ph.D., Geologist, Department of Earth Sciences, California State College, Hayward, Calif. "At your request I have reviewed the draft of the proposed Seismic Safety Element of the General Plan for the City of South San Francisco. Your draft outlines the principal problems and sets forth a reasonable basic policy for the city wi th respect to seismic hazards. I suggest that the Introduction be expanded somewhat to include both a brief statement about the cause and certainty of future earthqua~es in the Bay Area and a more specific outline of the principal seismic hazards in the city, as follows: INTRODUCTION The San Francisco Peninsula was the site of a great earthquake in 1906 caused by as much as twenty feet of sudden horizontal displacement between two segments of the earth's crust along the San Andreas Fault. Numerous other earthquakes in California as well as many geologic features demonstrate that the San Andreas Fault System forms the boundary between two plates of the earth's crust that have been moving lr'elentless ly past one another for millions of years. Geologic evidence indicates clearly that this crustal motion will continue to occur and will be expressed as sporadic earthquakes along the length of the San Andreas Fault. Geodetic measurements show that suffi- cient crustal strain has accumulated in the area of the San Fnd.'Fl:cfusco Peninsula since 1906 to cause another great earth- quake at any time. With this knowledge, it becomes the responsibility of communities in the Bay Area, and elsewhere in California, to take reasonable steps to protect the public from earthquake hazards. The Rift Zone of the San Andreas Fault traverses the Westborough Community of the City of South San Francisco. The ground trace of the break which produced the 1906 earthquake bisects the West Park Neighborhood, and provides a grim reminder of this municipality's geological hazards. Other, historically active but potentially hazardous " faults define the valley of Colma Creek and the southwestern boundary of San Bruno Mountain. -- 3100 - Preliminary Seismic Safety Element March 13, 1972 "Seismic problems in the South San Francisco area are not confined to the Westborough Community, Sign Hill, San Bruno Mountain, and other physical features of recognized diastrophic activity, but extend to the very tidelands of San Francisco Bay. The lowlands adjoining the bay including the shoreline, marshlands, and mud- flats are underlain chiefly by unstable, recently deposited Bay mud and man-made fill. These materials could, during a major earthquake, lose much of their coherence and bearing strength, resulting in the subsidence of the ground surface, settlement of structures, and possibly permanent submergence of much of the area. Thus, potential seismic hazards in the South San Francisco area include, but are not restricted to: 1. Permanent displacement of the ground by rupturing along known and unknown fault lines as well as by lurching of blocks of ground within and adjacent to the faults. 2. Landsliding and slumping, particularly on steep slopes and artificial fill. 3. Tremor or ground shaking caused by passage of seismic waves through the ground. Ground shaking can be antici- pated in all parts of South San Francisco in the event of a large earthquake, but with greater intensity in the low- land areas underlain by saturated and unconsolidated sediments and fill. 4. Ground subsidence due to both compaction and liquifaction of unconsolidated and often saturated fine-grained sedi- ments, particularly those in the lowlands bordering San Francisco Bay, with the possibility of permanent submerg- ence of these lands. S. Temporary flooding along the bay margin as a result of: a. Seismic sea waves or tsunami generated within or entering the bay. b. Seiches or oscillation of the water in the bay in response to seismic shaking. Under the heading of GENERAL OBJECTIVES, etc., I find no need to modify item I or 2. However, under item 3, I suggest changing the second sentence to read - "As the city's knowledge of seismic hazards increases, new general and specific plans should be prepared and adopted." Furthermore, I believe it would be more realistic to change the statement of seismic policy to read -- "No lands shall be subdivided, developed, or filled in the absence of sound, professional evidence that the proposed subdivision, development, or filling would be reasonably safe from geological hazards." -- 3101 - Preliminary Seismic Safety Element March 13, 1972 "With inclusion of the modifications suggested above, I believe that this document would constitute an excellent addition to the city's General Plan and recommend that it be adopted as the Seismic Safety Element for the City of South San Francisco. It has been my pleasure to serve you in this matter." Names and addresses of Proponents and Opponents: Proponents: I. Jon C. Cummings Ph. D., Geologist Department of Earth Sciences, California State College, Hayward, Calif. 2. Thomas H. Hughes, Attorney-at-Law 777 North First Street, San Jose, Calif. A member of the Joint Committee on Seismic Safety for the State of California, advised the Commission that he was in favor of seismic safety element's adoption at this time. 3. Michael Callan 2790 Junipero Serra, Daly City, Calif. stated that he was in favor of action being taken on the Seismic Safety Element, in order that he might proceed with his projects in the affected area. Opponents: I. Henry L. Richman, 36SS Georgetown Court, So. San Francisco, Calif. spoke at length against adopting the Seismic Safety Element at the present time. 2. Arthur Haskins 289S Summit Drive, Hillsborough, Calif. stated th~t(the Seismic Safety Element was adopted the entire growth of the community would stop. 3. Philip V. Burkland, Engineering Geologist 333 Fairchild Drive, Mountain View, Calif. stated that many of the geologic 'i,questions were philosophical in nature and are difficult to assess as to precise areas of special geological hazards. After considerable discussion the Planning Commission suggested the matter be continued to the meeting of April 10, 1972 for further discussion. Commissioner Lazzari moved that the Seismic Safety Element be continued to the Planning Commission's regular meeting of April 10, 1972. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Zlatunich and passed by the following roll call vote: -- 3102 - Preliminary Seismic Safety Element cont. March 13, 1972 AYES: Vice-Chairman Raffaelli, Commissioners Botieff, Gardner, Lazzari, Zlatunichand Chairman Campredon NOES: None ABSENT: Commissioner Bobblitt GOOD AND WELFARE, OTHER AND CO~1MUNICATIONS Upon a query from the Chairman, Secretary Pass advised the Commission that Mr. Leonard Chew, Housing Sanitarian, County of San Mateo, Depart- ment of Public Health and Welfare, would attend the Planning Commission study session of March 20, 1972 to resolve the matter of the untidy condition of Damien House. There being nothing further to be considered under Good and Welfare, and there being no further communications or other matters of interest for the Planning Commission, Chairman Campredon announced that the next regular meeting of the South San Francisco Planning Commission would be held on March 27, 1972 at 8:00 P.M. in the Council Chambers of City Hall, South San Francisco, California. The meeting was adjourned at 10:20 P.M. Planning Commission South San Francisco DaniellM. Pass, Secretary Planning Commission South San Francisco sna - 3103 --