Planning Commission Meeting on Monday

Monday's Planning Commission agenda includes the old Chevron site at Burlingame Avenue/El Camino: Drug-store plans discussed (by Heather Murtagh, Daily Journal) Plans for a new 24-hour drug store could be coming to the corner of El Camino Real and Burlingame Avenue would open up space for the proposed Safeway but first need to make it through the Planning Commission. Moving Walgreens to 260 El Camino Real is a proposal before the Planning Commission Monday, which will hold a design review study. A closed Chevron station is currently at the site. Plans include demolishing the station to build a new 12,403-square-foot commercial building with 10,168-square-feet of retail space on the ground level and 2,235-square-feet of second story storage space. Two entryways at the corner of El Camino Real and Burlingame and one at the south side of the building are also planned. Aesthetics is normally a top concern for Burlingame which is currently considering a master plan for the area. Walgreens will serve as an gateway for the westbound entrance to Burlingame Avenue. Moving the store, which is located next to Safeway, will open up space previously slated for a new Walgreens. Conceptual plans for a Safeway were unveiled to the commission and City Council earlier this week to some mixed reviews. Since a Safeway plan is not submitted, items like parking and rear building access are considered as the site currently is, said Planning Manager Maureen Brooks. The Walgreens move does open up options for Safeway, which is already incorporating the extra area into the conceptual plans. A new parking lot entrance on El Camino Real or Primrose Road could be gained as a result of the Walgreens proposal. It can be difficult to get such access since El Camino Real is a state highway, which means the city cannot give the OK. The Chevron site already has the lowered sidewalk entrance, which the building owner plans to keep if possible potentially opening access to the under-utilized parking lot behind Chevron at the moment. These parking options could change as the Safeway plans become clear, said Brooks. The forward movement in the downtown gateway area shines light on another large project. Community ideas were gathered in a number of settings since 2006 including a charrette and forums to gather ideas for creating a more cohesive downtown. A major part of this idea always comes back to Safeway. The large site has potential to draw crowds onto Howard Avenue, an area that lacks the foot traffic of its parallel neighbor Burlingame Avenue. Having two entrances was specifically designed to allow access for foot traffic from Howard and Burlingame avenues. Opening a 24-hour store will require a conditional use permit. Additional article in Times.

- Written by Fiona

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Update on the meeting -

More studies needed for proposed Walgreens (Daily Journal)

Plans for a new 24-hour drug store proposed for the corner of El Camino Real and Burlingame Avenue will require more review and different windows.

On Monday, the Burlingame Planning Commission requested the applicant expand its traffic and environmental study of the plan, as well as revisit windows to allow pedestrians to see into the store. Currently, the windows proposed would serve as display cases. The updated traffic and environmental studies would look at the impacts of the upcoming Safeway development on Walgreens.

The proposal calls for moving Walgreens to 260 El Camino Real where a closed Chevron station currently sits. Plans include demolishing the station to build a new 12,403-square-foot commercial building with 10,168-square-feet of retail space on the ground level and 2,235-square-feet of second story storage space. Two entryways at the corner of El Camino Real and Burlingame and one at the south side of the building are also planned.

The proposal could come back for further study or as an action item depending on the depth of changes required from the further study.

At the same meeting, the commission approved a conditional use permit for the expansion of a gas service station and convenience store at 1480 Broadway. The proposal includes an existing 1,234-square-foot building and converting the existing service bay to a convenience store. The store would be 287 square feet to approximately 1,047 square feet. A storage area and bathroom will be included.

I had heard that Perry's, a San Francisco restaurant chain was moving to Howard Avenue. Do you have any information on that? And do you know if Bev Mo is moving to Burlingame Avenue? And if so, where will it be going? What other new stores/restaurants will be coming to town? And speaking of resaurants - when will the new Burger Joint open and what has been the hold up? Inquiring minds want to know.