HomeMy WebLinkAboutPC Meeting 04-21-11 (Reso 2703-2011) - 160 S Linden CEQA
RESOLUTION NO. 2703-2011
PLANNING COMMISSION, CITY OF SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO
STATE OF CALIFORNIA
A RESOLUTION MAKING FINDINGS AND ADOPTING THE INITIAL STUDY
AND MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION AND A MITIGATION
MONITORING AND REPORTING PROGRAM FOR A COMMUTER BUS
FACILITY PROJECT AT 160 SOUTH LINDEN AVENUE
WHEREAS, the applicant (“Applicant”) has submitted an application to construct a new
commuter bus facility including a new 6,600 square foot stand alone repair building and a 1,040 square
foot addition to the existing main building for a supporting office use in order to relocate a heavy fleet-
based commuter bus service for Compass Transport to 160 South Linden Avenue (“Project”); and,
WHEREAS, approval of Applicant’s proposal requires granting a Use Permit and 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 measure and enforcement of such measures
through a Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program (“MMRP”); and,
WHEREAS, the IS/MND was circulated for a 20-day public review period, beginning on April
1, 2011, during which time members of the public were invited to comment on the environmental
analysis and conclusions for the proposed Project; 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 adopts 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 1999 General Plan and General Plan Environmental Impact Report,
including the 2001 updates to the General Plan and 2001 Supplemental Environmental Impact Report;
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 Design Review Board meetings held on July 20, 2010 and November 16, 2010,
respectively; all reports, minutes, and public testimony submitted as part of the Planning Commission's
duly noticed public hearing on April 21, 2011; 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, and the MMRP, included as section 2.18 of the IS/MND, 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
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. 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. 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 makes the findings contained in this Resolution, and adopts the IS/MND for the
Project (ND11-0001), including the MMRP contained in Section 2.18 of the IS/MND.
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 21st day of April, 2011 by the following
vote:
AYES: Commissioner Giusti, Commissioner Martin, Commissioner Ochsenhirt, Commissioner
Prouty, Commissioner Sim, Vice Chairperson Zemke and Chairperson Gupta
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: None
ATTEST:
Commission Secretary
Susy Kalkin
Secretary to the Planning Commission
Exhibit A
Initial Study and Mitigated Negative Declaration