HomeMy WebLinkAbout11.17.94 Minutes
MINUTES
SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO PLANNING COMMISSION
Regular Meeting of Novelllber 17, 1994
CALL TO ORDER:
7:32 P.M.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Chairman Mantegani, Vice-Chairman Lucchesi,
Commissioners DeZordo, Padreddii, Romero, Warren and
Zellmer
ALSO PRESENT:
Planning Division
Steve Solomon
Steve Padovan
Steve Mattas
Theresa Cayssials
Richard Harmon
Ron Petrocchi
F. Lagomarsino
City Attorney
Building Division
Engineering Division
Police Department
Fire Department
CHAIRMAN COMMENTS
APPROVAL OF MINUTES of August 4, 1994 and September 1, 1994
Motion-Zellmer/Second-Romero: To approve the minutes of August 4, 1994 as presented.
They were unanimously approved by voice vote. ABSTAINED: Commissioner Warren.
Motion-Warren/Second-Zellmer: To approve the minutes of September 1, 1994 as presented.
They were unanimously approved by voice vote. ABSTAINED: Chairman Mantegani.
Southeast corner of Sunset and Stonegate Avenues. Mark Robson/Santa Clara Development
(Ida Crosariol. owner). SA-93-111. PUD-93-26. Negative Declaration No. 767
Vesting Tentative Subdivision Map, Planned Unit Development and Design Review for a 32-
unit, single-family detached residential development on 4.76 acres in the R-l Single-Family
Zone District. Project involves subdividing the property into 32 single-family lots with private
streets and related site, elevation, grading and landscaping plans in accordance with the
provisions of SSFMC Chapter 20.84, Title 19 (Subdivision Ordinance) and the State Map Act.
Assistant Planner Steve Padovan presented the staff report.
Page 1 of 6 Pages
PC Meeting of 11/17/94
The first issue discussed was the architecture.
Applicant:
Mark Robson
Santa Clara Development
1978 The Alameda
San Jose, CA 95126
Mr. Robson talked briefly about the history of the project and how it has changed since its
first submittal. He explained that their main goal is to create a high-quality, traditional,
detached single-family neighborhood. Mr. Robson explained that the original plan had 36
units and after the first study session with the Planning Commission he had reduced the size
of the retaining walls and the number of units to 32. He went on to say that the Design
Review Board liked the architecture after substantial changes were made.
Speaking against the project:
Richard Shanahan
796 Stonegate
South San Francisco
Mr. Shanahan's main concern was the construction of a wall of buildings on Stonegate and the
obstruction of the view.
Speaking against the project:
Malcolm Catchatoorian
760 Stonegate
South San Francisco
Mr. Catchatoorian was also concerned about the obstruction of the view but felt the project
was fine as long as the structures were below grade.
Chairman Mantegani stated he was not in favor of shared driveways (lots 3 and 4).
Commissioner Warren agreed and asked if the applicant was willing to try and .redesign the
driveways. The applicant agreed.
Richard Harmon, Engineering, stated that he is concerned with 900 driveways; they are not
useable for parking cars and it is difficult to maneuver your car in and out of the garage.
Commissioner Lucchesi discussed the exterior building colors.
A discussion ensued regarding the size of the garage; 20' x 20' vs. 19.4' x 19.4'. Richard
Harmon, Engineering, explained that the same discussion had occurred regarding the
Terrabay project and that you would be excluding larger cars if the garage was reduced in
size. .
Page 2 of 6 Pages
PC Meeting of 11/17/94
Commissioner Warren stated she felt more comfortable with the 20' x 20' garage.
Mr. Robson stated that this was a PUD; this was a very difficult site with which to meet all
the requirements and he said something has to give somewhere.
Commissioner Zellmer stated that the issue here is the density. If the density was lowered by
reducing the number of units there would not be any more issues.
Commissioner Padreddii stated he liked the project very much and did not want to see the
developer change the whole design; if their engineers agreed it could work, who were we to
disagree.
A discussion ensued about the storage area. Mr. Robson said that he would prefer to find a
storage area in the garage.
The next issue discussed was the useable open space; the park-in-lieu fees were also discussed.
Mr. Robson said that the fees were close to $200,000.
The Commissioner DeZordo agreed that there was no need for the common open space area
but Commissioner Lucchesi asked staff to advise the Commission where these fees would be
going; what zone.
Commissioner suggested some paving and patios in the backyards. The Commission
encouraged the applicant to provide 15' in the backyard. Mr. Robson said there were only 3
homes that will have less than 15' and said he would show some alternates at the next
meeting.
Site grading and retaining walls were discussed next. The 22' crib-block wall is a main
concern to staff. The Commission discussed "Keystone" cement blocks which are low
maintenance. Commissioner DeZordo asked that the 22' crib-block wall be landscaped.
Commissioner Warren asked for a copy of the proposed budget and the proposed CC&R's.
Chairman Mantegani called for a IS-minute recess at 9:00 P.M. Chairman Mantegani
readjourned the meeting at 9:15 P.M.
The next item discussed was public streets vs. private streets.
Cassette 2
A lengthy discussion ensued regarding the size of the public streets; full width public streets
vs. narrower private streets.
Page 3 of 6 Pages
PC Meeting of 11/17/94
Chief Planner Solomon said there is no precedent for approving narrower public streets but
the City Council can approve this.
Richard Harmon, Engineering, stated that if the City allows smaller streets it will generate
more complaints; people parking where they should not be and greater responsibility for the
Police Department to enforce regulations.
Commissioner Padreddii stated that when they last met with Robson, he remembered telling
him that if he purchased the school property the Commission would agree to private streets.
Now that he bought the property, we are saying that he cannot have private streets. Other
Commissioners disagreed saying that they had not promised private streets.
Mr. Robson stated that public streets would radically change the project. He further felt that
they were complying with the characteristics outlined in Resolution 82-88.
Chairman Mantegani could agree to private streets if they would not be included in the
density count. Other Commissioners did not agree; the straw vote was 4-3 (Commissioners
DeZordo, Padreddii, Romero, Zellmer/Chairman Mantegani, Commissioners Lucchesi and
Warren).
Commissioner Zellmer stated that the density is too high, that streets are a non-issue; the
bottom line is the high density. He further stated that he would prefer public streets with a
56' right-of-way. Commissioner Romero agreed but said that this will kill the project.
City Attorney, Steve Mattas, explained that staff could draft up findings that are site
specific, that is, lower retaining walls o~ methodology of grading. Mr. Mattas advised that if
you approve the project at 32 units you are implicity making the determination that with
private streets you do not count net acreage under Policy 14.
Commissioner Warren reiterated that she wanted to see the project's by-laws, CC&R's and
budget. If there were inadequate funds to maintain the driveways over the long term life of
the project then they would not meet the requirements under Resolution 82-88.
A discussion ensued again regarding the density; 30 units vs 32 units. Chairman Mantegani
agreed to the 32 units (streets not to be included in the density count) but he was adamant
about the findings being iron-clad and site specific. Commissioners DeZordo, Padreddii
and Warren also agreed with Chairman Mantegani.
Page 4 of 6 Pages
PC Meeting of 11/17/95
Chief Planner Solomon said there is no precedent for approving narrower public streets but
the City Council can approve this~
Richard Harmon, Engineering, stated that if the City allows snlaller streets it will generate
more conlplaints; people parking where they should not be and greater responsibility for the
Police Department to enforce regulations.
Commissioner Padreddii stated that when they last met with Robson, he renlenlbered telling
him that if he purchased the school property the Commission would agree to private streets.
Now that he bought the property, we are saying that he cannot have private streets. Other
Conlmissioners disagreed saying that they had not promised private streets.
Mr. Robson stated that public streets would radically change the project. He further felt that
they were conlplying with the characteristics outlined in Resolution 82-88.
Chairman Mantegaui could agree to private streets if they would not be included in the
densitycount. Other Conlnlissioners did not agree; the straw vote was 4-3 (Commissioners
DeZordo, Padreddii, ROlnero, Zellmer/Chairman Mantegani, COilllnissioners Lucchesi and
Warren).
Commissioner Zelln1er stated that the density is too high, that streets are a non-issue; the
bottom line is the high density. He further stated that he would prefer public streets with a
56' right-of-way. Commissioner ROlnero agreed but said that this will kill the project.
City Attorney, Steve Mattas, explained that staff could draft up findings that are site
specific, that is, lower retaining walls or methodology of grading. Mr. Mattas advised that if
you approve the project at 32 units you are implicity making the determination that with
private streets you do not count net acreage under Policy 14.
Comnlissioner Warren reiterated that she wanted to see the project's by-laws, CC&R's and
budget. If there were inadequate funds to maintain the driveways over the long term life of
the project then they would not nleet the requirements under Resolution 82-88.
A discussion ensued again regarding the density; 30 units vs 32 units. Chairman Mantegani
agreed to the 32 units (streets not to be included in the density count) but he was adamant
about the findings being iron-clad and site specific. Commissioners DeZordo, Padreddii
and Warren also agreed with Chairman Mantegani.
Page 4 of 6 Pages
PC Meeting of 11/17/95
The next topic of discussion was phasing. Mr. Robson explained the phasing saYing streets
and engineering work would be done up front; then building 2 or 3 models; then building' 6 or
7 product units and then as the structures are sold moving down the site.
Staff advised that a proposed condition will require the proposed phasing plan be sent to the
Building Division for their approval.
Commissioner Warren was adamant that an adequate maintenance budget be available even if
the market falls and units are no longer being built.
The environmental analysis came next. Chief Planner Solomon said staff had not received any
public comment on the document.
Motion-Warren/Second-DeZordo: To recommend to City Council certification of Mitigated
Negative Declaration No. 767. It was unanimously approved by voice vote.
Cassette 3
Commissioner Warren stated her concern about Mitigation E-4.
The next issue was landscaping and screening. This was discussed briefly. The applicant said
he would submit a specific plan at the next meeting.
General Plan Policies #1, #8, #13, #14 and #17 were briefly discussed.
There were no comments on the PUD.
Motion- Warren/Second-Zellmer: To continue SA-93-111 and PUD-93-26 to December 1,
1994. It was unanimously approved by voice vote.
Items from Staff -
Chief Planner Solomon advised Commission committee had met with Genentech on Building
25 prior to this night's Planning Commission meeting. He said it was well received and that
Genentech would be presenting the plans for Building 25 to the Commission in January for
formal action. He briefly discussed the BART station in San Bruno at the Tanforan Center.
He said that the EIR should be out sometime next month.
Items from Commission -
None.
Page 5 of 6 Pages
PC Meeting of 11/17/94
Motion-Zellmer/Second- Warren: To adjourn the meeting to December 1, 1994. It was
unanimously approved by voice vote.
Chairman Mantegani adjourned the meeting at 11:10 P.M.
olomon, Secre a
Planning Commission
City of South San Francisco
"~' . ,"-".J
,-antegani, Chaif11iatr-,
"Planning Commission
-City of South San Francisco
RM:SS:ab
Page 6 of 6 Pages
PC Meeting of 11/17/94