HomeMy WebLinkAboutPC Meeting 01-16-14 (Reso 2739-2014) PC CAP - PMP CEQA ResolutionRESOLUTION NO. 2739-2014
PLANNING COMMISSION, CITY OF SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO
STATE OF CALIFORNIA
A RESOLUTION MAKING FINDINGS AND
RECOMMENDING THAT THE CITY COUNCIL ADOPT
THE INITIAL STUDY AND MITIGATED NEGATIVE
DECLARATION FOR THE GENERAL PLAN
AMENDMENTS AND ADOPTION OF THE CLIMATE
ACTION PLAN AND PEDESTRIAN MASTER PLAN
WHEREAS, the City of South San Francisco (“City”) and the City’s consultants
have prepared a draft Climate Action Plan (“CAP”) and draft Pedestrian Master Plan
(“PMP”), and adoption and implementation of the CAP and PMP will require
amendments to the City’s General Plan (“Project”); and,
WHEREAS, the draft CAP provides goals, policies, and actions designed to
reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, adapt to climate change, and support the goals
of Assembly Bill 32 and Senate Bill 375; and,
WHEREAS, the draft PMP identifies provides a citywide blueprint to guide
pedestrian programs and improvements designed to encourage safe walking, improve
pedestrian access, and facilitate grant funding to construct needed pedestrian
improvements throughout the City; and,
WHEREAS, in accordance with CEQA, an initial study was performed, the result
of which was preparation and circulation of a mitigated negative declaration (“IS/MND”)
analyzing the proposed Project and concluding that approval of the Project could not
have a significant effect on the environment because the impacts of the Project could all
be mitigated to levels below established CEQA thresholds of significance with the
adoption of mitigation measures; and,
WHEREAS, the IS/MND was circulated for a 30-day public review period,
beginning on November 25, 2013, during which time members of the public were invited
to comment on the environmental analysis and conclusions for the proposed Project; and
WHEREAS, only two comment letters were submitted, from the City/County
Association of Governments (“C/CAG”) and San Mateo County Department of Public
Works, but neither of which raised any significant environmental issue or allege that the
IS/MND was legally inadequate; and,
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission has reviewed and carefully considered the
information in the IS/MND, including all comment letters submitted, and makes the
findings contained in this Resolution, and recommends that the City Council adopt the
IS/MND, as an objective and accurate document that reflects the independent judgment
and analysis of the City in the discussion of the Project’s environmental impacts.
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 General Plan Update and General Plan
Update EIR; the South San Francisco Municipal Code; the Initial Study and Mitigated
Negative Declaration, prepared for the Project, including all written comments received;
all reports, minutes, and public testimony submitted as part of the Planning Commission's
duly noticed public hearing on January 16, 2014; 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:
1. The foregoing recitals are true and correct and made a part of this
Resolution.
2. The IS/MND for the Project including comment letters received, attached
as Exhibit A to this Resolution, are incorporated by reference as part of this Resolution,
as if each were 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,
Susy Kalkin.
4. The proposed Project is consistent with the City of South San Francisco
General Plan (as proposed for amendment) because the land uses, development standards,
densities and intensities, buildings and structures proposed are compatible with the goals,
policies, and land use designations established in the General Plan (see Gov’t Code,
§ 65860), and none of the land uses, development standards, densities and intensities,
buildings and structures will operate to conflict with or impede achievement of the any of
the goals, policies, or land use designations established in the General Plan.
5. In accordance with CEQA, the Planning Commission has considered the
Initial Study and Mitigated Negative Declaration for the Project, including all comments
received on the IS/MND, and based on the entirety of the record, as described above, the
Planning Commission, exercising its independent judgment and analysis, makes the
following findings regarding the environmental analysis of the Project:
a. In October 1999, the City Council certified an Environmental
Impact Report for the General Plan; in 2001 the City Council certified a Supplemental
Environmental Impact Report for updates to the General Plan. CEQA allows for
streamlined approval of actions that are consistent with adopted General Plans for which
an EIR was certified. (Pub. Resources Code, § 21083; CEQA Guidelines, §§
15152, 15183.) An initial study was prepared for the proposed Project and a mitigated
negative declaration analyzed the potential for impacts that were peculiar to the Project or
not analyzed as significant impacts in the General Plan EIR, or Supplemental EIR. The
IS/MND, which expressly considers the City’s previous EIRs, concludes that approval of
the Project will not result in any significant environmental impacts.
b. Policies in the General Plan, as it has been amended from time to
time, and mitigation measures adopted as part of the General Plan EIR and Supplemental
EIR and General Plan Amendment EIR, as well as the policies of the CAP and PMP, and
the IS/MND prepared for the Project, will continue to operate to ensure the impacts of the
General Plan and the proposed Project will not exceed established CEQA thresholds of
significance. Therefore, and as further documented in the IS/MND for the Project,
additional mitigation measures are not required for the Project.
c. For the reasons stated in this Resolution, the Planning Commission
finds that there is no substantial evidence supporting a fair argument that approval of the
Project will result in a significant environmental effect.
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 the IS/MND for the Project.
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 16th day of January,
2014 by the following vote:
AYES: Chairperson Ochsenhirt, Vice Chairperson Martin, Commissioner Giusti,
Commissioner Khalfin, Commissioner Sim, Commissioner Wong and
Commissioner Zemke
NOES:
ABSTENTIONS:
ABSENT:
Attest:
Susy Kalkin
Secretary to the Planning Commission
Exhibit A
Initial Study and Mitigated Negative Declaration
2220743.1