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HomeMy WebLinkAboutStudy Session 02/26/1998 (2) CITY OF SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO PLANNING COMMISSION STUDY SESSION MINUTES MUNICIPAL SERVICES BUILDING 33 ARROYO DRIVE February 26, 1998 CALL TO ORDER / PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The meeting was called to order 6:35 p.m. ROLL CALL / CHAIR COMMENTS MEMBERS PRESENT: Chairman Barnett, Vice Chairman Teglia, Commissioner Masuda, Commissioner Romero, Commissioner Baldocchi, Commissioner Honan, Commissioner Sim MEMBERS ABSENT: None ALSO PRESENT: Planning Division Jim Harnish, Chief Planner Steve Carlson Katherine Wellman Sgt. Mike Massoni City Attorney Police Dept. Commissioner Sim stated that he has received clearance from the Assistant City Attorney to participate in these discussions. Commissioner Romero stated that he has also been given clearance from the Assistant City Attorney to participate. Sr. Planner Carlson presented the report, which included a visual presentation depicting the vicinities, approved and proposed plans. Commissioner Masuda had a question regarding the Alta Lorna preschool parking situation. Mr. Carlson stated that he has been in contact with the representative for the day care and advised them that a modification of their use permit will be required. Chairman Barnett asked if the previously approved plan is now void. Mr. Carlson stated the previous plan is approved, and the applicant could record that map. He stated that the applicant is proposing a revised project that includes the entire site instead of going with the previously approved map and incorporating the remainder. Commissioner Romero asked if the proposed map reflects removal of the retaining wall. Mr. C:\working\minutes\1998\022698ss. wpd Page 1 of 4 Carlson added that the retaining wall will be removed under the proposed plan. Mr. Kent thanked the Commission and presented the new subdivision plan. He added that they considered submitting the planned unit development with 69 lots identical to the ones in the Chestnut Estates, which are 45 112 feet wide and average about 4500 square feet. However, recognizing the sensitivity of the neighborhood to losing a school site, and since the area is zoned R-l they chose not to upset the neighborhood any further, although that plan would have returned approximately $700,000 more to the school district. He stated that instead they are presenting a plan that has 63 lots that are 50' wide, 60' on the corners; 5,000 square feet, 6,000 on the corner, each meeting or exceeding the R-l zoning requirements; and a dual intersection. He added that the wall previously separating the subdivision and the school district will be removed. He stated that under the previous plan 5,400 cubic yards of dirt were going to be removed, under this plan more than 24,000 cubic yards of dirt will be moved from this site which will change the elevations significantly. Mr. Kent responded to questions from Commissioners Romero, Honan, and Vice Chairman Teglia with reference to the extent to which the site elevations would drop based on the amount of dirt being removed, where the dirt would be placed, the plan for dust control, and other grading questions. He stated that preliminary grading and ofthaul could start as early as the first of May. He provided details on the type of redwood fencing and landscaping which would border Del Monte and other landscaping issues, adding that the landscaping would be maintained by the homeowner and answered questions on garages and driveways. Commissioner Masuda asked if the pre-existing trees would be removed; Commissioner Honan asked if the fire department had any concerns; Chairman Barnett asked what the grade of the slope was on Byron; Commissioner Romero asked what the setbacks were for the lots facing Del Monte from the rear of the sidewalk; Vice Chairman Teglia asked if Del Monte would become a parking lot for the day care, and whether they had considered single story ranchers versus two story homes. Commissioner Sim received clarification on questions regarding lots 1, 29, 30, 33, 34, and 38 ( six corner lots) which according to the staff report are designated for more specific treatment, and also asked the location of uP" street. Mr Kent responded that many of the trees will be taken out on the advise of the arborist; the plan meets all the fire department's needs; the slope on Del Monte is 2: 1 which is an acceptable level, and the drainage to Byron would be minimized; the setbacks on lots facing Del Monte are standard 6 feet of landscape area + 10 feet for a total of 16 feet; and stated that 1500 square foot ranch style homes in that location are not saleable; he added that in an attempt to address the privacy issue they have maximized the depth and width of the lots where the houses could have been three feet wider and responded to a question from Vice Chairman Teglia on the amount of usable back yard (some 15 feet) others will have deck area for lots 11 through 15. Mr. Carlson responded to the question regarding parking for the day care. Commissioner Romero requested that the ones being built with decks have trees planted in the back yards to alleviate the privacy lost. The meeting was opened for informal brief public comments. C: \working\minutes \1998\022698ss. wpd Page 2 of 4 Donna Schlimmer of 649 Serra Drive asked if the trees being removed would be replaced, and questioned the number of children versus the size of homes. She expressed a concern with the statement that single story ranchers in that area are not saleable. Chief Planner Harnish responded that the school district has hired a consultant to perform a district wide study to project future enrollment for changes to the population in general. He indicated that the numbers would be included in the staff report when the project goes before the Commission for public hearing. He added that the school district has indicated that their research has shown to them that larger houses do not necessarily generate greater school enrollment. Commissioner Romero indicated that he has had discussions with school district who is looking into the possibility that Serra Vista may be opened at a later date. Mr. Carlton Rowlands of 467 Comerwood expressed a concern with the number of children projected by the school district as attending private schools, adding that the private schools are at capacity now, and he questioned whether the projections are accurate. He added that this along with the loss from the Avalon site is creating an imbalance for the schools. He questioned whether the project provides adequate parking, and whether the driveways are deep enough to park cars without them overhanging onto the sidewalk. He questioned the price of homes which are considered low to middle income adding that with a price of $400,000 the residents of South San Francisco are being priced out of the market. The Commission and staff responded to some of his concerns and the Assistant City Attorney provided information on the role of this Commission. Commissioner Honan asked if the city has limits on size of homes versus how many people can live in it. The Assistant City Attorney and Mr. Harnish responded. Mr. Harnish asked for clarification from the Commission on any additional information they would like to see from staff for the public hearing: ~ Commissioner Romero stated that he would like to see a footprint of where the homes will be situated in each lot, and any trees being lost. He asked if the fences along Romney would be replaced. ~ Commissioner Baldocchi asked if the trees being removed will be replaced. ~ Commissioner Honan asked if there was any interest in discussing the concern that was raised before regarding the rear bedrooms facing other properties. Chairman Barnett commented that he feels that the layout now that it includes the entire site is much better. ~ Commissioner Sim asked if the applicant could provide a cross section of the entire site at a relatively reasonable scale. He asked Sgt. Massoni for an explanation on the condition that references Feng Sui. ~ Chairman Barnett asked what people see when they look out their windows. He also asked that the revised report from the school district should be available for the public hearing, not necessary for the board to be present. ~ Vice Chairman Teglia asked if the windows would be the same height windows as before. He asked about the trees between Serra and houses 17 - 22, whether replaced or not will they be in the back yards, and would the homeowners be responsible for them. He asked who would responsible for maintenance of other things such as drains. ~ Commissioner Masuda asked someone from school board be available for the public c: \working\minutes \1998\022698ss. wpd Page 3 of 4 hearing. The meeting was adjourned at 7:50 p.m. r Jim Harnis Secretary to City of Sout ,....... ~~t,~ Planning Commission City of South San Francisco ~ , '~anning Commission Francisco CB:JH:is NEXT MEETING: Regular Planning Commission Meeting, March 19, 1998,7:30 p.m., Municipal Services Building, 33 Arroyo Drive, South San Francisco, CA 94080 C:\working\minutes\1998\022698ss. wpd Page 4 of 4