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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 09/17/1998 (2) MINUTES CITY OF SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO SPECIAL PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MUNICIPAL SERVICES BUILDING 33 ARROYO DRIVE September 17, 1998 CALL TO ORDER / PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The meeting was called to order at 6:35 p.m. ROLL CALL / CHAIRMAN COMMENTS PRESENT: Chairman Barnett, Vice Chairman Teglia, Commissioner Sim, Commissioner Baldocchi, Commissioner Honan, Commissioner Masuda ABSENT: Commissioner Romero ALSO PRESENT: Planning: Police Dept.: City Attorney: Water Quality Control Plant: Jim Harnish Mike Lappen Sgt. Massoni Adam Lindgren Ray Honan 1. General Plan Preferred Plan Consulting Planner Lappen and Chief Planner Harnish presented staff report supported by a Power Point presentation. Mr. Harnish presented the Commission with a recommendation to address concerns expressed by the Commission in the Lindenville area to designate the area as a special study area in terms of revitalizing the area, supporting enhancement of the downtown area, supporting strong economic and job growth in the City and come up with a policy plan with specific guidelines and performance standards for addressing land uses within the area similar to what is being developed in the South of Mission area in San Francisco. He added that staff will evaluate mixed use opportunities while emphasizing the character of the area. He stated that instead of continuing to discuss the map now, the recommendation is to reserve this for special focus during the policy planning where a lot more detail will be coming. Commissioner Romero arrived at 6:40 p.m. \ \CH - PDC\ISHADD\File Cabinet\Old PC\ working\minutes\199 8\09179 8spec.doc Page 1 of 5 Commissioner Romero asked for further details on the intent of a special planning area. He stated his desire to see flexibility to allow developers to come in and make a proposal without having to go through the rezoning process. He added that a better approach might be to indicate what the Commission would not like to see in the area. He felt a good plan would be to let Council know what the Commission wants to see in a particular area in forwarding it to Council. Commissioner Masuda spoke of the traffic issues. He asked if existing businesses that maintain their buildings would be permitted to remain, similar to the East of 101 changes. Vice Chairman Teglia stated that he felt one of the problems in the Lindenville area is created by the traffic circulation, and opening up certain streets would increase the access to the area. He stated that he likes the idea of leaving the area flexible, while previous discussions have been that some of the areas are inappropriate for residential. He also spoke of the previous suggestions regarding changing the definition of the R-l zones. He expressed his desire to see more concrete recommendations. Chairman Barnett agreed that the one specific thing he could see in terms of circulation is the San Bruno BART Station and across East of 101 and up to Grand Avenue. He asked about the significance of the suggested special area. Commissioner Honan asked if the area is being called special until specifics are worked out, adding that it sounded good to her. She asked what business would be affected in the opening up of streets. Vice Chairman Teglia stated that perhaps the most feasible connections should be given pri ori ty. Commissioner Sim added that it might be beneficial for the people currently housed in that area to see how other jurisdictions in the area have accomplished transformation, citing the South of Market area and south of Mission areas in San Francisco, and Emeryyille. He also asked that dialogue with the current occupants be maintained to avoid problems later on. He added his comments regarding maintaining a balance in the community, adding that priorities are to insure that enough money is generated to support the downtown area. However he would not like to forgo the other aspects that make the City unique. Commissioner Baldocchi asked if design standards could be adopted within the general plan, such as telecommunications, daycare, senior care facilities and handicap ramps in residential areas. Commissioner Romero pointed to the reference in the staff report that businesses are having problems attracting and keeping quality employees due to the lack of affordable housing and commute problems. He stated that part of the problem is due to the cost of housing area, which is not something the City can do anything about. He added that the burden should be put on the \ \CH - PDC\ISHADD\File Cabinet\Old PC\working\minutes\1998\091798spec.doc Page 2 of 5 employers to be more proactive and to provide relief for their employees. Vice Chairman Teglia stated that there is something that could be done by looking to the development standards and encourage houses that are representative of what was built in the past in the City, such as three bedroom versus the six bedrooms. He also stated that another policy that should be considered at some point is that of giving up commercial areas for residential, which appears to the philosophy stated by the General Plan consultant. Mr. Harnish stated that Angela Rey from MTSMA was here and has asked for the opportunity to speak. Ms. Rey, representing the Multi City TSM Agency, spoke to the Commission about the function of the Agency, and commended the Commission and staff for placing emphasis on efforts to resolve transportation demands. She provided information on programs that the agency is working on, adding that the General Plan and previous discussions touch on many of the key issues needed to come up with solutions. Commissioner Masuda asked a question about employer paid transit passes. Ms. Rey responded that it is one of the things that the agency promotes. John Stein, representing Four Star Automotive. He spoke to the Commission about their properties in the Lindenville area. He stated that he recognizes that change is inevitable. He stated that in his industry experienced a shortage of 65,000 technicians. He stated that he employs 55 people and approximately 70% of them commute because they can't afford housing in this area. He stated that as a businessman in the community, he was requesting that the Commission not overlook the business infrastructure. He ~dded that auto repair is not a friendly business, however it is part of that infrastructure, and the changes should incorporate an overview of the businesses that support the community. Lou Dell' Angela Planning, 1818 Gilbreth Road, Burlingame, Planning Consultant representing John Bacon, the owner of South City Lumber at the corner of Spruce and Railroad. He distributed photos primarily of the Lindenville area. He indicated that the proposed plan in that area does not make a lot of sense. He stated that Lindenville is not a concentrated run down area, but rather a mixture of good and bad, new and old. He stated that this is an area that has an industrial character and does not lend itself to residential. He stated that South City Lumber was only recently made aware of this plan, and suggested to the Commission that a lot of businesses being impacted by this plan are not aware that this process is going on. He stated that it is important that the Commission keep those businesses informed of what is happening. He spoke of serious impacts of the preferred plan recommendations for housing in areas of existing uses. He spoke of problems with street extensions that are being proposed which would go through fairly new buildings. He challenged the proposal for the plan to extend to 20 years. \ \CH - PDC\ISHADD\File Cabinet\O ld PC\ working\minutes\199 8\09179 8spec.doc Page 3 of 5 He spoke of a problem on South Spruce where a series of commercial uses that are brand new and the plan is calling for those uses to be residential. He spoke of Zellerbach being cited for office usage, which in his mind should be left east of the freeway because they draw cars that detract from the business and residential areas. He spoke of a problem with the recommendations in the Airport Boulevard area where the plan shows the area between Pine and Armour for housing. He also stated that south side of San Mateo Avenue may require reconsideration of what is being proposed. He spoke of the Produce Terminal being targeted as a power center, and alluded to the limited access. He stated that a power center would draw from the downtown area. He also spoke of the downtown area proposing high-density housing which he felt would create more problems than benefits. He spoke of the east side of South Airport Boulevard the strip that is target for commercial, adding that many of those buildings are warehouse, and if converted would create a parking problem. He suggested that the plan be re- examined before sending to the Council, and affected businesses should be invited to participate. Commissioner Masuda stated that all this was premature until preferred plan is available. He stated that something needs to go to Council in order to move forward. Mr. Harnish stated that some efforts have already been made to meet with various agencies and organizations such as the Chamber of Commerce, and would be happy to meet with the businesses to which Mr. Dell'Angela is referring. Vice Chairman Teglia pointed out that many of the problems raised by Mr. Dell'Angela have already been identified by the Commission. Commissioner Romero spoke of the efforts that have been made to include the community by advertising study sessions at various locations where the public has been invited to attend. Commissioner Sim asked if staff could shed some light on some of the projects that he mentioned earlier with respect to similar transformation in other areas. 2. Development issues for Genentech Campus Chairman Barnett stepped down from the podium due to a conflict. Vice Chairman Teglia recessed the meeting at 8:00 p.m. Meeting reconvened at 8: 10 p.m. Consulting Planner Lappen presented the staff report and introduced Mr. Peter Yee who spoke to the Commission about past and upcoming plans for building and renovation of their facilities. End of Tape 1 Vice Chairman Teglia had some questions regarding the location of some of the buildings and parking. \ \CH - PDC\ISHADD\File Cabinet\Old PC\ working\minutes\199 8\09179 8spec.doc Page 4 of 5 Commissioner Sim asked about parking and traffic signal adequacy. Commissioner Honan asked the approximate number of cars anticipated for the two buildings. Commissioner Masuda asked Mr. Yee if Genentech offers discount train tickets to their employees. Vice Chairman Teglia asked that consideration be given to eliminate building 55 to provide parking for the new buildings being considered. Chairman Barnett returned to the podium and closed the public session. ecretary SSlon San Francisco as adjourned to the regular meeting immediately following ~~ Chnstop er Barnett, ChaIrman Planning Commission City of South San Francisco JH:is NEXT MEETING: Adjourned to Regular Meeting, September 17,1998, Municipal Services Building, 33 Arroyo Drive, South San Francisco, CA. \\CH-PDC\ISHADD\File Cabinet\Old PC\working\minutes\1998\091798spec.doc Page 5 of 5