HomeMy WebLinkAboutOrd. 1581-2019 (19-635)City of South San Francisco P.O. Box 711 (City Hall,
400 Grand Avenue)
South San Francisco, CA
City Council
Ordinance: ORD 1581-2019
File Number: 19-635 Enactment Number: ORD 1581-2019
ORDINANCE AMENDING SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO
MUNICIPAL CODE TITLE 20 (ZONING) TO MAKE CHANGES
RELATED TO THE MINIMUM LOT SIZE IN THE DOWNTOWN
RESIDENTIAL DISTRICTS
WHEREAS, in July of 2010, the City Council for the City of South San Francisco adopted a
comprehensive update to the City's zoning ordinance, which repealed the then -existing Title 20 of the
South San Francisco Municipal Code ("Zoning Ordinance"), 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then -existing zoning provisions, eliminated inconsistent and outdated provisions, and codified entirely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; and
WHEREAS, Chapter 20.100 (Downtown Districts) of the South San Francisco Municipal Code
identifies the Downtown Districts for a mix of residential types and densities; and
WHEREAS, Section 20.100.002 (Downtown Districts - Land Use Regulations) of the South San
Francisco Municipal Code permits single -unit dwellings and multiple -unit residential uses in the
Downtown Residential Low (DRL), Downtown Residential Medium, (DRM) and Downtown Residential
High (DRH) Districts; and
WHERAS, the minimum lot size in each of the Downtown Residential Districts is 5,000 square feet,
which restricts the possibility of subdividing the majority of the lots; and
WHERAS, the City desires to encourage diverse homeownership opportunities in the Downtown; and
WHEREAS, reducing the minimum lot size in each of the Downtown Residential Districts would allow
additional property owners to subdivide and sell a portion of their lot; and
WHEREAS, the City and PlaceWorks, Inc. prepared a study to determine the feasibility and implications
of reducing the minimum lot size and tested developing prototypes for each of the districts; and
WHEREAS, the proposed zoning text amendments to reduce the minimum lot size in the Downtown
City of South San Francisco Page 1
File Number. 19-635
Enactment Number. ORD 1581-2019
Residential Districts and associated minor changes to design standards do not increase development
potential as the maximum density would not change, the proposed amendments quality for a Class 5
Categorical Exemption pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15305 (Minor Alterations in Land Use
Limitations); and
WHEREAS, on May 16, 2019, the Planning Commission conducted a properly noticed public hearing to
consider making a recommendation to the City Council on Zoning Text Amendments; and
WHEREAS, on July 10, 2019, 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 RESOLVED that based on the entirety of the record before it, which
includes without limitation, CEQA and CEQA Guidelines, 14 California Code of Regulations § 15000,
et seq.; the South San Francisco General Plan and General Plan EIR, including all amendments and
updates thereto; the South San Francisco Municipal Code; the draft Zoning Text Amendments, prepared
by City staff and P1aceWorks Inc; all reports, minutes, and public testimony submitted as part of the
Planning Commission's duly noticed meeting of May 16, 2019 and the City Council's duly noticed
meeting of July 10, 2019; and any other evidence (within the meaning of Public Resources Code §
21080(e) and § 21082.2) ("Record"), the City of South San Francisco City Council hereby finds as
follows:
SECTION 1 FINDINGS
I. General Findings
1. The foregoing recitals are true and correct and made a part of this Resolution.
2. 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.
II. Zoning Text Amendment Findings
1. The proposed Zoning Text Amendment is consistent with the adopted General Plan because the
Zoning Text Amendment will reinforce the General Plan policies promoting a variety of residential types
and densities in the Downtown, and promote infill development and reuse of currently underutilized
sites. 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.
2. The Zoning Text Amendment applies to property that is entirely suitable in terms of access, size of
City of South San Francisco Page 2
File Number., 19-635
Enactment Number., ORD 1581-2019
parcel, relationship to similar or related uses and other considerations as deemed relevant by the
Planning Commission and City Council because the proposed revisions do not change the types or
intensity of permitted land uses in the Downtown Residential Low, Downtown Residential Medium, or
Downtown Residential High Districts.
3. 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. All other sections, subsections, tables, figures, graphics and text that are not
amended by the proposed Amendments and draft Ordinance attached shall remain in full force and
effect.
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.
City of South San Francisco Page 3
File Number. 19-635
Enactment Number. ORD 1581-2019
Introduced at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of South San Francisco held the 10th
day of July 2019.
At a meeting of the City Council on 7/24/2019, a motion was made by Richard Garbarino, seconded by Mark
Nagales, that this Ordinance be adopted. The motion passed.
Yes: 4 Mayor Matsumoto, Vice Mayor Garbarino, Councilmember Nagales, and
Councilmember Nicolas
Abstain: 1 Councilmember Addiego
Attest by
&,eqoL—
tosa Govea Acosta
City of South San Francisco Page 4
Page 1
Exhibit A:
Zoning Ordinance Amendment Related to Reducing the Minimum Lot Size in the
Downtown Residential Districts
1. Revise Table 20.100.003: Development Standards, Downtown Districts to reduce the
minimum lot size, minimum lot width, and minimum lot depth in the DRL, DRM,
and DRH Districts, and reduce the minimum density in the DRH District, include
setbacks for residences facing lanes and sideyard setback requirements above the
first story, and clean-up an error in the Floor Area Ratio requirement for the DRL
District:
Table 20.100.003
Development Standards – Downtown Districts
Standard DMX DRL DRM DRH Additional
Standards
Lot and Density Standards
Minimum Lot Size
(sq. ft.) 5,000 2,750 2,500 2,250
Corner Lot 5,000 3,250 3,000 2,750
Minimum Lot Width
(sq. ft.) 50 40 36 36
Corner Lot 50 50 50 50
Minimum Lot Depth
(sq. ft.) n/a 60 60 60
Minimum Density
(units/net acre) 14.1 5.1 15.1 15.1
Maximum Density
(units/net acre)
40, 21.8 on lots
less than 10,000
sq. ft.
15 (A)
25 (A)
40, 30 on
lots less
than 1 acre
(A)
See Ch. 20.390
Bonus Residential
Density
Building Form and Location
Maximum Height (ft.)
Main Building
50
28 (B)
35
50 (C)
See Section
20.300.006
Height and
Height
Exceptions
Page 2
Standard DMX DRL DRM DRH Additional
Standards
Accessory Building
20
12 (D)
12 (D)
12 (D)
See Section
20.300.006
Height and
Height
Exceptions
Maximum Number of
Stories n/a 2 3 (E) 4
Minimum Yards (ft.)
Front, Street
Facing
0
15
15
15
See Section
20.300.011
Projections into
Required Yards
Front, Lane
Facing
0
5
5
5
See Section
20.300.011
Projections
into Required
Yards
Interior Side
0, 10 when
abutting an R
district
5 for the
first
story,
At least
50% of
sideyard
façade
setback 10
ft. from
side
property
line above
the first
story
5 for the
first
story,
At least
50% of
sideyard
façade
setback 10
ft. from
side
property
line above
the first
story
5 for the
first
story,
At least
33% of
sideyard
façade
setback 10
ft. from
side
property
line above
the first
story
See Section
20.300.011
Projections
into Required
Yards
Page 3
Standard DMX DRL DRM DRH Additional
Standards
Street Side
0
10
10
10
See Section
20.300.011
Projections into
Required Yards
Rear
0, 10 when
abutting an R
district
20 (F)
20 (F)
10 for the
first two
stories, 15
thereafter
(C, F)
See Section
20.300.011
Projections
into Required
Yards
Maximum Yards (ft.)
Front or Street
Side 10 (H) n/a n/a n/a
Interior Side n/a n/a n/a n/a
Front, Lane
Facing
n/a
10 (I)
10 (I)
10 (I)
See Section
20.300.011
Projections
into Required
Yards
Maximum Lot
Coverage (% of lot)
50
80
90
90
See Ch.
20.040 Rules
of
Measurement
Maximum Floor Area
(FAR)
n/a
.70 or to
allow
2,000 sq.
ft.,
whichever
is greater
Additional Standards
Usable Open Space
(sq. ft. per residential
unit)
100
n/a
n/a
n/a
See Supplemental
Regulations
Section
20.100.004(D)(10)
Minimum Private
Open Space (sq. ft. n/a 100 100 80
Page 4
Standard DMX DRL DRM DRH Additional
Standards
per residential unit)
Minimum Common
Open Space (sq. ft.
per residential unit)
n/a
100
100
100
Minimum Amount of
Landscaping (% of
site)
10
n/a
10
10
See Section
20.300.007
Landscaping
2. Revise Section 20.100.003 (F), Downtown Districts Development Standards,
Reduced Setbacks, to include a rear setback requirement for newly subdivided lots:
F. Reduced Setbacks
1. Existing Structures. When the existing rear yard setback is less than 20 feet, additions to
such structures may conform to the existing setback, provided that the addition is located
no closer than 15 feet to the rear property line.
2. Through Lots. On a through lot with the rear yard abuts a lane, required rear yard setback
may be reduced to 15 feet for a residential structure oriented toward the lane.
3. Existing structures within the Downtown Residential Districts (DRL, DRM, and DRH)
may have a minimum six-foot rear setback from new property line after lot subdivision.
3. Revise Section 20.100.003 to include a maximum garage setback for residences
facing a lane in the Downtown Residential Districts:
I. Garage Setback. In the Downtown Residential Districts (DRL, DRM, and DRH) where
residences face a lane, the garage shall be set back a maximum of 10 feet from the lane-facing
front property line.
Page 5
4. Revise Table 20.330.007, Required Parking Spaces, Downtown Districts, to include
an exception for required parking spaces for existing residences on subdivided lots
on Grand Avenue:
Land Use Classification Required Parking Spaces
Single-Unit, Detached or Attached
Less than 900 sq. ft. and
less than 3 bedrooms
1 space per dwelling
unit, 2 spaces maximum
per unit
General Requirements for all
Single-Unit Residential Parking*:
For new construction, required
parking up to two spaces must be
within a garage. For existing
development, all existing garage
spaces, up to a maximum of two
spaces, must be maintained.
A carport shall not be substituted
for a required garage except for
existing dwellings on lots adjacent
to a lane.
900 to 2,500 sq. ft. or 3 or
4 bedrooms
2 spaces per dwelling
unit, minimum and
maximum per unit
2,501 sq. ft. or more than 4
bedrooms
3 spaces per dwelling
unit, minimum and
maximum per unit
Second Unit 1 space for each. See Section 20.350.033 Second Dwelling
Units
Multi-Unit Residential
Studio and less than 500
sq. ft.
1 space per unit
maximum
General Requirements for all Multi-
Unit Residential Parking*:
One covered space shall be
designated for each unit.
One-bedroom or 500 to
800 sq. ft.
1 space minimum, 1.5
spaces maximum per
unit
Two-bedroom or 801 to
1,100 sq. ft.
1.5 spaces minimum, 1.8
spaces maximum per
unit
Three or more bedrooms
and 1,101 sq. ft. or larger
1.5 spaces minimum, 2
spaces maximum per
unit
**Existing residences on through lots where the residence faces Grand Avenue shall not be
required to provide off-street parking, after subdivision of lot.
5. Revise Section 20.300.011 (F), Projections into Required Yards - Decks, Porches
and Stairs, to allow decks, porches and stairs to be built to within five feet of the
lane-facing lot line in the Downtown Residential High, Medium, and Low Districts:
Page 6
Building projections may extend into required yards, subject to the following standards and all
applicable requirements of the California Building Code:
A. Maximum Projection Allowed. Notwithstanding any other subsection of this section, no
projection may extend closer than three feet to an interior lot line or into a public utility
easement.
B. Architectural Projections. Cornices, canopies, eaves or other architectural features may
project up to two feet into any yard, provided that such projection shall not exceed one-
half the otherwise required yard width or depth.
C. Fire Escapes. Fire escapes, required by law, ordinance, or regulations of a public agency
may project up to four feet into any required yard.
D. Bay Windows and Chimneys. Bay windows and chimneys may project up to two feet
into any interior side yard and three feet into any front, rear, or street side yard, provided
that they do not occupy, in the aggregate, more than one-third of the length of the
building wall on which they are located.
E. Stairways, Stair Landings, and Balconies. Stairways, stair landings, and balconies that
service above the first floor level of the building may project up to two feet into any
interior side yard and three feet into any front, rear, or street side yard, provided that all
such structures shall be open, unenclosed and without roofs, except for lattice type guard
railings. Structural supports for stairways and landings may be enclosed.
F. Decks, Porches, and Stairs. Decks, porches, and stairs which do not extend above the
first floor level of the building may be built to within three feet of interior side and rear
lot lines, to within 10 feet of the front and to within seven feet of corner side lot lines. If
exceeding 18 inches above ground elevation, the maximum project into any yard is three
feet. Within the Downtown Residential Districts (DRL, DRM, and DRH), porches, decks
and stairs may be built to within five feet of the lane frontage lot line.
G. Depressed Ramps or Stairways and Supporting Structures. Depressed ramps or
stairways and supporting structures, when designed to permit access to parts of buildings
below average ground level, may extend into any required yard not more than 42 inches.
H. Ramps and Similar Structures for Disabled Person’s Accommodation. Reasonable
accommodation will be made consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act. (Ord.
1432 § 2, 2010).