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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 2008-09-24X92 F u' U O _,w+~w~. c~LIFORN~~ CALL TO ORDER: ROLL CALL: MINUTES CITY COUNCIL CITY OF SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO REGULAR MEETING MUNICIPAL SERVICES BUILDING COMMUNITY ROOM WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2008 Present: Absent: PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: INVOCATION PRESENTATIONS 7:26 p.m. Councilmen Addiego and Mullin, Mayor Pro Tem Matsumoto and Mayor Gonzalez. Councilman Garbarino, excused. Led by Mayor Gonzalez None. • 2008 Beautification Awards presented by Beautification Sub-Committee Chair Sean Garrone. Beautification Sub-Committee Chair Sean Garrone explained the awards program was created to recognize well landscaped properties, including homes and businesses in South San Francisco. Property owners maintaining outstanding, beautiful properties for more than one (1) year were eligible for recognition. Seventy one (71) properties were nominated and Chair Garrone presented awards to the following recipients: Alberto Arias, Ron and Joan Francesconi, Marianne Haslett and Carmen Hidalgo. Mayor Pro Tem Matsumoto requested an explanation of the nomination. process. It was explained that Sub-committee members and residents may nominate properties. Nomination forms are available on the City's website and at the Parks and Recreation Department. Mayor Pro Tem Matsumoto suggested that in the future, nomination forms be included in the leisure guide. • Sustainable San Mateo County -Preparing Our Community for a Sustainable Future - Tina King. Tina King of Sustainable San Mateo County provided a sustainability presentation. She acknowledged South San Francisco For its very good work in many areas of sustainabiJ~ity, particularly childcare and growth management policies. She then reviewed the status of several sustainability indicators in San Mateo County. Jobs are showing positive trends and there is a growing and diversified job base. The County gained 4000 jobs in the first six months of 2008. The water supply needs to be brought up to a sustainable state where supply and demand are in balance. Diversity of supply source will be critical. Aggressive conservation is necessary as well as the pursuit of alternatives such as recycled water for irrigation. Climate change and sea level rise could prove to be problematic for land filled areas in the San Francisco Bay. Accordingly, C02 emissions must be reduced. With respect to housing, Ms. King posed the question as whether South San Francisco will offer healthy lifestyles to residents and meet future needs. She closed by warning that changes are coming whether society is prepared or not. These changes will determine consumption and modes of travel for the next 60 years. Mayor Pro Tem Matsumoto questioned the source of information used in a publication produced by Sustainable San Mateo County and pertaining to a sustainability breakdown by city. She further questioned the accuracy of the data that went into this report, particularly with respect to contaminated sites. Ms. King advised that City staff provides some of the information utilized in the publication. Regarding the contaminated site listing, she apologized for any misinformation pertaining to South. San Francisco and noted Sustainable San Mateo County was looking at a different way of measuring this indicator. She further acknowledged that a lot of factors relating to contaminated sites are out of cities' control. AGENDA REVIEW No changes. PUBLIC COMMENTS None. REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING SEPTEMBI?R 24, 2008 MINUTES PAGE 2 ITEMS FROM COUNCIL • Announcements. • Committee Reports. Councilmembers reported on attendance at community meetings and events, including Day in the Park and the Centennial Clock: dedication. Residents were advised of upcoming community events, including a press, conference that would be held by ACORN to address the foreclosure crisis, the September 27th Coastal Clean Up event, the October 4th Community Planting Day and the October 5th Concert in the Park. Council congratulated City staff and all involved in making; the 2008 Day in the Park a success. Specific items for further action and/or consideration v~ere set forth as follows: Councilman Addiego advised that last Wednesday Council held a special meeting at which a report on the City's investment portfolio was provided by an asset management group. He advised the session was illuminating and thought it might be appropriate to bring a presentation on the item at a regular meeting so that the public might be made aware of the good job the City Treasurer has done to chart a conservative course for South San Francisco's investment portfolio. Mayor Pro Tem Matsumoto requested that the meeting be adjourned in honor of Teresa Fisicaro, the mother of former Colma City Councilman Dennis Fisicaro. She further invited Director of Public Works White to address the recent news coverage pertaining to Colma Creek. Director of Public Works White tha:riked the Mayor Pro Tem for the opportunity to respond to articles and TV coverage surrounding Colma Creek. He explained that an environmental group, Save the Bay, publishes an annual listing of the dirtiest creeks in the Bay Area. Save the Bay selects the criteria and. is the only group to provide input into the rankin€;s. This year Colma Creek was rated as the Fourth dirtiest creek in the Bay area. Colma Creek is fed by tributaries in Colma, San Bruno and Pacifica. Accordingly, the trash in the creek is attributable to sources including and outside of South San Francisco. Given that fol~r (4) cities contribute to the water in the creek, the San Mateo County Flood Control district is responsible for oversight and clean-up of the creek. The Flood Control District is made up of representatives from all four (4) contributing cities. He further advised that the City abides by the regulations established under a national permit which requires that it clean and sweep the catch basin associated with the creek. He observed that the issue is not solely one that belongs to South San Francisco and the City should not bare the full responsibility for the creek's rating. CONSENT CALENDAR 1. Motion to confirm the expense claims of September 24, 2008 in the amount oI~ $2,353,930.49. 2. Motion to accept the Traffic Calming Program as revised by staff. 3. Resolution No. 100-2008 authorizing the acceptance of $16,426 in grant funding to promote recycling through c;ommunity outreach throughout the South San Francisco REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING SEPTEMBER 24, 2008 MINUTES PAGE 3 Unified School District and amending the Public Works 2008-2009 Operating Budget. 4. Resolution No. 101-2008 accepting the Wet Weather Sewer Improvements- Phase II- Central Area as complete in accordance with plans and specifications and appropriating $150,000 from Sewer Fund Reserves and amending the 2008-2009 Capital Improvement Budget. 5. Resolution No. 102-2008 adopting findings that provisions of a loan to MP SoLith City, L.P. for the acquisition and development of a mixed-use affordable housing development at 636 El Camino Real will be of benefit to the El Camino Corridor Redevelopment Project Area. 6. Acknowledgment of Proclamation issued honoring the South San Francisco Benevolent Order of the Elks' 50th Anniversary. Motion- Councilman Addiego/Second- Councilman Mullin to approve Consent Calendar items 1 and 4-6. Approved by Voice Vote. Absent: Councilman Garbarino. Item No. 2: Mayor Pro Tem Matsumoto sought to confirm her understanding that by accepting this program Council would be establishing a guideline under which resident's traffic calming requests could be evaluated. Staff so confirmed. Item No. 3: Mayor Pro Tem Matsumoto remarked that the School District should be encouraged to lead by example with respect to recycling initiatives and consider cleaning up the area that fronts the El Camino Real in front of South San Francisco High School. Motion- Mayor Pro Tem Matsumoto/Second-Councilman Addiego: to approve Consent Calendar items nos. 2 and 3. Approved by Voice Vote. Absent: Councilman Garbarino. PUBLIC HEARING 7. Resolution No. 103-2008 authorizing the City Manager to execute all required documents for submittal of the 2007-2008 Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER) to the Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD). Community Development Coordinator Adams explained the CAPER report described the City's housing and community development accomplishments during the 2007-2008 Fiscal Year and included a financial summary of CDBG expenditures. She advised the report was due to HUD by the end of September. The 2007-2008 CDBG program in South San Francisco served thousands of community residents and included facade improvement programs, childcare, adult daycare, emergency assistance, homeless services and tutoring. The City's social service agency partners have leveraged the grants received and maximized the number of individuals and households served. Staff recommended that the REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING SEPTEMBER 24, 2008 MINUTES PAGE 4 City Council adopt the proposed resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute all required documents for submittal to ]HUD. Public Hearing Opened: 8:21 p.m. Public Hearing Closed: 8:21 p.m. Councilman Addiego commended Community Development Coordinator Adams for her hard work on putting the report together. Motion- Councilman Mullin/Second- Councilman Addiego: to approve Resolution No. 103-2008. Approved by voice vote. Absent: Councilman Garbarino. 8. Applicant: Bob McLennan Owner: City of South San Francisco P08-0046: PP08-0001 & DR08-0021 Precise Plan and Design Review application to allow the establishment of an 8,900 square foot spa & fitness facility in the vacant portion of a 13,100 square foot building at 360 Oyster Point Blvd on Parcel 2 in the Oyster Point Marina Specific Plan in accordance with SSFMC 20.59. Chief Planner Kalkin presented the Staff Report and noted that the proposed site is located in the Oyster Point Specific Plan Zone District. Pursuant to the Plan, very specific uses are permitted in the District. A health and fitness spa is not specifically identified as a permitted use. The Applicant was thus requesting consideration of the project as related to the hotel use presently operating on the site. The project would occupy a portion of an. already existing building on the site. Most of the gym classes would be held downstairs and spa and locker facilities were proposed to be located upstairs. In addition to certain building improvements, landscape and parking upgrades and new signage were proposed and incorporated in the conditions of approval. Sustainability measures incorporated in the proposed project included recycling of demolition materials, installation of recycled flooring and energy saving light fixtures as well as the use of biodegradable cleaning supplies. In addition, bottled water would not be sold at the facility and recycling bins, would be located on the property. T'he applicant planned to market the existing hotel, The Inn at Oyster Point, and facility together. Shampoos and lotions from the spa would b~e provided in guest rooms and lighted pathways would be installed between the facility ,end the Inn. This relationship between the facility and the Inn would be ongoing and was required to be maintained as part of project approval. The project was approved by the San Mateo County Harbor District last December pursuant to the joint powers agreement between the City and the Harbor District that governs uses on the site. Chief Planner Kalkin closed by advising that staff recommended approval of the project subject to additional conditions submitted by the Police Department that evening relating to security. Public Hearing Opened: 8:34 p.m. Attorney Nadia Holober representing the applicant Bob McLennan thanked City staff for reviewing the project and making comments on it. She advised the applicant was agreeable to the conditions recommended by staff. She then introduced the applicant's proposal to REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING SEPTEMB)=?R 24, 2008 MINUTES PAGE 5 open a fitness center and spa at Oyster Point to be operated in conjunction with the Inn at Oyster Point, which was already in existence at the location. The proposed fitness center and spa would be well situated to serve guests and employees in the area. She opined the project met the City's transportation goals as it would be marketed only to potential Inn guests and East of 1 O1 employees. Accordingly, the facility was not expected to add traffic to the Oyster Point overpass. Further, given that the facility would be marketed as a place to use before and after work, it might actually help to reduce peak hour traffic near the overpass. Ms. Holober also advised there were no height, setback or variance issues affecting the project. The project would include parking irnprovements, pathway landscaping, a ramp and new signs. A variance was not required because the Applicant's proposal complied with parking requirements. Compact spaces would be eliminated and all spaces would be full size. The existing parking lot would be restriped and slight curve modifications would be added. The pathway between the Inn and the facility would include rows of palm trees to create a connection between the two (2) buildings. A ramp would be snugged against i:he railing on the right side of the entrance. The exterior entrance door would be recessed to direct patrons to the facility check-iri desk. The three (3) proposed signs would match the color of the Inn sign and would all be the same size. The floor plan for the facility provided the first floor would serve as open space for fitness equipment and acheck-in desk. The second floor would include two (2) locker rooms, a spa and exercise studios. Public hearing closed: 8:44 p.m. Mayor Pro Tem Matsumoto advised she met with Mr. McLennan and Ms. Holober to tour the site. After this tour, she approached staff with concerns regarding the site. Based upon previous conversations with staff she was curious as to why approval was being recommended. Chief Planner Kalkin advised the project could only be allowed if Council found the proposed use was related to the hotel use presently operating on the site. She reiterated that staff recommended such a finding. Councilman Addiego questioned the permitted uses specified in the Plan. City Attorney Mattas advised the Oyster Point Specific Plan identifies about 12 differE;nt categories of uses that in various parts of the harbor area are appropriate. The one being considered at present pertained to hotels, motels and related facilities and services. Mayor Pro Tem Matsumoto asked what would happen to the proposed facility if the relationship with the Inn. at Oyster Point ended. She further questioned expected membership/clientele at the propose-d facility. Chief Planner Kalkin advised an ongoing relationship between the two (2) facilities was included in the conditions of approval. Accordingly, if the relationship were to end, the spa and fitness facility would be found in violation and the permit could be revoked. REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING SEPTEMBF'sR 24, 2008 MINUTES PAGE 6 Regarding expected clientele, Ms. Holober advised the applicant would be exclusively marketing to employees and guests of hotels situated in the East of 101 area. In addition the facility would be specifically marketed to guests of the Inn at Oyster Point. Mayor Pro Tem Matsumoto stated one of her primary concerns related to parking. She noted that in the past Council had expressed concern over space allocated to surface parking. She questioned why a garage was not requested. She further questioned where overflow parking was proposed in the event Dominic's was full. Ms. Holober advised the proposal was fully parked in accordance with the South San Francisco Municipal Code. In addition, patrons staying at the Inn would be unlikely to use parking spaces. Councilman Addiego questioned the number of patrons expected to come from the Inn. Chief Planner Kalkin responded the .Inn had 30 rooms. Applicant Bob McLennan advised the unique connection with the Inn was expected to be successful. He further advised Mondays are the busiest day in the fitness business with Friday being the slowest time. Saturday mornings are the next busiest time. He explained he had talked with Dominic's owners and had established a good relationship with them. He would maintain communication with Dominic's and if a large event was planned at. Dominic's, parking could be mitigated with such options as valet parking. Mayor Pro Tem Matsumoto requested assurances the facility would not open without the proper permits. Chief Planner Kalkin advised staff understood Council's concerns and would be diligent. She further advised that code enforcement would stay on top of the project. City Attorney Mattas suggested follow-up to Mayor Pro Tem Matsumoto's earlier question pertaining to the conditions of approval. He recommended that Council seek the applicant's understanding of the condition that the relationship between the proposed facility and the Inn be maintained in order to be consistent with the Plan. He further reiterated that if Council were to approve the project, it would interpret the condition to mean that if the hotel ceased operations, the applicant would no longer be in compliance with the conditions of approval. Council desired to confirm the applicant's understanding of the condition. Mr. McLennan advised that if in fact, the relationship severed he understood the facility would be in violation of the conditions of approval and would need to close. He further advised that if the Inn were in danger of closing, he would consider operating the 30 units on the property. Councilman Addiego expressed misgivings about moving ahead with the project and suggested it might be wise to postpone a decision on the project until the fifth (Stn) Councilperson could weigh in. REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING SEPTEMBF~,R 24, 2008 MINUTES PAGE 7 Councilman Mullin disclosed he had met with the developers regarding the project and was comfortable with the related use designation. He echoed Councilman Addiego's suggestion that a fifth (Sty') vote on the proposal may be advisable. Mayor Gonzalez advised he met witl^i developers and toured the building. He further advised that if the conditions of approval were agreed to, he would be in favor of the project. He expressed interest in improvements to landscaping in front of the parking lot and suggested development of a discount program so that local students could use the facility. Councilman Mullin questioned when the applicant expected the facility to be operational. Mr. McLennan advised construction was planned through the holidays and the facility would open in January. He further advised he did not take Council's concerns lightly and noted he had been in the fitness business for 30 years. Mayor Gonzalez questioned the length of the lease. Mr. McLennan responded the lease had a seven (7) year term with two (2) five (5) year options. Ms. Holober requested a continuance to Council's next regular meeting. City Attorney Mattas advised that granting a continuance was within Council's discretion. He cautioned, however, that a decision had to be made within 45 days of the hearing and the item should be continued to a date certain. Motion -Councilman Mullin/Second- Councilman Addiego: to continue the public hearing to the next regular meeting of the City Council on October 8, 2008 at 7:00 p.m~. Approved by voice vote. Absent: G~arbarino. 9. Downtown Sidewalk Seating Ordinance & Guidelines The City of SSF/Applicant Downtown Zone District P08-0055: ZA08-0005. Amendment to SSFMC Chapters 20.06, 20.26 and 20.74 to provide for sidewalk seating in the Downtown Commercial Zone District in conjunction with restaurants or other businesses selling fc,od and/or beverages, and related guidelines for sidewalk seating. Chief Planner Kalkin explained the proposed sidewalk seating ordinance was part of a larger plan to promote a pedestrian friendly Downtown environment. The proposal included criteria and standards that would regulate sidewalk seating in the district. The majority of permits would be subject to staff level review, after which the applicant would need to reapply on annual basis. Seating was proposed to be permitted in areas where an unobstructed sidewalk clearance of four (4) feet would remain. Special standards were proposed for establishment of alcohol service at an outside table and a use permit would be required. The Planning Commission reviewed the proposed ordinance at its Septembf;r 4, REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING SEPTEMBF?R 24, 2008 MINUTES PAGE 8 2008 meeting and recommended several changes. The Commission added the condition that the Restaurant Operator would utilize the same type of eating utensils outside as inside so as to minimize the use of disposable service ware. The Commission further required that sidewalk seating adjacent to a street edge would require a use permit rather than zoning administrator approval. The Parking Commission reviewed the proposal on September Stn and was supportive. Accordingly, staff recommended that the City Council waive reading and introduce the proposed ordinance to establish procedures, standards and criteria for sidewalk seating in the Downtown Commercial Zone. District. Public Hearing Opened: 9:27 p.m. Resident and owner Luminous Day >pa Dee Scharff appeared before Council to express support for the proposed ordinance. She opined the ordinance would increase sidewalk: traffic up and down Grand Avenue. She stated the ordinance would be great for business on Grand Avenue and hoped the Council would support it. Prospective local business owner Patrick Tsui expressed support for the ordinance. He opined sidewalk seating would add a higher cache and festivity level to the Downtown District. He further noted that sidewalk seating would increase awareness of and the necessity to maintain outside areas. Public Hearing Closed: 9:30 p.m. Mayor Pro Tem Matsumoto questioned who would serve as the zoning administrator. She further questioned how storm water management regulations would play into implementation of sidewalk seating. She also asked whether bars would be eligible four sidewalk seating. Chief Planner Kalkin responded she would serve as the zoning administrator. She further advised that sidewalk seating areas ~NOUId need to be cleaned in accordance with storrr.~ water controls and cleaning of the areas would be the business owner's responsibility. Regarding alcohol sales, Chief Plarvler Kalkin explained a use permit would be required. Mayor Pro Tem Matsumoto suggested requiring that alcoholic drinks such as beer be served in glasses as opposed to bottles. City Attorney Mattas advised he was unsure as to the City's ability to regulate alcohol service to this extent, given the state's licensing laws. He suggested Council could adopt the proposed guidelines as drafted and then come back and amend the guidelines to include regulations on alcohol service, if such regulations were possible under the City's authority. Councilman Mullin suggested that alcoholic beverages normally served in bottles could be poured by the server at the sidewalk: table and removed. This would ensure the customer received what he or she ordered. Mayor Gonzalez questioned how many feet were required to be provided for walking space. He also requested identification of areas in the Downtown District where this space requirement could be met. REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING SEPTEMBF'sR 24, 2008 MINUTES PAGE 9 Chief Planner Kalkin explained that four (4) additional feet of space were required on the sidewalk in addition to the area occupied by sidewalk seating and acknowledged there were limited areas in the district where this would be possible. Councilman Addiego commented that in addition to the new Downtown improvements, such as the benches recently installed, this ordinance would help to improve the appearance of the Downtown District. He opined that if diners dominated the streetscape, it could lead to great things on Grand Avenue. Councilman Mullin questioned whether heat lamps would be allowable. Chief Planner Kalkin responded that as along as the heaters were approved by the Fire Department, they would be permitted. She also suggested heaters should be mobile and capable of being brought inside. Motion- Mayor Pro Tem Matsumoto/Second- Councilman Addiego: to waive reading; and introduce an ordinance amending SSFMC Chapters 20.06, 20.26 and 20.74 to provide :for sidewalk seating in the Downtown Commercial Zone District in conjunction with restaurants or other businesses selling food and/or beverages, and related guidelines fo~° sidewalk seating. Approved by Voic;e Vote. Absent: Councilman Garbarino. COUNCIL COMMUNITY FORUM None. ADJOURNMENT TIMF,: Being no further business, Mayor Gonzalez adjourned the meeting at 9:41 p.m. in honor of Teresa Fisicaro. Submitted by: ire sta Ma`~inelli- City of South ~- on, City Clerk ncisco Approved: ~~~~/ Pedro Gonzalez, ayor City of South San Francisco REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING SEPTEMBF;R 24, 2008 MINUTES PAGE IO