HomeMy WebLinkAboutPC Meeting 02-01-18 (Reso 2817-2018) - DTC - one RESOLUTION NO. 2817-2018
PLANNING COMMISSION, CITY OF SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO
STATE OF CALIFORNIA
RESOLUTION MAKING FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDING THAT THE CITY
COUNCIL MAKE A DETERMINATION THAT THE ZONING TEXT AMENDMENT
TO AMEND THE MAXIMUM DENSITY WITH INCENTIVES IN THE DOWNTOWN
TRANSIT CORE SUB-DISTRICT OF THE DOWNTOWN STATION AREA PLAN AND
ASSOCIATED GENERAL PLAN AND DOWNTOWN STATION AREA PLAN
AMENDMENTS ARE FULLY WITHIN THE SCOPE OF ENVIRONMENTAL
ANALYSIS AS DESCRIBED IN THE DOWNTOWN STATION AREA SPECIFIC PLAN
2015 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT AND THAT THE 2018 ADDENDUM IS
THE APPROPRIATE ENVIRONMENTAL DOCUMENT FOR THE PROJECT
WHEREAS, the City of South San Francisco (“City”) adopted the Downtown Station Area
Specific Plan (“DSASP”) in February 2015, to guide and facilitate future growth and transit-
oriented development on properties within a one-half mile radius of the reconfigured and
improved Caltrain Station, with a focus on revitalizing Downtown as a vibrant destination; and
WHEREAS, City staff and the City’s consultant, PlaceWorks, Inc., have prepared amendments
to the South San Francisco Zoning Ordinance (“Zoning Text Amendments”) to amend the
Maximum Density with Incentives in the Downtown Transit Core (“DTC”) Sub-District of the
DSASP from 120 dwelling units/acre to 180 dwelling units/acre, to encourage additional multi-
family development adjacent to transit and community benefits in the Downtown; and
WHEREAS, the revisions to the South San Francisco Zoning Ordinance requires amendments to
the South San Francisco General Plan (“General Plan Amendments”), and the Downtown Station
Area Specific Plan (“DSASP Amendments”) to ensure consistency between the revised Zoning
Ordinance and all other governing documents; and
WHEREAS, environmental analysis for the proposed Zoning Text Amendment was conducted,
which concluded that the environmental effects associated with implementation of the revised
density are fully within the scope of the environmental analysis conducted in the 2015
Environmental Impact Report (“EIR”), such that the Zoning Text Amendment does not meet the
criteria under California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) Guidelines Sections 15164 or
15162 justifying preparation of a subsequent EIR and thus, an addendum is the appropriate
environmental document for the Project; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15164, City staff and PlaceWorks, Inc.
prepared an addendum to the 2015 EIR for the Project (“2018 Addendum”) (Exhibit A), which
along with the 2015 EIR (Exhibit B) is attached hereto and incorporated herein; and
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission held a properly noticed public hearing on February 1,
2018, at which time interested parties had the opportunity to be heard, to review the Zoning Text
Amendment as well as supporting documents, prior to the Planning Commission making its
decision on the Project; and
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission exercised its independent judgment and analysis, and
considered all reports, recommendations and testimony before making a determination on the
Project.
NOW THEREFORE, based on the entirety of the record before it, which includes without
limitation, the California Environmental Quality Act, Public Resources Code §21000, et seq. and
the CEQA Guidelines, 14 California Code of Regulations §15000, et seq.; the South San
Francisco General Plan, and General Plan Environmental Impact Report; the South San
Francisco Municipal Code; 2015 EIR, and associated Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting
Programs; and all reports, minutes, and public testimony submitted as part of the Planning
Commission’s duly noticed February 1, 2018 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:
A. General Findings
1. The foregoing recitals are true and correct and made a part of this Resolution.
2. The Exhibit A (2018 Addendum) and Exhibit B (2015 EIR) attached to this Resolution are
incorporated by reference and 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 94080, and in the custody of the Planning Manager.
B. CEQA Findings
1. The Planning Commission, pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15164, subsection (d), has
considered the 2018 Addendum prepared for the Project including the related environmental
analysis, along with the previously certified 2015 EIR.
2. Upon consideration of the 2018 Addendum, the Planning Commission finds that the
proposed Project will not result in any of the conditions identified in CEQA Guidelines
section 15162 that would require further environmental review through preparation of a
subsequent EIR.
3. The Project will not create any new significant impacts or substantially more severe impacts
as compared to those already identified and analyzed in the 2015 EIR. Further, the Planning
Commission finds that there is no new information of substantial importance that
demonstrates new or substantially more severe significant effects, as compared to those
identified in the prior CEQA documents. Nor are any new or additional mitigation measures
required to mitigate any impacts of the Project.
4. Accordingly, the Planning Commission finds that CEQA Guidelines section 15162 does not
require any further CEQA review, and that the 2018 Addendum, prepared pursuant to CEQA
Guidelines section 15164, is the appropriate environmental document for approval of the
Project.
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
recommends that the City Council adopt a resolution making a determination that the 2018
Addendum is the appropriate environmental document for approval of the Zoning Text
Amendment and no further environmental review is required.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this Resolution shall become effective immediately upon its
passage and adoption.
* * * * * * *
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 1st day of February, 2018 by the
following vote:
AYES: Chairperson Faria, Vice Chairperson Nagales, Commissioner Wong, Commissioner
Murphy, Commissioner Tzang
NOES:
ABSTENTIONS__ Commissioner Shihadeh ____________________
ABSENT:
Attest_/s/Sailesh Mehra__________
Secretary to the Planning Commission