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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 2019-04-29 @6:00MINUTES JOINT SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL AND PLANNING COMMISSION c9tIF0CITY OF SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO Meeting held: MUNICIPAL SERVICES BUILDING COUNCIL CHMAMBERS 33 ARROYO DRIVE, SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, CA MONDAY, APRIL 29, 2019 6:00 p.m. CALL TO ORDER. TIME: 6:00 p.m. ROLL CALL. PRESENT: Mayor Matsumoto, Vice Mayor Garbarino, Councilmembers Nagales and Nicolas PRESENT: Chair Murphy, Vice Chair Wong, Planning Commissioners Faria, Evans, Tzang, Shihadeh, and Bernardo ABSENT: Councilmember Addiego AGENDA REVIEW. None. PUBLIC COMMENTS. Sandra Bugler, resident of Sunshine Gardens, voiced her concern about the proposed eight -story building and traffic and parking impacts. She encouraged Council to limit housing units to a maximum of four -stories and include senior housing. She suggested a roadway extension from Arroyo Drive to Mission Road to alleviate traffic congestion. Cathy Rosaia, community resident, inquired about the three hour parking restriction in the Alta Loma neighborhood and requested clarification on the parking enforcement process. She expressed residents' frustrations with enforcement and the challenges they face. Matters for Consideration Report regarding the General Plan Update Kick -Off Meeting. (Marian Lee, Assistant City Manager) Assistant City Manager Lee thanked the Planning Commission and City Council for the opportunity to hold a joint study session to discuss the General Plan. She also expressed her appreciation to staff and members of the public for their participation. She thanked the General Plan Community Advisory Committee (CAC) members for participating and provided an overview of the 12 members' role in the General Plan process. She indicated that a General Plan is the local government's long-term blueprint for the community's vision of future growth, a roadmap for the future of South San Francisco. California requires each city to have a General Plan to guide its future land use decisions. South San Francisco's last comprehensive General Plan update occurred in 1999. The City Council initiated South San Francisco's General Plan update process by forming the CAC and selecting Raimi + Associates consultant team to guide the effort. The update process includes a comprehensive General Plan update, Zoning Code update and preparation of an Environmental Impact Report. The process will include substantial community engagement and meetings with the CAC, Planning Commission and City Council. Assistant City Manager Lee provided an overview and discussion on the following: review the major milestones and deliverables; provide an overview of the community engagement program; and discuss key issues, opportunities and measures of success for the General Plan. The project timeline includes the following key milestones: • Existing conditions report - summer 2019 • Vision + major strategies - fall 2019 • Land Use alternatives - spring 2020 • Final land use plan - summer 2020 • Policy frameworks - fall 2020 • Public Draft General Plan - winter 2020 • Public Draft EIR and Zoning Code - summer 2021 • Final General Plan, EIR and Zoning Code - fall 2021 She introduced Consultant Matt Raimi, Raimi + Associates, Consultant Lisa CostaSanders, and key Planners Tony Rozzi and Billy Gross. She encouraged the public to submit public comment cards and engage in the discussion. Mr. Raimi introduced his associates and discussed the purpose of the General Plan, the existing General Plan, activities and projects that have occurred since the last General Plan update, requirements of the General Plan, major components of the General Plan and updates to the City's Climate Action Plan and Building Code. He noted Raimi + Associates team responsibilities and partnering firms that would help throughout the General Plan process. He provided an overview of the approach to the General Plan process, noted key deliverables throughout the process, and the community engagement approach. He stated that the CAC members will advise City Council, Planning Commission, and City staff on policy and implementation ideas, working collaboratively with staff and team on community engagement. The CAC is comprised of five (5) residents; two (2) Planning Commissioners; one (1) Park and Recreation Commissioner; two (2) large Business Owners; one (1) Small Business Owner; and one (1) school board member. JOINT SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL AND PLANNING COMMISSION APRIL 29, 2019 MINUTES PAGE 2 He discussed the community engagement approach, noting community engagement activities, including social equity meetings, community workshops; pop up events, the CAC, and online engagement. He indicated that they would provide translation services are available for community meetings and outreach material would be available in English, Spanish and Chinese. Mr. Raimi discussed the timeline for the General Plan, including moving forward and key milestones for the City Council and the Planning Commission. He gave an overview of the branding materials, engagement activities, CAC meetings, and existing conditions reports that would follow. He indicated that the Key Milestones with City Council and the Planning Commission were the General Plan kick-off; vision, guiding principles, and key issues and opportunities; preferred land use and mobility alternative; policy framework for the General Plan; adoption hearings; and other study sessions and regular updates. The key questions posed to the community, Council, and the Planning Commission were: 1. What are the key issues that the City is facing now and in the future? 2. How will you define success for the General Plan? 3. What is special and unique about South San Francisco that should be preserved during the General Plan update process? 4. If you could change one thing about South San Francisco, what would it be? PUBLIC COMMENTS Mina Richardson, community resident, inquired about the process of the General Plan and expressed her concern about the lack of community input. She expressed her concern with the lack of housing in the Bay Area and suggested that Council focus on increasing affordable housing units with future developments. She referenced the City of Brisbane's General Plan, indicating that the City placed the item on the ballot for voters to approve before proceeding with their update. Tyler Birch expressed his concern with the housing crisis and noted the challenges high school graduates face when trying to obtain housing. He suggested that staffuse creative and inventive ways to include affordable housing units in future developments and consider rezoning. Mayor Matsumoto inquired about the timing of key milestones and requested that staff provide Council with a list of 2019 projects with the projected Council meeting date. Vice Mayor Garbarino stated the Council would be reviewing a variety of items and indicated that there is no need to re-evaluate current zoning and parking requirements. He indicated his support of Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU's) noting that they could help meet the housing needs of the youth and the elderly of the community. Councilmember Nagales stated his desire to address affordable childcare for incoming families with young children. He discussed the need to outreach to the diverse community, define affordability and inform residents of HUD housing guidelines. He expressed his support of ADU units and their affordability. He encouraged staff to focus on addressing "the last mile" to encourage the use of public transit. JOINT SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL AND PLANNING COMMISSION APRIL 29, 2019 MINUTES PAGE 3 Councilmember Nicolas agreed with the importance of addressing the "last mile" to alleviate traffic congestion and encourage the use of public transit. She noted the need for community engagement and suggested holding homeowner meetings in various locations such as places of worship and service organizations. Commissioner Faria discussed the importance of providing residents with opportunities to participate and provide input about the General Plan. Commissioner Bernardo requested emphasis on communication regarding land use, EIR and zoning. He requested that the communication plan include goals/objectives that are clear for both internal and external stakeholders. Commissioner Wong stated the City's current issues and challenges with housing and traffic. He suggested promoting more homeownership and community input on traffic planning. He noted the importance of ensuring proper infrastructure in the Downtown and El Camino Real areas and the importance of services to benefit the City's aging population. Chair Murphy suggested emphasis be placed on what residents of South San Francisco love and encouraged staff to keep the future and past in mind when making decisions. Commissioner Evans thanked staff for the presentation and encouraged Raimi + Associates to educate the community on the requirements the City faces. Commissioner Shihadeh thanked staff for the presentation and the opportunity to participate in the discussion. He discussed the positive changes in the community, noting the housing and affordability challenges families face. He encouraged staff to continue to reach out to the City's diverse community and build on the work done. Commissioner Tzang voiced his feelings regarding the growth and development of South San Francisco. He noted the common request from developers for parking reductions. He discussed the preservation of South San Francisco, his support for ADU's, and requested that the General Plan address ADU parking requirements. Mayor Matsumoto discussed multi -generational housing and the need to evaluate parking. She discussed the City's challenges and obligations and encouraged the community to participate and be part of the change. She discussed Council and staff's exploration of housing in industrial areas with mixed use and requested the Planning Commission identify locations for future development. Vice Mayor Garbarino stated that public transportation would not serve the needs of new developments. He requested staff to continue to outreach to the community and listen to the public's needs. Meeting Recessed: 7:26 p.m. Meeting Resumed: 7:41 p.m. JOINT SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL AND PLANNING COMMISSION APRIL 29, 2019 MINUTES PAGE 4 2. Update on Development in South San Francisco. (Alex Greenwood, Economic and Community Development Director) Economic and Community Development Director Alex Greenwood presented the report and provided an overview of 2019-20 development projects including office and research development projects, recently completed and under construction, Oyster Point Development, Genentech's Master Plan, and Lane Partners' proposals. He indicated that there were 21,400 pre-existing residential developments; 190 recently completed units; 696 under construction units; 286 approved units; and 2,450 units in the early planning stage. While the Planning Division has reviewed and approved these projects to move forward, neither the Planning Commission nor the Council have approved them. He noted the largest residential project on the PUC site, which included residential units, open space, and childcare. He discussed hotel development as a large source of jobs and TOT revenue for the City and noted the projects under construction or in the planning phase. Mayor Matsumoto inquired about modular construction. Economic and Community Development Director Greenwood stated that modular construction was a legitimate form of construction as long as the construction met legal requirements. He indicated that modular construction is developing in California and noted that Home2 Suites by Hilton is the City's first modular construction project. Economic and Community Development Director Greenwood discussed the exclusive negotiating agreement (ENRA) with Ensemble and the unexpected site conditions and issues with the hazardous landfill they have experienced. He indicated that Ensemble has requested additional time to complete an analysis, redesign of the proposed project and project feasibility. City Manager Futrell stated Ensemble could continue to work on the project outside of the ENRA if the Council did not agree with Ensemble's request for additional time. Economic and Community Development Director Greenwood encouraged the community to visit the City's website and the ECD Facebook page to track projects and keep up to date with the latest developments. Mayor Matsumoto inquired on the status of the La Quinta project (840 El Camino Real) and the hotel on Camaritas. Principal Planner Tony Rozzi stated the projects were in the process of review and staff would continue to work with the developer and provide an update to Council. Commissioner Shihadeh inquired about the difference between modular and conventional developments. Economic and Community Development Director Greenwood stated that conventional construction involves oversight by a general contractor who in turn mobilizes several trades for project work. A modular construction involves the fabrication of the product off-site with transportation and on-site assembly. Chair Murphy inquired about the difference of impact fees for commercial, research and development projects, and hotel developments. Economic and Community Development Director Greenwood stated that impact fees directly offset the impact of a development to the community and hotels pay TOT, currently 10% and set to increase to 14%. City Manager Futrell explained that residential units pay higher impact fees, including school and park fees, where hotels pay less. He JOINT SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL AND PLANNING COMMISSION APRIL 29, 2019 MINUTES PAGE 5 explained the difference between Community Benefits and Impact Fees, noting that they are not the same. Commissioner Wong stated that some communities are exploring modular construction for residential units. Economic and Community Development Director Greenwood stated that modular construction was being tested for residential developments and may be used in future projects. Councilmember Nagales discussed Impact Fees and suggested a Nexus Study to generate more Impact Fees. He noted the gap of resources available for middle-income families and suggested working with nonprofit developers to provide resources. Economic and Community Development Director Greenwood discussed qualifications for tax credits and staff's acknowledgement of the working force. Commissioner Tzang discussed his experience applying for an ADU in a neighboring city and voiced his support for ADUs, encouraging staff to consider future fees. Mayor Matsumoto thanked the Planning Commissioners for their service and recognized the difficult tasks they face. She noted the Council's reliance on their expertise and encouraged Commissioners to reach out to Councilmembers with questions and concerns. Vice Mayor Garbarino echoed Mayor Matsumoto's comments and noted the Council and the Planning Commission may not always agree on projects; however, they will continue to work together to build a better community. ADJOURNMENT Being no further business, Mayor Matsumoto adjourned the meeting at 8:32 p.m. Submitted by: kIL /i a Govea Acosta, CMC, CPMC City Clerk Approved by: /LAU— Ka sumoto Mayor Approved by the City Council: / / �- / 2 -o -J 9 JOINT SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL AND PLANNING COMMISSION APRIL 29, 2019 MINUTES PAGE 6