HomeMy WebLinkAboutPC Meeting 12-03-15 (Reso 2780-2015) - Signs Zoning Amendment - 12 3 15 FinalRESOLUTION NO. 2780-2015
PLANNING COMMISSION, CITY OF SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO
STATE OF CALIFORNIA
A RESOLUTION RECOMMENDING THAT THE CITY
COUNCIL ADOPT AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE
SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO ZONING CODE RELATED TO
RELOCATION AGREEMENTS REQUIRED TO INSTALL
DIGITAL BILLBOARDS
WHEREAS, in July of 2010, the City Council for the City of South San Francisco
(“City”) adopted a comprehensive update to the City’s zoning ordinance, which repealed the
then-existing Title 20 of the South San Francisco Municipal Code, and replaced it with an
entirely new Title 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reformatted many then-existing zoning provisions, eliminated inconsistent and outdated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 (“Zoning Ordinance”); and,
WHEREAS, since adoption of the Zoning Ordinance in July 2010, the City has identified
areas of the Zoning Ordinance that require refinement, clarification, and/or correction, including
revisions to the City’s Chapter 20.360 regulating signs in order to provide standards to allow
digital billboards and other minor modifications, as further set forth in the Ordinance attached
hereto as Exhibit A; 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”), which 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 to the Zoning Ordinance
as they relate to signage, set forth in the Ordinance attached as Exhibit A, 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 and circulated for the Zoning Ordinance, 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 December 3, 2015 the Planning Commission for the City of South San
Francisco held a lawfully noticed public hearing to solicit public comment and consider the
CEQA findings and the proposed zoning ordinance amendments, 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 1999 General Plan and General Plan EIR,
including the 2001 updates to the General Plan and 2001 Supplemental EIR; the South San
Francisco Municipal Code; the Initial Study and Mitigated Negative Declaration prepared for the
101 Terminal Court Clear Channel Billboard Project and related Zoning Amendment, including
all written comments received; the Zoning Ordinance Text Amendments; and all reports,
minutes, and public testimony submitted as part of the Planning Commission’s duly noticed
December 3, 2015 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 I FINDINGS
A. General Findings
1. The foregoing recitals are true and correct and made a part of this Resolution.
2. Exhibit A attached to this Resolution, is 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 Chief Planner, Sailesh Mehra.
B. Zoning Amendment Findings
1. The proposed zoning amendments are consistent with the adopted General Plan
because they clarify regulations related to the installation of digital billboards and removal of
existing static billboards, assisting the City in removing existing static billboards from unwanted
locations and replacing with digital signage that provide more timely messaging, strengthen and
promote economic development objectives and actively market South San Francisco. The
proposed text amendments will not impede achievement of any of the goals, policies, or land use
designations established in the General Plan, including the East of 101 Area Plan.
2. The proposed zoning amendments related to digital billboards would only affect
properties in non-residential districts west of and adjacent to U.S. Highway 101 and have been
designed to be appropriate for surrounding uses. The proposed zoning amendments would not
alter the previously adopted standards related to architectural compatibility, consistency with
area character, legibility, readability, finish and visibility, and other considerations deemed
relevant by the Planning Commission and City Council because the amendments would only
clarify size thresholds related to the installation of digital billboards and removal of existing
static billboards.
3. The proposed zoning amendments related to digital billboards would not result in
any change of zoning districts and therefore would not be detrimental to the use of land in any
adjacent zone.
SECTION II 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 City Council adopt an ordinance making the refinements, clarifications, and
corrections to the zoning ordinance as related to digital billboards as set forth in 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 the regular meeting held on the 3rd day of December, 2015
by the following vote:
AYES:___Chairperson Wong, Vice-Chairperson Khalfin, Commissioner Faria, Commissioner
Lujan, Commissioner Nagales, Commissioner Ruiz________
NOES:________________________________________________________________
ABSTENTIONS:________________________________________________________
ABSENT:______________________________________________________________
Attest:_/s/Sailesh Mehra______________
Sailesh Mehra
Secretary to the Planning Commission
Exhibit A
Draft Ordinance Revisions
2555860.1