HomeMy WebLinkAbout3-15-22 Final DRB MinutesDESIGN REVIEW BOARD MINUTES
CITY OF SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO
DATE: March 15, 2022
TIME: 4:00 PM
MEMBERS PRESENT: David W. Nelson – Chairperson
Michael Nilmeyer – Vice Chairperson
Chris Mateo,Sean Winchester & Frank Vieira
MEMBERS ABSENT: None
STAFF PRESENT: Billy Gross, Principal Planner
Adena Friedman, Principal Planner
Christy Usher, Senior Planner
Stephanie Skangos, Associate Planner
Patricia Cotla, Planning Technician
1. Adminstrative Business – None
2. OWNER Tong Yin Kai
APPLICANT Tom Lau
ADDRESS 306 Railroad Avenue
PROJECT NUMBER P21-0040: DR21-0016
PROJECT NAME New Residential Units
(Case Planner: Stephanie Skangos)
DESCRIPTION “Resubmittal” - Design Review to convert an existing two-
story office building into four new residential units at 306
Railroad Avenue in the Downtown Residential High (DRH)
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 design concept with the proposed changes.
The applicant took the prior DRB comments and came back with an improved
project. The new color scheme is bold but not too loud, and the front and rear
yard landscaping improvements and planting palette are nice.
2. The addition of ahip roof to the design would better align the project with the
existing neighborhood homes, if possible.
3. Consider a different material finish for the existing metal fencing, painting the
existing fencing, or adding a new solid fence.
4. The proposed Silver Dollar Gum tree will grow too tall for the site. Consider a
Swan Hill Olive tree instead.
5. Review the proposed drought tolerant planting list, as there are some species,
such as the Pink Kangaroo Paw, that will not grow in the shady parts of the
development.
6. Check with the Building Division if the proposed open parking space meets
building codes.
7. The adjacent neighbor to the right of the site may have some issues with their
parking, which is directly next to a retaining wall and proposed ramp for the
project. The applicant shall consider this during their site improvements.
8. The Board recommends approval with Conditions.
3. OWNER El Camino SSF LLC
APPLICANT Skidmore Owings & Merrill LLP
ADDRESS 180 El Camino Real
PROJECT NUMBER P21-0126: UP21-0013, DR21-0045, DA21-0001, EIR21-0005,
PM21-0003 & TDM21-0012
PROJECT NAME New R&D Campus and Multi-Family Residential
(Case Planner: Billy Gross)
DESCRIPTION Use Permit, Design Review, Tentative Parcel Map,
Transportation Demand Management Program and
Development Agreement for a new R&D Campus and multi-
family residential building 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 associated environmental documentation.
The Board had the following comments:
1. The Board supported the overall proposed project, and strongly recommends the
incorporation of residential into the project.
2. The Board recommends revising the residential building architecture as follows:
a. Revise the facades to include more articulation, be less blocky
b. Consider revising the board and batten finish on the base to another
finish; one option would be to incorporate exterior materials used in the
approved Safeway project design.
c. Consider revisions to the building middle and/or building top to make
the entire composition more cohesive.
3. The Board recommends revising the office/R&D building architecture as
follows:
a. Revise the building facade along El Camino Real to provide more visual
interest. Consider redesign to incorporate taller pine trees at the north
end of the ECR frontage, similar to the south end.
b. In the Alternative Scheme, revise the Building 4 orientation and/or
design shape to provide better wind protection for the outdoor podium .
c. Indicate where solar panels could be incorporated into the flat roofs.
4. The Board recommends revising the site / landscape plans as follows:
a. Provide a wind study to show potential impacts to open spaces
throughout the campus.
b. Consider how large events can be accommodated within the outdoor
meeting spaces.
c. Include details on the proposed rooftop gardens, which are encouraged
to be incorporated into the project.
d. Continue the high quality of the interior campus and landscape palette to
the pedestrian connections along the southeast to BART and to the
Centennial Way Trail.
e. Indicate where vehicular drop-off areas are located for all modes (i.e.
cars/ride share, shuttles, etc.), trash areas, service areas, and similar
services.
f. Consider adding a pedestrain connection to Bart or to the Downtown
district by adding some outdoor furitnure and seating area with a nice
landscaping design.
5. Recommend the applicant return to a future Design Review Board Mtg.
4.
OWNER LPGS Tanforan LLC
APPLICANT LPGS Tanforan LLC
ADDRESS 30 Tanforan Avenue
PROJECT NUMBER P19-0087: UP19-0021, TDM19-0009, SA19-0004, PP19-0002,
EIR19-0006, DR19-0045 & DA19-0003
PROJECT NAME New Office / R&D Campus
(Case Planner: Adena Friedman)
DESCRIPTION “Resubmittal” –New Parking Garage for Phase 1”-Use
Permit, Design Review, Development Agreement, Specific Plan,
Parcel Map, Precise Plan, Transportation Demand Management
Program, and Environmental Impact Report to construct six
office / R&D buildings ranging in heights up to seven-stories
and totaling approximately 2,659,000 square feet, development
of a parking garage, below-grade parking, site amenities, open
space and landscaping on a 26-acre site in accordance with Title
20 of the South San Francisco Municipal Code and per the
requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act.
The Board had the following comments:
1. The Board liked the proposed design concept as the proposed garage scales
nicely with the surrounding office buildings.
2. The Board preferered option #1 for the parking garage.
3. Consider adding some architectural elements to the 1st and 2nd level of the
parking garage with some vertical elements, such as sun shades.
4. Screening is needed, especially since this is across from homes on Tanforan
Avenue.
5. Work with a local artist for the mural / art feature.
6. The upper 3 floors of the parking structure need more articulation.
7. Add a landscaping strip within the new road (Sneath Avenue extension) to help
frame out the area, as this will help define the street. This will help create a nice
center point.
8. Add the same tree plantings along Dollar and Tanforan Avenue for the residents
across the street have an attractive view.
9. Consider not using vines along the green screen wall, add some other type of
landscaping speciesThis will help shield neighbors from headlights from the
parking garage.
10. Will the site have EV stations?
11. Create a strong pedestrian connection from the parking structure to the buildings
and parklet within the project.
12. Review your landscaping palette, as one of proposed species (yarrow) is a high
allergen species.
13. Conduct outreach with the City of San Bruno on the design of the parking
structure.
14. The Board recommends the project to return to a future Design Review
Board meeting.
5. OWNER Healthpeak Properties, Inc.
APPLICANT Flad Architects
ADDRESS 466 Forbes Blvd
PROJECT NUMBER P22-0008: DR22-0003
PROJECT NAME Construct a new 40,000 square foot, two story Amenity
Building to serve an existing R/D Campus
(Case Planner: Christy Usher)
DESCRIPTION Design Review to construct a new 40,000 square foot, two-
story amenity building at 466 Forbes Blvd in the Business
Technology Park (BTP) 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 like the proposed project.
2. Consider adding solar panels to the building.
3. Choose a material finish on the screen wall that will not rust or stain the
sidewalk.
4. Review the landscaping plan to determine if the selected species will survive the
SSF wind elements, as one species (Yarrow) is high on allergens.
5. The proper placement of trees is important for the survival of the trees. Trees up
wind of the north pedestrian plaza should be wind resistant evergreen species to
mitigate winds along the north side of the building.
6. Review the material finish and colors for the mechanical roof screens, as this
area will be visible from the adjacent buildings.
7. Ensure there is a pedestrian connection from the North to West and South to
West to the other buildings.
8. Provide wind mitigation for outdoor areas.
9. The Board recommends approval with conditions
6. Miscelleanous – none