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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 2006-01-11 MINUTES CITY COUNCIL CITY OF SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO REGULAR MEETING WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11,2006 MUNICIPAL SERVICES BUILDING COMMUNITY ROOM 33 ARROYO DRIVE CALL TO ORDER: 7:30 p.m. (Cassette Tape No.1) ROLL CALL: Present: Councilmembers Addiego, Gonzalez and Matsumoto, Vice Mayor Garbarino and Mayor F ernekes Absent: None PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Led by Mayor FI~rnekes INVOCATION: None given PRESENTATIONS . Municipal Information Systems Association of California Award - Ms. Laura Peabody, CIO for the City of Fairfield, and Mr. Greg Park, Director ofI.T. for the Livermore Police Department, presented the award to Information Technology Director Doug Hollis and department staff members. · First Citizen's Academy - visual presentation by Assistant to the City Manager Susan Kennedy on the eleven-week program that will begin Tuesday, March 7, 2006. She explained that 25 residents will be chosen from a random drawing and that the program is designed to give a comprehensive hands-on overview of City government. Councilwoman Matsumoto suggested, and hearing no objections from other Councilmembers, the applications be sorted by neighborhoods before the random drawing is conducted. Assistant to the City Manager Kennedy stated that the applications not chosen in the first round would be held for the fall session, which is scheduled for Thursday evenings. AGENDA REVIEW No changes. PUBLIC COMMENTS Ms. Karla Molina, North Peninsula Neighborhood Services Center Executive Director, announced an upcoming health insurance enrollment program for children to be held at the Center on Thursday, January 19. ITEMS FROM COUNCIL . Announcements · Committee Reports Councilmembers reported on attendance at community and regional events, announced upcoming events and fundraisers, and acknowledged members of the community for their contributions. Councilman Addiego reported on a meeting held with members ofthe local Bronco baseball league who are proposing an upgrade to the Southwood School baseball field. He stated that support is being requested from the City and the School District. Vice Mayor Garbarino reported that a meeting is scheduled with School District representatives and staff regarding the science mobile project to discuss a course of action. He requested the meeting be adjourned in memory of Virginia Violanti, mother of Cultural Arts Commissioner Tony Violanti. Councilman Gonzalez reported that the Community Preservation Task Force (CPTF) has scheduled a clean-up day for Village Way on May 20. Councilwoman Matsumoto reported on a recent Congestion Management and Air Quality Committee (CMAQ) meeting and provided information on th~ projected population and job growth figures for San Mateo County through 2015. She suggested the information be considered when budget and planning is looked at. She asked for information on the 301 Linden Avenue building and staff responded that the proposed use is unknown at this time. Mayor Fernekes reported that letters have been sent to state representatives regarding the removal ofthe railway cars containing hazardous waste (reported at the December 14, 2005 meeting) and positive responses to assist the City have been r,eceived. He asked for an update on the Bell Market site and staff responded that the proposed use is a supermarket, but it may not offer the same goods and services that the Bell Market offered. Mayor Fernekes directed the City Clerk to combine the public notices for the Housing Authority Commission vacancy and the expiration of terms occurring on March 31. . Review and direction on City of South San Francisco's vote for Cities Selection Committee With a consensus from Council, Mayor Fernekes was directed to vote as follows for the Transportation Authority: North County seat: Mayor Joe Femekes, South San Francisco; and Mid-County seat: Vice-Mayor Naomi Patridge, Half Moon Bay. CONSENT CALENDAR 1. Motion to approve the minutes of December 28,2005 2. Motion to confirm expense claims of January 11, 2006 in the amount of $1 ,626,333.02 REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES JANUARY 11,2006 PAGE 2 3. Motion to adopt Ordinance No. 1365-2006, adopting a development agreement with ARE-East Jamie Court LLC for a two building research and development complex on a 6. 13-acre site at the intersection of East Jamie Court and Haskins Way 4. Resolution No. 1-2006, authorizing submittal of HOME application to San Mateo County for Downtown Affordable Housing Program filmding for acquisition and rehabilitation of eight-unit property 5. Resolution No. 2-2006, authorizing submittal of HOME application to the County of San Mateo for funding the Downtown Affordable Housing Program for the renovation of the West Hotel 6. Resolution authorizing execution of a contract with North Peninsula Neighborhood Services Center to continue to manage the City's House Helpers Minor Home Repair Program in the amount of $40,000 Item pulled from Consent Calendar at the request of Councilwoman Matsumoto. 7. Motion to accept North Canal Street resurfacing project as complete in accordance with plans and specifications Motion-Addiego/Second-Gonzalez: To approve the Consent Calendar, with the exception ofItem No.6. Unanimously approved by voice vote. Item No.6: Councilwoman Matsumoto questioned ifthis proposal was in addition to the current CDBG program and staff member, Seana O'Shaughm:ssy, explained that it was not in addition, but a procedural due process to issue a request for proposals (RFP). Motion-Matsumoto/Second-Garbarino: To approve Resolution No. 3-2006, authorizing execution of a contract with North Peninsula Neighborhood Services Center to continue to manage the City's House Helpers Minor Home Repair Program in the amount of $40,000. Unanimously approved by voice vote. PUBLIC HEARING 8. Consideration of appeal of the Planning Commission decision to uphold the Chief Planner's determination to require a use permit for the property located at 344 Victory Avenue. Owner: Adele Gibbs; Applicant: George Corey Public hearing opened. Staff report presented by Senior Planner Steve Carlson. Mr. George Corey, applicant and representing the business owners, clarified ownership of the property (Christopher and Angela Gibbs), responded to areas of concern that include the site's parking and landscaping requirements, vehicles backing-out onto the street, signage, and Taylor Made Automotive's hours of operation. He discussed the history of the matter, beginning with the Gibbs' applying for a business license. He REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING JANUARY 11,2006 MINUTES PAGE 3 spoke at length regarding the plan submittal process, drawings were submitted 6 times, and contended that the City subjected the owners to a discriminatory practice. He cited inconsistencies related to several other similar businesses in the area that recently received business licenses without the City imposing the use permit process. He urged Council to accept the proposed site pIan as submitted. Public hearing closed. At the request of Council, Senior Planner Carlson responded to Mr. Corey's comments and further explained the City's parking standards. H~ stated that cars backing out onto a busy street in a commercial area is not acceptable and has not been recommended during his tenure. He reviewed the business license form and its process for approval by the Planning Division. He explained that there is a mechanism through the use permit process that would review the parking requirement (to reduce parking), that the Planning Commission was sensitive to the possible costs associated with the use permit's conditions of approval, and that the Commission was willing to compromise to keep a viable business active in South San Francisco. Vice Mayor Garbarino suggested the business license form include the standard question requesting the business' hours of operation. Councilman Gonzalez commented that he wanted to see a compromise without jeopardizing the zoning ordinance and did not want to see cars (under repair) parked in the street. Councilman Addiego, while understanding the City's policies and position, stated support for seeking a resolution that would keep the business in the area. Councilwoman Matsumoto urged the applicant to apply for a sign permit and suggested that staff resolve these issues more expeditiously at stafflevel, rather than having them brought before Council. She asked for clarification on the landscaping and parking ratio policy and stated a concern that, while supporting a compromise, she did not want to see a precedent set with regards to the parking requirement. City Attorney Mattas advised Council that to avoid setting a precedent, he recommended that Council deny the appeal, have the applicant utilize the use permit process, direct staff to waive application fees, and to expedite the us€:: permit application. He stated that the applicants would need to agree to these conditions. He further suggested that if Council, or someone else, wanted to re-visit the parking requirement as related to this issue that staff be directed to look at a possible zoning amendment. Mr. Corey reiterated his concerns regarding an inconsistency in the business license process and that businesses are not all treated the same. City Attorney Mattas advised Council that this is a sub-issue regarding the City's policies related to multi-tenant properties and can be addressed through the zoning amendment application process. Several Councilmembers stated support for City Attorney Mattas's resolution to the matter. Councilman Gonzalez stated he did not like to see zoning standards lowered, but to keep them high. REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING JANUARY 11,2006 MINUTES PAGE 4 Speaking for the owners, Mr. Corey stated that Mr. and Mrs. Gibbs do agree to the conditions under consideration. Staff informed Council that February 2 is the next possible regular meeting date the Planning Commission could hear the use permit application. Council discussed with staff the appeal process and City Attorney Mattas clarified that if the Council does not render a decision within 60 days, the Planning Commission's decision becomes final. Councilmembers voiced their concern that this process took two years, and that both the applicant and staff share equally in the responsibility to resolve such matters. Motion-Matsumoto/Second-Garbarino: To hold in ah~yance the motion to appeal, to defer to the Planning Commission for consideration of a conditional use permit on issues of the parking, landscaping, and Type B Sign Permit; fees would be waived for the conditional use permit application and staff would be directed to bring the matter before the Planning Commission at the earliest possible time, anticipated to be February 2, 2006; if there is a decision by the Planning Commission to grant a conditional use permit then the applicants would withdraw their appeal of this determination. Approved by the following roll call vote: AYES: Councilmmembers Addiego and Matsumoto, Vice Mayor Garbarino and Mayor Fernekes. NOES: Councilman Gonzalez. ABSTAIN: None. ABSENT: None. COUNCIL COMMUNITY FORUM No report ADJOURNMENT Being no further business, Mayor Fernekes adjourned the meeting at 9:13 p.m. in memory of Virginia Violanti. Submitted by: f0tv".ftl f20.JL-/ Sylvia M. Payne, City Clerk City of South San Francisco Approved: C....~..J1,~. /tu,ul ~ l J ~ Joseph A. Fernekes, Mayor City of South San Francisco REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES JANUARY 11,2006 PAGE 5