Four-story office project proposed in Burlingame: Planning officials to study mixed-use commercial development near downtown Caltrain station

The project is slated to house nearly 45,000 square feet of office space and 1,750 square feet of retail businesses on a nearly half-acre California Avenue site, between Howard and Burlingame avenues, according to the report.

Planning commissioners will begin the design and environmental impact review process during their meeting Monday, July 13, for the development at the site which is currently the home to Bay Area Window Pros, 213 Highland Ave., and the former Fine Consign furniture store.

Kevin Gardiner, planning manager for the city of Burlingame, noted the substantial size of the proposed development.

“It’s a large project,” he said.

The building is proposed to be built 55 feet tall, with a roof deck, sitting on top of three levels of underground parking, which will provide a total of 124 spaces, according to the report.

Per city regulations, according to the size of the proposed project, the site would need 149 parking spaces, so the developer is asking for an exception allowing fewer spaces than would be normally required.

Gardiner said the developer has expressed belief the amount of proposed parking will be sufficient to meet demand.

“They have stated they feel the parking is adequate,” he said. “But the city needs to decide it is in agreement with that rationale.”

The site is within minutes of walking distance from the downtown Burlingame Caltrain station.

According to the report, 22 of the parking spaces would be dispersed through a puzzle parking stacking mechanism, and six tandem spaces in the underground lot, to maximize efficiency and provide as many parking spaces as possible.

The puzzle stacker, a mechanical parking option that utilizes a lift to arrange cars in an independent structure, would be accessible to building tenants at street level, and 31 standard spaces would be accessible at each level of the underground lot.

Gardiner said there could be concerns about cars entering and exiting the building as well, as drivers are proposed to drive in from Highland Avenue and leave onto Hatch Avenue.

Whether Hatch Avenue is suitable to accommodate the demand of cars leaving the building will be up for consideration, he said.

Dewey Land Company was also responsible for redeveloping the building in Burlingame currently housing City National Bank, 1450 Chapin Ave., which Gardiner said has drawn admiration.

“That project was pretty well received,” he said.

The meeting Monday, July 13, will likely be the first in a series, as the sizable office project starts to work its way through the public planning process, said Gardiner.

“This is really kind of the beginning,” he said.

In other business at the meeting, commissioners will consider a proposal to redevelop 305 Primrose Road, which is currently vacant, into a Philz Coffee house.

The popular craft coffee roaster and brew house will continue its growth along the Peninsula, under approval of city officials, expanding beyond current locations in San Mateo, Redwood City, Menlo Park, Palo Alto and South San Francisco.

The development is proposed to blend with its surroundings and maintain much of the character that defines the current, older building design, said Gardiner.

Gardiner said the anticipation in Burlingame for the new coffee business is palpable.

“Everyone is all excited about that,” he said.

The Burlingame Planning Commission meets Monday, July 13, in City Hall, 480 Primrose Road. The meeting begins at 7 p.m.

austin@smdailyjournal.com

(650) 344-5200 ext. 105