HomeMy WebLinkAboutPC Meeting 01-21-16 (Reso 2783-2016) - Attachment A PC Reso 84-97 Clean-UpRESOLUTION NO._2783-2016__
PLANNING COMMISSION, CITY OF SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO
STATE OF CALIFORNIA
A RESOLUTION MAKING FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDING THAT THE CITY
COUNCIL APPROVE GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENTS TO MAKE CHANGES TO
THE LAND USE SECTION REVISING THE EAST OF 101 AREA PLAN PERTAINING
TO LAND USES CONTEMPLATED UNDER RESOLUTION 84-97 AND THE
PLANNING SUB-AREAS ELEMENT TO ENSURE POLICY CONSISTENCY WITH
THE GENERAL PLAN, THE DOWNTOWN STATION AREA SPECIFIC PLAN
(DSASP) AND THE TRANSIT OFFICE / RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT CORE
(TO/RD) ZONING DISTRICT.
WHEREAS, in 1997, the City Council adopted Resolution 84-97 approving General Plan
Amendment GP-97-030 (“GP-97-030”), amending the East of 101 Area Plan to delete “freight
forwarding” as a use consistent with the “Planned Industrial” land use designation, and
WHEREAS, GP-97-030 included a provision to allow property which was used in whole
or in part for freight forwarding, customs brokering, wholesale, warehousing or distribution uses
as of July 10, 1997 to continue as legal, conforming uses; and
WHEREAS, GP-97-030 included a provision to allow wholesale, warehouse, and
distribution uses to be converted to freight forwarding and customs brokering uses with a
Conditional Use Permit until July 10, 2000; and
WHEREAS, except as provided by GP-97-030, new development in the “Planned
Industrial” land use category shall not include warehouse, distribution, wholesaling, freight
forwarding, and customs brokering uses; and
WHEREAS, the City’s General Plan was updated in 1999, and the “Planned Industrial”
land use designation transitioned to “Business Commercial,” and the 1999 General Plan includes
Policy 3.5-I-11 which prohibits new warehouse, distribution, wholesaling, freight forwarding and
customs brokering uses in the Business Commercial land use designation; and
WHEREAS, the City of South San Francisco (“City”) adopted the Downtown Station
Area Specific Plan (DSASP) in February 2015; and
WHEREAS, the Downtown Station Area Specific Plan (“DSASP”) guides future
development in the portions of the City that lie within a one-half mile radius of the Caltrain
station and provides the blueprint for future change and improvements in the Downtown and
adjoining areas; and
WHEREAS, the DSASP focuses on improving connections and linkages to the Caltrain
station, downtown, and employment uses east of 101; and
WHEREAS, the Transit Office/R&D Core Zoning Sub-district of the DSASP is
envisioned as a high-intensity urban employment district, characterized by a walkable street
pattern; and
WHEREAS, warehouse, distribution, wholesaling, freight forwarding, and customs
brokering uses are not permitted in the Transit Office/R&D Core Zoning Sub-district of the
DSASP; and
WHEREAS, warehouse, distribution, wholesaling, freight forwarding, and customs
brokering uses generate high levels of truck traffic and are not pedestrian-oriented, and thus, not
consistent with the long-term vision of the DSASP; and
WHEREAS, staff has prepared amendments to the City’s General Plan by amending the
East of 101 Area Plan and the Planning Sub-Areas Element to be consistent with and implement
the policies of the DSASP and underlying zoning; and,
WHEREAS, the DSASP was adopted after preparation, circulation, consideration, and
adoption of an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) in accordance with the California
Environmental Quality Act, Public Resources Code Sections 21000, et seq. (“CEQA”), which
analyzed the environmental impacts of adopting the DSASP; and,
WHEREAS, the revisions and corrections set forth in this General Plan Amendment, as
they relate to the East of 101 Area Plan, and the Planning Sub-Areas 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 Environmental Impact Report prepared and circulated for the DSASP adoption, nor do the
refinements, clarifications, and/or corrections constitute a change in the project or change in
circumstances that would require additional environmental review.
WHEREAS, on January 21,2016 the Planning Commission for the City of South San
Francisco held a lawfully noticed public hearing to solicit public comment and consider the
proposed General Plan Amendment, take public testimony, and make a recommendation to the
City Council.
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 General Plan Amendment; and all reports, minutes,
and public testimony submitted as part of the Planning Commission’s duly noticed January 21,
2016 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
I. General Findings
1. The foregoing recitals are true and correct and made a part of this Resolution.
2. The Exhibits attached to this Resolution, including the proposed Amendment to the
portion of the East of 101 Area Plan contained in Resolution 84-97 (Exhibit A), and the
proposed Amendment to the General Plan Planning Sub-Areas Element (Exhibit B);
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 Chief Planner, Sailesh Mehra.
II. General Plan Amendments Findings
1. As described in Exhibits A and B, adoption of the proposed General Plan Amendment
will include an amendment to the portion of the East of 101 Area Plan contained in
Resolution 84-97 and the Planning Sub-Areas Element of the South San Francisco
General Plan. The amendments would include changes to achieve internal consistency
with the vision and policy direction in the General Plan, Downtown Station Area Specific
Plan, and the Zoning Ordinance. The amendments are intended as minor alterations to the
General Plan related to implementation of the Downtown Station Area Specific Plan; and
2. As required under State law, the South San Francisco General Plan, and the South San
Francisco Municipal Code, in support of the General Plan Amendments, the Planning
Commission finds that the proposed General Plan Amendments are otherwise consistent
and compatible with the South San Francisco General Plan, are compatible with the
Downtown Station Area Specific Plan, do not obstruct or impede achievement of any
General Plan policies, are necessary to comply with other adopted plans, and further a
number of important Guiding and Implementing Policies set forth in the Land Use,
Planning Sub-Areas, and Transportation Elements, including without limitation:
Guiding Policy 2-G-2: “Maintain a balanced land use program that provides opportunities
for continued economic growth, and building intensities that reflect South San
Francisco’s prominent inner bay location and excellent regional access.”
Guiding Policy 2-G-5: “Maintain Downtown as the City’s physical and symbolic center,
and a focus of residential, commercial, and entertainment activities.”
Guiding Policy 3.1-G-1: “Promote Downtown’s vitality and economic well-being, and its
presence as the city’s center.”
Guiding Policy 3.1-G-2: “Encourage development of Downtown as a pedestrian-friendly
mixed-use activity center with retail and visitor-orientated uses, business and personal
services, government and professional offices, civic uses, and a variety of residential
types and densities.”
Guiding Policy 3.1-G-3: “Promote infill development, intensification, and reuse of
currently underutilized sites.”
Guiding Policy 3.1-G-4: “Enhance linkages between Downton and transit centers, and
increased street connectivity with the surrounding neighborhoods.”
SECTION 2 RECOMMENDATION
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 South San Francisco City Council approve and adopt the General Plan
Amendment to the portion of the East of 101 Area Plan contained in Resolution 84-97attached as
Exhibit A, and the amendments to the Planning Sub-Areas Element attached as Exhibit B.
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 21st day of January, 2016 by the
following vote:
AYES:__Chairperson Wong, Vice Chairperson Khalfin, Commissioner Faria, Commissioner
Lujan, Commissioner Martin, Commissioner Nagales_____
NOES:________________________________________________________________
ABSTENTIONS:________________________________________________________
ABSENT:___Commissioner Ruiz______________________________
Attest:_____/s/Sailesh Mehra___________
Sailesh Mehra, Secretary to the Planning Commission
EXHIBIT A
PROPOSED RESOLUTION: EAST OF 101 AREA PLAN
GPA16-0001
EXHIBIT B
PROPOSED PLANNING SUB-AREAS ELEMENT AMENDMENT
GPA16-0001