HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 08/12/1975
August 12, 1975
M I NUT E S
of the regular meeting of the South San Francisco Planning Commission
TIME:
DATE:
PLACE:
8:00 P.M.
AUGUST 12, 1975
WEST ORANGE LIBRARY AUDITORIUM
MEMBERS PRESENT: Vice-Chairman Slade, Commissioners Mullin and Tegl~B
and Chairman Hale
MEMBERS ABSENT: Commissioner Mathewson
ALSO PRESENT:
City Planner
Assistant Planner
David C. Hale
Mark Duino
Director of Public Services
Frank J. Addiego
William Costanzo
Zoning Administrator
City Engineer
Robert Yee
MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING
Minutes of the Planning Commission meeting of July 22, 1975
Vice-Chairman Slade moved that the minutes of the regular meeting of the
South San Francisco Planning Commission of July 22, 1975, be approved. The
motion was seconded by Commissioner Teglia and was passed by the following
roll call vote:
AYES: Vice-Chairman Slade and Commissioner Teglia
NOES: None
ABSENT: Commissioner Mathewson
ABSTAINED: Commissioner Mullin and Chairman Hale
ANNOUNCEMENT CONCERNING TAPE RECORDING OF MEETING
Chairman Hale announced that this meeting of the South San Francisco Planning
Commission would be recorded on tape, but that anyone who wished to come
before the Commission to be heard, but who objected to having his or her
voice recorded in this manner, could request the Chairman to order the tape
recorder turned "off" for the duration of the time that he or she is speaking
or is heard.
.;; 3436 -
August 12, 1975
RECREATIONAL VEHICLES
Because the majority of the people in attendance at this meeting were there
for the recreational vehicle regulations, Chairman Hale moved this report
to the first item on the agenda.
Secretary Hale presented the staff report, indicating that this was a study
meeting to obtain comments from interested residents on the proposed regu-
lations.
Proponents: Deborah Carson
3820 Carter Drive, SSF
Opponents:
Lawrence Brogan
358 Alida Street, SSF
Harry Leitner
425 Hazelwood Drive, SSF
John Beckham
1357 Hillside Boulevard, SSF
George M. Balthazar
140 Francisco Drive, SSF
Rose Anne Kohler
8 El Campo Drive, SSF
Bob Gaffney
177 San Felipe Avenue, SSF
Annette Balthazar
110 Francisco Dri
SSF
Leonard L. Valdivia
220 Bonita Avenue, SSF
Jerry Goad
66 Duval Drive, SSF
Helen John
9 Del Paso Drive, SSF
Robert Anderson
3937 Fairfax Way, SSF
Fred Williams
895 Dearborn Park
Pescadero, CA
Dean Nelson
3282 San Jose
Alameda, CA
Carl W. Dahlen, Jr.
677-4th Avenue, San Bruno
Lloyd J. Schwartz
767 Camaritas Avenue, SSF
Barbara S. Schwartz
767 Camaritas Avenue, SSF
Charles Blacklock
1821 St Charles Street
Alameda, CA
Howard W. Ray
128 Ramona Avenue, SSF
Diana L. Smith
8 Hermosa Lane, SSF
Ken Darida
202 Hilton Avenue, SSF
Deborah Carson noted to the Commission that RV owners are in a minority. She
expressed her concern with RV's presenting a hazard to children and animals,
especially during heavy fog. Ms. Carson noted that she felt it detracted from
the area to have these vehicles parked in the front yards and stated that RV
owners must be prepared to sustain the cos for owning such luxury vehicles.
She further stated that they increased vandalism.
- 3437 -
August 12, 1975
Recreational Vehicles (RV's), cont1d
Mr. Lawrence Brogan expressed his opposition to the camper and trailer control
regulations stating that although his recreational vehicle was legally parked,
RV.s could be used and often had been in emergencies, i.e. earthquakes, where
they could be used as mobile disaster machines.
Mr. John Beckham noted his concern to the Commission stating that he felt
the RV problems had been blown out of proportion. He posed two questions to
the Commission: 1) Is it the sight of the RV or their hazard potential
that is being questioned? and 2) Which is more of a hazard, RV's on the
outside of a dwelling or automobiles parked in garages, almost touching the
side walls? Secretary Hale responded to both questions stating that the
hazard potential of the RV is the main concern. Mr. Beckham brought up
several other potential hazards unrelated to the RV1s, i.e. grading of
streets, debris boxes, lumber stacked very close to rails, etcetera.
Secretary Hale stated to the audience that all comments were welcome and
asked that any solutions they might have would be appreciated.
Mr. George Balthazar stated his ppposition to the regulations. He asked,
"vJhat has the Ci ty ever done for RV' s?" He wi shed to know why the same
units were allowed on Christmas Tree lots and at carnivals. He also wished
to know where in the City were there sewer hook-ups, dump locations, and
rest areas for RV's. The Commission asked Mr. Balthazar if he felt RV owners
would keep their vehicles in a designated storage place that was well-lit and
well-guarded. He, as well as several members of the audience, responded with
a definite "No. II
Mrs. Annette Balthazar expressed opposition to these regulations and noted
that there should not be an ordinance at all. She noted that all RV.s are
licensed by the State and are governed by the Vehicle Code of the State of
California which she felt took precedence over City regulations.
Mr. Carl Dahlen noted his opposition and stated that he is an interested party
and a member of the Good Sam Club.
Mr. Lloyd Schwartz opposed the camper regulations noting that he has added
economic help to the City iwrnen he purchased his RV and he would like to keep
it. He added that it would be an economic burden on him to have to store it.
He felt the issue should be dealt with on an individual basis. Mrs. Barbara
Schwartz asked if unmounted campers could be parked in the yard, but not in
the driveway. Secretary Hale responded that under the proposed regulations,
they could be parked in neither place.
Charles Blacklock asked if there had been any troubles that would cause the
need for an ordinance. He felt there is no need for an ordinance and that
there would only be a need if it was to do away with an old ordinance
Howard Ray expressed his opposition to th~~regulations. He noted that if
it meant storing his recreational vehicle, he would have to give it up. He
felt the proposed regulations would become an economic issue. He stated that
- 3438 -
RV's, cont'd
August 12, 1975
if a person can park his RV on his property, off the street, and can
maintain it so that there are no fire, debris or safety hazards, then
he should be permitted to do so. He added that unmounted recreational
vehicles should not be prohibited so that the truck itself could be
used for other purposes. He felt that no!()rle.~should sleep overnight in
an RV and that there should be a crackdown on transients doing this
within South San Francisco.
Diana L. Smith noted her opposition to the regulations and asked two
questions: 1) Do you measure setbacks from the bulk of the camper or
from the tongue? Secretary Hale answered, "from the bulk." 2) Do we
pay for the sidewalk and is it ours? Secretary Hale responded that the
sidewalk is within the City's right-of-way.
Ken Darida noted that he felt the regulations were discriminatory. He
felt these regulations should apply to all vehicles and not just to RV's.
He felt that if RV's created a visual hazard, then the City should start
pulling down all hedges and buses that block views.
Harry Leitner noted his opposition and stated that RV drivers are probably
a lot safer and more cautious than any other driver. Rose Ann Kohler
expressed her opposition to the regulations and asked if the laws on RV's
would be posted at all placed selling them so that people are well-informed
before purchasing an RV. Mr. Bob Gaffney also expressed his opposition to
the regulations and asked if there were any statistics on accidents caused
by an RV creating visual problems. Secretary Hale stated that he did not
have statistics on this at the meeting but would provide this information
at the next meeting on this matter.
Mr. Leonard Valdivia stated that he felt unwheeled vehicles were much more
unsightly. He presented Secretary Hale with a list of addressed where
such problems exist.
Mr. Jerry Goad stated that his RV is his livelihood and with the proposed
regulations, he would have to get rid of it. He wanted to know if the
State Vehicle Code would supercede City ordinances. He also requested to
know how the development of the ordinance began. Secretary Ha~e stated
that it began with preblems one RV owner was having with objections from a
neighbor. The Commission added that there had been complaints of recreational
vehicles parked in the streets and peop~0e living in them. The Commission
further noted that the present ordinance was very out of date and extremely
restrictive which created the need to restructure that law and make it
workable. Mr. Goad then asked about Police and Fire Departments input.
Secretary Hale said that he could get that information for him.
The Commission requested to know if it would be acceptable to RV owners to
have their vehicles up against the structure. The majority of the audience
responded positively.
Helen John stated that she is not an RV owner but that she's never had any
trouble with any owners of RV's and is for them as long as they are clean
and parked on their property.
- 3439 -
August 12, 1975
RV1sit cont1d
Robert Anderson felt staff should also provide information as to the amount
of accidents and problems that have been occurring with RV.s. He also noted
that since driveways are only required to be 22 feet long, he saw another
problem in that cadillacs are 25 feet long.
Fred Williams stated that he has to park his RV 65 miles from his home because
he cannot get it to his house because of insufficient streets.
After these discussions, the Commission suggested that a meeting be set up
between staff and representatives of the RV owners to try to iron out some
of the problems. Staff and RV owners agreed and a meeting date will be
arranged with the RV owners.
UP-75-316
UP-75-316, a request of Syufy Enterprises to expand their present two-screen
drive-in theater to four screens, located on Spruce Avenue, and to provide
interior upgrading of the site.
Secretary Hale presented the staff report.
Proponents: Dan Modena~'l representing the app 1 i cant
421 Grand Avenue
South San Francisco, CA
Opponents: Guiseppe Tonelli
350 Railroad Avenue, SSF
Clementina Venturin
348 Railroad Avenue, SSF
Mr. Modena agreed to all the conditions, except for three conditions set down
by the City Engineer. He noted that since they were lessees of the Drive-In
Theater, they could not dedi requested 10 feet along Spruce Avenue to
the City. He further stated that they objected to the drainage system require-
ment and to the requirement for paving Canal Street.
Mr. Modena stated that they mad never been informed there was a drainage
problem, and now they are faced with this condition. City Eng~neer Yee
stated that Canal Street flooded very badly last winter and that the storm
drains are not adequate to handle the overflow. Mr. Modena said that the
applicant and himself would be willing to meet with Mr. Yee to work out how
this drainage problem could be solved.
Mr. Modena noted that to avoid paving Canal Street, they would close the
Canal Street exit and reroute traffic to Spruce Avenue, staggering the shows
so that all traffic would not be exiting simultaneously. Director of Public
Services Addiego noted that if this exit were closed, the Fire Chief would
have to be advised of this change before the use permit were approved
- 3440 -
August 12, 1975
Syufy Enterprises, UP-75-3l6, cont'd
Mr. Modena noted that the applicant would be willing to help pave this
street by joining an assessment district with the other property owners.
Mr. Yee stated that an assessment district had been proposed, but that
he could receive no response from the other property owners on forming
the assessment district.
Guiseppe Tonelli and Clementina Venturini both voiced complaints against
the drive-in. They stated that the speakers could be heard during the
night and very early in the morning because they were left on. Ms. Venturini
said she had problems with people parking in her driveway to watch the movie.
Mr. Modena noted that the noise heard was not from the speakers, but from
a radio left on by the janitor while he worked and noted that he had requested
the janitor to keep the radio turned off. The owner1s private telephone
number was given to Ms. Venturini and Ms. Tonelli so that if problems came
up, they could call him at any time.
This matter was tabled until August 26 to give the applicant and the City
Engineer an opportunity to establish the necessary conditions for improve-
ments.
NOISE ELEMENT
This matter was continued to August 26, until some problems could be re-
solved. A study session on this Element was scheduled for 7:00 p.m. on
August 26.
PM-125
PM-125~ a request of Renzo Bartoli for a parcel map to create two parcels of
land at the northwest corner of Maple Avenue and Pine Terrace.
Secretary Hale presented the staff report.
There was a brief discussion on the second condition of the City Engineer's
requlrlng the address and telephone number of the record owner and the
applicant. The applicant wants this portion of the condition deleted in
that it is not required by the City.s ordinance or the State Map Act.
Secretary Hale agreed.
Commissioner Mullin moved that PM-125 be approved subject to all the conditions
of the staff~report. Commissioner Teglia seconded the motion and it was
passed unanimously.
- 3441 -
August 12, 1975
PM-126
PM-126, a request of Sundberg BUi>lding Corporation for a parcel map to re-
subdivide three parcels into two parcels of land on the east side of Mission
Road between Holly Avenue and Grand Avenue.
Secretary Hale presented the staff report.
Following this presentation, Vice-Chairman Slade moved that PM-126 be
approved subject to the conditions of the staff report. Commissioner
Mullin seconded the motion and it was passed unanimously.
GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENT/
COLMA CREEK ENHANCEMENT PROJECT
Proposed amendment to the City's General Plan to provide for the:
1. proposed Colma Creek Enhancement Project from Spruce Avenue to
Colma Town limits;
2. deletion of proposed linear park along Colma Creek from Orange
Avenue to San Francisco Bay;
3. deletion of proposed Canal Expressway from Orange Avenue to
Spruce Avenue;
4. realignment of Mission Road, between Oak and Chestnut Avenues.
The Commission requested leaving in the word "Essential" instead of changing
it to IIDesirable,1I on the revision to the Open Space and Conservation Element,
and to clarify in the text that the improvements would be scheduled to be
undertaken as funds are available.
Director of Public Services Addiego and City Engineer Yee presented to the
Commission some facts regarding traffic flow problems that could occur in
the future if the Canal Expressway was deleted from the General Plan. City
Engineer Yee noted that accidents, circulation, and volume all have to be
looked at. Mr. Yee felt that there could be a need for the expressway and
it should be considered very carefully. Mr. Yee stated figures in the amount
of traffic that travelled various streets in the City daily. The Commission
noted that there could be other alternatives than the Expressway. They
asked Mr. Yeeifanin~erchange could be obtained without the Expressway
going thro.ygh=-OrangeAvenue Park. Mr. Yee stated that he doubted it, and
that the ExpresswaY would probably go from Airport Boulevard to Chestnut
Avenue, directly through Orange Avenue Park. Director of Public Services
Addiego stated that he felt this matter should be deferred for about one
year in order for traffic studies to be done to determine if the Expressway
might be needed in the future.
Secretary Hale stated that there were no real time constraints with the
Enhancement Project but that a circulation study should only be done in
conjunction with land use studies.
- ~II/1? -
August 12, 1975
Enhancement Project, cont'd
Commissioner Mullin moved that this project be approved~ eliminating the
proposed deletion of the Canal Expressway. Commissioner Teglia seconded
the motion and it was approved unanimously.
COMMUNICATIONS
A letter from Mr. Walter Frey was presented to the Commission requesting
that a study be made of a possible pedestrian bridge across the extension
of Grand Avenue to link up with Kaiser Hospital and the El Camino Real.
GOOD AND WELFARE
The Commission requested a copy of item #17 of the Status Report of
August 1,1975.
The Commission requested to know what the City:ls policies were on accepting
free gifts from people in the community. Secretary Hale said that he would
advise the Commission on this matter.
There being nothing further to be considered under Good and Welfare and no
further communications or other matters of interest for the Commission,
Chairman Hale announced that the next regular meeting of the Planning Com-
mission would be held on August 26, 1975, at 8:00 p.m. in the West Orange
Library Auditorium.
The meeting was adjourned at 1:45 p.m.
Homer V. Hale Chairman
Planning Commission
City of South San Francisco
~c.~
David C. Hale, Secretary
Planning Commission
City of South San Francisco
NOTE:
The entries of this Planning Commission meeting indicate the action taken by
the Planning Commission to dispose of each item. Oral presentations, arguments,
and documents are recorded on tape. The tapes are available in the Office of
the City Planner. Documents related to the items discussed are on file in the
Office of the City Planner and are available for public inspection.
;,.. 3443 -