HomeMy WebLinkAbout11.02.95 Minutes
MINUTES
SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO PLANNING COMMISSION
November 2, 1995
CALL TO ORDER:
7:30 P.M.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Chairman Lucchesi, Vice-Chairman Warren, Commissioners
Barnett, DeZordo, Masuda, Padreddii and Romero.
MEMBERS ABSENT:
None
ALSO PRESENT:
Planning Division:
Steve Solomon
Larry Kasparowitz
Larrisa Seto
Jim Fitzpatrick
Richard Harmon
Ron Petrocchi
Assistant City Attorney
Fire Department
Engineering Division
Police Department
CHAIRMAN COMMENTS
CONSENT CALENDAR - PUBLIC HEARING - AGENDA ITEMS
24 Summit Court, Cadiz Residence, PUD-95-48
Planned Unit Development to allow a 350 sq. ft. family room addition onto the rear of a residence
located in an existing PUD in accordance with the provisions of SSFMC Section 20.84.030.
229 Littlefield, Simeon Properties, UP-94-972/Mod 2
Use Permit Modification to allow signage over truck docks at multi-tenant building in accordance
with the provisions of SSFMC Chapter 20.91.
176-180 Gateway Blvd., Olympian Oil Company, UP-95-997/Mod 1
Use Permit Modification to allow phased construction of UP-95-997/Mod 1 in accordance with the
provisions of SSFMC Chapter 20.91. (Continuance requested to December 7, 1995)
Chairman Lucchesi asked if the Commission wanted to review any items on Consent Calendar.
Commissioner DeZordo asked to review Item 1. PUD-95-48.
Motion-Warren/Second-Barnett: Motion to approve consent calendar; UP-94-972/Mod 2 was
approved and UP-95-997/Mod 1 was continued to December 7, 1995 PC meeting.
24 Summit Court, Cadiz Residence, PUD-95-48
Planned Unit Development to allow a 350 sq. ft. family room addition onto the rear of a residence
located in an existing PUD in accordance with the provisions of SSFMC Section 20.84.030.
Chairman Lucchesi open the public hearing.
Chief Planner Solomon presented the staff report.
Commission and staff discussed ways to streamline single familylsmall amount of square footage
additions and only bring to Planning Commission large scale of additions. Commission agreed to
continue to bring small items on consent calendar.
Commissioner Masuda asked why there were no windows. Applicant responded they have 14%
ventilation now and 15 % is only permitted due to Title 24 State law. Chairman suggested that
applicant and owner should consider a window.
Motion-Warren/Second-Barnett: Motion to approve PUD-95-48 based on the findings contained in
the staff report and subject to the conditions of approval. It was unanimously approved by voice
vote.
PUBLIC HEARING - AGENDA ITEMS
2211 Gellert Blvd., Ling Nam Noodle House, UP-93-939/Mod 1
Considering a recommendation to City Council regarding the of Revocation of a Use Permit
Modification (allowing for operation of a restaurant during the hours between midnight and 6 a.m.)
in accordance with SSFMC Section 20.91.030.
Chairman Lucchesi opened the public hearing.
Interim Planner Kasparowitz presented the staff report.
Assistant City Attorney Seto outlined the process of the evidentiary hearing. She noted that
information will be given by Staff, applicant, and others; the Commission can ask questions to
clarify information, and take any information as long as it is relevant; the Planning Commission
will then decide in open session whether or not to revoke or modify the permit.
Sgt. Petrocchi presented a revised report from the Police Department and reviewed the history of
incidents that had occurred since March 1995. He had spoken with neighborhood community
representatives, and applicant's attorney; the property owner has written a letter in favor of the
business closing between the hours of midnight to 6 am. The Police Department recommends
revocation of the use permit to operate after midnight, due to recent and past violent incidents and
the potential of future violent activities. He noted that the majority of incidents occur after midnight.
Page 2 of 6 Pages
PC Meeting of 11/2/95
Representing the Applicant, and
Speaking against revocation:
Mr. John Mangini, Attorney
333 Gellert Blvd. #200
Daly City, CA 94015
Representing the Owner:
Manton Wong
Gellert Square
Speaking against revocation:
Belinda Nacilla, Business Owner
994 Gellert Blvd.,Daly City, CA 94015
Annando Gonzales
Co-Owner of Security Co.
713 W. Orange Ave., SSF
Isidro Protasio
3 Pisa Court, SSF
Mr. Gennan Palabyab
Editor in Chief of Manila Bulletin USA
363 E. Grand Ave., SSP
Bette Mesina
305 Serano, SSF
Mr. Mangini addressed a correction in the findings for
revocation, and noted that a new security service company
had been obtained in the past month and that steps had
been taken to prevent any further incidents.
Mr. Wong expressed concern with the public safety and
supports recommendation from the Police Department.
Ms. Nacilla reported on the affects on the business if hours
are shorten. She felt they are not the cause, but also the
victim of this problem. They felt confident that the new
security guards hired improved the safety of the family
restaurant, and asked that they be allowed to keep the
existing hours of business.
Mr. Gonzales described the services provided by their
company, which is listed with the SSF Police Dept. They
have metal detectors and radio communication and have 3
persons & a supervisor on duty from 10:00 pm thru 5:00
am. The Police Dept. is called immediately when
necessary.
Mr. Protasio commented on his concerns and noted that
with improved security this business will improve. He
stated there are 24-hour businesses in the area and closing
this business is not a solution to the problem.
Mr. Palabyab, presented his concern and felt this could be
considered as a business management problem and asked
the Commission to put them on a probationary period with
the new security service, rather than closing the business
for those hours.
Ms. Mesina, a client of the restaurant and financial advisor
to business owner, suggested that the property owner place
better lighting in the parking lot and noted that the owners
were victims not the cause of the problem.
Interim Planner Kasparowitz corrected Finding 2 to read: "That at least three weapon incidents had
been reported, one of which involved the discharge of a firearm. "
Chainnan Lucchesi closed the public hearing.
Page 3 of 6 Pages
PC Meeting of 11/2/95
Vice-Chairman Warren asked Sgt. Petrocchi of the signage and he responded that it had been taken
care of. She asked if there were any decreases in incidents since the security guards were employed.
Sgt. Petrocchi responded that the night shift Police Officers had indicated the new guard service has
made a positive presence in the area; they had reported no significant incidents but he felt it was too
early to say for sure, since the new service had only been there four weeks. She asked how the
Police Department would feel of continuing operation with a probationary period. Sgt. Petrocchi
noted the Police Chief recommended that the Planning Commission grant the Police Department
authority to cause an immediate abatement should a significant incident occur; they would be closed
after midnight effective immediately until they came back to a public hearing.
Discussion continued on closing down the business for a specified period of hours as a solution.
Applicant's attorney noted the applicant was willing to work with Planning Division and Police
Department's staff in hope to keep the business open. Vice-Chairman Warren explained that the
Planning Commission is a land use body and because of the surrounding residential area this
business' problems are of great concern. Discussion continued by the Commission and Sgt.
Petrocchi on the amount of guards and hours of operation when the incidents occurred, and possible
City's liability should another incident occur.
Chairman Lucchesi asked if the Commission could impose a new condition for a probationary period.
Assistant City Attorney Seto explained that this was an evidentiary hearing and if the Commission
wished to modify the use permit they would need to continue this item, and notice the meeting as a
modification to the use permit. Chairman Lucchesi clarified that the Commission's action would be a
recommendation to the City Council.
Commissioner Romero reviewed the history of the use, as it first came to the Planning Commission
as an illegal use (business hours opened from midnight to 6:00 am) and how the modification then
came before the Commission for approval, and even at that time there were problems. There were
additional problems that occurred after the modification was approved and the guards were then
hired. Commissioner Romero understands that the business owners are the victims, but the people
out in the parking lot need to behave themselves. Mr. Gonzales noted that the new security service
has a good record of keeping problems under control, and his guards call the Police Department
immediately when needed. Commissioner Romero's initial concern is the environment harmful to
the residents and businesses nearby.
Chairman Lucchesi also reviewed the history of the use, and noted that this is a good business and he
is optimistic because of the evidence of a turning point due to the new security guard service.
Chairman Lucchesi noted that if the Commission does not recommend revocation to Council, they
will not see this issue. Commissioner Barnett suggests that they continue this and hold a special
meeting with City Council; he felt the problems are of a serious nature to the public health and
welfare, and a potential dangerous situation to innocent people. Chairman Lucchesi explained that by
recommending revocation they are moving ahead with the issue of notifying the City's elected
officials of a problem that they should deal with. Commissioners agreed. Vice-Chairman Warren
recommended that in forwarding the revocation recommendation to the City Council, that it be
clearly pointed out that there is a new guard company. She emphasized that the Council needs to
know the alternatives, not just closing down the business during those hours; but that the Planning
Page 4 of 6 Pages
PC Meeting of 11/2/95
Commission is recommending that specific conditions, "allowing the Police Department to act
quickly", be attached should continued operation be granted. Vice-Chairman Warren noted that
these meeting minutes should be complete when they go before City Council.
Chairman Lucchesi noted that the way the use permit was granted there were certain steps given
should problems occur and they are at a point where the recommendation of revocation to Council
with list of concerns and possible alternatives needs to go ahead. The Commission agreed that if the
Council did not wish to revoke the use permit, that the Planning Commission strongly recommends
that the Police Department be given the ability to immediately shut down the business between the
hours of midnight and 6:00 am until the Planning Commission holds a public hearing.
Assistant City Attorney Seto advised that a consensus of a recommendation to Council with the
stipulations is needed. Chief Planner Solomon advised that the motion would cite testimony heard,
and the staff report, and based on those the Commission makes findings as attached to staff report
and then makes the recolnmendation to Council.
Motion-Warren/Second-Romero: Motion that Planning Commission recommends to the City Council
revocation of Use Permit UP-93-939/Modification 1 allowing for the operation of the restaurant
during the hours of midnight to 6:00 a.m., based on the testimony heard this evening, the
information and facts contained in the staff report, the findings, as corrected, attached to the staff
report. If the City Council does not revoke the permit, the Commission further recommends the
Council modify the permit conditions such that continued operation between midnight and 6:00 a.m.
be contingent upon the successful service of the guards company, and that the Police Chief be given
the authority to enforce immediate closure between midnight and 6:00 a.m. should another
significantly major incident occur and the application return to the Planning Commission for a
subsequent revocation hearing.
Motion approved by the following roll call vote: AYES: Chairman Lucchesi, Vice-Chairman
Warren, Commissioners Barnett, DeZordo, Masuda, Padreddii and Romero. NOES: none
ABSENT: none
ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS
Items from Staff: Chief Planner Solomon reported that an Standard Builders filed an application
for the Silver Terrace Subdivision and PUD off of Chestnut. He also reported meeting with a real
estate consultant looking for a five acre site for a super grocery store in northern part of SSFIColma
area. Lastly, Planning staff and City Attorney's office, at the City Manager's direction, had been
preparing a study of zoning changes to increase zoning flexibility in the Old Town area, particularly
for existing properties.
Items from Commission: Chairman Lucchesi asked what became of the Lucky's store? Chief
Planner Solomon responded that they had looked at the Shearwater site, Terrabay site, and CalWater
property on Chestnut near El Camino Real, also a property in Colma off of Hillside Blvd. near SSF.
Page 5 of 6 Pages
PC Meeting of 11/2/95
Commissioner DeZordo asked to clarify the specifics in the study being done of the Old Town area?
Chief Planner Solomon responded that the basis of the list compiled was to note various concerns
causing problems in the neighborhood; such as fences higher than 3' in height in front yards, parking
on & off street, accessory units at rear yards particularly those on Lanes. Chief Planner Solomon
explains that the information would be background material for Council to discuss complaints about
zoning requirements. Chainnan Lucchesi asked if these changes will alleviate the use of the PUD for
some of the difficult items in the Old Town area.
Adjournment
Motion-Lucchesi/Second-Barnett: To adjourn the meeting at 9: 10 PM to November 16, 1995. It
was unanimously approved by voice vote.
Steve Solomon, Secretary
Planning Commission
City of South San Francisco
JL:SS:rp
Page 6 of 6 Pages
PC Meeting of 11/2/95