HomeMy WebLinkAboutPC Meeting 04-20-23 (Reso 2915-2023) - 1477 Huntington Ave CEQA (P20-0079)City of South San Francisco
Resolution 2915-2023
P.O. Box 711 (City Hall, 400
Grand Avenue)
South San Francisco, CA
File #:23-279 Agenda Date:4/20/2023
Version:1 Item #:2a.
Resolution making findings and determining that the proposed 1477 Huntington Project is consistent with an
adopted Program Environmental Impact Report for the General Plan, and, based on the Infill Checklist, would
not necessitate the need for preparing a subsequent environmental document pursuant to the criteria of CEQA
Guidelines Sections 15162 and 15168, and based on that analysis is also subject to CEQA streamlining per
CEQA Guidelines Section 15183 and 15183.3, and is categorically exempt from CEQA pursuant to CEQA
Guidelines Section 15332.
WHEREAS, the applicant has proposed construction of a high-density residential development, consisting of
262 rental units, residential amenities and open space uses, and 288 parking spaces on a 1.98-acre parcel, 1477
Huntington Avenue (APN: 014-184-120), referred to as “Project Site” in the City; and
WHEREAS, the applicant seeks approval of a Minor Use Permit (MUP23-0001), Transportation Demand
Management Plan (TDM21-0001), Design Review (DR21-0004) and Density Bonus (DB23-0001) for the
Project; and,
WHEREAS, approval of the applicant’s proposal is considered a “project” for purposes of the California
Environmental Quality Act, Pub. Resources Code §21000, et seq. (“CEQA”); and
WHEREAS, the City Council certified the General Plan Program Environmental Impact Report (“EIR”) and
Mitigation, Monitoring and Reporting Program (“MMRP”) in October, 2022 (State Clearinghouse number
2021020064), in accordance with the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act (Public Resources
Code, §§ 21000, et seq., “CEQA”) and CEQA Guidelines, which analyzed the potential environmental impacts
of the development citywide; attached hereto as Exhibit A; and
WHEREAS, the City Council also adopted a Statement of Overriding Considerations (“SOC”) in October,
2022, in accordance with the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act (Public Resources Code,
§§ 21000, et seq., “CEQA”) and CEQA Guidelines, which carefully considered each significant and
unavoidable impact identified in the EIR and found that the significant environmental impacts are acceptable in
light of the project’s economic, legal, social, technological and other benefits; and
WHEREAS, CEQA provides for limited environmental review of subsequent projects under a program EIR
(CEQA Guidelines Sections 15162 and 15168), where components of a subsequent project must be examined in
the light of the program EIR to determine whether any additional environmental analysis must be conducted;
and
WHEREAS, the City, in conjunction with an environmental consultant, Raney Planning and Management,
prepared an Infill Checklist to examine the proposed project regarding the need to conduct additional
environmental analysis; in addition, the City examined whether any CEQA streamlining or exemptions would
be applicable to the proposed project in addition to the analysis under Sections 15162 and 15168; and
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File #:23-279 Agenda Date:4/20/2023
Version:1 Item #:2a.
WHEREAS,as demonstrated by the Infill Checklist and the record below,the project is subject to CEQA
streamlining pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15183 and 15183.3,which allows for streamlined review
for infill projects consistent with the General Plan; and
WHEREAS,as demonstrated by the Infill Checklist and the record below,the project is categorically exempt
from CEQA pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15332 as it is a qualified in-fill development project; and
WHEREAS,as demonstrated by the Infill Checklist and the record below,even if the Project were not exempt
from CEQA pursuant to the above-listed exemptions,in accordance with the requirements of CEQA Guidelines
§15162,the Project 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 General Plan EIR
certified by City Council nor would new mitigation be required; and
WHEREAS,on April 20,2023,the Planning Commission for the City of South San Francisco held a lawfully
noticed public hearing to solicit public comment and consider the proposed entitlements and environmental
effects of the Project and take public testimony; and
WHEREAS,the Planning Commission has reviewed and carefully considered the information in the Infill
Checklist,attached hereto as Exhibit B,at a duly noticed public hearing held on April 20,2023,as objective
and accurate documents that reflect the independent judgment of the City in the identification,discussion and
mitigation of the Project’s environmental impacts,and considered all testimony and evidence presented at the
hearing and in the record before it.
NOW,THEREFORE,BE IT RESOLVED that based on the entirety of the record before it,which includes
without limitation,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 South San
Francisco General Plan and General Plan EIR;the South San Francisco Municipal Code;the Project
applications;the Project Plans,as prepared by KTGY Architects,dated March 29,2023;the Environmental
Consistency Analysis,as prepared by Raney Planning and Management,dated March,2023,including all
appendices thereto;all site plans,and all reports,minutes,and public testimony submitted as part of the
Planning Commission’s duly noticed April 20,2023 meeting;and any other evidence (within the meaning of
Public Resources Code §21080(e)and §21082.2),the Planning Commission of the City of South San Francisco
hereby finds as follows:
SECTION 1 FINDINGS
General
1.The foregoing recitals are true and correct and made a part of this Resolution.
2.Exhibit A attached to this Resolution,the General Plan EIR,and Exhibit B,the Infill Checklist and
supporting documents prepared by Raney Planning and Management,dated March,2023,are
incorporated by reference and made a part of this Resolution, as if set forth fully herein.
3.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
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File #:23-279 Agenda Date:4/20/2023
Version:1 Item #:2a.
Planning Division for the City of South San Francisco,315 Maple Avenue,South San Francisco,CA
94080, and in the custody of the Chief Planner.
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)
1.For the reasons stated in this Resolution,the Project is subject to CEQA streamlining and does not
require additional CEQA review pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15183 and 15183.3 as the Project is
consistent with a Community Plan,General Plan or Zoning because as supported by the findings of the
Infill Checklist which also serves as an Environmental Consistency Checklist:
a.The Project is consistent with the development density established by existing zoning,General
Plan designation,and General Plan policies for which the General Plan Program EIR was
certified.
b.There are no project-specific effects which are peculiar to the Project or the Project Site.
c.There are no project-specific impacts,which the General Plan Program EIR failed to analyze as
significant effects.
d.There are no potentially significant off-site and/or cumulative impacts which the General Plan
Program EIR failed to evaluate.
e.There is no substantial new information which results in more severe impacts than anticipated by
the General Plan Program EIR
2.For the reasons stated in this Resolution,the Project is also exempt from CEQA pursuant to CEQA
Guidelines § 15332: Class 32 as an in-fill development project because:
a.As described in the record,the Project is designed to be consistent with the City’s General Plan,
all applicable General Plan policies and zoning designations and regulations.
b.The Project will be located within the City’s limits,on a site of less than five acres and will be
surrounded by urban uses in a built-out environment.
c.The Project Site has no value as habitat for endangered,rare,or threatened species as it is in a
built-out environment and is currently disturbed as the site of an existing building and parking
lot.
d.As supported by the findings of the Infill Checklist,approval of the Project would not result in
any significant effects relating to traffic, noise, air quality, or water quality.
e.The Project can be adequately serviced by all required utilities and public services.
3.For the reasons stated in this Resolution,there is not substantial evidence in the record to support a fair
argument that approval of the Project will result in significant environmental effects beyond those
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File #:23-279 Agenda Date:4/20/2023
Version:1 Item #:2a.
argument that approval of the Project will result in significant environmental effects beyond those
adequately evaluated and addressed by the General Plan Program EIR nor would the Project require any
new mitigation measures because:
a.The Project does not propose substantial changes to the General Plan,which will require major
revisions of the General Plan EIR due to the involvement of new significant environmental
effects or a substantial increase in the severity of previously identified significant effects;
b.No substantial changes have occurred with respect to the circumstances under which the General
Plan is undertaken which will require major revisions of the General Plan EIR due to the
involvement of new significant effects or a substantial increase in the severity of previously
identified significant effects;
c.No new information of substantial importance,which was not known and could not have been
known with the exercise of reasonable diligence at the time the General Plan Program EIR was
certified as complete, shows any of the following:
i.The Project will have one or more significant effects not discussed in the General Plan
EIR;
ii.Significant effects previously examined will be substantially more severe than shown in
the previous EIR;
iii.Mitigation measures or alternatives previously found not to be feasible would in fact be
feasible and would substantially reduce one or more significant effects of the Project,but
the Project proponents decline to adopt the mitigation measure or alternative; or
iv.Mitigation measures or alternatives which are considerably different from those analyzed
in the General Plan EIR would substantially reduce one or more significant effects on the
environment,but the Project proponents decline to adopt the mitigation measure or
alternative.
4.Based upon the testimony and information presented at the hearing and upon review and consideration
of the environmental documentation provided,including but not limited to the Infill Checklist,as
prepared by Raney Planning and Management,and attached hereto as Exhibit B,the Planning
Commission,exercising its independent judgment and analysis,finds that the Project is statutorily and
categorically exempt from CEQA pursuant CEQA Guidelines §15332:Class 32 and subject to CEQA
streamlining pursuant to CEQA Guidelines §15183 and 15183.3 and pursuant to CEQA Guidelines §
15168(c),the Project falls within the environmental parameters analyzed in the General Plan EIR,and
further finds that the Project 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 General Plan EIR certified by City Council nor would new mitigation be required by the
Project.These findings are supported by the fact that the Infill Checklist analysis determined that the
Project would not result in any new impacts not adequately evaluated and addressed by the General Plan
EIR and Statement of Overriding Considerations.
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File #:23-279 Agenda Date:4/20/2023
Version:1 Item #:2a.
SECTION 2 DECISION
NOW,THEREFORE,BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Planning Commission of the City of South San
Francisco hereby makes the findings contained in this Resolution and determines that the Project is
categorically exempt from CEQA pursuant to CEQA Guidelines §15332:Class 32,the Project is subject to
CEQA streamlining per CEQA Guidelines §15183 and 15183.3 and the environmental effects of the Project
were sufficiently analyzed under the General Plan Program Environmental Impact Report (EIR),per the
requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)as analyzed in the Infill Checklist which
also serves as the Environmental Consistency Analysis,and concludes that no further environmental review is
required.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the resolution shall become effective immediately upon its passage and
adoption.
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Attest:__________________________________
Tony Rozzi
Secretary to the Planning Commission
I hereby certify that the foregoing resolution was adopted by the Planning Commission of
the City of South San Francisco at a regular meeting held on the 20th day of April, 2023 by
the following
vote:AYES:
NOES:
ABSTENTIONS:
ABSENT:
* * * * * * *
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Chair Tzang, Vice Chair Faria , Baker, Funes-Ozturk, , Pamukcu, Shihadeh
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Evans