HomeMy WebLinkAboutReso RDA 4-2001 RESOLUTION NO. 04-2001
REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY, CITY OF SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO,
STATE OF CALIFORNIA
A RESOLUTION APPROVING AN ADDENDUM TO A
SUPPLEMENTAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT FOR THE
BAY WEST COVE PROJECT
WHEREAS, an Addendum to a Supplemental Environmental Impact Report (SEIR) has
been prepared in accord with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), the State
CEQA Guidelines and the City of South San Francisco Guidelines for the Implementation of
CEQA; and,
WHEREAS, the Addendum, attached hereto as Exhibit A and made a part hereof, has
been prepared to address the environmental effects of proposed changes to the site
plan/project description in Bay West Cove Planning Area 1; and,
WHEREAS, the Addendum references the certified Final Supplemental Environmental
Impact Report on the Bay West Cove Project; and,
WHEREAS, the Addendum explained the decision not to prepare a Subsequent EIR,
pursuant to Section 15162; and,
WHEREAS, the Addendum reviewed and analyzed impacts which were found to be
potentially significant in the SEIR. The following significant impact topics in the SEIR were
reassessed in the Addendum, in response to the proposed changes in the project description:
· Land Use and Planning, including the maximum square footage of development
allowed by the General Plan; and
· Transportation and Circulation, including trips generated in peak hours, impacts to
freeway segments, declines in Level of Service at nearby intersections, and
restrictions on parking to reduce congestion; and
· Air Quality, including construction dust, and increases in regional air pollution; and
· Earth, including soil stability, lateral spreading, and liquefaction; and
· Human Health, including exposure of construction workers to hazardous materials,
and potential water quality degradation during operations; and
· Hydrology and Water Quality, including water quality degradation during
construction; and
· Cultural Resources, including potential to damage unknown cultural sites and
artifacts; and
· Utilities, including impacts to aging wastewater collection facilities, a potential
shortfall in existing on-site wastewater collection facilities, cumulative demand for
wastewater treatment capacity; and
August 27, 2001 Morehouse Associates/Andrew Leahy, P.E.
· Public Services, including demand for police services, need for an emergency
communications signal; equipment; and
· Cumulative impacts; and
WHEREAS, the required findings, attached hereto as Exhibit B and made a part hereof,
determine that the proposed changes to the project description will not result in any impacts
which cannot be mitigated to less than significant levels; and,
WHEREAS, traffic impacts and air quality impacts would be reduced in severity by
proposed changes to the project description, but not to the extent that the impacts would not
remain significant and unavoidable and require reference to a statement of overriding
considerations, made by the City in its approval of the Bay West Cove Project, Nov. 21,
2000.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Redevelopment Agency hereby
approves the Addendum to the SEIR for the Bay West Cove Project, based upon the required
findings.
I hereby certify that the forgoing Resolution was regularly introduced and adopted by the
Redevelopment Agency of the City of South San Francisco at a regular meeting held on the
26th day of September, 2001, by the following vote:
AYES: Boardmembers Pedro Gonzalez, Karyl Matsumoto and John R. Penna,
and Vice-Chair Eugene R. Mullin
NOES: Chair Joseph A. Fernekes
ABSTAIN: None.
ABSENT: None.
August 27, 2001 Morehouse Associates/Andrew Leahy, P.E.
EXHIBIT A
ADDENDUM
To the Bay West Cove Supplemental Environmental Impact Report,
Certified by the City of South San Francisco, Nov. 21, 2000
REASON FOR PREPARATION OF AN ADDENDUM
The developers of Planning Area 1 in the Bay West Cove Project in South San Francisco have
proposed a change to the kind and amount of commercial business square footage to be built in
Planning Area 1. Some of the office space authorized in Planning Area 1 would be converted to
R&D/biotechnology space. The business space would occupy four buildings in the proposed site
plan, rather than three buildings in the original plan. Parking would be reconfigured in the revised
plan. Ancillary space, including retail/restaurant space and childcare facility, and a 350 room hotel
would not change.
The lead agency determined that an Addendum to the previously certified EIR Final Supplemental
Environmental Impact Report should be prepared to assess the impacts of the revised commercial
space on the environment.
The Addendum will be made available to decision-makers to enable them to take action on the
proposed development in Planning Area 1.
No Need for a Subsequent EIR
Some changes and additions to the Final SEIR are necessary, but none of the conditions described in
CEQA Guidelines Section 15162 calling for a subsequent EIR have occurred (15164.(a). On the basis
of substantial evidence in the record, no major changes are proposed which will require major
revisions to the previous EIR. Nor would the changed project result in a substantial increase in the
severity of previously identified significant effects. In fact, the proposed project would result in some
less significant impacts (e.g.,traffic and air quality) than the original project. No new information has
arisen that was not known or could not have been known when the previous SEIR was prepared.
Therefore, no subsequent EIR is required for the project, as revised.
PROPOSED CHANGES TO THE PROJECT DESCRIPTION
Changes in Development Program
The amount of office space currently authorized for Planning Area 1 would be reduced from 600,000
gsf to 223,354 gsf of office space, while 388,622 gsf would be added for Research and Development
(R&D) and biotechnology industries (see Table A). The overall commercial business space would be
reduced from 600,000 gsf of office space and 20,000 gsf retail/restaurant in the original plan to
611,976 gsf of mixed office and R&D space (withl0,000 gsf of retail/restaurant space in the office
building and 10,000 gsf of retail/restaurant space in R&D buildings.). The number of parking spaces
would be essentially the same for both projects - !,743 in the original plan and 1,731 in the proposed
plan.
August 27, 2001 Morehouse Associates/Andrew Leahy, P.E.
Figure 1
August 27, 2001 Morehouse Associates/Andrew Leahy, P.E.
Figure 2
August 27, 2001 Morehouse Associates/Andrew Leahy, P.E.
Table A Building Usage
Planning Area 1, Bay West Cove
Land Use (excludes Approved Project Proposed Project Gross
hotel and childcare in Gross Square Feet of Square Feet of Building
both approved and Building Area Area
proposed projects)
Office 600,000 223,354 *
R&D Industries 0 388,622 **
Retail/restaurant 20,000 ***
Total 620,000 611,976
· One, 9-story building at 223,354 gsf
· * Three four-story R&D buildings totaling 388,622 gsf
· ** It is assumed that 10,000 gsf of retail/restaurant space would be located in the office building and
10,000 gsf of retail/restaurant space would be located in R&D buildings. The actual mix and
quantity of retail and office space within the overall 20,000 gsf may vary.
IMPACTS OF THE PROPOSED PROJECT
This section discusses changes to the impacts defined in the Supplemental EIR as a result of
modifications to the project description. The significant impacts are organized in the same order as
chapters in the Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Report.
Land Use and Planning
SEIR Impact 4.2.2: Project exceeds allowed square footage. The square footage of
development in the SEIR project exceeds the maximum square footage
allowed by the General Plan.
Mitigate by allowance for floor area bonuses, consistent with the
General Plan and feasible trip reduction, and other Transportation
Demand Management measures.
Addendum Response: The square footage of development would be about 8,000 gsf less than
the original project (611,976 gsf. versus 620,000 gsf). This would result
in a slightly less significant amount of development that exceeds
standards in the General Plan.
Mitigation measures would not change.
Transportation and Circulation
SEIR Impact 6.4.2: Project exceeds 100 vehicular trips. The SEIR project would generate
more than 100 peak hour trips, which must be mitigated according to the
Congestion Management Program guidelines of the the San Mateo
City/County Association of Governments (C/CAG).
August 27, 2001 Morehouse Associates/Andrew Leahy, P.E.
Mitigate by implementing a TDM program which credits trips for
feasible alternative mode shift measures.
Addendum Response: The shift from office space to R&D space would reduce vehicular trips
for the proposed project, because R&D industries generate less AM and
PM peak hour traffic than office space. From a traffic impact standpoint,
the "worst case" scenario is represented by the approved precise plan
which has 600,000 gsf of office space and no R&D space.
The proposed project would reduce the number of AM peak hour trips by
14% and the number of PM peak hour trips by to 18%, as shown in
Tables C, because of the lower trip generation rates for R&D space than
for office space. However, if some of the 388,662 gsf of space in the 4-
story buildings is used for offices instead of R&D, the proposed project
would generate more trips.
Although the number of trips generated by the proposed project would
still remain well above 100, the fewer trips resulting from the project
would make the required TDM program more feasible.
Table B Year 2002 Trip Generation Approved Project*
Daily AM Peak Hour PM Peak Hour
Rate Trips Rate Trips Rate Trips
600,000 gsf of Office 10.24 6,144 1.45 870 1.38 828
0 gsf of R&D ....
10,000 gsf of Retail 40.67 407 0.67 7 2.93 30
10,000 gsf of Restaurant 89.95 900 3.32 34 4.78 48
Total
620,000 gsf 7,451 911 906
Table C Year 2002 Trip Generation Proposed Project*
Daily AM Peak Hour PM Peak Hour
Rate Trips Rate Trips Rate Trips
213,354 gsf of Office** 10.24 2,184 1.45 309 1.38 294
378,622 gsf of R&D** 7.54 2854 1.15 435 1.0 378
10,000 gsf of Retail 40.67 407 0.67 7 2.93 30
10,000 gsf of Restaurant 89.95 900 3.32 34 4.78 48
Total 611,976 gsf 6345 785 750
15% less than in (14% less than in (18% less than in
Table B) Table B) Table B)
*Tables B and C are adapted from the Final SEIR Response to Comments, Bay West Cove
Commercial Project, Table 9 Revised Project Trip Generation.
**Office and R&D space was reduced to incorporate 10,000 gsf retail and 10,000gsf restaurant
August 27, 2001 Morehouse Associates/Andrew Leahy, P.E.
SEIR Impact 6.4.3: Traffic added to over-capacity U.S. 101. The SEIR project would
contribute traffic to three CMP freeway segments, causing the segments
to operate at LOS F.
Mitigate through implementation of a Transportation Demand
Management Program to minimize potential increases in freeway traffic,
although the impact would remain significant and unavoidable.
Addendum Response: The conversion of office space to R&D space would reduce peak hour
trips, and therefore reduce the significance of the impact.
Mitigation measures would not change.
SEIR Impact 6.4.4: Decline in LOS at 3 intersections. The SEIR project would result in the
decline in LOS below "D" at three intersections for year 2002 baseline
plus project traffic.
Mitigate through implementation of a Transportation Demand
Management Program, and make physical improvements to intersections
where feasible, although the impact would remain significant and
unavoidable.
Addendum Response: The reduction in trips generated could reduce the significance of impacts
to the impacted intersections. Mitigation measures would not change.
SEIR Impact 6.4.5: Cumulative decline in LOS at 7 intersections. The SEIR project would
result in a decline in LOS below level "D" at seven intersections for the
year 2020 + baseline plus project traffic.
Mitigate through implementation of a Transportation Demand
Management Program, and make physical improvements to intersections
where feasible, although the impact would remain significant and
unavoidable.
Addendum Response: The reduction in trips generated could reduce the significance of impacts
to the impacted intersections. Mitigation measures would not change.
SEIR Impact 6.4.6: Parking shortfall. The proposed parking in the SEIR project is
inadequate based on zoning ordinance standards; however, this is not
significant because the General Plan encourages a reduction in parking
standards for projects that have agreed to implement trip reduction
methods.
August 27, 2001 Morehouse Associates/Andrew Leahy, P.E.
The original plan calculated the required parking based upon current city
standards. Those standards are shown along with standards in the
approved Bay West Cove Specific Plan in Table D. As shown in Table
E, the approved project for Planning Area 1 provided about 2,080 spaces
for office (1980 spaces) and retail (100 spaces) based upon the current
parking standards.
Addendum Response: Based upon the Bay West Cove Specific Plan standards, the revised
project would require about 7% fewer parking spaces than the approved
project: a reduction from 2,080 spaces to about 1,936 spaces (632 spaces
for offices, 1,204 spaces for R&D and 100 spaces for retail and
restaurants) as shown in Table F.
By way of comparison, Figure 1 Original Site Plan shows 1,743 parking
spaces in the garage and parking lots (excluding the hotel) in Planning
Area 1. Figure 2 Proposed Site Plan shows 1,731 spaces. It appears that
the proposed project would have a shortfall of about 205 spaces (1,936 -
1731), based upon the potentially revised parking standards.
Mitigate through reduced parking standards identified in Table D
consistent with General Plan policies for projects that have agreed to
implement trip reduction methods. The standards are effectively
maximum rather than minimum standards to help ensure the success of
trip reduction measures.
Table D. Recommended Parking Standards in Final SEIR and
Specific Plan Standards
Current City-wide Bay West Cove
Land Use Minimmn Parking Specific Plan
Standards Standards (SSFMC
Sec. 20.61)*
Office 3.3/1000 gsf 2.83 / 1,000 gsf
R&D 4/1,000 to 50,000 gsf; 3.1 / 1,000 gsf
plus 3/1,000 over
50,000 gsf
Retail 5/1,000 gsf 1 / 200 gsf
Restaurant 5/1,000 gsf 1 / 200 gsf
* The regulations set target parking standards that may be reduced if
warranted.
Source: adapted from table, page 51, Draft Final Supplemental Impact
Report, Response to Comments, Bay West Cove Commercial Project
August 27, 2001 Morehouse Associates/Andrew Leahy, P.E.
Table E. Parking Requirements for Approved Project
based on Current Parking Standards in Table D
Land Use and Parking Based on
Development in Current Minimum
Planning Area 1, Citywide Standards
SEIR
Office 600,000 gsf 1,980 spaces
based on 3.3/1,000
Retail 10,000 gsf 50 spaces
based on 5/1,000 gsf
Restaurant 10,000 gsf 50 spaces
based on 5/1,000 gsf
Total - 2,080 spaces
Source: adapted from table, page 51, Draft Final Supplemental Impact
Report, Response to Comments, Bay West Cove Commercial Project
Table F. Parking Requirements for Proposed Project
based on Bay West Cove Specific Plan Standards in Table D
Land Use and Parking Based on
Proposed Bay West Cove
Development in Specific Plan
Planning Area 1 Standards
Office 223,354 gsf 632 spaces
based on 2.83/1,000
R&D 388,622 gsf 1,204 spaces
based on 3.1/1,000 gsf
Retail/ 20,000 gsf 100 spaces
Restaurant based on 1/200 gsf
Total - 1,936 spaces
Source: adapted from table, page 51, Draft Final Supplemental Impact
Report, Response to Comments, Bay West Cove Commercial Project
Note: The above table ignores parking generated by the approved hotel
and day care facilities, because they remain unchanged parts of the
project.
August 27, 2001 Morehouse Associates/Andrew Leahy, P.E.
Air Quality
SEIR Impact 7.2.2: Construction dust. The SEIR project would emit construction dust that
could be a nuisance to nearby properties and people with respiratory
problems. Follow dust control measures recommended by the Bay Area
Air Quality Management District.
Addendum Response: The potential for dust emissions would be the same for the approved
project as the proposed project.
Mitigation measures would not change.
SEIR Impact 7.2.3: Increase in regional air pollution. The SEIR project would contribute to
cumulative regional air pollution emissions from motor vehicles.
Mitigate by implementing a Transportation Demand Management
program to reduce vehicular trips.
Addendum Response: The approximately 20% reduction in trip generation that would result
from a shift from office to R&D is a beneficial impact to regional air
quality. However, because other required TDM measures would not
fully mitigate the impact, the impact would remain significant and
unavoidable.
Earth
SEIR Impact 9.2.2: Potential instability of fill soil. The SEIR project could cause potential
instability of fill soil.
Mitigate in compliance with Geotechnical Safety Element policies of the
East of 101 Area Plan, including site specific investigations to design
foundations that will minimize instability and damage.
Addendum Response: The addendum project will not change the susceptibility of the site to
instability from fill soil. Mitigation measures would not change.
SEIR Impact 9.2.3 Lateral spreading potential. The SEIR project could cause lateral
spreading due to ground shaking.
Mitigate in compliance with Geotechnical Safety Element policies of the
East of 101 Area Plan, to reduce the potential for liquefaction-induced
lateral spreading.
August 27, 2001 Morehouse Associates/Andrew Leahy, P.E.
Addendum Response: The addendum project will not change the susceptibility of the site to
lateral spreading. Mitigation measures would not change.
SEIR Impact 9.2.4 Liquefaction potential. The SEIR project site could be susceptible to
liquefaction during an earthquake.
Mitigate in compliance with Geotechnical Safety Element policies of the
East of 101 Area Plan, and examine the potential for liquefaction at
individual buildings, and design foundations to mitigate for liquefaction.
Addendum Response: The addendum project will not change the susceptibility of the site to
liquefaction. Mitigation measures would not change.
Human Health
SEIRImpact 10.2.2: Exposure to hazardous materials. The SEIR project could expose
sensitive receptors, including construction workers, to hazardous
materials during excavation for utilities and building foundations.
Mitigate by preparing a Soil Management Plan prior to site grading.
Include a Health and Safety section to reduce exposure of humans to
hazardous materials through such measures as dust control,
administrative controls for cleanup workers use of respiratory equipment,
and other measures, incompliance with the Regional Water Quality
Control Board site Cleanup Order.
Addendum Response: The addendum project would be as susceptible to exposure to hazardous
materials as the approved project. Mitigation measures would not
change.
Hydrology and Water Quality
SEIR Impact 11.2.2: Water quality degradation during operations. The SEIR project would
increase the potential for water quality degradation during the
operational phase of the project. The project could increase contaminated
stormwater runoff into sensitive waters.
Mitigate by preparing a Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan
(SWPPP), in accordance with best management practices of the Regional
Water Quality Control Board, and in compliance with the City's Clean
Water Permit.
August 27, 2001 Morehouse Associates/Andrew Leahy, P.E.
Addendum Response: The potential for water quality degradation by the proposed approved
project would be the same as the approved project. Mitigation measures
would not change.
SEIR Impact 11.2.3: Water quality degradation during construction. The SEIR project would
increase the potential for water quality degradation during construction
of the project. Erosion and sedimentation would be expected to increase
as soils are excavated, stockpiled and regarded.
Mitigate by preparing an NPDES general construction permit from the
Regional Water Quality Control Board and a SWPPP for approval by the
City.
Addendum Response: The potential for water quality degradation by the proposed approved
project would be the same as the approved project. Mitigation measures
would not change.
Cultural Resources
SEIR Impact 13.2.2 Potential to unearth cultural sites. The SEIR project would have the
potential to damage unknown cultural sites and artifacts during
excavation and construction.
Mitigate by stopping work, requiring an evaluation of the find by a
cultural resource consultant, and implementation of CEQA Guidelines
Supplementary Document J. Archaeological Impacts.
Addendum Response: The potential for unearthing cultural resources would be as likely for the
approved project as for the proposed project.
Utilities
The SEIR found no significant impacts to water supply. However, the less than significant topic
14.1.4 is reevaluated in this section, in response to the new development proposed in the project
description.
SEIR Impact 14.1.4: Increased water usage due to R&D development. The approved project
would increase the use of water produced by the San Francisco Water
Department and distributed by the California water Services Co. within
the City of South San Francisco (see calculations of water demand in
Appendix A). The project would contribute to future demands that may
exceed projections by the California Water Service Company (CWSC)
August 27, 2001 Morehouse Associates/Andrew Leahy, P.E.
and the East of 101 Area Plan. However, CWSC determined that it
could meet all future demand in South San Francisco, so the impact on
water supplies was deemed less than significant.
The revised project should incorporate the water conservation measures
set forth in both General Plan and East of 101 Area Plan policies,
pursuant to California Assembly Bill 325, which requires the use of low
flow plumbing fixtures and drought-tolerant landscaping in all new
development. It was recommended that the City encourage land uses
with high process water demands to institute recycling programs.
Addendum Response: The proposed land use changes would increase total water use in
Planning Area 1 to almost 505,000 gpd, or approximately 42 percent
higher than the approximately 356,500 gpd now projected under the
development plan that was reviewed in the SEIR (see calculations of
revised water demand in Appendix A). The SEIR calculations have
been revised downward because lower, more conservative demand rates
are now being used by the City to estimate demand for biotech/R&D
uses. As a result, even though the proposed land use change would
increase water demand as compared with the previous development plan,
it would still be less than the 608,150 gpd calculated in the SEIR, so the
associated water supply impacts should be less severe than determined in
the SEIR. There would still be a water supply impact associated with the
proposed changes to the development plan, though, since future water
use is projected to be higher than under the SEIR approved development
plan.
In addition to this increase in demand, CWSC now expects that its
allocation from the San Francisco Water Department may be restricted in
the future, and Water Company officials are concerned about possible
overdraft of CWSC's supplemental source, the Peninsula groundwater
basin. As a result, the project's additional water demand would be
expected to increase the likelihood of a shortfall at some time in the
future, while contributing to worsening water shortages throughout the
Bay Area and California. CWSC has no plans to limit or otherwise
restrict water use and new connections, so the impact of the revised
project's additional demand would not be significant.
Additional mitigation measures that go beyond those set forth in the
SEIR would not be necessary.
August 27, 2001 Morehouse Associates/Andrew Leahy, P.E.
.... SEIR Impact 14.2.7: Potential failure of collection facilities. The SEIR project would increase
the risk of serious wastewater backups if the aging pumps and controls at
wastewater pumping station #4 experience an operational failure.
Mitigate by contributing the fair share cost of upgrading pump station #4
in accordance with the East of 101 Area Plan and the Capital
Improvement Program budget for FY 2004-2005.
Addendum Response: The improvements needed at Pump Station No. 4 to accommodate the
project's wastewater flows without an increased risk of operational
failure are scheduled for completion during the next fiscal year, so there
would be no impact associated with the proposed increase in wastewater
generation on the project site.
Mitigation measures would not be necessary. However, it is
recommended the City recalculate the project's proportionate share of
the cost of these improvements, based on the increased flow rates in
Appendix B.
SEIR Impact 14.2.8: Shortfall in on-site wastewater collection facilities. The SEIR project
could have a capacity shortfall in existing, on-site wastewater collection
facilities, because they were designed for a mix of land uses with
potentially lower wastewater production rates than are now proposed on
the project site.
Mitigate by preparing detailed engineering studies that provide
conservative estimates of wastewater production on the site. If these
studies indicate that the planned facilities may not have sufficient
capacity to accommodate future flows, the developers should pay to
upgrade or install new facilities as directed by the City Engineer. If the
studies indicate that a capacity shortfall is not likely, the project engineer
and City Engineer should devise a monitoring program that would alert
the City when additional capacity would be needed. This capacity would
then be designed and installed by the project developers or building
owners.
Addendum Response: The proposed biotech/R&D facilities in Area 1 would generate higher
rates of wastewater flow than the office space they replace, making it
more likely that existing, on-site collection facilities would not be able to
accommodate peak flow rates once the project is built out. However, as
shown in Appendix B, the total flow rate would be lower than the rate
calculated for the SEIR project, owing to a change in wastewater
generation rates used by the City. Since total flows would be lower, the
mitigation measure set forth in the SEIR would adequately address this
situation, so no further mitigation is needed
Mitigation measures would not change.
August 27, 2001 Morehouse Associates/Andrew Leahy, P.E.
"' SEIR Impact 14.2.9: Cumulative impacts to the wastewater system. Higher than anticipated
wastewater flows on the SEIR project and throughout the East of 101 area
could eventually result in a capacity shortfall at the WQCP, constraining
future growth and/or requiting the construction of additional treatment
capacity sooner than anticipated in the current WQCP expansion plans.
Mitigate by developing an area-wide program that encourages future
R&D, high-technology and biotechnology businesses to reduce the
volume of wastewater discharged to the collection and treatment
systems, in accordance with General Plan Policy 5.3-1-7. The program
could include incentives to implement recycling and/or pretreatment and,
where appropriate, provide assistance in planning these facilities so as to
maximize the benefit to the City's wastewater system.
Addendum Response: The revised project's estimated wastewater flow of 408,215 gpd would
utilize approximately 16 percent of the 2.5 million gallons per day (mgd)
of additional treatment capacity that will become available upon
completion of improvements at the WQCP. Other projects that are
already approved or under construction east of 101 will utilize another 23
percent of this capacity, leaving only 61 percent, or 1.525 mgd, that is
uncommitted and available to serve continued development. This rapid
rate of utilization makes it increasingly likely the City will mn out of
treatment capacity before 2015, the original design life of the current
improvement program (refer to Appendix B for flow calculations and
additional discussion).
Mitigate this projected shortfall in future treatment capacity by
vigorously implementing the recycling and pretreatment programs
recommended in the SEIR.
SEIR Impact 14.2.10: New topic not in SEIR: Potential capacity shortfalls in existing, off-site
collection facilities. The existing Gateway Blvd. pumping station #2 may
not have sufficient capacity to accommodate existing wastewater flows
plus new peak flows from the fully developed project site (refer to
Appendix B for peak flow calculations and additional discussion). In
addition, the City is concerned there may be capacity restrictions or other
structural problems within downstream collection lines, which could
eventually constrain future development in the East of 101 area.
The project developers would mitigate the potential capacity shortfall at
the pumping station by evaluating the existing components and projected
flow rates as directed by the City Engineer. If it is confu'med that
additional capacity may eventually be needed, the developers would
improve and upgrade the station as necessary, or they would pay the
project's fair share of associated improvement costs to support
construction by others at a later date.
August 27, 2001 Morehouse Associates/Andrew Leahy, P.E.
The City should develop a sewer collection model to determine where
restrictions may be located so that they can be identified, prioritized and
corrected, to ensure future orderly development throughout the East of
101 area. Benefiting property owners or development sponsors would
make a fair share contribution to the cost of the model and any needed
improvements, in accordance with a schedule established by the City's
Department of Public Works.
Public Services
SEIR Impact 15.2.2 Demand for police services. The SEIR project would create an increased
demand for police services. About one officer and one/half of the cost of
a police vehicle would be required.
Mitigate by preparing a Security and Safety Plan which would provide
for private security guards on-site beginning with the construction phase.
Contribute to half the cost of a police vehicle. The City would not
require developer funding for the additional police officer.
Addendum Response: The revised plan would create the same demand for police services as the
approved plan.
Mitigation measures would not change, unless City policies have
changed on requirements for private developers to contribute to the cost
of additional police services.
SEIR Impact 15.3.2 Blockage of emergency communications. The SEIR project creates a
demand for communications equipment for the City of South San
Francisco that can overcome a signal-blocking effect of San Bruno
Mountain. Emergency communications between police and emergency
vehicles and police and fire departments may be interrupted by the
mountain.
Mitigate by contributing a fair share contribution to the placement of
emergency radio equipment on the tallest building in the Bay West Cove
project.
Addendum Response: The original and revised site plans show a one nine-story building in the
northwest portion of Planning Area 1 that would be suitable for a roof-
top enclosure for the radio equipment, consistent with the SEIR.
Mitigation measures would not change.
SEIRImpactl8: Cumulative impacts. The SEIR project would cause cumulative traffic,
air quality and wastewater impacts.
August 27, 2001 Morehouse Associates/Andrew Leahy, P.E.
..... Mitigate the traffic and air quality impacts by implementing a TDM
program and recommendations of the "East of 101 Areawide Traffic
Study" - now renamed the East of 101 Transportation Improvements
Plan. Reduce the discharge of wastewater through programs such as
pretreatment and recycling.
Addendum Response: The cumulative impacts would not change as a result of the proposed
project. Mitigation measures would not change.
APPENDIX A: WATER SUPPLY
This appendix relates to addendum impact topic 14.1.4. dealing with potentially wasteful use of limited
water supplies. The land use changes proposed at the Bay West site are all located within the portion of
the site designated Planning Area 1. This area had previously been approved for construction of 600,000
square feet of office space, a 350 room hotel, 10,000 square feet of retail and a 10,000 square foot
restaurant. In the new proposal, 388,622 square feet of biotech space would be added and the amount of
office space would be reduced to 203,354 square feet, with the other uses remaining unchanged. These
modifications would be expected to change the project's future water use, as shown in the calculations
presented below
Except for the proposed biotech space, estimates of the project's water demand are based on the demand
rates set forth in the certified EIR. For biotech, and also for R&D, demand rates have been revised in
accordance with recent water use studies performed by Ray Honan, the City of South San Francisco's
Environmental Compliance Coordinator. In these studies, Mr. Honan documented water use at one of the
R&D buildings and at one of the manufacturing buildings on the Genentech campus. The records showed
the R&D building used an average of 250 gallons per day (gpd) per 1000 square feet (s.f.), while the
manufacturing building used almost 1300 gpd/1000 s.f. Converting these values to the units used in the
SEIR yields a demand rate that ranges from approximately 11,000 to more than 56,000 gpd per net acre,
versus the 25,000 gpd per net acre figure applied to all biotech buildings in the SEIR.
Pharmaceutical manufacturing is not a permitted use at the project site, but prototype development is, so
some future tenants could use significantly more water than the typical R&D facility. To account for this
possibility and to provide a reasonably conservative estimate of future water use, it will be assumed that
approximately 80 percent of the biotech uses will be strictly R&D and the remainder will be "prototype"
development. This yields an average water demand rate of 450 gpd/1000 s.f., which is used to estimate the
proposed project's water use and to recalculate the water use presented in the SEIR.
It is noted that the demand rate per hotel room has also been revised upward by approximately 20 percent, in
accordance with design guidelines approved by Mr. Honan.
August 27, 2001 Morehouse Associates/Andrew Leahy, P.E.
Appendix A (Continued)
Water Demand - Previously Certified SEIR
Planning Area 1
1. Offices: 600,000 s.f. @ 300 s.f./employee = 2000 employees
2000 employees @ 20 gpd/employee = 40,000 gpd
2. Restaurant: 10,000 s.f. @ 1250 gpd/1000 s.f. = 12,500 gpd
3. Retail: 10,000 s.f. @ 115 gpd/1000 s.f. = 1150 gpd
4. Hotel: 350 rooms @ 185 gpd/room (revised rate) = 64,750 gpd
5. Landscaping: 20% of the 20 acre site
4 acres @ 2 acre feet/acre/year, over a 5 month irrigation season = 17,035 gpd
Planning Area 1 Subtotal = 135,435 gpd
Planning Areas 2&3
1. Offices: 168,585 s.f. @ 300 s.f./employee = 562 employees
562 employees @ 20 gpd/employee = 11,240 gpd
2. Restaurant: 5000 s.f. @ 1250 gpd/1000 s.f. = 6250 gpd
3. Retail: 5000 s.f. @ 115 gpd/1000 s.f. = 575 gpd
4. Childcare: 100 children + 10 staff (estimate)
110 persons @ 25 gpd/person = 2750 gpd
5. Biotech/R&D: 403,415 s.f. @ 450 gpd/1000 s.f. (revised rate) = 181,535 gpd
6. Landscaping: 20% of the 22.2 acre site
4.4 acres @ 2 acre feet/acre/year, over a 5 month irrigation season = 18,740 gpd
Planning Areas 2&3 Subtotal = 221,090 gpd
Bay West Total = 356,525 gpd
August 27, 2001 Morehouse Associates/Andrew Leahy, P.E.
Appendix A (Continued)
Water Demand - Proposed Revised Project
Planning Area 1
1. Offices: 203,354 s.f. @ 300 s.f./employee = 678 employees
678 employees @ 20 gpd/employee = 13,560 gpd
2. Restaurant: 10,000 s.f. @ 1250 gpd/1000 s.f. = 12,500 gpd
3. Retail: 10,000 s.f. @ 115 gpd/1000 s.f. = 1150 gpd
4. Hotel: 350 rooms @ 185 gpd/room (revised rate) = 64,750 gpd
5. Biotech/R&D: 388,662 s.f. @ 450 gpd/1000 s.f. (revised rate) = 174,900 gpd
6. Landscaping: 20% of the 20 acre site
4 acres @ 2 acre feet/acre/year, over a 5 month irrigation season = 17,035 gpd
Planning Area 1 Subtotal = 283,895 gpd
Increase = 210 %
Planning Areas 2&3 - no change from previously approved project
Planning Areas 2&3 Subtotal = 221,090 gpd
Bay West Total = 504,985 gpd
Increase = 142 %
August 27, 2001 Morehouse Associates/Andrew Leahy, P.E.
APPENDIX B: WASTEWATER
The land use changes proposed at the Bay West site are as described in Appendix A: Water Supply. The
calculations below illustrate the effect of these changes on the project's estimated wastewater generation.
The wastewater generation rate for biotech and R&D uses has been revised in accordance with the
findings of a recent water use study by the City of South San Francisco. As described in Appendix A, the
study found that water use ranged from 250 gpd/1000 s.f. for R&D to 1300 gpd/1000 s.f. for
pharmaceutical manufacturing. For the purposes of this analysis, it is assumed that 80 percent of the
biotech space will be used for R&D and 20 percent for prototype development, a permitted use that could
potentially have a water demand that approaches the manufacturing rate. This yields a composite water
demand of 450 gpd/1000 s.f. Wastewater generation rates will be estimated at 90 percent of water
demand, or approximately 400 gpd/1000 s.f. This value will be used to calculate wastewater flows for the
proposed project, to recalculate wastewater flows presented in the SEIR for the previously approved plan,
and also to estimate cumulative wastewater flows by approved projects throughout the East of 101 area.
As noted in Appendix A, the projected biotech/R&D wastewater generation rate may be somewhat
conservative, resulting in flow rates that are higher than actually occur on a developed site. However, this
value provides a reasonable factor of safety that should adequately allow for future businesses that use
more water and generate higher wastewater flows that the typical biotech or R&D operation.
As with water demand, the estimated wastewater generation rate per hotel room has also been revised
upward by 30 gpd per room, an increase of almost 25 percent.
Wastewater Generation - Previously Certified SEIR
Planning Area 1
Flow rate computations are based on the following, generally accepted rates of wastewater production:
1. Offices: 600,000 s.f. @ 300 s.f./employee = 2000 employees
2000 employees @ 15 gpd/employee = 30,000 gpd
2. Restaurant: 10,000 s.f. @ 1000 gpd/1000 s.f. = 10,000 gpd
3. Retail: 10,000 s.f. @ 90 gpd/1000 s.f. = 900 gpd
4. Hotel: 350 rooms @ 155 gpd/room (revised rate) = 54,250 gpd
Planning Area 1 Subtotal = 95,150 gpd
Planning Areas 2&3
1. Offices: 168,585 s.f. @ 300 s.f./employee = 562 employees
562 employees @ 15 gpd/employee = 8430 gpd
2. Restaurant: 5000 s.f. @ 1000 gpd/1000 s.f. = 5000 gpd
3. Retail: 5000 s.f. @ 90 gpd/1000 s.f. = 450 gpd
4. Childcare: 100 children + 10 staff (estimate)
110 persons @ 20 gpd/person = 2200 gpd
5. Biotech/R&D: 403,415 s.f. @ 400 gpd/1000 s.f. (revised rate) = 161,365 gpd
Planning Areas 2&3 Subtotal = 177,445 gpd
Bay West Total = 272,595 gpd
August 27, 2001 Morehouse Associates/Andrew Leahy, P.E.
Wastewater Generation Rate - Proposed Revised Project
Planning Area 1
1. Offices: 203,354 s.f. @ 300 s.f./employee = 678 employees
678 employees @ 15 gpd/employee = 10,170 gpd
2. Restaurant: 10,000 s.f. @ 1000 gpd/1000 s.f. = 10,000 gpd
3. Retail: 10,000 s.f. @ 90 gpd/1000 s.f. = 900 gpd
4. Hotel: 350 rooms @ 155 gpd/room = 54,250 gpd
5. Biotech/R&D: 388,622 s.f. @ 400 gpd/1000 s.f. (revised rate) = 155,450 gpd
Planning Area 1 Subtotal = 230,770 gpd
Increase = 242 %
Planning Areas 2&3 - no change from previously approved condition
Planning Areas 2&3 Subtotal = 177,445 gpd
Bay West Total = 408,215 gpd
Increase = 150 %
As discussed under the Addendum Response, total wastewater flow, under both the previously approved
and the proposed development scenarios, would be lower than calculated in the SEIR, because the
wastewater generation rate now being used for biotech/R&D land uses has been revised downward (this
change was only partially offset by the increased generation rate used for each hotel room). However, the
comparison being made for this analysis shows that under these new generation rates, the proposed land
use changes in Planning Area 1 would be expected to result in higher wastewater flows than under the
previously approved SEIR land use plan..
Supplementary information for Topic 14.2.9, Cumulative Impacts to the Wastewater Treatment
Plant
Upon completion of the upgrade and improvement program currently under way at the City's Water
Quality Control Plant (WQCP), approximately 2.5 million gallons per day (gpd) of dry weather treatment
capacity will become available to serve new development within the City. The revised project's
estimated average flow of 408,215 gpd would represent about 16 percent of this total allotment. This,
however, should be added to the office, Biotech/R&D, hotel and residential projects already approved or
under construction east of 101. These projects, which do not include additional projects in the application
or design stage, would have an estimated average daily flow of 598,335 gpd.
1. Offices: 2,048,510 s.f. @ 300 s.f./employee = 6828 employees
6828 employees @ 15 gpd/employee = 102,420 gpd
2. R&D: 754,220 s.f. @ 400 gpd/1000 s.f. (revised rate) = 301,690 gpd
3. Hotels: 670 rooms @ 155 gpd/room (revised rate) = 103,850 gpd
.........4. Single Family Residential: 197 homes @ 225 gpd/home = 44,325 gpd
5. Multi-Family Residential: 307 homes @ 150 gpd/home = 46,050 gpd
Other Projects Total = 598,335 gpd
August 27, 2001 Morehouse Associates/Andrew Leahy, P.E.
When combined with the proposed revision at Bay West Cove, the total flow would be 1,006,550 gpd, or
40 percent of the City' s share of increased capacity at the WQCP. This makes it more likely that the City
will run out of treatment capacity before 2015, as envisioned when the plant improvements were
designed. In order to reduce the use of available capacity at the WQCP and extend the life of the current
improvement program, the recycling and pretreatment programs set forth in the mitigation measure in the
project's approved EIR should be vigorously pursued on the project site and throughout the East of 101
area.
Supplementary Information for Topic 14.2.10. Potential Capacity Shortfalls in Existing Off-Site
Collection Facilities
As noted in the EIR, wastewater from the Bay West Cove site would be pumped to the City's existing
gravity sewer that drains to Pump Station No. 2 on Gateway Blvd., just south of Oyster Point Blvd. It
was estimated in the SEIR that this station had a current average flow rate of 192,000 gpd, which equals
133 gpm. Applying a peaking factor of 3.5 (to approximate the flow that a station's pumps must actually
carry), yields a current peak flow of 467 gpm, or 533 gpm less than the station's 1000 gpm reliable
capacity.
If the revised project's average flow rate of 408,215 gpd (283 gpm) is also increased by a peaking factor
of 3.5, its peak flow would be 990 gpm, or 457 gpm more than the available reliable capacity. So long as
both 1000 gpm pumps are in service, the station would be able to accommodate this additional flow, but
if one pump is out of service (as assumed in making "reliable" capacity determinations), the existing
pumping capacity would be exceeded.
The project sponsors should evaluate Pump Station No. 2, as directed by the City Engineer, to determine
what improvements would be needed to increase its capacity to a level that could reliably accommodate
peak flow rates from the fully developed project site, as well as from other contributing properties in the
vicinity. Because there is a high degree of uncertainty associated with projections of wastewater flow
from Biotech/R&D sites (as discussed above), it is possible this capacity upgrade would never be needed.
As a result, rather than making the upgrade at this time, when the station still has a significant amount of
excess capacity, it is recommended the City and the project sponsors enter into a development agreement
that would provide the project's proportionate share of the cost of the upgrade at such time that it is
warranted in the future. The project's share could be calculated at that time, based on documented water
use records.
August 27, 2001 Morehouse Associates/Andrew Leahy, P.E.
EXHIBIT B
FINDINGS OF FACT
ADDENDUM
To The Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Report
Bay West Cove Commercial Project
Certified Nov. 21, 2000
Pursuant to Section 15091 of the State CEQA Guidelines
August 27, 2001 Momhouse Associates/Andrew Leahy, P.E.
T i r ~ T I
INTRODUCTION AND PURPOSE
Addendum
An Addendum to a certified Supplemental Environmental Impact Report (SEIR) has been prepared to
assess the environmental impacts of a proposed change in the project description for Planning Area 1 of
the Bay West Cove Commercial Project, located on the north of side of Oyster Point Boulevard in the
East of 101 Area of South San Francisco.
Project Description
The proposed change to the type and amount of commercial business would entail a reduction in the
amount of office space from 600,000 gross square feet to 203,354 gsf, with the addition of 388,662 gsf of
research and development/biotechnology space. The amount of ancillary space in the original plan,
including retail/restaurant space and childcare facility, and a hotel would not change. The business space
would occupy four buildings in the proposed site plan, rather than three buildings in the original plan.
Parking would be reconfigured in the revised plan.
Summary of Impacts
The proposed change would result in a fewer number of employees than the approved plan. This would
result in 14% to 18% fewer peak hour vehicular trips by employees and a corresponding reduction in
traffic congestion and regional air pollution emissions. Other impacts of the proposed project would be
essentially the same as the impacts defined in the Supplemental FEIR. The proposed changes to the
project description would not result in any impacts of greater significance than the impacts identified in
the Final SEIR, with the exception of demand for water and wastewater treatment capacity.
All of the significant impacts identified in the FEIR were revisited in the Addendum, in light of the
modified project description. The Addendum compares the impacts and mitigation measures defined in
the SEIR with the impacts and mitigation measures of the proposed project. That comparison provides the
basis for the identification of changed impacts, for which new findings are required. The Addendum also
identifies minor additions to mitigation measures which the lead agency may wish to add as conditions of
approval of the revised project.
Findings
No public agency shall approve a project for which an EIR has been completed which identifies any
significant environmental effects unless the agency makes one or more written t~mdings for each of those
significant effects accompanied by a brief explanation of the rationale for each findings [CEQA Guideline
15091.(a)]. In response to CEQA, an addendum to an EIR has been prepared to enable the lead agency
decision-makers to take action on the proposed revised project.
August 27, 2001 Morehouse Associates/Andrew Leahy, P.E.
Applicability of Previous Findings
Upon certification of the Final SEIR on Nov. 21, 2000, the lead agency approved findings of fact on the
Bay West Cove Project. The findings remain applicable for all mitigation measures identified in the
Addendum for the changed project, with the exception of impacts to water supply and wastewater
treatment capacity. Therefore, no findings are required for the unchanged mitigation measures, while
findings are necessary to confirm the adequacy of mitigation measures for water and wastewater impact.
Finding on Impact 14.1.4 Increased Water Usage due to R&D Development
Demand for water to serve the revised plan in Planning Area 1 would increase by 43% over the water
needed to serve the approved plan. However, as explained in the Addendum, the City has sufficient water
capacity to meet project needs. While the proposed project increased the significance of the impact, the
mitigation measures defined for the SEIR project remain applicable.
The City finds that mitigation measure 14.1.4 is feasible and required by the General Plan, and will
reduce the impact to a less than significant level. Conservation measures should be implemented that are
set forth in the General Plan and East of 101 Area Plan policies, pursuant to California Assembly Bill
325, which requires the use of low flow plumbing fixtures and drought-tolerant landscaping in all new
development The City should also encourage R&D/biotechnology industries that have high process water
demands to institute recycling programs.
Finding on Impact 14.2.7 Potential Failure of Collection Facilities
The revised project would increase the risk of serious wastewater backups if the aging pumps and controls
at wastewater pumping station #4 experiences an operational failure. The project should contribute its fair
share cost of upgrading pump station #4 in accordance with the East of 101 Area Plan and the Capital
Improvements Program budget for FY 2004-2005, based upon projected flow rates in Appendix B. Pump
station #4 is to be improved during the next fiscal year, so there would be no impact associated with the
proposed increase in wastewater generated by the revised project.
The City finds that the mitigation measure 14.2.7 is feasible and required and, through the City's Public
Works Department, would reduce the impact to a less than significant level.
Finding on Impact 14.2.8 Shortfall in On-site Wastewater Collection Facilities.
The revised project would generate higher amounts of wastewater than the approved project, making it
more likely that existing, on-site collection facilities would not be able to accommodate peak flows once
the project is built out. However, as shown in Appendix B, the total flow rate would be lower than the
rate calculated for the SEIR project, owing to a change in wastewater generation rates used by the City.
Since total flows would be lower, the mitigation measure set forth in the SEIR would adequately address
this situation, so no further mitigation is needed.
The City finds that no mitigation measures are necessary, although measures identified in the SEIR
should be implemented, including preparation of detailed engineering studies that provide conservative
estimates of wastewater production. If these studies indicate that the planned facilities may not have
August 27, 2001 Morehouse Associates/Andrew Leahy, P.E.
sufficient capacity to accommodate future flows, the developers should pay to upgrade or install new
facilities as directed by the City Engineer. If the studies indicate that a capacity shortfall is not likely, the
project engineer and City Engineer should devise a monitoring program that would alert the City when
additional capacity would be needed. This capacity would then be designed and installed by the project
developers or building owners. If implemented, this measure would reduce the impact to a less than
significant level.
Finding on Impact 14.2.9 Cumulative Impacts to the Wastewater System
The revised project would utilize approximately 16% of the 2.5 million gallons per day (MGD) of
additional treatment capacity that will become available upon completion of improvements at the WQCP.
In combination with other projects, the Bay West Cove revised project will make it likely that the City
will run out of treatment capacity before 2015, the original design life of the current improvement
program. See Supplementary Information for Topic 14.2.9 in Addendum Appendix B for projections of
cumulative wastewater treatment capacity. The City should develop an area-wide program that
encourages future R&D, high-technology and biotechnology businesses to reduce the volume of
wastewater discharged to the collection and treatment systems, in accordance with General Plan Policy
5.3-1-7. The program could include incentives to implement recycling and/or pretreatment.
The City finds that the mitigation measure is feasible and required, and recycling and pretreatment
programs recommended in the SEIR should be implemented. The implementation of the measure would
reduce the impact to a less than significant level.
Finding on Impact 14.2.10 Potential Capacity Shortfalls in Existing, Off-site Collection Facilities.
The existing Gateway Blvd. pumping station //2 may not have sufficient capacity to accommodate
existing wastewater flows plus new peak flows from the fully developed project site (refer to Appendix B
for peak flow calculations and additional discussion). The project sponsor would evaluate the station nd
projected flow rates as directed by the City Engineer. If it is confirmed that additional capacity may
eventually be needed, the developers would improve and upgrade the station as necessary, or they would
pay the project's fair share of associated improvement costs to support construction by others at a later
date.
The City finds that the mitigation measure is feasible and required, and would reduce the impact to a less
than significant level.
End
Exhibit B
Findings of Fact
BayWestAddendum2
August 27, 2001 Morehouse Associates/Andrew Leahy, P.E.