HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 04/04/2002
CITY OF SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO
REGULAR PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
MINUTES
MUNICIPAL SERVICES BUILDING
33 ARROYO DRIVE
April 4, 2002
CALL TO ORDER I PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
7 :30 p.m.
ROLL CALL I CHAIR COMMENTS
MEMBERS PRESENT:
COlnmissioner D'Angelo, Commissioner Honan, COlmnissioner Meloni,
Commissioner Sim, Vice Chairperson Ochsenhirt and Chairperson Romero
Commissioner Teglia Arrived at 7:36 p.n1.
MEMBERS ABSENT:
None
STAFF PRESENT:
Planning Division:
ThOlnas C. Sparks, Chief Planner
Susy Kalkin, Principal Planner
Steve Kowalski, Associate Planner
Kimberly Johnson, Assistant City Attorney
Barbara Hawkins, City Engineer
Richard Hannon, Developlnent Coordinator
Ray Honan, Environlnental COlnpliance Coordinator
Maurice Dong, Assistant Fire Marshall
City Attorney:
Engineering:
Water Quality:
Bldg./Fire Prevo
AGENDA REVIEW
Add Closed Session pursuant to Government Code 54954.2(b )(2)
Closed Session: Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(a) Existing Litigation: Aetna Realty vs. City of
South San Francisco
Motion Honan I Second Sim to add the closed session to the agenda. Approved by unanilnous voice vote.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
None
CONSENT CALENDAR
Approved
1. Approval Regular Meeting Minutes of July 19,2001, November 15,2001
and March 7, 2002.
Approved
2. SandHill Property Co., 345 East Grand, LP-owner/appl.
Dowler-Gruman Architects
345 East Grand Ave.
UP-Ol-034 and ND-01-034
Continued
(Recommend continuance to April 18, 2002)
Use permit allowing a new 210,560 square foot research and developn1ent facility with a lnulti-story
parking garage for 600 vehicles, an outdoor service yard, operating 24 hours per day and generating in
excess of 100 vehicle trips situated at 345 East Grand Avenue in the Planned Industrial zoning district (P-
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I) in accordance with SSFMC sections 20.32.060 , 30.32.070 (a) and 20.32.070 (b).
3. Spiros Kakoniktis-owner
Antonio M. Brandi-applicant
90 Oak Ave.
RZ-01-054, DR-01-054 and ND-01-054
Continued
(Recommend continuance to April 18, 2002)
Zoning Reclassification from Medium Density Residential Zoning District (R-2) to High Density Residential
Zoning District (R-3), Design Review of a 15 unit apartInent building, and an Agreement with the City allowing 2
dwellings to be affordable units resulting in a density of 36.7 dwelling units per net acre instead of the maxilnun1
of 30 dwellings per net acre as provided by State Law, situated at 90 Oak Avenue in the Medium Density
Residential (R-2) Zoning District, in accordance with SSFMC Chapter 20.18 and 20.87.
Vice Chairperson Ochsenhirt abstain on March 7, 2002.
Commissioner Honan abstain 7-19-01
Motion Meloni I Second Ochsenhirt to approve the Consent Calendar. Approved by majority voice vote with
Commissioner Ochsenhirt abstaining frOln the minutes of March 7, 2002 and Commissioner Honan abstaining
frOln the minutes of July 19, 2001.
PUBLIC HEARING - AGENDA ITEMS
4. Welch Family Partnership-owner3l
TetraTech Wireless/Peter Clement-applicant
631 EI Camino Real
UP-01-085 and Categorical Exemption Class 32 Section 15332 In-Fill Development
Use Pennit to allow the installation and co-location of a telecOlnmunication facility consisting of three
rooftop antennas and associated mechanical equipment at 631 El Camino Real in the Retail Commercial
(C-l) Zoning District in accordance with SSFMC Chapters 20.81 and 20.105.
Staff Report given by Associate Planner Kowalski.
Recess taken at 7:37 p.m.
Recalled to order at 7:39
Mary Ann Miller gave a presentation on the project proposal.
Cary Horton, Attorney for Metro PCS, noted that Metro PCS was given another possibility of looking in another
location. 631 EI Camino is staff s preferred location for an antenna because there is already an existing facility at
that site. She pointed out that the permit was being recOlnmended for denial and instead of having the permit denied
she asked that the Commission give them SOlne ideas as to how they can reach the goals of the Cormnission with
regard to a telecOlnmunications facility. She noticed that they could try a raydOln type design for the rooftop, or
parapets, which would add mass to the parapet.
Public Hearing opened.
Public hearing closed.
Commission comments:
. Will short GPS antennas work for the purposes of the teleCOlllinunications facility?
. The applicant can look into mounting an antenna directly onto the parapet so that it is flush with the wall; they
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could also consider other sites such as, the San Francisco water site, light poles, School district propeliy, and
even some clean rooftops in the area.
· Smoke stacks are not a good idea and the Cormnission would prefer to see a better quality 10cation.
· Antenna height can be lowered and 2 micro sites instead of one macro site might be lnore appropriate.
· The Commission noted that the DRB and staff might have fallen into holding these requirelnents because it is
the wish of the Commission. They discussed that the DRB should be looking at these applications in detail and
not only approve of one because it is identical to the size and shape of the existing antennas.
Applicant response:
· The GPS antenna is a tracking device that gives latitude and longitude.
· They have not considered mounting the antem1a on a parapet because it lnight not give them the height needed.
· The applicant agreed to explore the Commission's recormnendations and return with more options for a cell site.
Motion Te2:lia I Second Sim to continue the item. Approved by unaniInous voice vote.
5. Embassy Christian CenterlJoshua & Diane Krishna/applicant
Mehrdad Elie-owner
91 Westborough Blvd. (1st Floor)
UP-01-090 and Categorical Exemption Class 1 Section 15301 Existing Facilities
Use Permit to locate a church within an existing office building located at 91 Westborough Boulevard in the
Planned Commercial (P-C) Zoning District in accordance with SSFMC Section 20.24.030.
Public Hearing opened.
Staff report given by Associate Planner Kowalski. He pointed out that there were revised Conditions of Approval
distributed to the Commission. The changes were; Condition #5 the word Pennit was used and it has been
deleted, and adding condition #6 to have the City Attorney review the parking lease agreement.
Joshua Krishna gave a brief description of their establishment and how they would schedule services around bank
business hours.
Diane Krishna, co-applicant, read a letter of support for the Use Pennit from the Salvation An.ny into the record (a
copy is available on file).
Carol Koski, 860 Olive SSF, a member of the congregation, spoke in support of the Use permit.
Public Hearing closed.
Commission comments:
· The lease for Embassy Christian is for two years; will the parking lease agreelnent be for two years also?
Staff's response:
· The City will not regulate how long the lease is as to the tenn of the parking agreement. There is a
requirement that the City be notified when the parking agreen1ent expires or is terminated at that time the use
would have to be stopped.
Motion Sim I Second Te2:lia to approve up-o 1..090 with amended conditions of approval. Approved by
unanimous voice vote.
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Recess called at 8:22 p.m.
Recalled to order at 8: 3 5
6. Britannia East Grand
Cherokee San Francisco LLC-owner
Slough Estates-applicant
450 East Grand Ave. (Easterly terminus of East Grand Ave.)
PUD, GP, UP, DR, DA-01-006 and EIR-01-006
Britannia East Grand Master Plan (EIR, PUD, GP, UP-OI-006) to construct a phased develoPlnent
consisting of nine officelR & D buildings totaling approximately 783,533 sq. ft., an 8,000 sq. ft. childcare
facility, a 5,000 sq. ft. fitness center, 8,000 sq. ft. of restaurant/retail use and two (2) five-to seven-level
parking garages; a General Plan Amendlnent to delete the proposed East Grand Avenue roadway
extension to Point San Bruno Blvd.; Design Review of nine R & D Buildings and Parking Structure A
(DR-OI-006) and consideration ofa Development Agreement (DA-OI-006)
Public Hearing opened.
Staff report presented by Principal Planner Kalkin.
Assistant City Attorney Johnson responded to a letter frOln Anne Mudge, representing SSF Scavenger Company,
regarding the slough remediation and bond issues
· The slough under remediation is part of Haskins' property and is not part of the property owned by Slough
Estates. This project does not impact the slough and under CEQA there are no significant environmental
impacts to the area, therefor it is not addressed in the EIR.
· The Scavenger Company believes that Slough Estates should pay a million dollar bond for the ren1ediation of
the slough. Haskins and Scavengers created a parcel that was distinct from any other developable parcel that
consists of slough as part of the property transaction. The Planning Cormnission added a condition of
approval to the MRF proposal to guarantee the remediation of the property by Haskins, and they paid a bond
to tie them to the remediation of the property.
Commission comments:
· The Commission asked for clarification as to where the slough that needs to be remediated is located, who
owns the slough under remediation, and where did the problem begin.
. The site should have been cleaned up before the MRF went into place.
· Chairperson Romero noted that the slough issue was raised when the MRF approval was before the
Commission. The site was subdivided and the responsible party was not identified. The slough is being
separated once more with this proposal.
Staff's response:
· Chief Planner Sparks pointed out that the project does not include the slough and does not iInpact the project.
The slough to be remediated is owned by Haskins and the portion owned by Slough was studied and cleanup
is not required.
. Chief Planner Sparks noted that BCDC and the Water Quality Control Board are moving forward with the
cleanup, although there is not a finn timetable.
Commission comments to the applicant:
. Commissioner Teglia asked if there had been tests on the slough and if it was contaminated.
. Commissioner D'Angelo was concerned with the level of contmninants and there not being a great difference
between the levels on the Slough Estates property than that on the Haskins property.
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. Commissioner D'Angelo asked how the developer would prevent disluption of the soil and fmiher
contaminating the slough.
. Commissioner D'Angelo questioned if there was going to be pre-testing and post testing.
Applicant's response:
. Tonl Graff, consultant, noted that a Corrective Measures Work Plan was produced by Henshaw & Associates
in October of 2000 for the remediation of the slough on behalf of Cherokee Associates and Richard Haskins.
The study showed that the area requiring remediation is on the Haskins property and the area owned by
Slough Estates does not have contamination of concern that would require remediation. He added that
Cherokee and Haskins are going forward with the Water Board in negotiating final details of the remediation.
. Mr. Graff noted that where lead exists it will be filled and excavation will take place only for installing
utilities. There will not be a significant amount of soil removed. They are finalizing a soil management plan
with DTSC.
. Mr. Graff pointed out that there is no monitoring in the slough but there is a previously conducted study that
shows where the lead exists. Specially trained workers will handle the soil on a daily basis.
Presentation continued.
Additional discussion by staff, developer and the Commission:
Commissioner D'Angelo asked Assistant City Attorney Johnson if the property owner was responsible for cleanup
of the contaminated site. Assistant City Attorney Johnson noted that the property owner and anyone in the chain
of title would be responsible.
Commissioner Teglia noted that the difficult issue is getting the responsible parties to comply with the cleanup.
The City has to be comfortable with the remediation and the toxic levels before the project is approved. He
pointed out that the City is encouraging a bay trail and there will be people enjoying the shoreline and this makes
it part of the project. He asked if the area has been neglected in the examination of its toxicity because it is
outside of the project area. Chief Planner Sparks replied that it has been surveyed and sampled. The
contamination in the area is below action levels for clean up. Assistant City Attorney Johnson noted that CEQA
requires that the impacts of a project be examined and existing conditions are not considered ilnpacts of a project.
Therefore they are not included in the Mitigation Measures and remediation would not be required.
Commissioner Teglia asked if the Commission could look at the slough remediation issue even if it is not under
their jurisdiction. Assistant City Attorney Johnson replied that it should not be looked at for the purposes of
certifying the EIR.
COlnmissioner Meloni expressed concern about approving the project and the City being sued because of any
health hazards that may occur. Assistant City Attorney Johnson stated that she was not aware of a federal or state
provision that would hold a jurisdiction accountable for relnediation by granting a land use approval.
Vice Chairperson Ochsenhirt noted that the owner is to disclose this information and the new owner accepts thenl
with the purchase of the property.
Comnlissioner D'Angelo asked the applicant to have the contamination numbers to the COlmnission and City
Council in 2-4 weeks. Mr. Rogalla and Mr. Graff agreed to have these numbers to the Commission as requested.
Commissioner Teglia asked how lnuch landscaping would be put in to the site if Phase II would not be built out.
be no building. Assistant City Attorney Johnson noted the DA calls for a development plan to be submitted by
July 31, 2003, in which the applicant would have to provide a landscaping ilnprovement plan acceptable to the
City.
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COlnmissioner Meloni asked why the letter of credit is to be submitted 60 days after the grading pernlit is issued
and not the day the permit is issued. Assistant City Attorney Johnson noted that this was the projected tilne that
was needed to calculate the value of the cormnon landscaping improvements. Commissioner Meloni prefers that
it be issued when grading permit is issued.
Commissioner Meloni asked about the elevations of parking garage B. Architect noted that it is the same design
as parking structure A. Principal Planner Kalkin noted that parking structure B and the final landscape
improvements were not included in this phase of the DRB approval and will require separate DRB and Planning
Commission approval.
Public Hearing closed.
Principal Planner Kalkin distributed to the Commission a map of the slough area that showed the fill area and
augmentation of the wet area proposals.
Chairperson Romero noted that this is still an unresolved issue and remains in the City. The City needs to have an
active involvement to make sure that the appropriate agencies resolve this ongoing issue. Chief Planner Sparks
noted that there is a clean up order and the responsible parties are working on this. COlmnissioner Teglia noted
that the Water Control Board has jurisdiction over the cleanup but the COlnmission has jurisdiction on the
approval of the project. The Commission can decide not to approve the project until the land is prepared.
Cornnlissioner D'Angelo noted that Mr. Haskins suggested that a mitigation measure be imposed to relnediate the
contamination. Assistant City Attorney Johnson noted that the City cannot require as a mitigation measure an
impact that's not caused by the project.
Vice Chairperson Ochsenhirt noted that the contamination of the site was there prior to the MRF site approval.
The Commission needs to focus on the current project being that the proper agencies are working on the clean up.
He asked why the East Grand Avenue to Point San Bruno Boulevard extension was being taken out of the
proposal. Commissioner Meloni pointed out that there does not need to be an extension because it will create
more traffic and it won't enhance the area. Chairperson Romero echoed Commissioner Meloni's comments and
noted that he is satisfied with retaining the elnergency access in place of a full roadway connection.
Vice Chairperson Ochsenhirt asked if the public art being provided is in absence of the Park in-lieu fees.
Assistant City Attorney Johnson noted that Vice Chairperson Ochsenhirt was correct and that park in-lieu fees are
only triggered by residential developments.
Chairperson Romero noted that there a possibility that the childcare center will be moved off site due to an
asbestos problem. He would prefer that it stay on the site and have the developer explore an alternative area
within the project. Mr. Graff explained that the childcare center is on a location that would work given the layout,
the lead and asbestos in the area. Chairperson Romero noted that if the lead is going to be harmful for children
then it would not be safe for adults. Mr. Graffpointed out that there are significantly more stringent requirelnents
for childcare facilities than there are for commercial buildings. Chairperson Romero asked if it is likely that the
childcare center could go on site. Mr. Graff stated that there is no current reason why it would not go in there.
Commissioner Sim noted that this is a difficult situation for the proj ect. He also pointed out this applicant should
get the same opportunity that the Scavenger Company got when they proposed their proj ect. He suggested that
the Commission could condition the project to encourage a study on the isolated corner of the Slough Estates
property to find out what type of contamination exists. Chairperson ROlnero wanted to make sure that Council is
aware of the Commission's concerns with the clean up of the slough and having it take place.
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Commissioner Teglia asked what the developer could do to raise the Commission's comfort level. Assistant City
Attorney Johnson pointed out that the City does not have the authority to order clean up of a contaminated site.
The Cormnission can condition the project in order to have them clean the site if there is contmnination on the
site.
Commissioner Teglia asked if there is a way to address the slnall amount of contamination that is identified in one
sample on the southeast corner of the site. Mr. Graff noted that this could be addressed by covering it with some
additional landscaping. Commissioner Teglia asked if there could be some language in the DA to be able to
handle whatever toxicity there is in this particular location on the Slough Estates property. Assistant City
Attorney Johnson noted the Commission could suggest that the Council add a condition that if the site is
identified by the state agencies as highly contmninated then that the proper process be taken to remediate that site.
Commissioner Teglia suggested that it be made part of the Development Agreement.
Assistant City Attorney Johnson suggested adding a condition of approval rather than having a condition in the
DA because the conditions of approval will run with the approval and the land.
Recess called at 10:13 p.m. to discuss the language of the Condition.
Recalled at 10:27 p.ln.
Chief Planner Sparks read the following language for approval by the Cormnission:
"The applicant shall conduct further investigation to the satisfaction of the Planning Division in the area of known
contamination on the portion of the subject property known as the slough and relnediate any contamination to
levels acceptable to DTSC andlor the Regional Water Quality Control Board."
Commissioner Teglia asked if the condition honors the Commission's intent to have the shoreline capped because
of bay trail access by the public. Chief Planner Sparks noted that this area should not be characterized as
industrial and is comfortable with the condition covering the intent of the Commission. Cormnissioner Teglia
suggested that in the introductory sentence they add "in recognition of the fact that this is a public access bay trail
recreation area."
Motion Sim I Second Meloni recormnending that the Council certify EIR-OI-006, including the finding and a
statement of overriding consideration. Approved by unanimous voice vote. RESOLUTION 2615
Motion Sim I Second Honan recOlnmending that the Council approves General Plan Anlendment GP-O 1-006.
Approved by majority voice vote. COlnmissioner Ochsenhirt voted no. RESOLUTION 2616
Assistant City Attorney Johnson recommended revising the condition that the Commission will add to say "to the
extent that the area is designated as bay trail and recreation ... ... ..."
Motion Sim / Second Te2:lia recormnending that the City Council approve PUD-OI-006, UP-OI-006 and DR-Ol-
006 to approve the Britannia East Grand Master Plan with additional condition and adopt an Ordinance to approve
the Development Agreement. Approved by unanimous voice vote. RESOLUTION 2617
7. Closed Session: Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(a) Existing Litigation:
Aetna Realty v. City of South San Francisco.
Vice Chairperson Ochsenhirt was excused from the meeting at 10:36 p.m.
The Commission entered into a Closed Session at 10:36 p.m.
Reconvened at 10:57 p.m.
No action was taken. No direction given.
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ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS
8. Items from Staff
None
9. Items from Commission
None
10. Items from the Public
None
ADJOURNMENT
10:59 p.m.
Motion Honan I Second Sim to adjourn the meeting. Approved by unanimous voice vote.
~~~#~
~~(~&V"
Secretary to the Planning COlnmission
City of South San Francisco
William ROlnero, Chairperson
Planning Commission
City of South San Francisco
NEXT MEETING:
Regular Meeting April 18, 2002, Municipal Services Building, 33 Arroyo Drive,
South San Francisco, CA.
TCS/blh
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