HomeMy WebLinkAbout4-17-18 Final MinutesDESIGN REVIEW BOARD MINUTES
CITY OF SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO
DATE: April 17, 2018
TIME: 4:00 PM
MEMBERS PRESENT: Nilmeyer, Nelson, Williams & Vieira
MEMBERS ABSENT: Harris
STAFF PRESENT: Tony Rozzi, Principal Planner
Billy Gross, Senior Planner
Ryan Wassum, Associate Planner
Justin Shiu, Consultant Planner
Patricia Cotla, Planning Technician
1. OWNER SSF Miller Cypress LLC
APPLICANT Devcon Construction
ADDRESS 398-400 Cypress Avenue
PROJECT NUMBER P18-0014: Signs18-0004 & DR18-0007
PROJECT NAME Master Sign Program
(Case Planner: Tony Rozzi)
DESCRIPTION Master Sign Program and Design Review for a residential campus at 398-
400 Cypress Avenue in the Downtown Transit Core (DTC) Zoning District
in accordance with Title 20 of the South San Francisco Municipal Code
and determination that the project is categorically exempt from CEQA, per
Class 11, Section 15311.
The Board had the following comments:
1. The proposed signage is too massive for the site.
2. The wall signs look like Billboards.
3. Revise the plans to incorporate the colors of the buildings, so the sign color and building
color show together.
4. The proposed Blade signs are too tall for the site.
5. The proposed fasteners are not complementary to the building and will create a potential
hazard to the site. The area will be a central hub for birds to nest.
6. Work with staff to determine “Temporary” timeline verse Permanent status.
Resubmittal required.
2. OWNER Shamaim, Inc.
APPLICANT Roberto Davidsohn
ADDRESS 180 El Camino Real
PROJECT NUMBER P18-0020: DR18-0011, SA18-0001 & TDM18-0004
PROJECT NAME Centennial Village – New Commercial Buildings
(Case Planner: Billy Gross)
DESCRIPTION Design Review, Tentative Subdivision Map and Transportation Demand
Plan to construct 4 new commercial buildings at 180 El Camino Real in the
El Camino Real Mixed Use (ECRMX) Zoning District in accordance with
Title 20 of the South San Francisco Municipal Code and determination that
the project is categorically exempt from CEQA, per Class 3, 15303.
The Board had the following comments:
1. Redesign the parking lot bio-retention planters to include trees within the center spine. An
example of a successful implementation is at the existing Safeway store in Novato, at
Hamilton Pkwy and Nave Drive.
2. Revise the landscaping plan to remove Westringia fruiticosa (subject to frost kill), Nasella
tennuissima (highly invasive species of grass), consider replacing with one of the many
attractive, non-invasive clumping grasses, Drosanthemum floribundum (does not survive well
in ssf), and Muhlenbergia rigens ( a central valley native that requires heat for successful
growth), consider replacing with Muhlenbergia capillaris, Pink Muhly grass, which grows
very well in SSF.
Recommend Approval with Conditions.
3. OWNER Britannia Biotech Gateway, LP
APPLICANT HCP Life Science
ADDRESS 201-225 Gateway Blvd & 1 & 2 Corporate Drive
PROJECT NUMBER P18-0018: UPM18-0003 & DR18-0010
PROJECT NAME R&D Campus
(Case Planner: Billy Gross )
DESCRIPTION Use Permit Modification, Design Review and Transportation Demand
Management Plan for a parking reduction, exterior modifications of four
office buildings, and campus improvements at 201-225 Gateway Blvd and 1
& 2 Corporate Drive in the Gateway Specific Plan District (GSPD) Zoning
District in accordance with Title 20 of the South San Francisco Municipal
Code and determination that the project is categorically exempt from CEQA
The Board had the following comments:
1. Revise the Landscape Plan to indicate proposed tree and plant species. Consider the impacts
of wind in the selection of landscaping.
2. Provide an accessibility plan that indicates ADA accessible routes from the campus to the
public right away.
3. Contact the Fire Marshall to determine requirements for circulation for fire access and
emergency vehicles, where existing driveways have been closed off.
Recommend Approval with Conditions.
4. OWNER South City Partners LLC
APPLICANT Natubhai D. Patel
ADDRESS 840 El Camino Real
PROJECT NUMBER P17-0108: UP17-0021, DR17-0069 & TDM17-0005
PROJECT NAME New Hotel
(Case Planner: Ryan Wassum)
DESCRIPTION “Resubmittal”- Use Permit, Design Review and TDM Plan to construct a
new 5-story hotel with 2-levels of underground parking at 840 El Camino
Real in the El Camino Real Mixed Use (ECRMX) Zoning District in
accordance with Title 20 of the South San Francisco Municipal Code.
The Board had the following comments:
1. The Board liked the revised plan concept.
2. The Board is concerned that some of the rear parking ramp and basement parking stalls (with
portions above and below grade) are within the required 15’ rear yard setback and may need
to be relocated. The plans should include clear sections, from all sides, which identify what
portions of the driveway ramp and subsequent structured parking are above vs. below grade.
a. Planning to analyze this issue as it pertains to the ECRMX development standards,
below grade development, and parking regulations.
3. The proposed street tree species, Catalina Ironwood, may not grow well at this location;
select a tree species that will grow more mature and survive the local weather and soil
elements on the El Camino Real corridor.
4. The proposed plant species in the bio-retention areas are low-water use species and may not
survive; replace with different plant species that can thrive in moist bio-retention areas.
5. Identify on the Landscape plan, or another sheet, how the project is meeting C3 Regulations.
6. Check with South San Francisco Scavenger Co. on the proper trash enclosure location with a
pickup and drop off plan.
7. Check with the Engineering Department on the requirements for the front curb cut with the
sloped driveway approach.
Recommend / Resubmitted
5. OWNER Miguel Gonzales TR.
APPLICANT Sandra Jimenez
ADDRESS 853 Hawthorne Place
PROJECT NUMBER P18-0015: DR18-0008
PROJECT NAME 2nd Story Addition
(Case Planner: Justin Shiu)
DESCRIPTION Design Review for a 2nd story addition to an existing single family
dwelling at 853 Hawthorne Place in the Downtown Residential Medium
(DRM) Zoning District in accordance with Title 20 of the South San
Francisco Municipal Code and determination that the project is
categorically exempt from CEQA, per Class 1, Section 15301.
The Board had the following comments:
1. The Board liked the design concept.
2. The Brugmansia, Angel Trumpet shown on the plan as a tree, is not a tree in scale with
the new addition. Add an Evergreen street tree in the front yard; an example may be
Arbutus ‘Marina’, Marina Strawberry Tree.
3. All the windows should be matched and trimmed the same. Use vinyl wood clad.
Recommend Approval with Conditions.
6. OWNER Kaiser Foundation Hospital
APPLICANT Dita Shandilya
ADDRESS 1200 El Camino Real
PROJECT NUMBER P18-0017: DR18-0009
PROJECT NAME New Bloom Energy Cell Facility
(Case Planner: Justin Shiu)
DESCRIPTION Design Review to install four Bloom Energy Fuel Cells at 1200 El Camino
Real in the El Camino Real/Chestnut Mixed Use Zoning District (ERC/C-
MXM) in accordance with Title 20 of the South San Francisco Municipal
Code and determination that the project is categorically exempt from
CEQA, per Class 3, Section 15303.
The Board had the following comments:
1. The Board liked the design.
2. Consider painting the bollards green.
3. Add some Evergreen Broad Leaf plant species and California Gold Class 2 ground cover
around the structure. The plant screen may include Arbutus unedo ‘Compacta’, Dwarf
Strawberry Tree, low water and very successful in SSF.
Recommend Approval with Conditions