Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-07-06MINUTES 1u/y 6, 2006 CITY OF SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO REGULAR PLANNING COMMISSION TAPE 1 CALL TO ORDER /PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 7:30 p.m. ROLL CALL PRESENT: ABSENT: STAFF PRESENT: CHAIR COMMENTS AGENDA REVIEW ORAL COMMUNICATIONS CONSENT CALENDAR 1. Approval of regular meeting minutes of May 4t", May 18t" and June 1St 2006. Motion Sim /Second Giusti to approve the Consent Calendar. Vice Chairperson Honan abstained from approving the May 18"' minutes. Approved by majority voice vote. PUBLIC HEARING 2. 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 (Continued from June 1, 2006) None 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 101,171 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 with a total area exceeding of 1,103 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, 20.86 & 20.120. Commissioner Giusti, Commissioner Prouty, Commissioner Romero, Commissioner Sim, Vice Chairperson Honan and Chairperson Zemke Commissioner Teglia Planning Division: Susy Kalkin, Acting Chief Planner Steve Carlson, Senior Planner Bertha Aguilar, Admin. Asst. II City Attorney: Peter Spoerl, Assistant City Attorney Engineering Division: Ray Razavi, City Engineer Dennis Chuck, Senior Civil Engineer Information Technology: Robert Yonker, Special Projects Coordinator Fire Prevention. Bryan Niswonger, Assistant Fire Marshall No Changes Public Hearing opened. Planning Commission Meeting of July 6, 2006 Senior Planner Carlson gave a brief staff report. Frank Coda, Greenberg Farrow, noted that they have responded to the Commission's request for the cumulative visual effect of the area with both Home Depot and Lowe's sites along Dubuque by providing a board that shows the Dubuque frontage of both stores. He noted that they looked at moving the loading dock to another area on the site but it impacted the circulation and truck turnaround. Some of the changes to the project were: • Screening of the loading docks by adding 3 walls and a metal trellis. • The palette enclosures and other miscellaneous enclosures now have a solid wall around them to minimize visual impacts. • He submitted a materials board to the Commission and pointed out that the tower will have a white and silver Alucabond material • Architectural detailing was continued around the corners & roof top trellises were added. • Decorative lighting was added. • He showed a roof plan and the cart storage layout. • They produced a night view of the project on Dubuque. Mr. Coda played a video for the Commission showing the details of the project. The Commission looked at the loading area frame by frame on the video. Commissioner Sim questioned if the palette enclosed area would be enclosed. Commissioner Romero also asked if there would be any outside storage in these areas. Mr. Coda noted that the palette area would be enclosed and there would not be any outside storage. Commissioner Romero questioned whether the docks would be above or below ground. Mr. Coda noted that the docks drop about four or five feet and only a portion of the truck would be visible from the street. Commissioner Sim asked if the loading dock would be concrete or asphalt. Mr. Coda noted that this area would most likely be concrete due to the weight of the trucks. Commissioner Prouty questioned what the slope was on the loading dock. Mr. Coda replied that it is 40 feet at 2% and another 35 feet at 6%. Commissioner Sim suggested that the loading dock have a paving pattern. Mr. Coda noted that if they put concrete in this area they can use a scored colored concrete to give it a plaza feel. Commissioner Romero asked for the setback on the property. Mr. Coda stated that it is 20 feet from the property line to the garden center. Commissioner Giusti questioned when the trees would be fully grown. Mr. Coda replied that they have a five year growth. Commissioner Prouty was concerned that the trees would not effectively screen the dock. Vice Chairperson Honan asked how the plants on the trellis get watered and if they were going to be green throughout the year. Mr. Coda noted that the planters and trellises will include automatic irrigation. The Landscape architect noted that the vine on the trellis is a Boston Ivy which is red in color and will lose some leaves but will have some color year round in South San Francisco. Vice Chairperson Honan questioned how long it would take for the ivy to fill the trellis as shown on the pictures. The landscape architect stated that it would fill to reflect the plans after a second full bloom and added that this kind of ivy will flourish and maintain its red-orange color throughout the year. He reassured the Commission that the ivy is a hearty vine that will survive in the South San Francisco weather with a minimal amount of maintenance. Commissioner Prouty asked if some trees could be added to the loading dock area. The landscape architect stated that trees are centered 30 to 40 feet so that they have room to grow. He noted that there is a tighter grouping of trees on the site and they could mimic this. He noted that a larger group of trees gives more emphasis and draws attention to that specific area. Vice Chairperson Honan asked how the roof top ivy will work on the front of the site. The landscape architect noted that the ivy will start on each end of the parking lot and work its way to the middle using cables. Commissioner Prouty reiterated his concern with stealthing the dock and questioned if there could be larger trees installed in this area to entirely cover the loading dock. The landscape architect replied affirmatively and added that the standard is a 24 inch box tree but could increase it to a 36 inch box tree depending on availability of the S:\M%v~.utCS\~i.wctl%zCd Mwi.utPS~2000\D~-06-06 RFC MiwutCS.doc PAgC 2 o f 6 Planning Commission Meeting of July 6, 2006 trees. Vice Chairperson Honan suggested adding palm trees to the corners as an accent. The landscape architect noted that this could be done, although they are more problematic to install. Mr. Coda noted that they could add palm trees but they do not meet the stealthing expectations that the Commission has. Commissioner Sim asked why there were only three rows of grillaging on the parking structure. Mr. Coda noted that they extended the columns of the parking structure and felt that it was more aesthetically pleasing to have the trellis on both sides versus a half size trellis. Commissioner Romero asked what the cart storage would look like and where the designated cart storage location would be. Mr. Coda showed the cart storage on one of the slides. He noted that they will have a designated cart area. Public Hearing closed. Commissioner Prouty felt that the applicant had responded to the Commission comments. He suggested that the architect increase the size and number of trees near the loading dock. Vice Chairperson Honan noted that the loading dock wall should be taller and the trellis would then be taller. Mr. Coda noted that the wall behind the wall with the trellis would be raised. Vice Chairperson Honan suggested that they include palm trees on the corners as accents. Commissioner Romero recommended that the outdoor storage be eliminated from the approval because it is a blight to the public. He felt that the landscaping could be more pleasing. Commissioner Sim noted that the architect has responded to the Commission's comments. He was concerned with the loading dock area and suggested that more stealthing be added to the trellis wall. He added that more skinning techniques around the loading dock would eliminate his concern with the visual impacts on Dubuque. He also felt that the parking structure needs more stealthing. Chairperson Zemke noted that the landscaping is good but noted that the wind and maintenance play a big factor in the duration of the landscaping. He asked if the Commission wanted to discuss Commissioner Romero's comment on outside storage. Commissioner Romero noted that if this could be included in the Conditions of Approval. He asked if the lumber would be stored inside or outside. Mr. Coda noted that there will not be any outdoor storage of building materials and this is the purpose of the enclosed staging area. He added that the seasonal sales area is outside which is shown on the plans. He also pointed out that there are also sidewalk sales but they may not be able to do this because of the configuration of the building. Commissioner Romero noted that the outdoor storage is included in staff's recommendation but felt that this needs to be eliminated. Senior Planner Carlson pointed out that this condition includes the outdoor garden and seasonal sales areas. He added that the Commission can limit the condition to the storage of these things and not allow anything that is not within those designated areas. Vice Chairperson Honan noted that the wood is staged outside and agrees with Commissioner Romero that the outside storage needs to be eliminated. Vice Chairperson Honan was also concerned with hot dog and coffee vendors. Mr. Coda noted that this is not a Home Depot function and that many vendors approach the store manager, but it is the responsibility of the vendor to get the permits required by the City. He pointed out that there is a specified lumber staging area and that they do not have any issues with a more stringent condition of approval with regards to outdoor storage. Senior Planner Carlson read condition of approval number 47 into the record and added that this condition can be amended to include storage. Commissioner Sim felt that the project was very impressive and encouraged the maximum amount of stealthing of the loading dock area including a pavement pattern and some artificial stealthing on the palette wall until the landscaping is fully grown. He added that large cars can be viewed on the second floor of the parking structure but it could be stealthed by adding additional trellises with ivy. He further suggested changing the stucco windows to some type of glass skinning. S:\M%v~,utES\~%wAl%zed Mi.v~.utC5~2006\D~-06-06 RAC Miv~.utES.dDC 'pG19Q 3 Df 6 Planning Commission Meeting of July 6, 2006 Motion Sim /Second Prouty to adopt Resolution 2656-2006 recommending that the City Council certify EIR05- 0003 and approve P05-0035: PUD05-0003, UP05-0010, TDMO-0003, SIGNS05-0044 & DR05-0020. The Commission also recommended that the Council include the following: ^ Further stealthing of loading dock area. ^ Skin and texture the palette enclosure walls. ^ Inclusion of a pavement pattern to make the loading dock look more like a plaza. ^ Incorporate spandrel glazing along the facade to pick up on detailing of surrounding office buildings to make it look like an office. ^ The parking garage should have a filter or screening to hide cars on the second floor from street view. ^ Eliminate all outside storage of lumber and returned items. ^ Consider adding Palm trees. ^ Include larger (ex 48" box size) tress near the loading dock area. ^ Amend Condition A7 to address outside storage and vendor issues. ^ Keep the site clean of boxes and debris. Roll Call: Ayes: Commissioner Giusti, Commissioner Prouty, Commissioner Romero, Commissioner Sim, Vice Chairperson Honan and Chairperson Zemke Noes: None Abstain: None Absent: Commissioner Teglia Approved by majority roll call vote. 3. CT Mobile /Kaiser Facility Kaiser Permanente/Owner Kaiser Permanente/Applicant 1200 EI Camino Real P06-0026: UP06-0012 & DR06-0071 Use Permit and Design Review allowing a mobile computerized tomography (a) imaging unit with a new fire protection wall at the rear of the Kaiser Medical Center situated at 1200 EI Camino Real in the Planned Commercial (P-C) Zoning District in accordance with SSFMC Chapters 20.24 and 20.81. Senior Planner Carlson presented the staff report. David Sheston gave a PowerPoint presentation. He noted that they have installed another mobile unit near the front of the hospital which will soon be receiving a final inspection. Commissioner Romero questioned what were the plans for the unimproved land between Colma Creek and Kaiser. Senior Planner Carlson noted that he does not know who owns the land and is not aware of any plans for that area. Commissioner Romero noted that this could possibly be used for additional parking. Commissioner Prouty noted that the plans lacked detail and asked for additional elevations. He questioned if there would be a covered walkway. Mr. Sheston noted that there will not be a covered walkway. Commissioner Romero and the project architect discussed who would be going to the MRI facility and how they would access it. Mr. Sheston explained that this is an in and out patient service with dressing rooms in the mobile unit and that there is an elevator lift that all the patients would be using. Commissioner Giusti questioned why the unit could not be incorporated within the hospital. Mr. Sheston noted that this is new technology. He added that there is not enough space within the building to accommodate the number of patients who need to be served. 5:\M%wute5\~i.wAl%zed M%v~ute5~2006\0~-06-06 RFC M%v~.uteS.dOC page 4 of 6 Planning Commission Meeting of )uly 6, 2006 Commissioner Prouty questioned if there would be power cables all over the area where the trailer would go. Mr. Sheston noted that there is an underground connection and the trailer will have a cord that connects to the hospital system. Commissioner Prouty reiterated his concern about the lack of information on the plans and was concerned about voting on a project with so little detail. Commissioner Romero asked who approved the previous trailer. Senior Planner Carlson noted that it was installed without benefit of City approval. Vice Chairperson Honan noted that the solid wall will be subject to graffiti. Senior Planner Carlson noted that Kaiser has onsite security. Mr. Sheston noted that the trailer would be located on a 24 hour access road. He noted that there are currently no issues with graffiti at the nearby parking structure. Commissioner Romero noted that there has been a "temporary" trailer unit for 10 years at the site and questioned how long the new one is expected to be at this location. Ronaldo Beltran, Kaiser Permanente, noted that the trailer is for renovation of the CT-Scanner within the building. He pointed out that there is a need for a new scanner. Commissioner Romero asked if this unit would eventually be moved anywhere else. Mr. Beltran noted that this unit will not be moved unless it malfunctions. Commissioner Romero noted this is going to be a permanent structure and suggested adding onto the building to serve the needs of the hospital. Mr. Beltran noted that their inclination toward a mobile CT-unit is because it is reliable and cost effective. Commissioner Romero pointed out that the public using the future linear park will be looking at the back of the building and this trailer. Commissioner Sim questioned if Kaiser has a master plan projecting future growth. Mr. Beltran noted that there is a 10, 15 and 20 year plan for the Kaiser facility. He noted that this is the only change to the radiology department he foresees in the next 10 years. Commissioner Prouty also felt that this could be incorporated within the hospital and felt uneasy with the proposal. Mr. Sheston noted that the CT-unit within the building will be upgraded but this cannot occur until a replacement unit is onsite. Vice Chairperson Honan asked if the trailer would be removed once the upgrades were done. Mr. Beltran noted that they will have three CT-units on site and will leave this one onsite. Vice Chairperson Honan was concerned with allowing a major hospital in the City to have a trailer onsite. Commissioner Romero questioned why the hospital cannot have the mobile unit be temporary until the remodel is upgraded. He was concerned with granting a Use Permit taking into consideration that the first mobile unit was installed without the benefit of City approval. Mr. Beltran noted that the overall plan is that there needs to be 3 CT-units in the hospital. Commissioner Romero questioned how many parking spaces are going to be lost due to the trailers being onsite. Mr. Sheston noted that they lost some parallel parking spaces but have reconfigured the area to gain back some parking spaces. Vice Chairperson Honan noted that if the trailer were to be temporary she would not have any issue, but being that it will be a permanent structure she could not support approval of it. Motion Honan /Second Prouty continue the item to allow staff to draft Findings of Denial for Planning Commission adoption. Approved by unanimous voice vote. ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS ITEMS FROM STAFF ITEMS FROM COMMISSION None None Commissioner Prouty asked staff for an update on the activity at the Bell Market site. Senior Planner Carlson noted that an Asian market is planned for the site and that they are relocating their entryway to the northeast s:\rti,wutes\~%waLizCd M%vtiutes\2oo6\0~-06-06 rz~c n~Cwutes.doc Page s of 6 Planning Commission Meeting of July 6, 2006 corner. Commissioner Prouty also noted that a two story home on Orange and A street is adding a third story and questioned if there was a height limit in the City. Acting Chief Planner Kalkin replied that there is a height limit of 35 feet and also pointed out that any addition has to conform to its surroundings. Vice Chairperson Honan asked for an update on the Fairfield project. Assistant City Attorney Spoerl stated that the subcommittee has been working on some designs and at their recent meeting were generally satisfied with the exception of the some minor revisions. He pointed out that once the developer has made these revisions another subcommittee meeting will be called. ITEMS FROM THE PUBLIC None AD]OURNMENT 9:55 P.M. Motion Prouty /Second Giusti to adjourn the meeting. Approved by unanimous voice vote. i7 Susy Kalki William Zemke, Chai erson Acting Secretary to the Planning Commission Planning Commission City of South San Francisco City of South San Francisco SK/bla s:\M%wutes\~Cwaltzed M%~.utes\2oo6\0~-06-06 RpC n-tCwutes.doc page 6 o f 6