HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 2002-07-17 MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL
CITY OF SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO
SPECIAL MEETING
JULY 17, 2002
MUNICIPAL SERVICES BUILDING
COMMUNITY ROOM
33 ARROYO DRIVE
(Cassette Tape No. 1)
1. Call to Order (Joint Meeting) 6:00 p.m., by Mayor Pro Tem Gonzalez
2. Roll Call Present:
Councilmembers Femekes, Green and
Matsumoto, Mayor Pro Tem Gonzalez and
Mayor Mullin*
Planning Commissioners D'Angelo, Honan,
Meloni and Sim, and Vice Chairman
Ochsenhirt*
Absent:
Commissioner Teglia and Chairman Romero
*Mayor Mullin and Vice Chairman Ochsenhirt arrived
at 6:20 p.m.
Staff Present:
City Manager Wilson, Assistant City Manager
Moss, Assistant City Attorney Johnson,
Director of Economic and Community
Development Van Duyn, Parks, Recreat!on
and Maintenance Facilities Director Nagel,
City Planner Tom Sparks, Senior Planners
Lappen and Carlson, Senior Civil Engineer
Chuck, and Police Sergeant Newell
3. Public Comments: None.
4. Study Session: Joint City Council/Planning Commission Meeting - Mission Road/Chestnut
Avenue Study (El Camino Real Corridor/Chestnut Avenue Land Use and Urban Design Plan)
Brief staff report presented by Senior Planner Lappen explaining process for study session.
A visual presentation of the Draft Land Use and Urban Design Plan was presented by M:.
Rick Williams, consultant, Van Meter Williams Pollack.
Mr. Williams responded to questions clarifying the proposed preferred alternative plan.
Planning Commissioner Meloni expressed concerns regarding Peninsula Pines' tenants cutting
through the Chestnut Avenue shopping center to gain access to Chestnut Avenue rather than
using streets. He questioned why a traffic signal has not been installed at the Chestnut/
Commercial Avenues intersection if the traffic impact report indicates it is currently
warranted. Mr. Williams responded that although staff is aware of the condition of the
intersection further detailed study is required and will be addressed in the final plan.
Councilman Fernekes expressed concerns regarding the proposed ingress/egress to Peninsula
Pines, commenting that the area currently has narrow streets. Councilman Fernekes req'~ested
the final plan include proposed uses for the surface area of the BART right-of-way soutl', of
Chestnut Avenue leading into the residential area. Councilman Femekes stated concerns that
business owners in the 900 block of E1 Camino Real were not notified and requested they be
kept apprised of the public meetings.
Councilwoman Matsumoto stated support for the street extensions, but could not support a car
dealership at the E1 Camino Real/Chestnut Avenue intersection and suggested a library, fire
station or other commercial use be considered.
Councilman Green stated support for the bike path crossing Chestnut Avenue at the Misgion
Road signalized intersection. City Manager Wilson informed Council that BART will be
issuing a re-circulated environmental document and it is anticipated that Mr. Williams' work
will be included.
Mayor Pro Tem Gonzalez stated his concerns have been expressed by Planning Commissioner
Meloni and Councilman Fernekes and he will wait to see the final report. He stated that
residents of First Street and A Street should be included in the process and would like to see
more open space included in the plan.
Mayor Mullin stated support for upgrading the area including the service station site at
Chestnut and E1 Camino Real. He asked for the number of apartment units in the Peninsula
Pines complex and commented that peak hour traffic congestion problems may still occur. He
stated support to preserve and encourage a larger supermarket at the Chestnut Avenue
shopping center. He stated that an entrance to Ron Price Motors on E1 Camino Real will have
potential traffic problems and questioned if this is the highest and best use for the site. He
asked for more illustrative details on the proposed bike path, how it aligns with the BART
right-of-way, surface uses beyond open space and parking, and that the linear park be separate
from Orange Park. Mayor Mullin related that Kaiser Permanente has concerns regarding
BART overflow parking impacting Kaiser.
Councilman Femekes requested information on how effected businesses will be
accommodated and staff's recommendations. Council/Commission discussed community
outreach efforts and staff informed Council of the notification process for the upcoming
August 23 community meeting and business owners were included.
Commissioner Meloni reiterated his concern regarding access to the Peninsula Pines
apartment complex, which Mr. Williams stated will be addressed specifically in the traffic
circulation evaluation.
Vice-Chairman Ochsenhirt stated concerns regarding traffic circulation patterns changing in
the Sunshine Gardens neighborhood due to McLellan Boulevard opening up, and agreed with
Commissioner Meloni that Peninsula Pines' tenants will be cutting through the Chestnut
Avenue shopping center. He stated support for cul-de-sacing Oak Avenue and extending
SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING JULY 17, 2002
MINUTES PAGE 2
~O
Willow Avenue. He supported the concern that overflow parking from BART will occur due
to the BART's decision to charge parking fees.
Commissioner Honan reiterated the concern that residents of Peninsula Pines will be using the
Chestnut Avenue shopping center as a thoroughfare to avoid signals. She suggested the linear
park design bring a friendly, welcoming feeling to the City and be more visible.
Mayor Mullin suggested that staff look at a design for the linear park being separate from
Orange Park and at an alternate location, such as along the BART right-away. He asked that
staff look at any negative impact traffic is having on Chestnut Avenue/Antoinette Lane now
that improvements have been made at the E1 Camino/Chestnut Avenue intersection.
Commissioner Ochsenhirt commented that long-time tenants such as Safeway and the post
office, be retained in the shopping center as they are vital to this part of the city. He agreed
that the linear park be separate from Orange Park and suggested it be treated as the frontage
for new development.
Commissioner Sim suggested a stronger urban design concept with more vision. He
suggested the focus be on higher density uses for E1 Camino Real and lessened in other areas.
He asked for more flexible options over BART right-of-ways, such as bridging-over for
structures.
Councilman Femekes asked for alternatives to surface parking for the BART right-of-way and
proposed Ron Price site and reiterated the previous comment that asked if this is the best use
for the land. He also questioned the proposed signalizing of First Street and E1 Camino Real
and the impact it may have on traffic during the PM peak hours.
Commissioner Honan stated her disagreement with Mr. Williams' comment regarding the
value a business attains by having an E1 Camino address. Director Van Duyn stated Safeway
is interested in having El Camino exposure and is willing to build a new store if the
opportunity arises at its South Spruce Avenue store or if the Chestnut Avenue site is
reconfigured.
Mayor Mullin concluded the study session.
Motion-Honan/Second-Sim: To adjourn the Planning Commission meeting at 8:00 p.m.
Approved by voice vote. Absent: Commissioner Teglia and Chairman Romero.
Motion-Femekes/Second-Green:
Unanimously approved by voice vote.
Submitted by: ~
M. Uayne, City Clerl~j
City of South San Francisco
To adjourn the City Council meeting at 8:00 p.m.
SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING JULY 17, 2002
MINUTES PAGE 3