HomeMy WebLinkAboutPC Meeting 08-15-13 (Reso 2735-2013) -180 El Camino Real CEQA
RESOLUTION NO. 2735-2013
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 CENTENNIAL VILLAGE AT 180
EL CAMINO REAL PROJECT
WHEREAS, WT Mitchell Group, Inc (“WT Mitchell Group”) has submitted an
application for a mixed-use project on an approximately 14.5 acre site located at 180 El Camino
Real, which consists of approximately 220,000 square feet of commercial/retail space and up to
284 residential rental units (“Project”); and
WHEREAS, approval of WT Mitchell Group’s proposal is considered a “Project” as that
term is defined under the California Environmental Quality Act, Public Resources Code Sections
21000, et seq. (“CEQA”); 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
enforcement of such measures through a Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program
(“MMRP”); and,
WHEREAS, the IS/MND was provided to the State Clearinghouse and circulated for a
30-day public review period, beginning on April 12, 2013, during which time members of the
public were invited to comment on the environmental analysis and conclusions for the proposed
Project; and
WHEREAS, six comment letters were submitted on the IS/MND, from the San Mateo
County Health System, San Francisco International Airport, County of San Mateo Department of
Public Works, C/CAG, the California Department of Transportation and the City of San Bruno;
none of said letters raised a significant environmental issue or alleged that the IS/MND was
legally inadequate; and
WHEREAS, the City prepared written responses to comments received on the IS/MND
and prepared a Final MND for circulation, which consists of the IS/MND (incorporated by
reference), all comments received on the IS/MND, written responses to comments received on
the IS/MND, revisions to the IS/MND, and a Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program
(“MMRP”); and
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission held a duly noticed public hearing to take public
comment and consider action on the IS/MND; 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 Municipal Code; the Project application; the Centennial Village Project
Plans, as prepared by Johnson Lyman Architects, dated August 1, 2013; the Preliminary
Transportation Demand Management Plan, as prepared by TJKM Transportation Consultants,
dated July 9, 2013; the 180 El Camino Real IS/MND, including the Draft and Final MND, the
MMRP and all appendices thereto; all site plans, and all reports, minutes, and public testimony
submitted as part of the Planning Commission’s duly noticed August 15, 2013 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:
1. The foregoing Recitals are true and correct and made a part of this Ordinance.
2. The exhibits and attachments, including the Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration
(attached as Exhibit A) and the MMRP, included with the Final MND (attached as Exhibit B) 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 Chief Planner, Susy Kalkin.
4. The proposed Project is consistent with the City of South San Francisco General Plan
because the land use, 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. Based on the Planning Commission’s independent judgment and analysis, the Planning
Commission recommends that the City Council make 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. In 2010, the City Council certified an Environmental
Impact Report for the South El Camino Real General Plan and Zoning Amendments. 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, Supplemental EIR, or South El Camino Real 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. Design features of the Project, as well as the mitigation measures proposed in the
IS/MND and included in the MMRP, will operate to ensure the impacts of 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 beyond those
established in the MMRP are not required for the Project.
c. For the reasons stated in this Resolution, the Planning Commission finds that
there is no substantial evidence in the record 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 recommends that the City Council adopt ND12-0004 attached as Exhibit A,
and adopt the Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program, attached as Exhibit B.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the 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 of the Planning Commission held on the 15th
day of August, 2013 by the following vote:
AYES: Chairperson Ochsenhirt, Vice Chairperson Martin, Commissioner Giusti, Commissioner
Khalfin, Commissioner Wong and Commissioner Zemke
NOES:
ABSTENTIONS:
ABSENT: Commissioner Sim
Attest:/s/Susy Kalkin
Susy Kalkin
Secretary to the Planning Commission
Exhibit A
Initial Study and Mitigated Negative Declaration
Exhibit B
Final Mitigated Negative Declaration/ Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program