HomeMy WebLinkAboutPC Meeting 02-04-16 (Reso 2784-2016) - Inclusionary Housing - FINALRESOLUTION NO._ 2784-2016__
PLANNING COMMISSION, CITY OF SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO
STATE OF CALIFORNIA
A RESOLUTION MAKING FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDING THAT THE CITY
COUNCIL ADOPT AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO
MUNICIPAL CODE CHAPTER 20.380 (“INCLUSIONARY HOUSING
REGULATIONS”) TO MODIFY THE 20% AFFORDABLE HOUSING REQUIREMENT
FOR RESIDENTIAL RENTAL PROJECTS CONSISTING OF FOUR OR MORE UNITS
THAT RECEIVE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FROM THE CITY FOR THE SOLE
PURPOSE OF PROVIDING ON-SITE AFFORDABLE HOUSING UNITS AS PART OF
THE PROJECT
WHEREAS, on April 8, 2015 the City Council for the City of South San Francisco
considered and adopted the Housing Element update to the General Plan and associated Negative
Declaration; and
WHEREAS, the adopted Housing Element sets forth goals, policies, programs, and
quantified objectives to address the City’s housing needs; and
WHEREAS, the State’s Department of Housing and Community Development requires
that the Housing Element be reviewed annually for progress related to the adopted programs and
objectives; and
WHEREAS, the Housing Element identifies Program 1-2B to evaluate the Inclusionary
Housing Ordinance to promote a broad range of housing opportunities for all identifiable
economic segments of the population; and
WHEREAS, the City Council has expressed a desire to modify the Inclusionary Housing
Ordinance to provide flexibility for City financial assistance on privately developed projects; and
WHEREAS, providing the City with flexibility to provide funding exclusively for the
purpose of providing on-site affordable housing units within a privately constructed housing
project will assure that workforce housing units are created for the City; and
WHEREAS, the City has prepared a Zoning Amendment (“Amendment”) to the City’s
Zoning Ordinance, including refinements to Chapter 20.380 for the Inclusionary Housing
Regulations; and
WHEREAS, the Zoning Ordinance was adopted after preparation, circulation,
consideration, and adoption of an Initial Study/Negative Declaration (“IS/ND”) in accordance
with the California Environmental Quality Act, Public Resources Code Sections 21000, et seq.
(“CEQA”), in which the IS/ND 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 refinements, clarifications, and/or corrections set forth in this
Amendment, as they relate to the Inclusionary Housing Regulations 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/ND prepared for the Zoning Ordinance Update, 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 4, 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 Amendment, take public testimony, and make a recommendation to the City Council
on the project.
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,
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 4, 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 Zoning Text Amendments
(Exhibit A) are each 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 94080, and in the custody of the Planning Manager, Sailesh Mehra.
II. Zoning Text Amendment Findings
1. As described in Section II and attached as Exhibit A, adoption of the proposed Zoning
Ordinance Amendments will include revisions to Title 20 of the South San Francisco
Municipal Code, to reflect minor changes to the Inclusionary Housing Regulations (SSFMC
20.380).
2. The proposed Zoning Ordinance Amendments are consistent with the General Plan because
the Ordinance Amendments would revise an existing housing policy as recommended by the
adopted 2015-2023 Housing Element. Revision of Inclusionary Housing Regulations would
promote City financing for affordable housing construction and none of the new or revised
definitions, tables, figures and land uses will conflict with or impede achievement of any of
the goals, policies, or land use designations established in the General Plan.
3. The areas of the City impacted by the proposed Zoning Ordinance Amendments are suitable
for the proposed uses. The Zoning Ordinance Amendments will clarify how the Inclusionary
Housing Regulations apply to projects when City financial assistance is provided for the sole
purpose of providing on-site affordable housing units as part of a project. The Zoning
Ordinance Amendments are consistent with General Plan policies, specifically those policies
related to affordable housing. Modifications to the Inclusionary Housing Regulations chapter
would not affect or change land use citywide and no land use impact is expected.
4. The proposed Zoning Ordinance Amendments are not detrimental to the use of land in any
adjacent zone because the Zoning Ordinance Amendments would only clarify existing
regulations. More specifically, the Zoning Ordinance Amendments include a revision to the
Inclusionary Housing Regulations and the applicability of the 20 percent requirement for
affordable units when public funds are involved. The proposed Ordinance Amendments will
not be detrimental to the public interest, convenience, or welfare of the City or land within
the City; instead, the Ordinance amendments will bolster the public interest by allowing for
affordable housing funding that would not otherwise occur and updates the Zoning
Ordinance consistent with the recommendations of the Housing Element in the General Plan.
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 adopt an ordinance amending Chapter
20.380, attached as Exhibit A.
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 4th day of February, 2016 by the
following vote:
AYES:_ Chairperson Khalfin, Vice Chairperson Faria, Commissioner Martin, Commissioner
Nagales, Commissioner Wong____
NOES:________________________________________________________________
ABSTENTIONS:________________________________________________________
ABSENT:______________________________________________________________
Attest:_______/s/Sailesh Mehra______________
Sailesh Mehra
Secretary to the Planning Commission
EXHIBIT A
PROPOSED ZONING TEXT AMENDMENT
ZA16-0001
2597736.1