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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-05-18Mr~uTEs May Z8, 2006 CITY OF SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO REGULAR PLANNING COMMISSION TAPE 1 CALL TO ORDER /PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 7:30 n.m. ROLL CALL PRESENT: Commissioner Giusti, Commissioner Prouty, Commissioner Romero, Commissioner Sim, Commissioner Teglia and Chairperson Zemke ABSENT: Vice Chairperson Honan STAFF PRESENT: Planning Division: Thomas C. Sparks, Chief Planner Susy Kalkin, Principal Planner Steve Carlson, Senior Planner Mike Lappen, Senior Planner Girard Beaudin, Associate Planner Chadrick Smalley, Associate Planner Allison Knapp, Consultant Planner Bertha Aguilar, Admin. Asst. II Building Division: Barry Mammini, Senior Building Inspector City Attorney: Peter Spoerl, Assistant City Attorney Engineering Division: Ray Razavi, City Engineer Police Department: Sergeant Alan Normandy, Planning Liaison Fire Prevention. Bryan Niswonger, Assistant Fire Marshall CHAIR COMMENTS AGENDA REVIEW No Changes ORAL COMMUNICATIONS None CONSENT CALENDAR None 1. Approval of Regular meeting minutes of Apri16 and April 20, 2006. Commissioner Giusti corrected the April 20, 2006 minutes, page 5, 90 Oak Avenue item, by stating that she had not been in the house but had seen pictures of the mold in the house. Motion Prouty /Second Giusti to approve the minutes of April 6, 2006 and continue approval of the April 20, 2006 minutes to June 1, 2006 for lack of quorum to approve these minutes. Commissioner Prouty abstained from approving the April 6, 2006 minutes. Commissioner Teglia and Commissioner Romero abstained from the minutes of April 20, 2006. Approved by majority voice vote with the above abstentions. Vice Chairperson Honan -absent. PUBLIC HEARING 2. Billy Ket Chau/applicant Kelly-Moore Paint Co/owner 107 Hickey Blvd P06-0040: UP06-0013 Planning Commission Meeting of May 18, 2006 Use Permit allowing a cocktail lounge with daily hours of operation from 3 PM to 2 AM and allowing karaoke and limited live entertainment consisting of piano playing, within 200 feet of a residential zoning district at 107 Hickey Blvd in the Commercial (C-1) Zone District in accordance with SSFMC Chapters 20.22 & 20.81 Public Hearing opened. Senior Planner Carlson presented the staff report. Sergeant Normandy noted that the Police Department was concerned with the floor plan and asked that the small area under the piano be replaced with carpeting so that no potential for dancing is allowed. Commissioner Prouty asked if the Police Department required the applicant to have transparent windows for monitoring purposes like the San Bruno Police Department requires. Sergeant Normandy noted that there are routine visits that the officers can make patrol the site. KJ Petses, noted that they do not have an issue with carpeting the area by the piano. He pointed out the changes they are proposing on a plan. Chairperson Zemke questioned how often the karaoke would be used for live entertainment. Mr. Petses noted that this would be every business day. Commissioner Prouty and Commissioner Romero noted that there have been problems with similar businesses in the City and hoped that this would not be the case with the current application. Mr. Petses noted that there are 6, 12 and 18 month reviews on the application. Public Hearing closed. Motion Romero /Second Prouty to approve P06-0040: UP06-0013 and amending the Conditions of Approval to reflect the change of requirement for a rug under the piano. Approved by unanimous voice vote. Vice Chairperson Honan -absent. 3. Cingular Wireless/applicant California Water Service/owner 480 Grandview Dr P06-0020: UPM06-0002 & DR06-0028 Use Permit Modification and Design Review allowing a wireless communication facility consisting of six (6) fence mounted antennas and an underground vault for equipment cabinets, situated at 480 Grandview Drive in the Planned Industrial Zoning District (P-I), in accordance with SSFMC Chapter 20.81, 20.85 & 20.105 Public Hearing opened. Senior Planner Carlson presented the staff report. Chris Collier, Cingular Wireless, noted that the current equipment would be placed underground and the location would be made more attractive. He pointed out that the antennas are going to be four feet tall and the fence is 6 feet tall resulting in the antennas not being visible to the public eye. He concluded that the antennas are needed to cover the East of 101 service area and its demands. Senior Planner Carlson noted that a letter was received from an adjacent business owner, they wanted to make sure that the antenna would not be installed on their property and based on a site survey the fence is 30 feet from the property line. The letter also stated that the antenna's were interfering with their equipment but there was not any further detail on the interference. s:V~t%wutes\~Lwal,Lzed MiN,utes\2oo6\os-i8-o6 izFC n~Cwutes.doc page 2 o f9 Planning Commission Meeting of May 18, 2006 Chairperson Zemke asked if the applicant has had any experience with interference at other cell sites. Mr. Collier replied that they have not and they take precautions by installing filters at the sites. He pointed out that the applicant felt that wireless phones, routers and facilities were properly functioning. Commissioner Teglia noted there will can be interference from the antennas. Mr. Collier noted that they operate within the confines of the FCC license. Commissioner Prouty questioned what frequency is used for the antennas. Cingular's Architectural Engineer noted that they have two bands running at 850 MHz and 1900 MHz. Commissioner Giusti questioned if the existing equipment is being updated to which he applicant replied affirmatively. Commissioner Prouty asked who would be maintaining the existing and proposed landscaping. Mr. Collier noted that Cal Water maintains their site. Public Hearing closed. Commissioner Teglia noted that the initial cell tower Use Permit was to be stealthed completely. He noted that many screening options existed including decorative rock, stucco and pilasters. He pointed out that the Zoning Code is clear that all best available stealth technology needs to be used. He was pleased that the equipment was going to be underground. He noted that landscape screening is going to have to be six or seven feet tall or some sort of artificial landscaping. He added that staff may want to get all the vendors on the site to request landscaping on the entire perimeter which would stealth the cell sites and hide the water tank. Commissioner Teglia also noted that the applicant will need to completely screen the antennas using the best available stealthing technology. He suggested adding a 6 month review after installation with pictures of how screening is going and if it is not to the Commission's satisfaction they will be required to return to the Commission until they achieve the stealthing required in the telecommunications ordinance. Senior Planner Carlson asked for a clarification on the condition of approval. Commissioner Teglia noted that the current landscape screening is not helping due to the high winds in the area. He added that the applicant is required to completely hide the antennas with vegetation or decorative rock and other ways. He also added that all the vendors be contacted and have them come to compliance with their use permits by completely screening the antennas. He pointed out that this application can be approved, but in 6 months the antennas should not be visible. Motion Teglia /Second Sim to approve P06-0020: UPM06-0002 & DR06-0028 and adding a Condition of Approval fora 6 month review to allow the applicant to completely stealth the antennas and if the stealthing is not successful within the 6 month period the Commission will hear the item until it is brought in compliance with the telecommunications ordinance. Approved by unanimous voice vote. Vice Chairperson Honan -absent. 4. Mira Lee/applicant Tam-Leung/owner 425 Eccles Ave P06-0010: UP06-0006 & DR06-0010 Design Review and Use Permit allowing the conversion of a vacant two story 16,084 square foot commercial recreation facility into a printing establishment with 7,828 square feet of office and 8,256 square feet of printing generating in excess of 100 daily vehicle trips with open at grade parking and landscaping, in accordance with SSFMC Chapters 20.32 & 20.81 Public Hearing opened. Senior Planner Carlson presented the staff report. 5:\M%wute5\~twaLCZed Mi,wute5\2006\OS-28-06 RpC MlN.uteS.dOC gage s o f9 Planning Commission Meeting of May 18, 2006 Tam Leung, owner, noted that he purchased the building and wants to remodel it. He noted that he runs a small print shop of 24 employees and the fees as well as the requirements for the Use Permit are an unforeseen expense for his company. He asked the Commission to entertain eliminating the plaza. He also asked that the Commission not ask for the 8 foot hedge because it is too high for customers to see the building. Commissioner Sim asked where a planted entryplaza would be located. Senior Planner Carlson noted that it would be in the front. Commissioner Teglia asked if the plaza would be visible from the street. Senior Planner Carlson replied yes and that it would be an amenity to be used by employees and visitors. Commissioner Sim asked if we have been strict with regards to plazas with other applicants. Senior Planner Carlson noted that the Commission has historically required this when there is an opportunity to add amenities. Commissioner Giusti asked how the employees and customers would use the plaza. Mr. Leung noted that most of the customers do not go to his facilities and most of his customer base is corporate businesses. He added that he will be providing a lunch room with a shower room also. He pointed out that he has had the building for one year but has spent a lot of time and energy in the application process and cannot afford to spend more money. Commissioner Sim asked if there would be some site plans. Mr. Leung noted that they had to remove the center isle for improvement purposes. Commissioner Teglia asked if the roll up doors are needed for deliveries. Mr. Leung noted that he runs a medium size print shop and needs space for delivery of paper or equipment about 2-3 times a day. He noted that there are two areas for loading. Commissioner Teglia asked if there were going to be doors backed into the doors. Mr. Leung noted that they will have a clean room digital type of printing without chemicals so they will not have deliveries that require to unload at the roll up door. Public Hearing closed. Commissioner Teglia noted that the plaza can be moved and suggested the high quality roll up doors rather than the corrugated steel doors. He added that the landscaping can also be upgraded. Commissioner Sim agreed with the high quality roll up door and added that the housing piece could be stealthed because when it is outside it is not aesthetically pleasing. He pointed out that he has not seen a color and materials board. He added that in the future a site line would be helpful especially with regard to the hedge and its effectiveness. He asked if there were safety issues with regard to hedges. Sergeant Normandy stated that they would like most hedges to be 3 feet. Commissioner Prouty noted his concern with the roll up doors. He suggested additional landscape to screen the roll up doors and also asked that the apparatus be placed inside. Commissioner Romero noted that he is not concerned with the plaza but would like to see improvement to the front of the site. He was concerned with adding two roll up doors and there are alternative materials that would help improve the overall look of the roll up door. He pointed out that there are not any improvements to the landscaping and noted that there is not a landscape plan. Commissioner Romero pointed out that the application is incomplete and would like to see it return to the Commission with suggestions to alternative materials for the roll up doors and a more detailed landscape plan. Chairperson Zemke asked if the plaza would be replacing the existing handicap stalls. Senior Planner Carlson replied affirmatively and added that the handicap stall would need to be moved with losing a few parking spaces. Chairperson Zemke asked if there were requirements for the distance between a handicap stall and the front door of the building. Senior Planner Carlson noted that the handicap stall has to be accessible. Commissioner Romero expressed the need to install more landscaping to the front of the property rather than making improvements to the back of the property. He also noted that it would cost much less than the plaza. Senior Planner Carlson noted that staff discussed with the applicant the possibility of upgrading the landscaping but they wanted to keep the existing landscape plan. s:\MCwutes\~LwalCzed M%wutes\2oo6\os-i8-o6 RPC r~Cwutes.doc page -a~ of9 Planning Commission Meeting of May 18, 2006 Commissioner Sim noted his supporting of staff's recommendation and noted that a phasing strategy could also work for the applicant. Commissioner Teglia asked if the roll up doors could be replaced by glass doors similar to what is used in car dealerships. He asked the applicant if they could accomplish their need with a glass door and if two doors were needed. Mr. Leung noted that he needs two doors. He added that a glass door would make his business difficult because they use a hand truck. He pointed out that he does not the means to make any additional improvements to the property because he did not realize the cost of the proposal. Commissioner Prouty felt that the applicant needed to return with a landscape plan and information on the feasibility of installing glass doors or what can be done with the roll up doors. Commissioner Teglia noted that glass doors could work better with the proposed operation. Commissioner Sim stated that the door can also be one big panel that can hinge over or slide up. He added that the applicant work with architect to find stealth technology that will make it work. Commissioner Prouty also asked for colors and texture detail. Commissioner Romero added that the applicant needs to move away from the industrial look and make it look more creative. The Commission, staff and the applicant discussed continuing the item for response the following: Detail on rollup doors • Color and materials board • Landscape plan Motion Teglia to continue the item to June 15, 2006. Mr. Leung noted that his architect is going to be on vacation for three weeks and may not met the deadline. He suggested that the Commission approve the project with a condition to have him return in a month with the roll up door and landscape plan details. Staff and the Commission discussed continuing the item with pending approvals of the landscape plan and roll up door details. Senior Planner Carlson noted that the Commission could do this because the landscaping would be installed last. Motion Teglia /Second Sim to approve P06-0010: UP06-0006 & DR06-0010 subject to future review of the aesthetics, rollup doors, landscape and colors /materials board within 30 days of issuance of the building permit. Approved by unanimous voice vote. Vice Chairperson Honan -absent Recess taken at 8:49 p.m. Recalled to order at 9:00 p.m. 5. Home Depot/applicant Levitz SL San Francisco/owner 900 Dubuque Ave. P05-0035: PUD05-0003, UP05-0010, TDMO-0003, SIGNS05-0044, EIR05-0003 & DR05-0020 Environmental Impact Report assessing environmental impacts, Planned Unit Development allowing a reduced front setback; Use Permit allowing outside storage and display, Design Review allowing construction of a 101,579 square foot Home Depot store, a 24,215 square foot Garden Center, open at-grade parking and a 2 level parking structure and generating in excess of 100 daily vehicle trips; Type C Sign Program comprised of building facade signs and retention of an existing pole sign with a total area exceeding 300 square feet; Transportation Demand Management Plan reducing traffic effects, situated at 900 Dubuque Avenue in the Planned Commercial (P-C-L) Zoning District in accordance with SSFMC Chapters 20.24, 20.81 & 20.85 Public Hearing opened. Senior Planner Carlson presented the staff report. s:\M%v~utes\~%waLCzed M%ti sites\2oo6\os-28-o6 Rpc n~tLwutes.doc Page s o f9 Planning Commission Meeting of May 18, 2006 Greg George, Home Depot Real Estate Manager, presented the project team. Frank Coda & Carolyn Shaw, Architects, gave a PowerPoint presentation showing how option "A" addressed onsite circulation number of parking spaces and pedestrian access from upper level. Mr. Coda pointed out that the deck has been moved to attach to the building which allowed them to pick up 65 additional spaces. He noted that option "B" does not have any of the changes in option "A". He showed pictures showing the different views of the site. He also showed a comparison of the Colma site plan and the Dubuque Avenue site plan. He pointed out that they will have 2 freight sized elevators. Mr. Coda noted that one of the differences between the Colma store and the South San Francisco (SSF) store is that Colma has one access point and the SSF store has two access points. Public Hearing closed. Commissioner Romero noted that he and Commissioner Sim saw a presentation of big box retail at the Planner's Institute. He showed pictures of a Home Depot in Southern California that was a superior design. He was concerned with the current design and felt uncomfortable with the proposal. Commissioner Sim noted that he is looking at the entire area. He noted that it was important to look at the cumulative effect on the entire corridor with other applications that are in the process due to the importance of the corridor. He noted that the pictures presented by Commissioner Romero show more detail than the SSF proposal and pointed out that this detail needs to be reflected at the site also. He felt that the architect needed to concentrate on the architectonic features first rather than on landscaping that may not be as full as shown on the renderings. TAPE 2 -bad Commissioner Sim continued his comments by asking for more views and elevations of the project in conjunction with the adjacent projects. TAPE 3 Commissioner Prouty noted that the largest issue is going to be circulation with regard to the intersection exiting from 101 Northbound. He added that it is so narrow that there will be problems with cars backing out onto the freeway. Commissioner Teglia noted that these comments are the same issues that were brought up at the Joint Study Session. He pointed out that the Commission and Council encouraged them to make this project the best Home Depot created because it will be viewed from 101. He stated that the original design is being adhered to and the old pole is going to remain. He felt that the building could be situated at that marquis and make it a nice quality looking building. He added that the parking structure is encroaching into the setback and that roof parking was a possibility that was brought up at joint study session. This would allow them to pull back from the setback. He was also concerned with traffic on Dubuque and backing up to the hook ramps. He suggested a straight lane to Home Depot and allowing straight access from the intersection. Chairperson Zemke noted that he prefers option "A". Commissioner Prouty asked why the parking analysis used stores in EI Camino, Hayward and San Mateo but not the Colma store. Mr. Coda noted that the consultant was directed not to look at it because its revenues are much higher than they should be, which is t he reason why they are looking at the SSF site for a new store. He added that the stores chosen are bringing in the projected revenue for this store. He pointed out that the. suggestion to close an island can be done also. He asked if there was a particular style that the Commission was interested in having. Commissioner Teglia noted that at the study session they were informed that the City was looking for top quality design and not have the bright orange so visible. s:V~Cwutes\~%waLCzed M%wutes~2~o6~o5-i8-o6 rzpc M%wutes.doc Age ~ of9 Planning Commission Meeting of May 18, 2006 Mr. Coda asked for direction from the Commission in what type of aesthetics they are looking for. Some of the comments the Commission offered were: • Roof parking with at grade parking rather than the parking structure. • Reorienting the building • Allow for different skinning techniques with different colors of stucco • Use of different materials • Stealthing so that it does not look like a warehouse look and give it some frontality. • Reconfigure the building to face Dubuque rather than facing the parking structure. Mr. Coda noted that they can work on the aesthetics and design. He stated that they looked at rooftop parking and was not economically feasible. He added that they can work on a facade for Dubuque but the main entrance will be towards the parking lot. He also suggested including a tower element at the corner Commissioner Prouty suggested that the entrance to the parking lot be straight off the freeway on the northern portion of the site. He felt that this would eliminate some of the queuing problems. Mr. Coda noted that the area in question is a Caltrain controlled intersection and they may not grant an access point at that intersection. Senior Planner Carlson pointed out that this option was looked at early in the process but being that it is owned by the Joint Powers Board (JPB) the application process would have gone in a different direction. Commissioner Teglia noted that the Commission can make a formal request to explore access through that area of the site to JPB. Senior Planner Carlson pointed out that asking for this may be difficult to get from them. He also noted that the permit streamlining deadline is fast approaching. Commissioner Teglia felt that the entitlements being requested were pushing the envelope and pointed out that the traffic impacts from these entitlements need to be resolved now before they become a problem later. He suggested that access on the northern point of the site can be looked into. Senior Planner Carlson noted that staff could follow up on this but it may adversely affect the project. Commissioner Sim asked to see if the traffic consultant felt this would mitigate the problems. Mark Crane, Traffic Consultant, noted that this would be difficult to implement because there is not much distance between the intersection and the railroad tracks. He pointed out that an immediate curve to the right would need to be provided in order to serve Home Depot. He also noted that access at another location is needed to the warehouse to have a smooth channelized ingress and egress serving Home Depot. Another issue Mr. Crane noted was the interchange has a delicate balance with the intersections not operating at an acceptable level of service in the year 2020. He noted that the intersection serves as a °T" intersection and if it is revised to serve Home Depot from that intersection, there will be a large amount of traffic to and from the warehouse. He added that in 2020 the traffic on the intersections will be barely cleared. He pointed out that with afour-legged intersection there will be another level of delay where a second departure lane from the freeway will need to be created. Mr. Crane further noted that when they looked at Home Depot and Lowe's in operation, the queuing did fit into the available storage length. The new plan has an additional left turn pocket which will serve the central driveway. He pointed out that the second driveway will be a second entry point if there is a backup at the first driveway. He also noted that the new proposed driveway is 30 feet wide and has room for 1 inbound and 1 outbound lane with 110 feet of queuing space. He added that there is room for a second inbound lane to the driveway. Commissioner Prouty asked if there would be a traffic light at the intersection. Mr. Crane noted that it does not meet the requirements for a traffic light but if needed in the future a 4 way stop sign could be installed. Commissioner Teglia and Commissioner Prouty were comfortable with having Home Depot add the second driveway isle, as well as install a 4 way stop sign if it is needed in the future. Chairperson Zemke noted that the Commission is not satisfied with the design aspect of the project and questioned if the applicant was willing to return with changes. Mr. Coda replied affirmatively and added that there is a mitigation measure requiring them to perform a study up s:~r~~wutes~~CwalCzed r~twutes~oo6\os-i8-o6 R.PC naCwutes.doc paged of9 Planning Commission Meeting of May 18, 2006 to 2010 to determine if they will install a stop sign or signal at the driveway entry. Commissioner Giusti noted that the parking garage will be the focus of the building and asked if it would be behind the building. Mr. Coda noted that parking garage and the warehouse will look like one large integrated building. Commissioner Romero asked to see the building without the landscape and with the landscaping. Senior Planner Carlson, the Commission and the Mr. Coda discussed potential dates of having Home Depot return to the Commission for further review and if the architect would have enough time to respond to all the Commission comments. Mr. Coda noted that they could be back by the June 1, 2006 meeting. Mr. Coda noted that with the second lane there may be a loss of parking and wanted to know if the Commission was comfortable with this. Commissioner Prouty noted that there does need to be enough parking so that customers are not circulating around the parking lot looking for a spot. Commissioner Teglia suggested looking once more at rooftop parking. The Commission felt that option "A" was better. Motion Teglia /Second Prouty to continue the item to June 1, 2006. Vice Chairperson Honan -absent. ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS 6. Cityview Marbella 280, LLP/Owner Watt Communities/Applicant Gellert Boulevard P05-0115; DR06-0041 Confirmation of the Acting Chief Planners approval of the color samples and roof materials for South City Lights (formerly Marbella) at 2280 Gellert Blvd in the Multi-Family Residential (R-3-L) Zone District. Acting Chief Planner Kalkin stated that the sample of the roof material had been installed on the site and the Commission had been invited to see it. She noted that Scott Allman was requesting that the Commission approve the materials that have been installed on a portion of the site. Scott Allman, Watt Communities, noted that their color consultant would make a presentation on the colors and materials to the Commission. Leslie Tipple, ,noted that they are trying to go with a Mediterranean look and chose warm earthone colors. She explained in detail the colors on all 3 color schemes. The Commissioners noted that they had been out to the site and were satisfied with the and the colors chosen for the site. Consensus of the Commission to recommend that the City Counc//confirm the Actin4 Chief P/anners aavrova/ofthe co%rand roofmateria/s. ITEMS FROM STAFF Assistant City Attorney Spoerl informed the Commission that the City Council at a study session on April 19, 2006 discussed policy changes to absences for Boards and Commissions. He explained that 3 absences in a 12 month period or absences in 1/3 or more of the meetings in one year would cause for that person's appointment to be put on an agenda and may result in termination by the City Council. He added that the policy will allow one grace absence; the second would call for a warning letter from the Mayor and the third would be possible termination. s:V~ntv~.utes~~~wAltzed M%wutPS~2oo6\os-18-o~ rzpc M%wutes.doc Page a o f9 Planning Commission Meeting of May 18, 2006 Comments by the Commission were: • The Planning Commission meets more than any other Board or Commission appointed by the Council. • Most of the Commissioners try to schedule their vacations around the meetings but some have job related trips that conflict with the meetings resulting in absences. • The Planning Commission is the only state mandated Commission. • The Planning Commission is the Commission with the largest workload other than Council Assistant City Attorney Spoerl noted that he would prepare a memo to Council relating the Planning Commission's concerns and forward a copy of it to the Commission. ITEMS FROM COMMISSION Commissioner Giusti noted that the SSF Beautification Committee is sponsoring awards for "Beautiful property" and invited the public to submit their name and address to the Parks Department. The final decision will be made by Day in the Park. ITEMS FROM THE PUBLIC AD7OURNMENT '~~~7,, `~ ~j Sus' Kalkir}~ Acting Se etary to the Planning Commission City of South San Francisco SK/bla None 11:18 P.M. ~~ William Zemke, Cha' person Planning Commis' ~n City of South San Francisco S:~M%wutes\~iwAl%Zed M%wute5~2006\OS-18-D6 RAC M%wutes.doG Page9 ~f9