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HomeMy WebLinkAbout9-21-21 Final MinutesDESIGN REVIEW BOARD MINUTES CITY OF SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO DATE: September 21,2021 TIME: 4:00 PM MEMBERS PRESENT: David W. Nelson, Vice Chair Chris Mateo, Michael Nilmeyer MEMBERS ABSENT: Sean Winchester & Frank Vieira STAFF PRESENT: Tony Rozzi, Planning Manager Billy Gross, Principal Planner Adena Friedman, Principal Planner Christy Usher, Senior Planner Stephanie Skangos, Associate Planner 1. Adminstrative Business – None 2. OWNER Chen Ming Yue APPLICANT Mingyue Chen ADDRESS 563 Magonlia Ave PROJECT NUMBER P20-0076: DR20-0034 PROJECT NAME New SFD with a detached ADU (Case Planner: Stephanie Skangos) DESCRIPTION “Resubmittal” - Design Review to construct a new single- family dwelling with a detached ADU on a vacant lot in the Low Residential Density (RL-8) 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, Section 15303. The Board had the following comments: 1. The Board liked the revised plan submittal. 2. The Board is concernedwith how the adjacent neighbors at 567 Magnolia Avenue will access their rear yard with the new developmenteliminating their existing exterior stairs into the yard. 3. The Board is concerned with drainage issues for the adjacent neighbor at 567 Magnolia Avenue at the location of their rear garage and driveway, which will be blocked by the new development. The applicant shall work with the neighbor to install a drainage system at this location. Proposed drainage should be included in the building permit submittal 4. The proposed Deergrass, Muhlenbergia rigens, is a central valley native species, not adapted to the cool SSF micro-climate and will not thrive. Consider using ‘Pink Muley’ , Muhlenbergia capillaris instead, as this species has done well in SSF. 5. The proposed Platianus raciemosa is a native sycamore prone to disease, and the leaves will fall off. Consider an alternative species. 6. The landscaping plan should include low water tree species. Consider using Swan Hill Olive, Olea europaea ‘Swan Hill’, or Chinese Pistache, Pistacia chinensis trees. 7. Plant 4-5 new narrow columnar plants or evergreen trees, 24” box minimum, to replace the cedars being removed along the side property line shared with 557 Magnolia Avenue. Additionally, add some narrow evergreens along the side property line shared with 567 Magnolia Avenue. Possible species include but are not limited to:  Thuja occidentalis, American Arborvitae  Ilex crenata ‘Sky Pencil’, Sky Pencil Holly  Juniperus scopulorum ‘Skyrocket’, Sky Rocket Juniper  Podocarpus macrophyllus var. ‘Maki’, Shrubby Yew Podocarpus 8. Consider adding steps from the rear of the ADU to the rear yard to provide better access and create a more usable rear yard. 9. The separation between the main dwelling and the ADU is relatively small and does not provide for an inviting space. Study options to move the ADU further back from the main dwelling to create a more usable space between the two structures. 10. An easement for the exterior staircase for 567 Magnolia Avenue will need to be recorded prior to issuance of any building permits for the new construction. 11. Work with the adjacent neighborat 567 Magnolia when drafting construction plans for the new retaining walls along the shared side property line. The existing retaining wall for their exterior staircase may need to be rebuilt as part of the construction of the new retaining walls. Recommend Approval with Conditions. 3. OWNER Shamaim Inc. APPLICANT SteelWave Acquisitions LLC ADDRESS 180 El Camino Real PROJECT NUMBER P21-0056: DR21-0025, TDM21-0007 & PM21-0002 PROJECT NAME New Retail Building (Case Planner: Billy Gross) DESCRIPTION Design Review to construct a new commercial building at 180 El Camino Real in the El Camino Real Mixed-Use District (ECRMX) 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. The Board recommends revising the proposed plans to include the following:  Include a demolition plan  Include a drainage plan (showing how the drainage will flow between the subject site and remainder parcel)  The site plan should show the internal driveway in a more detail plan. The internal driveway should include more significant landscape areas, including trees along the driveway frontage.  Include an interim condition plan, showing the surrounding plans for context. 2. Revise the El Camino Real frontage to replace the bioswale area with trees (in keeping with the ECR Grand Boulevard Initiative) and other landscaping. Stormwater treatment should be moved to another area of the site. 3. Revise the South Spruce Avenue building elevation and frontage to have less of a “back of house” appearance.  Incorporate building materials used on the El Camino Real / internal driveway elevations into the South Spruce elevation.  Consider use of the taller trees as aesthetic screen wall. 4. Revise the landscape plan as follows:  Include evergreen trees in the tree palette in addition to the deciduous species.  Include taller tree species throughout the site, keeping in mind that South San Francisco climate conditions and reduce the maximum size of tree species.  Revise the landscape plan along South Spruce Ave to provide trees that will be more receptive to the windy conditions than Purple Plum.  Incorporate screening (planting or screening wall) near eastern driveway to better screen views into the loading dock from South Spruce Ave.  Provide adaptive plants, not necessarily California native plants.  Provide tree planting details, including planter dimensions.  All tree planting areas in paved areas should use structured planting soil, minimum 10’x10’x3’ deep to encourage spreading roots and large size successful tree growth. 5. Consider revising furniture materials from metal to wood or some other material that is appropriate for the colder climate. 6. Consider if the truck dock area will create a wind swirl adjacent to the truck dock that might cause trees to not survive. 7. The Board recommends returning to DRB with the revised changes. 8. Show the future adjacent improvements (concept is acceptable as this is being worked out by applicant) in an effort to give context to why the proposal is appropriate. Resubmittal required 4. OWNER Phillip Yee APPLICANT Steve Wu ADDRESS 43 Arlington Ave PROJECT NUMBER P21-0061: DR21-0026 PROJECT NAME One-Story addition (Case Planner: Christy Usher) DESCRIPTION Design Review to construct an 861 square foot one story addition and interior modifications to an existing single-family residence at 43Arlington Avenue in the Low Density Residential (RL-8) 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. The Board liked the proposed project. 2. The proposed Moss is not a ground cover, looks more like a substitute turf. Select another ground cover. 3. Plant low water species instead of medium water plants. 4. Cistus purpereus, Purple-flowered Rock Rose is not a tree, and this species requires a fast-draining soil, consider an alternative species. Recommend approval with conditions. 5. OWNER Evan & Danielle Godrey APPLICANT Juancho Isidora Jr. ADDRESS 130 Dundee Ave PROJECT NUMBER P21-0060: DR21-0027 PROJECT NAME First and Second Story additions (Case Planner: Christy Usher) DESCRIPTION Design Review to construct an upper and lower rear addition to an existing single-family dwelling at 130 Dundee Drive in the Low Density Residential (RL-8) 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. The Board liked the proposed project. 2. The proposed Dracaena street tree will not scale with the height of the building. Select a species that will reach 40’ height more in size and scale and that will balance and compliment the scale the building. Recommend Approval with Conditions 6. OWNER ARE-SF APPLICANT Russell Sherman ADDRESS 651 Gateway Blvd PROJECT NUMBER P21-0063: DR21-0028 PROJECT NAME Exterior Modifications (Case Planner: Christy Usher) DESCRIPTION Design Review for exterior modifications including recladding an existing commercial building at 651 Gateway Blvd in the Gateway Specific Plan District (GSPD) in accordance with Title 20 of the South San Francisco and determination that the project is categorically exempt from CEQA The Board had the following comments: 1. The Board liked the proposed project, including the material finishes and the architecture features. 2. Wind attenuation should be conducted for the site, in order to get a tree to survive in the corner of the campus. The Venturi effect at the south corner is extreme and the single conifer right at the point of the building will not likely survive. Consider planting multiple trees upwind and/or a wind screen element to ensure the small conifer forest has a chance to survive. 3. Consider replacing Ceanothus ‘Yankee Point’ with Ceanothus ‘Anchor Bay’ which is successful in SSF. 4. Consider checker block style firelane pavers, which are more successful growing grass or spreading groundcovers. 5. Include taller trees that will reach 60’ or taller, to frame the building. Recommend Approval with Conditions.