Reservations regarding how a large mixed-use office building proposed in downtown Burlingame would fit in with the surrounding neighborhood dominated a conversation by city officials and residents.
During a Burlingame Planning Commission meeting Monday, July 13, officials and residents aired myriad worries such as the way the proposed four-story development at 225 California Drive would impact parking, traffic and whether the building would match the architectural character of Burlingame.
The design and environmental impact discussion granted the public its first opportunity to address the project, slated to house nearly 45,000 square feet of office space and 1,750 square feet of retail businesses on a roughly one-half acre property at the intersection of Highland Avenue and California Drive, near the Burlingame Caltrain station.
Many of the comments reflected concerns regarding the size, scope and design of the 55-foot building, which also features a roof deck and additional design elements such as a canopy, which would raise the height of the structure to roughly 65 feet.
Commissioner Richard Terrones, according to video of the meeting, noted the contrast in heights between the proposed design of the new building, which would be constructed at the site of the former Fine Consign furniture store, and other nearby businesses.
“I just want to make sure that the project can fit in and doesn’t stand out like a 6-foot-10 person in a sea of 5-foot-tall people,” he said.
Many commissioners commended the look and design of the proposed building, but most questioned whether it fell in line with the other architectural styles that currently exist in Burlingame.
Commissioner Michael Gaul said it looked more like a development that would match the character of downtown San Francisco, and doubted whether that was the correct approach for its surroundings.
“It’s a handsome building but I think the architecture should fit the town of Burlingame more,” he said.
Linda Field, a Burlingame resident, echoed those sentiments.
“It is far and away too tall,” she said. “It will stick out like a sore thumb.”
Joan Endo, who owns nearby Sakae Sushi, said she fears for how the project will impact her business, should it be approved for construction.
Commissioners made no formal decision during the meeting, and only provided feedback on initial proposed design and potential environmental impact of the development.
Andres Grechi, a representative with MBH Architects who designed the project, defended the layout of the proposed building and said the height was necessary to make the project appear cohesive.
He said he believed the project could be a landmark for the region.
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“It can set a precedent for this area,” he said.
The Dewey Land Company, a San Mateo-based development firm, proposed the project. The company also redeveloped the site that currently houses City National Bank, 1450 Chapin Ave.
Other issues plaguing the development are related to parking and traffic flow, especially cars exiting the building, according to opinions expressed during the meeting.
Drivers leaving the three-floor parking structure proposed to be built below ground who are trying to access nearby Howard Avenue would be directed down Hatch Lane to the west, according a city report.
But commissioners questioned the capacity of Hatch Lane to accommodate the demand of cars that would visit the offices and shops, and noted the city’s potential interest in converting the thoroughfare into a commercial space connecting Burlingame and Howard avenues, rather than turn it into a driveway for the office building.
Per city regulations, according to the proposed size of the project, the site would need 149 parking spaces, so the developer is requesting an exception allowing fewer available spots.
Each floor of underground parking would offer 31 spots, along with six tandem spaces, and 22 spaces would be accessible through a puzzle parking stacking mechanism, which would use a lift to shuffle cars in an independent structure.
Gaul though was not satisfied with the amount of space set aside for cars in the proposal.
“I think the parking is a huge problem here,” he said.
The proposed project is within minutes of walking distance from the downtown Burlingame Caltrain station, and city officials recently selected a developer to build public parking garages on city-owned parking lots south of Howard Avenue.
Despite the variety of other concerns expressed during the meeting, the prevailing sentiment was the project as proposed did not blend with its surrounding.
“I like this building,” said Commissioner Will Loftis. “I don’t think it fits in, unfortunately.”
The project will come back to the commission in the future for further review of design and environmental impact.
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