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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPC Meeting 07-07-11 (Reso 2710-2011) - CEQA - Gimbal_s RESOLUTION NO. 2710-2011 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 NEGATIVE DECLARATION FOR THE EXPANSION OF THE GIMBAL’S FINE CANDIES FACILITY AT 250 HILLSIDE BOULEVARD WHEREAS, Gimbal’s Fine Candies (“Applicant”) seeks approval of a General Plan Amendment, Use Permit, and Design Review, to collectively authorize an expansion of their facility, consisting of the construction of an 8,810 square-foot addition to the existing 28,902 square-foot food preparation facility, and approval of a parking reduction, at the 1.73-acre site, located at 250 Hillside Boulevard (APN 012-070-360) (“Project”); and, WHEREAS, in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (Pub. Resources Code, §§ 21000, et seq. [“CEQA”]) and the CEQA Guidelines, the City prepared and circulated for public review, and Initial Study and Negative Declaration (“IS/ND”), which analyzed the environmental impacts of the Project, and concluded that the proposed Project could not have a significant effect on the environment, as more fully described and set forth therein; and, WHEREAS, the IS/ND was circulated for a 20-day public review period, beginning on June 3, 2011, during which time, members of the public were invited to comment on the environmental analysis and conclusions for the proposed Project; and WHEREAS, no comment letters were received on the IS/ND during the public comment period, and accordingly, no significant environmental issues or allegations that the IS/ND was legally inadequate were raised; and, WHEREAS, the Planning Commission held a duly noticed public hearing to take public comment and consider a recommendation on the IS/ND at its regular meeting on July 7, 2011; and WHEREAS, the Planning Commission has reviewed and carefully considered the information in the IS/ND, and makes the findings contained in this Resolution, and recommends that the City Council adopt the IS/ND, 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 Negative Declaration prepared for the 250 Hillside Boulevard—Gimbal’s Candy 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 July 7, 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/ND for the Project including comment letters received, attached as Exhibit A to this Resolution, is 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. The proposed Project is consistent with the City of South San Francisco General Plan (as proposed for amendment), because the proposed Project will further a number of Guiding and Implementing Policies in the General Plan. Specifically, by allowing the continued operation and expansion of the one of the City’s older, large industrial uses, the proposed Project is consistent with Guiding Policy 2-G-4: “Provide for continued operation of older industrial and service commercial businesses at specific locations.” The proposed Project’s General Plan Amendment is also consistent with how the City has treated other older industrial uses; for example, regarding the See’s Candy facility in the El Camino Real Planning Sub-Area, Policy 3.4-1-20 provides, “Recognize See’s Candies as a transitional use; permit it as a conforming use, allowing for expansion or contraction as necessary. Require any redevelopment of the site to be non-industrial and sensitive to the residential uses to the north.” 5. In accordance with CEQA, the Planning Commission has considered the Initial Study and Negative Declaration for the Project, including all comments received on the IS/ND, and based on the entirety of the Record, as described above, the Planning Commission, exercising its independent judgment and analysis, finds that for the reasons stated in this Resolution and the IS/ND, 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/ND 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 7th day of July, 2011 by the following vote: AYES: Commissioner Giusti, Commissioner Martin, Commissioner Ochsenhirt, Commissioner Prouty, Commissioner Sim and Vice Chairperson Zemke NOES: None ABSTAIN: None ABSENT: Chairperson Gupta ATTEST: Commission Secretary Susy Kalkin Secretary to the Planning Commission Exhibit A Initial Study and Negative Declaration 1669581.1