HomeMy WebLinkAboutPC Meeting 05-05-11 (Reso 2706-2011) - ECR-Chestnut PC CEQA ResoRESOLUTION NO. 2706-2011
PLANNING COMMISSION, CITY OF SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO
STATE OF CALIFORNIA
A RESOLUTION MAKING FINDINGS AND
RECOMMENDING THAT THE CITY COUNCIL ADOPT
FINDINGS AND CERTIFY THE ENVIRONMENTAL
IMPACT REPORT, INCLUDING ADOPTION OF THE
STATEMENT OF OVERRIDING CONSIDERATIONS FOR
THE EL CAMINO REAL/CHESTNUT AVENUE AREA PLAN
WHEREAS, the City of South San Francisco (“City”) Planning Division staff and
the City’s consultant, Dyett and Bhatia, have prepared the El Camino Real / Chestnut
Avenue Area Plan, to guide and facilitate future growth and development of an the
approximately 98-acre planning area in the El Camino Real corridor, between Southwood
Drive to just north of Sequoia Avenue, with a focus on creating pedestrian-oriented, high
density mixed-use development, with a range of commercial, residential, and civic uses,
including parks, plazas, and gathering spaces for the community, which Area Plan
includes specific proposed amendments to the South San Francisco General Plan,
amendments to the South San Francisco Zoning Map (Rezone), and amendments to the
South San Francisco Zoning Ordinance (collectively, “Area Plan” or “Plan”);
WHEREAS, the City determined that an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) was
required to evaluate the impacts of the proposed Plan; and
WHEREAS, a Notice of Preparation was originally issued on July 5, 2010 and a
draft environmental impact report was prepared and circulated for public review from
February 25, 2011 to April 11, 2011; and
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission has held study session on the Plan at their
meeting on May 30, 2010, and held a duly noticed meeting during the review period on
April 7, 2011 to take public comment on the DEIR; and
WHEREAS, the Final EIR (FEIR) for the Amendment consists of the DEIR, as
well as all comments received on the DEIR, written responses to those comments, and
minor revisions to the DEIR; and
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission has reviewed and carefully considered the
information in the Draft EIR and the Final EIR (collectively, “EIR”) at a duly noticed
public hearing held on May 5, 2011, made the findings attached to this Resolution, and
recommends certification of the EIR, as an objective and accurate document that reflects
the independent judgment of the City in the identification, discussion and mitigation of
the Plan’s environmental impacts; and
WHEREAS, the Plan cannot be approved unless a Statement of Overriding
Considerations is adopted which evaluates the benefits of the proposed Plan against its
unavoidable impacts, and an earlier Statement of Overriding Considerations was made by
the City and also applies to the Amendment as follows:
1. The City of South San Francisco approved an update to its General Plan and
Environmental Impact Report in October 1999. The City Council made a
statement of overriding considerations in its approval of the General Plan
update, because the measures identified to mitigate for traffic congestion
along US 101 and regional air pollution would not be sufficient to reduce the
impacts to less than significant levels.
2. The Plan, due to increased population and employment growth, would cause
an increase traffic and would cause intersection LOS standard established by
the South San Francisco General Plan to be exceeded. The impacts would be
significant and unavoidable at five intersections
3. Therefore, the Statement of Overriding Considerations that was made for
approval of the General Plan would also apply to decision-making on the Plan
by the City.
4. Additionally, the Plan offers specific benefits as stated in the Statement of
Overriding Considerations for the Plan (attached as Exhibit C and
incorporated herein).
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that based on the entirety of the record
before it, which includes without limitation, 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; the draft El Camino Real / Chestnut Avenue Area Plan,
prepared by Dyett & Bhatia, dated February 2011; the draft El Camino Real / Chestnut
Avenue Area Plan General Plan Amendment, prepared by Dyett & Bhatia, dated
February 2011; the draft El Camino Real / Chestnut Avenue Area Plan Zoning Ordinance
Amendment, prepared by Dyett & Bhatia, dated February 2011; the El Camino Real /
Chestnut Avenue Area Plan EIR, including the Draft and Final EIR and all appendices
thereto; all reports, minutes, and public testimony submitted as part of the City Council
and Planning Commission Joint Study Session on September 16, 2009; all reports,
minutes, and public testimony submitted as part of the Planning Commission's study
session on May 30, 2010; all reports, minutes, and public testimony submitted as part of
the Planning Commission’s meeting of April 7, 2011; all reports, minutes, and public
testimony submitted as part of the Planning Commission’s meeting of May 5, 2011; and
any other evidence (within the meaning of Public Resources Code §21080(e) and
§21082.2) (“Record”), the City of South San Francisco Planning Commission hereby
finds as follows:
1. The foregoing recitals are true and correct and made a part of this
Resolution.
2. The EIR for the El Camino Real/Chestnut Avenue Area Plan General Plan
Amendment, as well as the Exhibits attached to this Resolution, including the EIR for the
El Camino Real / Chestnut Avenue Area Plan (Exhibit A), the CEQA Findings (Exhibit
B) and the Statement of Overriding Considerations (Exhibit C), are each incorporated by
reference as 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. Based on the Planning Commission’s independent judgment and analysis,
the Planning Commission makes the findings regarding the Plan's significant impacts and
project alternatives set forth in Exhibit A, attached hereto and incorporated by reference.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Planning Commission of the City of
South San Francisco hereby recommends that the City Council make the CEQA Findings
attached as Exhibit B, adopt the Statement of Overriding Considerations, attached as
Exhibit C, and certify the EIR for the El Camino Real / Chestnut Avenue Area Plan (EIR
11-0001) attached as Exhibit A.
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 the regular meeting held on the 5th day of May , 2011
by the following vote:
AYES: Commissioner Martin, Commissioner Ochsenhirt, Commissioner Sim,
Vice Chairperson Zemke and Chairperson Gupta
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: Commissioner Giusti and Commissioner Prouty
Attest: /s/ Susy Kalkin
Commission Secretary
Susy Kalkin
Secretary to the Planning Commission
Exhibit A
EIR for the El Camino Real / Chestnut Avenue Area Plan
Exhibit B
CEQA Findings
Exhibit C
Statement of Overriding Considerations
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