HomeMy WebLinkAboutOrd. 1553-2018 (18-251)City of South San Francisco P.O. Box 711 (City Hall,
400 Grand Avenue)
South San Francisco, CA
City Council
Ordinance: ORD 1553 -2018
File Number: 18 -251 Enactment Number: ORD 1553 -2018
ORDINANCE AMENDING THE SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO ZONING
ORDINANCE, RELATED TO THE DOWNTOWN STATION AREA
SPECIFIC PLAN DISTRICT, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SOUTH SAN
FRANCISCO MUNICIPAL CODE CHAPTER 20.550
( "AMENDMENTS TO ZONING ORDINANCE AND MAP ")
WHEREAS, in July of 2010, the City Council for the City of South San Francisco ( "City ") adopted a
comprehensive update to the City's zoning ordinance, which repealed the then - existing Title 20 of the
South San Francisco Municipal Code, and replaced it with an entirely new Title 20 that, among other
actions, established new zoning districts, revised and reformatted many then - existing zoning provisions,
eliminated inconsistent and outdated provisions, and codified entirely new zoning provisions, including
new land use regulations and development standards ( "Zoning Ordinance "); and
WHEREAS, in January of 2015, the City adopted the Downtown Station Area Specific Plan ( "DSASP ")
and companion land use and development regulations in Chapter 20.280 of the Zoning Ordinance, which
details the purpose, land use and development standards for the DSASP; and
WHEREAS, the proposed revisions to the Zoning Ordinance are intended to provide incentives for
high- density residential development adjacent to transit with the provision of public benefits and
encourage family - friendly housing; and
WHEREAS, the City has prepared a Zoning Amendment ( "Amendment ") to the City's Zoning
Ordinance, including refinements to Chapter 20.280 of the Zoning Ordinance; and
WHEREAS, the Zoning Ordinance was adopted after preparation, circulation, consideration, and
adoption of an Initial Study /Mitigated Negative Declaration ( "IS /MND ") in accordance with the
California Environmental Quality Act, Public Resources Code Sections 21000, et seq. ( "CEQA "), in
which the IS /MND analyzed the environmental impacts of adopting the Zoning Ordinance and
concluded that adoption of the Zoning Ordinance could not have a significant effect on the environment
because none of the impacts required to be analyzed under CEQA would exceed established thresholds
of significance; and
WHEREAS, the City and consultant P1aceWorks Inc. prepared a 2018 Addendum to the 2015 DSASP
Environmental Impact Report (" EIR "), which is the appropriate environmental clearance for the
proposed revisions to the Zoning Ordinance, since the proposed revision is within the scope of the
certified EIR; and
City of South San Francisco Page 1
File Number: 18 -251
Enactment Number: ORD 1553 -2018
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission reviewed and carefully considered the information in the 2018
Addendum, at a duly noticed public hearing held on February 1, 2018, made the findings and
recommended approval of the Addendum, since the changes do not alter any of the previous EIR
assumptions and no new significant impacts are identified; and as an objective and accurate document
that reflects the independent judgement of the City in the identification, discussion and mitigation of the
Project's environmental impacts; and
WHEREAS, the refinements, clarifications, and/or corrections set forth in this Amendment, as they
relate to the Downtown Station Area Specific Plan District in Chapter 20.280 are minor in nature, the
adoption of which would not result in any new significant environmental effects or a substantial increase
in the severity of any previously identified effects beyond those disclosed and analyzed in the IS /MND
prepared for the Zoning Ordinance, the 2015 DSASP EIR, or the 2018 Addendum prepared for the
Project, nor do the refinements, clarifications, and/or corrections constitute a change in the project or
change in circumstances that would require additional environmental review; and
WHEREAS, on February 1, 2018, the Planning Commission for the City of South San Francisco held a
properly noticed public hearing to solicit public comment and consider the proposed Amendment, take
public testimony, and make a recommendation to the City Council on the project; and
WHEREAS, on February 28, 2018, the City Council for the City of South San Francisco held a properly
noticed public hearing to solicit public comment, take public testimony, consider the proposed
Amendment, and take action on the proposed Amendment.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED that based on the entirety of the record before it, as described
below, the City Council of the City of South San Francisco does hereby ORDAIN as follows:
SECTION I. FINDINGS.
Based on the entirety of the record as described above, the City Council for the City of South
San Francisco hereby makes the following findings:
A. General Findings.
The foregoing recitals are true and correct and made a part of this Ordinance.
The record for these proceedings, and upon which this Ordinance is based, includes without limitation,
Federal and State law; the California Environmental Quality Act, Public Resources Code §21000, et seq.
( "CEQA ") and the CEQA Guidelines, 14 California Code of Regulations § 15000, et seq.; the
City of South San Francisco Page 2
File Number., 18 -251
Enactment Number: ORD 1553 -2018
th San Francisco General Plan and General Plan EIR, including all amendments and updates thereto; the
South San Francisco Municipal Code; all reports, minutes, and public testimony submitted as part of the
Planning Commission's duly noticed February 1, 2018 meeting; all reports, minutes, and public
testimony submitted as part of the City Council's duly noticed February 28, 2018 meeting; and any other
evidence (within the meaning of Public Resources Code §21080(e) and §21082.2).
The refinements, clarifications, and/or corrections set forth in this Amendment, as they relate to the
Downtown Station Area Specific Plan District in Chapter 20.280 are minor in nature, the adoption of
which would not result in any new significant environmental effects or a substantial increase in the
severity of any previously identified effects beyond those disclosed and analyzed in the IS /MND
prepared for the Zoning Ordinance, the 2015 DSASP EIR, or the 2018 Addendum prepared for the
Project, nor do the refinements, clarifications, and/or corrections constitute a change in the project or
change in circumstances that would require additional environmental review; and
The documents and other material constituting the record for these proceedings are located at the
Planning Division for the City of South San Francisco, 315 Maple Avenue, South San Francisco, CA
94080, and in the custody of Chief Planner, Sailesh Mehra.
B. Zoninp- Amendment Findings
The proposed Zoning Text Amendment is consistent with the adopted General Plan because the Zoning
Text Amendment will reinforce the General Plan policies promoting high- density residential
development adjacent to transit. With minor revisions as a General Plan Amendment, the Zoning Text
Amendment will be consistent with the General Plan. None of the revisions to the Zoning Ordinance will
conflict with or impede achievement of any of the goals, policies, or land use designations established in
the General Plan.
Fhe Zoning Text Amendment applies to property that is entirely suitable in terms of access, size of parcel,
relationship to similar or related uses, and other considerations as deemed relevant by the Planning
Commission and City Council because the proposed revisions will further promote high- density
development in close proximity to transit with the provision of community benefits.
The proposed Zoning Text Amendment does not change any zoning districts as already identified in the
Zoning Ordinance and therefore will not be detrimental to the use of land in any adjacent zone.
SECTION II. AMENDMENTS.
The City Council hereby makes the findings contained in this Ordinance and amends the sections
attached as Exhibit A with additions in double - underline and deletions in stf:ikethfeugh. Sections and
subsections that are not amended by this Ordinance in Exhibit A shall remain in full force and effect.
City of South San Francisco Page 3
File Number: 18 -251 Enactment Number. ORD 1553 -2018
SECTION III. SEVERABILITY.
If any provision of this Ordinance or the application thereof to any person or circumstance is held
invalid or unconstitutional, the remainder of this Ordinance, including the application of such part or
provision to other persons or circumstances shall not be affected thereby and shall continue in full force
and effect. To this end, provisions of this Ordinance are severable. The City Council of the City of South
San Francisco hereby declares that it would have passed each section, subsection, subdivision,
paragraph, sentence, clause, or phrase hereof irrespective of the fact that any one or more sections,
subsections, subdivisions, paragraphs, sentences, clauses, or phrases be held unconstitutional, invalid, or
unenforceable.
SECTION IV. PUBLICATION AND EFFECTIVE DATE.
Pursuant to the provisions of Government Code Section 36933, a summary of this Ordinance shall
be prepared by the City Attorney. At least five (5) days prior to the Council meeting at which this
Ordinance is scheduled to be adopted, the City Clerk shall (1) publish the Summary, and (2) post in the
City Clerk's Office a certified copy of this Ordinance. Within fifteen (15) days after the adoption of this
Ordinance, the City Clerk shall (1) publish the summary, and (2) post in the City Clerk's Office a
certified copy of the full text of this Ordinance along with the names of those City Council members
voting for and against this Ordinance or otherwise voting. This Ordinance shall become effective thirty
(30) days from and after its adoption.
Introduced at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of South San Francisco, held the 28th day
of February, 2018.
At a meeting of the City Council on 3/28/2018, a motion was made by Mark Addiego, seconded by Pradeep
Gupta, that this Ordinance be adopted. The motion passed.
Yes: 3 Councilmember Garbarino, Councilmember Gupta, and Councilmember Addiego
No: 2 Mayor Normandy, and Mayor Pro Tem Matsumoto
�1
Attest by
sta M inelli
Liza Normandy, Mayor
City of South San Francisco Page 4
Exhibit A
Draft Zoning Ordinance to Modify Chapter 20.280: Downtown Station Area Specific Plan District
A. Revise Section 20.280.004, Development Standards, to revise the Maximum Density with
Incentives in the Downtown Transit Core sub - district.
20.280.004 Development Standards
Tables 20.280.004 -1 through 3 prescribe the development standards for the Downtown Station Area sub -
districts. Additional regulations are denoted in the right -hand column. Section numbers in this column
refer to other sections of this title, while individual letters refer to subsections that follow the tables, under
Section 20.280.005 "Additional Development Standards."
Table 20.280.004 -1
Lot, Density, and FAR Standards - Downtown Station Area Specific Plan Sub - Districts
Standard
DTC
GAC
DRC
TO /RD
LCC
LNC
Additional
Standards
Minimum Lot Size
(sq. ft.)
5,000
5,000
5,000
10,000
5,000
5,000
Minimum Lot Width
(sq. ft.)
50
50
50
50
50
50
Minimum Lot Depth
(sq. ft.)
n/a
n/a
80
n/a
80
n/a
Minimum FAR
2.0
1.5
n/a
1.5
n/a
2.0
Maximum FAR
6.0
3.0
3.0
2.5
n/a
3.0
Exclusive of
structure parking
Maximum FAR with
8.0
4.0
3.25
3.5
n/a
n/a
Exclusive of,
Incentive Program
g
(1)
structured parking
Residential Density (units per acre, included within FAR above)
Minimum Density
80
14
40
n/a
20.1
40
Maximum Density
100
60
80
n/a
40
60
Maximum Density
with Incentive
Program. Does not
42-9
100
include density
180
80 (A) /
(A) /
n/a
n/a
80 (A)
bonuses allowed per
(A)
100 (2)(A)
125
Chapter 20.390,
(1)(A)
Bonus Residential
Density
uinnauons.
1. For qualifying affordable Senior Housing Projects
2. For developments on corner parcels or lots greater than one acre
Table 20.280.004 -2
Building Form and Location Standards — Downtown Station Area Specific Plan Sub - Districts
Additional
Standard
DTC
GAC
DRC
TO /RD
LCC
LNC
Standards
Height (ft)
85
45 -65
65
FAA
50
85
See Section
Maximum
(1)(2)
allowed
20.300.006
Building
Heights and
Height
Height
Exceptions
Minimum
Ground Floor
See above
Height for
15; 12 min
15; 12
15-,12 min
15; 12 min
15; 12 min
15-112 min
and Section
non-
clearance
min
clearance
clearance
clearance
clearance
20.280.005(B)
residential
clearance
(1)
uses
Maximum
5
n/a
5
n/a
5
5
See above
Finished
Floor Height
(residential)
Yards (ft)
Grand
n/a
0
n/a
0
n/a
n/a
n/a
Avenue (east
and west)
Frontage
At
n/a
At
n/a
At
At
Pedestrian
property
property
property
property
line or 10
line or 10
line or 9
line or 9
Priority Zone
feet from
feet from
feet from
feet from
Street
curb
curb
curb
curb
Frontage
(whichever
(whichever
(whichever
(whichever
is greater)
is greater)
is greater)
is greater)
Eastern
n/a
n/a
n/a
20
n/a
n/a
Neighborhood
Streets
except Grand
Avenue
Frontage
0; 10
0
0; 10
n/a
_
0
0
when
when
Interior Side
abutting
abutting
residential
residential
district
district
1. Height break would occur a minimum of 30 feet from the front of the building.
2. Corner properties may be exempt from this requirement, subject to evaluation by the decision - making
authority in the review process and consistent with the Downtown Station Area Specific Plan design
guidelines.
Figure 20.280.004 -2
Building Height
0, 10 when
0
20
10 for the first
0, 10 when
0, 10 when
Additional Standards
Rear
abutting an R
100
(E)
two stories, 15
abutting an R
abutting an R
L.'.
Space (sq. ft. per res. unit)
district (E)
thereafter (C)
district (E)
district (E)
Maximum
100
100
90
85
75
90
See Ch.
Lot
20.040 Rules
Coverage
n/a
n/a
n/a
15
n/a
10
of
Landscaping (% of site)
Measurement
1. Height break would occur a minimum of 30 feet from the front of the building.
2. Corner properties may be exempt from this requirement, subject to evaluation by the decision - making
authority in the review process and consistent with the Downtown Station Area Specific Plan design
guidelines.
Figure 20.280.004 -2
Building Height
Table 20.280.004 -3
Open Space and Landscaping
Standards — Downtown Station
Area Specific Plan Sub - Districts
Standard
DTC
GAC
DRC
TO /RD
r�
L._
Additional Standards
Minimum Usable Open
100
100
lug
i
100
150
L.'.
Space (sq. ft. per res. unit)
Table 20.280.004 -3
Open Space and Landscaping
Standards — Downtown Station
Area Specific Plan Sub - Districts
Standard
DTC
GAC
DRC
TO /RD
LCC
LNC
Additional Standards
Minimum Usable Open
100
100
100
Refer to
100
150
See Supplemental
Space (sq. ft. per res. unit)
Section
20.280.007(K)
Regulations
20.100.004(D) (10)
Minimum Amount of
n/a
n/a
n/a
15
n/a
10
See Section 20.300.007
Landscaping (% of site)
Landscaping
B. Revise Section 20.280.005(A), DSASP Additional Development Standards, Increased Density
and FAR Incentive Program, to include Family- friendly Units as a public benefit:
A. Increased Density and FAR Incentive Program. An increase to the maximum FAR or maximum
density as referenced in Table 20.280.004 -1 may be permitted for buildings with the approval of a
Conditional Use Permit by the City Council through the satisfaction of a combination of the following
public benefits:
1. To be eligible for an increase to the maximum FAR or density incentives under this subsection, the
public benefits that are included as part of a development project must demonstrate a positive
contribution that is above and beyond the minimum required impact fees and other requirements of the
particular project. The following preferences for public benefits to the Downtown community and the City
may be considered as eligible to allow increased density and FAR standards for a project pursuant to this
subsection:
a) Local Hire Program;
b) Public art;
c) Funding or construction of local streetscape enhancements as identified in the Downtown Station
Area Specific Plan;
d) Funding for enhanced public spaces;
e) Funding for public safety facilities, community meeting rooms, child care or similar;
f) Tenant space for local businesses or existing businesses in need of relocation;
g) Provision of green building measures over and above the applicable green building compliance
threshold required pursuant to Title 15 ( "Building and Construction ") of the South San Francisco
Municipal Code;
h) Transit subsidy or other incentives for residents and /or employees; apA
i) Family-friendly (two- and three - bedroom units): and
j) Other developer proposed incentives achieving a similar public benefit.
2. For projects seeking either an increase to the maximum FAR or maximum density pursuant to this
subsection, the following shall apply:
a) Applicant shall submit financial evaluation and analysis, information, and evidence to allow for a
reasonable assessment of the value of the benefits offered relative to the incentives being
sought, including the proposed public benefits as outlined above.
b) Applicant shall provide an assessment of the economic and /or intrinsic value of the proposed
public benefit as compared with the economic value of the proposed development incentives
requested by the applicant. The City may request an independent third party review, by a
qualified appraisal expert, hired by the City at the applicant's expense, to validate the valuation
submitted by the applicant. This requirement is not intended to imply a need for the applicant to
provide or disclose a complete project pro forma. Only the marginal costs of the proposed public
benefit and incentive are required to be disclosed in the analysis.
c) Applicant shall provide an explanation as to the way in which the proposed amenities will further
the City's goals and objectives as outlined in the SSF Downtown Station Specific Plan, and
conformance of the proposed project with the General Plan, Specific Plan provisions and Zoning
Ordinance, and that a reasonable nexus exists between the public benefit provided and the
incentive granted.