F.A.R. and Near - Part 1

The annual joint City Council-Planning Commission meeting on Saturday yielded some unexpected direction on where Burlingame's Floor Area Ratio (FAR) section of the planning code should go.  I could only attend for a couple minutes and didn't hear the public comments or the staff direction so if you were there, please add your impressions.

Here are the current calculation methods from the City's web site:

The second measurement is Floor Area Ratio (F.A.R.). This calculation takes into account the total living area. Our measurements are taken from outside wall to outside wall and include garages. Please refer to the F.A.R. definition. The maximum floor area you are allowed on your lot is determined by one of the following formulas:

INTERIOR LOT WITH ATTACHED GARAGE
F.A.R. =.32 X LOT AREA +1,100 SF

INTERIOR LOT WITH DETACHED GARAGE
F.A.R. =.32 X LOT AREA +1,100 SF UP TO 400 SF IN A DETACHED GARAGE.

CORNER LOT WITH ATTACHED GARAGE
F.A.R. = .32 X LOT AREA + 900 SF

CORNER LOT WITH DETACHED GARAGE
F.A.R = .32 X LOT AREA +900 SF + UP TO 350 SF IN DETACHED GARAGE 

and here is a photo of Saturday's meeting

Comments

[David desJardins]

Did I miss something? The only actual information in this blog is that there was apparently some "unexpected" discussion of FAR limits but the author doesn't tell us anything about what was discussed? Higher limits? Lower limits? Different limits?

[John]

This was a study session which means no actions are taken. These annual meetings allow the council and the commission to discuss things directly and give the city staff some idea of what each body would like to see happen. There is no appetite for increasing the FAR at either level, the hope is that it is reduced.

I think Joe described it as unexpected because it wasn't on the agenda.

[David desJardins]

Whose hope?

[Ron Fulderon]

A little off topic: I am thinking about remodeling my kitchen. I've been down to the city hall and asked them about it and it sounds like the permit process is about $400-500. okay.

The permit will just be a "replacement in kind". Basically new lights, cabinets, sink, faucet and countertops. I did not ask them at the time what this will do to my property taxes. Does this raise the assessed value of the property?

Anybody here know how this works?

[imolaallthetime]

Is there any other council person on the peninsula that has their mom and dad attend their council meetings all the time? It's not like Ann Keighran is in a school play. I kinda feel sorry for her being under their thumb all the time. Must be some kind of pressure to live up to their great expectations.

[alittlebird]

I don't feel sorry at all for Keighran. She never really cut ther umbilical cord when she was born, has never lived anywhere else but by her parents' side and doesn't have a mind of her own. Those of you who voted for Keighran ACTUALLY voted for her mother, because she is the governing the way her daughter votes. Talk about sick.

[Holyroller]

However, on the upside..
She is the most attractive member of the council, Elder Baylock being a close second.

[Two Cents]

Oh how silly this is getting. But I will jump in.

This is not a beauty contest. If it was, Jerry Deal would win hands down.