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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11.05.98 Minutes MINUTES CITY OF SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO REGULAR PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MUNICIPAL SERVICES BUILDING 33 ARROYO DRIVE November 5, 1998 CALL TO ORDER / PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The meeting was called to order at 9:04p.m. ROLL CALL / CHAIR COMMENTS MEMBERS PRESENT: Chairman Barnett, Vice Chairman Teglia, Commissioner Masuda, Commissioner Romero, Commissioner Honan, Commissioner Sim MEMBERS ABSENT: Commissioner B aldocchi ALSO PRESENT: Planning Division: Jim Harnish, Chief Planner Steve Carlson Susy Kalkin Adam Lindgren Cyrus Kianpour Richard Harmon S gt. Mike Massoni City Attorney: Engineering: Police Dept.: APPROVAL OF MINUTES: October 1, 1998 Motion- Teglia/Second- Masuda. Approved by majority voice vote. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS CONSENT CALENDAR 1. St. Augustine's Church, Roman Catholic Archbishop of San Francisco, Owner/Applicant, 3700 Callan Boulevard, PUD-98-052 and Negative Declal"ation ND-98-052 Planned Unit Development and Negative Declaration allowing expansion of an existing church and a new private school in the R-2-I-P Medium Density Residential zone distlict. (Staffrecommends continuance to December 3, 1998 Meeting) 2. EI Camino Corridor Redevelopment Proiect \\CH -PDC\ISHADD\FILE CABlNE1\OLD PC\WORKING\MlNUTES\1998\110598PC.DOC Page 1 of 8 Resolution establishing the boundaries for the area proposed to be added to the El Camino Corridor Redevelopment Project Area and adopting the preliminary plan for the first amendment to the El Camino Corridor Redevelopment Project Plan. Motion Teglia/Second-Masuda. Approved by majolity voice vote PUBLIC HEARING - AGENDA ITEMS 3. OPUS Sierra Point Master Plan~ West Corporation~ Owner ~ Vacant lot situated on a vacant 29 acre site bounded on the west by U.S. Hi2hway 101 and Caltrain~ on the east and south by San Francisco Bay and on the north by shoreline Court~ PM-98- 044~ PUD-98-044~ ND-98-044 Planned Unit Development to allow a "Master Plan" for a new commercial campus comprised of office, hotel and research and development, shared parking, private streets, phased development, 24 hour operations and generating in excess of 100 average daily vehicle trip ends, and a Tentative Parcel Map allowing a four lot subdivision and common area. Sr. Planner Carlson presented the Staff Report. Vice Chairman Teglia asked if one of the hotels is in Brisbane. Randy Ackerman of OPUS West introduced his team and provided an overview of project. He noted that one of the hotels has been dropped due to the market volatility. He focused discussions on the office and R&D area. He provided details on size, materials, and architecture for the buildings, and landscaping as presented on the renderings. He provided information on previous concerns for the entry into South San Francisco and how it fits in. He noted that the design of all the buildings would tie in together. He spoke of the access to the Bay front trail. Commissioner Masuda noted that the building is facing the wind from San Bruno Mountain. Mr. Ackerman indicated that they are aware of that and appropriate measures have been taken. Vice Chairman Teglia asked if the comments made by the Design Review Board have been addressed. Mr. Ackerman noted that the asphalt issue has been addressed through the use of trees. He provided further details on the issue of the parking structure. Vice Chairman Teglia asked for information regarding the Design Review's comments about surface parking by incorporating structured parking into the buildings. He also asked what ground mounted mechanical equipment would go in. He expressed a concern that the hotel is something that the Commission strongly wants to see, noting that they want a mixed use. He noted that the only concern he had was on the comment about the hotel, that while it is still part of the project, there was a comment that in the future someone may come back and want to make \\CH -PDC\ISHADD\FILE CABlNE1\OLD PC\ WORKING\MlNUTES\1998\110598PC.DOC Page 2 of 8 it an office building. He noted that in his opinion it is very important to have a mix of uses, and he felt that a hotel is very important and is something the Commission strongly wants to see.. Mr. Ackerman responded that they have evaluated the site for structured parking, and have come to the conclusion that only one site lends itself to that, noting that they want to avoid blocking views from the buildings since they al'e trying to take advantage of the water which is a great amenity. He explained their rationale for deciding against structured parking. He responded to the question regarding the ground-mounted equipment, which he noted all their equipment would be located within the screens around the central core, or in the areas, which he pointed out. He noted that they are absolutely wanting that to be a hotel which is good for the project, and they are committed to that being a hotel at this point. Commissioner Sim asked for specifics on how the six or nine focal point issues raised Design Review Board were addressed. Mr. Ackerman responded that were primarily addressed by taking advantage of the water, walkways, and the landscaping issue in their opinion has been met with the percentage of landscape for this development is in proportion to the asphalt. He noted that their feelings is that the site works well from a parking and landscaping position, and there's a disagreement with the Design Review if they feel that way. Sr. Planner Carlson responded that this project provides 30% + landscaping and in addition has maintained the band for the bay and they have also exceeded what most projects are doing in terms of the number of trees. Commissioner Sim asked if the trees would be as mature as they appear on the renderings. He asked if the City has a mature tree ordinance. Sr. Planner Carlson responded that there is an ordinance for existing trees He provided additional information on the ordinance, noting that it primarily addresses the removal of trees, which this project is replacing more trees than what are presently on the site. Vice Chairman. Teglia requested information on the location of parking spaces being designated for public access to the shoreline. Mr. Ackerman responded that they are still working that process with BCDC who is requesting the City's approval first, however they have plans for areas which were pointed out, which some of the areas go out 20 feet to 30 feet into the band which is still within the. Vice Chairman Teglia asked for reassurance that the bridge will be pedestrian friendly only and the emergency lane will be for the Joint Powers Board. Commissioner Honan asked if benches or picnic tables would be placed in the area of the walkway to the bay frontage. Mr. Ackerman noted that they are working with BCDC and will probably place benches. \\CH-PDC\ISHADD\FILE CABlNE1\OLD PC\WORKING\MlNUTES\1998\110598PC.DOC Page 3 of 8 There being no further questions from the Commission, Chairman BalTIett asked if anyone in the audience would like to speak. Mr. Schooley stated that this is the only place where the native wildlife comes down to the bay and prehistoric human presence is going right down to the bay, and added that this is the only chance for young people to understand where they live, close to the bay the way it was for thousands of years. He noted that he grew up in San Pablo and didn't know anything about those things. Commissioner Masuda asked if Mr. Schooley was aware that Bayshore 101 is all landfill. Mr. Schooley responded that he has maps and photographs from 1860, and he Imows exactly where the creeks and the bays used to be, adding that he is aware that what man has done can't be cleared but they are doing what they can to maintain the areas that are there. Commissioner Romero asked if the material that would be used along the Bay would be native material. The applicant responded that they intend to continue using what has been used throughout the rest of Sierra Point, which is lawn areas and some materials that grow well in inclement conditions. He added that natives are very difficult to grow in that area. Mr. Peter Matlock stated that he the shell mounds are very important and should be preserved, he added that if those areas are improved they should consider using madrone, some of the native oaks or other conifer trees that are native to the area. There being no other speakers Chairman Barnett closed the public hearing and invited comments from the Commission. Vice Chairman Teglia asked the applicant if the palm trees would be full grown. Commissioner Masuda suggested that the applicant speak with staff about the plant material that was presented by the MRF applicant, which was native and well received, by the Commission. Motion-Sim/Second-Honan to continue the item to the next meeting. Approved by majority voice vote. 4. City of South San Francisco~ Applicant~ Zonin2 Amendment Re2ardin2 Rental Car Stora2e/Maintenance and Amusement Arcades~ ZA-98-089 and ND-98-089 Zoning Amendment to prohibit rental car storage lots in the City except under major utility lines or elevated freeways, to allow Rental Car Fleet Maintenance as a conditional use in the M-l Zone District, and to redefine Amusement Arcades. \\CH-PDC\ISHADD\FILE CABlNE1\Oill PC\ WORKING\MlNUTES\1998\110598PC.DOC Page 4 of 8 Sr. Planner Kalkin presented the staff report and provided details on material that was distributed this evening, which made some changes to the language. She also noted that the HeIiz Corporation submitted a letter and requested that it be entered into the record. Assistant City Attorney Lindgren noted that the current language reflects a couple of minor changes in an attempt to provide a clmification to the definition. Chairman Barnett asked if there was anyone in the audience who would like to speak, there being none he closed the public hearing and invited comments from the Commission. Commissioner Romero asked for the definition of an amusement device. Staff directed him to the first page of the Staff Report Commissioner Honan asked how it started out with two. Ms. Kalkin noted that she did not know why the recommendation of the Police Department was not taken at that time. She noted that she thought that in 1982 they were more concerned that video games were a lot newer, and the City Council was expressing more caution. Vice Chairman Teglia provided some background information on Council actions. He noted that he thought that City Council had a lot of concern for restricting the use of the devices during school hours. He stated that he thought they felt that two could fit less intrusively within a business. Ms. Kalkin noted that some components of the ordinance that deal with school children and hours of operation, noting that perhaps S gt. Massoni could provide more information. Sgt. Massoni noted that there are existing Muni Code provisions that allow the Police Department to deal with the responsible parties where children are observed using them during school hours. Commissioner Honan asked for clarification on the Police Department's recommendation for five versus the reference to six. Sgt. Massoni responded that they do not make a recommendation on the specific number. Commissioner Romero asked about the definition, which he noted seems to be designed primarily for video type games, noting that he has a concern with a claw machine that never picks anything up, which seems to be more a game of chance. Sgt. Massoni noted that this is a really close call, and noted that the way the Police Depmiment has interpreted is that it is a coin operated amusement device, that if you put money in and play the game and that's pretty much what you get. He noted that he recently removed some "poker machines" which didn't pay money, however they gave free credits toward games, which is illegal. Sgt. Massoni provided some information as to what brought this issue to light. \\CH-PDC\ISHADD\FILE CABlNET\OLD PC\WORKING\MlNUTES\1998\110598PC.DOC Page 5 of 8 Vice Chairman Teglia asked for information more specifically on what had triggered this change. He asked if it was possible to open this up to bars only through a Use Permit, or by adding it as a Minor Use Permit in a certain area. He noted a concern that certain facilities such as the 7-11 would have problems with five devices, which he noted, is the reason they were previously limited to two. Assistant City Attorney Lindgren asked if there was any intention to include the amusement lide, noting that the definition on the footnote is ambiguous in regard to that. Vice Chairman Teglia noted that they need to be careful on opening something like that up, since they could get caught in something they won't like. Commissioner Honan asked if the City has an ordinance that requires that business have so much room for people to walk by. She noted that she has a problem when she goes into the facilities where kids, and adults are lined up and she can't get through to get into the store. Sgt. Massoni noted that he is not aware of that, however that would be something that the Building Division would require. He noted that if a store has a problem with a whole bunch of kids hanging out, most people won't go into the store to shop. He noted that a store owner has an obligation to their customers. Motion - Romero/Second-Sim. Assistant City Attorney Lindgren asked that for clarification on whether the definition with regard to children's toys should be omitted or expanded. Chairman Barnett noted that he felt it was pretty clear. Approved by the following Roll Call vote: Ayes: Commissioner Romero, COlnmissioner Sim, Commissioner Honan, Commissioner Masuda Chairman Barnett, Vice Chairman Teglia COlnmissioner Baldocchi None Noes: Absent: Abstain: ADMINISTRA TIVE BUSINESS 5. Items from Staff None 6. Items from Commission Commissioner Sim noted that several members from the Westborough Community were here tonight and were upset that they expected to speak. He also stated that he had heard from some \\CH -PDC\ISHADD\FILE CABlNE1\OLD PC\ WORKING\MlNUTES\1998\110598PC.DOC Page 6 of 8 of those members that they did not receive notice. Mr. Harnish noted that he had spoken with them, adding that Sr. Planner Carlson had informed them earlier that the item had been continued, and apparently that didn't register. He noted that someone had called the office at 2:00 p.m., and at the time it was expected that there would be a brief Staff Report to update the Commission on the progress of the project, however the applicant determined that since the architect was out of town, and late during the day, they decided to continue it. He also asked that so far as the noticing goes, the one person who told him that she didn't get a notice indicated that she lived two blocks away, which he noted would probably put her out of the 300' radius. Chairman Barnett noted that in the future an announcement should be made to notify the audience that an item is being continued. The Commission recommended that the homeowners association be notified in the future. Vice Chairman Teglia suggested having Agenda review in the beginning of the meeting in order that issues such as these could be addressed early on. He also noted that he is still waiting to hear about the sign on the gas station across from Sees Candies and the pizza place that used to be a hot dog stand, the shed that they built on the back. Mr. Harnish noted that those issues have been turned over to Code Enforcement. Chairman Barnett asked for ideas on how to better notify everybody when special meetings are taking place. He noted that he didn't know about the last special meeting until his packet arrived. He noted that the Commissioners had been polled, he proposed that the Commission all agree at meetings, when to have more meetings. He also proposed that if it is not agreed at a meeting, that staff makes every effol1 to communicate to all the Commissioners, and certainly the Chairman should be notified. Vice Chairman Teglia recommended that the Commission as a body should only schedule special meetings. Assistant City Attorney Lindgren indicated that he would review the Code to see if it covers the policy for setting special meetings and report back to the Commission. 7. Items from the Public None 8 Adjourn Motion-Romero/Teglia-Second. The Meeting was adjourned at 10:00 p.m. \\CH-PDC\ISHADD\FILE CABlNE1\OLD PC\WORKING\MlNUTES\1998\110598PC.DOC Page 7 of 8 1 ...... Jim Harni Secretary to e Panning Commission City of Sout SanFrancisco JH:is ,.r."r ./. .,/7 / / l~'Christo er Barnett, Chairman Planning Commission City of South San Francisco \\CH-PDC\ISHADD\FILE CABlNE1\OLD PC\WORKING\MlNUTES\1998\110598PC.DOC Page 8 of 8