HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-12-04MINUTES
December 4, 2008
CITY OF SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO
REGULAR PLANNING COMMISSION
CALL TO ORDER /PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 7:30 p.m.
ROLL CALL
PRESENT:
ABSENT:
STAFF PRESENT:
CHAIR COMMENTS
AGENDA REVIEW
Commissioner Oborne, Commissioner Moore, Commissioner Sim, Commissioner Prouty,
Commissioner Zemke, Vice Chairperson Teglia and Chairperson Giusti
None
Planning Division:
City Attorney:
Engineering Division:
Police Department:
Fire Prevention:
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
CONSENT CALENDAR
1. Approval of meeting minutes of November 20, 2008.
Motion Commissioner Prouty /Second Commissioner Sim to approve the Consent Calendar.
ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS
2. Study Session
Zoning Ordinance Update
Citywide
P07-0136: ZA07-0007
None
Zoning Ordinance Update Use Regulation Module #1 -Base District regulation discussion including the land use for
each of the base zones.
Vivian Kahn, Dyett & Bhatia and the Planning Commission went through the memo explaining the State and
Federal laws with regards to certain uses. Commissioner Prouty commented on restricting the number of people
and locations of houses for persons with disabilities and property rights discrimination with regards to
telecommunications. Ms. Kahn noted that Federal and State laws require that the City accommodate individuals
with disabilities through the Zoning Ordinance. She pointed out that the telecommunications law is constantly
changing and that the ordinance update will provide regulations based on current laws in the Zoning Code.
Vice Chairperson Teglia stated that the Commission is encouraging underground vaults for telecommunications
equipment and wants to make sure that the guidelines are in the code to avoid any confusion.
Susy Kalkin, Chief Planner
Girard Beaudin, Senior Planner
Billy Gross, Associate Planner
Bertha Aguilar, Admin. Asst. II
Brian Grossman, Assistant City Attorney
Sam Bautista, Senior Civil Engineer
Sergeant Jon Kallas, Planning Liaison
Tom Carney, Code Enforcement Office
No Changes
Commissioner Sim questioned if the public schools could have a joint use potential to which Ms. Kahn replied that
State Law allows jurisdictions to regulate public schools. A concern was raised with schools being redeveloped and
Planning Commission Meeting of December 4, 2008
maintaining the playing fields as parks within the redeveloped site. Ms. Kahn stated that they are proposing to
retain the school zone and if a new use is proposed, a rezone would need to be requested.
Vice Chairperson Teglia reiterated his concern with the telecommunications language not being strong enough and
suggested having additional guidelines specifying the requirements. Ms. Kahn noted that the telecommunications
regulations will be revised as part of module 3 of the Zoning Ordinance Update.
Vice Chairperson Teglia and Ms. Kahn discussed the appeal process of Chief Planner or Zoning Administrator
decisions.
Commissioner Oborne reminded Ms. Kahn that the Commission had requested examples of zoning regulations from
adjoining communities as an example of how they phrased or organized requirements to make developments
appealing or to see how they deal with specific uses. Ms. Kahn informed the Commission the consultant team has
looked at hundreds of codes, but that each jurisdiction must be looked at separately and codes developed
accordingly.
Commissioner Zemke noted that the purpose statement for Residential districts [page 9 of Module 1] needs to be
broadened to reflect the desire to enhance quality of life for the residents and the definition should include a
reference to parking. Ms. Kahn noted that the next module will look at the development standards for uses.
Commissioner Prouty concurred with Commissioner Zemke's comment.
The Commission and Ms. Kahn when through stable-by-table review of Module 1:
RESIDENTIAL DISTRICTS TABLE -Comments
Clarification of the difference between the new classifications RH-30 and 40 and the existing R-3J & L
classifications was requested by Commissioner Prouty. Ms. Kahn explained that this eliminates an additional
reference table because the classification now has the density included in it.
A concern was raised with tandem parking being allowed for all residential zones and it was suggested that this
flexibility needs to be restricted (Vice Chairperson Teg/ia). Ms. Kahn informed the Commission that State Law
requires tandem to be allowed for a second unit.
Residentia/ Group uses
A question was raised with regards to limiting over-concentration of such uses(t/ice Chairperson Teg/ia). Ms. Kahn
stated that the requirements are subject to State law and the City has very limited jurisdiction over these uses.
Vice Chairperson Teglia question if these can be denied due to over concentration. Ms. Kahn noted that this is not
the case and that only the State can deny these uses.
Concern was noted with allowing single room occupancy, how the City currently handles them and Commissioner
Oborne suggested potentially considering stronger regulations. Ms. Kahn noted that there are standard
requirements included in the zoning code for them. Staff responded that they currently do not require a Use Permit
but with the Zoning Code update it would be regulated. Single room occupancies also help the City fulfill the
housing needs for the Housing Element.
Community As~semb/y uses
Vice Chairperson Teglia questioned how the City can deal with homes becoming churches and was not supportive
of making it subject to a Minor Use Permit (MUP) process. Ms. Kahn stated that a religious use requires a use
permit but if a religious service is being conducted in a home it is difficult to regulate. Commissioner Prouty
concurred with Vice Chairperson Teglia and encouraged that community assembly be subject to a use permit. Ms.
Kahn provided the definition of community assembly to which Commissioner Prouty reiterated that the use should
be subject to a Condition Use Permit (CUP) and could allow it to be a MUP in a commercial zone but not in a
residential zone.
Commissioner Sim was concerned with having religious assembly being allowed in the biotech areas. Ms. Kahn
noted that these uses are not being allowed in manufacturing, freeway commercial, business commercial or in the
business technology park zones but are proposing to allow them in the commercial districts with a CUP. She added
that they could require a CUP for any community assembly use in a residential area.
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Planning Commission Meeting of December 4, 2008
Commissioner Sim suggested having better guidelines and encourage these uses in other areas. Ms. Kahn clarified
that where they are permitted by right or with a MUP is a signal that it is more likely to be encouraged in those
districts and it is an indication to the applicant that they are not encouraged in other districts.
Home Occupation Business License
A concern was raised with business vehicles being stored in residential areas. Ms. Kahn noted that a distinction
needs to be made between trucks taken home from work and those that have businesses at home. She added
that the number of vehicles needs to be limited for a home business.
A comment was made about restricting auto shop businesses being run from a home. Ms. Kahn noted that a
repair shop is not permitted in a residential area.
Commissioner Oborne stated that more regulations and requirements requires more staff to enforce them.
Concern was raised with taking a person's livelihood away with too many restrictions and cited a section that states
that a garage or shed cannot be used for storage of materials. Staff responded that the current zoning code has
this language and the intent is to discourage use of the garage, which is intended for parking, for storage of
materials.
The Planning Commission, staff and Code Enforcement Officer Carney discussed the enforcement problem, number
of cases, staff available for enforcing, citation process and appeal process.
COMMERCIAL OFFICE & MIX USE TABLE- Comments
Group residential
Commissioner Prouty was concerned with allowing senior care in the East of 101 area. Ms. Kahn noted that a map
will be provided so that the Commission knows where these areas are and noted that these uses are restricted to
areas of 101.
Commissioner Oborne reiterated her concern with single room occupancy uses and stressed the need for additional
conditions on noise, hours and character of the neighborhood in order to maintain the quality of life of the
neighborhood.
Community assemb/y
Ms. Kahn asked if the Commission would be comfortable with retaining the small and large distinction and allow
small uses with a MUP and larger ones with a CUP. Commissioner Prouty and Commissioner Oborne were
comfortable allowing the smaller community assembly uses with a MUP as long as parking standards are met.
Commissioner Prouty and Senior Planner Beaudin discussed approving small and large religious assembly through
the MUP process. Commissioner Prouty was concerned with allowing religious assembly in the EI Camino Corridor
while the City is currently looking at retail development opportunities. Commissioner Sim clarified that it could be a
theater or gallery of some type. Commissioner Prouty was not comfortable with allowing this with a MUP. Staff
replied that the Planning Commission can always appeal the Zoning Administrator's decision. Commissioner Sim
understood from the applicant that the uses less than 3500 square feet could be MUP approvals and staff also feels
that those greater than 3500 square feet could also be subject to the same MUP process.
Ms. Kahn asked that the Commission look at including uses that would draw people to a retail area. Commissioner
Oborne clarified that the concern is the EI Camino Corridor and these types of facilities cause concern because of
the City's plans to improve the corridor. Ms. Kahn explained that the City currently has a General Plan Amendment
underway and a Specific Plan for the EI Camino area which will cover the Commission's concerns. Vice Chairperson
Teglia requested a map be brought for the next session.
Persona/ Services
Ms. Kahn noted that they will review personal services further for specific uses like licensed massage, fortune
tellers, tattoo parlors etc... The Commission noted that tattoo parlors should not be included as a permitted use in
any area.
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Planning Commission Meeting of December 4, 2008
Communication Facilities
Commissioner Oborne questioned if there are ways to regulate aesthetics to which Ms. Kahn noted that the
application has to meet the requirements of the Code. Commissioner Prouty commented that the application
should go through the Design Review process. Senior Planner Beaudin replied affirmatively and added that they
are still going to be subject to the CUP process.
Vice Chairperson Teglia noted that communication facilities need to, at least, go through the MUP process and
should not be permitted by right. Ms. Kahn noted that they will hold this change until the Commission reviews the
telecommunications facility chapter requirements.
APPENDIX A - STANDARDSAND REQUIREMENTS- Comments
Commissioner Oborne questioned if staff felt the standards for adult oriented businesses are sufficient. Chief
Planner Kalkin noted that there none in the City and they are only allowed in the East of 101 area away from the
freeway. Ms. Kahn added that they are not allowed within 600 feet of another adult oriented business and have
additional screening and design requirements
Direction given to Staffand consultant.
ITEMS FROM STAFF
Chief Planner Kalkin requested that the Commission cancel the Planning Commission meeting of December 18"'
Consensus of the Commission to cancel the December 18, 2008 meeting.
Chief Planner Kalkin added that Vice Chairperson Teglia and Commissioner Sim are ending their terms on the
Planning Commission and thanked them for their service to the City. The Commission echoed Chief Planner
Kalkin's comments.
ITEMS FROM COMMISSION
Commissioner Zemke noted that the Historical Society is hosting a historical tour and invited those interested in
purchasing tickets to view historical South San Francisco.
Vice Chairperson Teglia and Commissioner Sim expressed their gratitude to the Council and Commission for
allowing them to play a big role in the City's development projects.
ITEMS FROM THE PUBLIC
Meeting adjourned at 10:07 p.m.
ADJOURNMENT
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Susy Kalkin
Secretary to t e Planning Commission
City of South San Francisco
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10:07 P.M.
Mary Giu ti, Chairperson
Planning Commission
City of South San Francisco
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