HomeMy WebLinkAboutPC Meeting 06-03-10 (Reso 2693-2010) - Mid Pen CEQARESOLUTION NO. 2693-2010
PLANNING COMMISSION, CITY OF SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO
STATE OF CALIFORNIA
A RESOLUTION MAKING FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDING
ADOPTING THE INITIAL STUDY AND NEGATIVE
DECLARATION FOR THE MID PENINSULA HOUSING
COALITION PROJECT AT 636 EL CAMINO REAL
WHEREAS, the Mid Peninsula Housing Coalition (“Mid Pen”) has submitted an
application for a mixed-use affordable housing project on an approximately two-acre lot located
at 636 El Camino Real, which will consist of four two- to five-story buildings with up to 109
residential rental units and approximately 5,000 square feet of commercial/retail space on the
ground floor, along El Camino Real (“Project”); and,
WHEREAS, approval of Mid Pen’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 negative declaration analyzing the proposed Project
and concluding that approval of the Project could not have a significant effect on the
environment because none of the impacts required to be analyzed under CEQA would exceed
established thresholds of significance (“IS/ND”); and,
WHEREAS, pursuant to and in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act
(42 U.S.C. §§ 4321, et seq., “NEPA”) and the Housing and Urban Development federal
regulations, an Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact were also
prepared; and
WHEREAS, the IS/ND was provided to the State Clearinghouse and circulated for a 30-
day public review period, beginning on April 20, 2010, during which time members of the public
were invited to comment on the environmental analysis and conclusions for the proposed
Project; and
WHEREAS, five comment letters were submitted on the IS/ND, from the Department of
Transportation, San Francisco International Airport, Department of Toxic Substances Control,
C/CAG, and the California Energy Commission; none of which letters raised a significant
environmental issue or alleged that the IS/ND was legally inadequate; and,
WHEREAS, the City Council and the Planning Commission have each held a study
session to review and provide input on the project, and on June 3, 2010, the Planning
Commission held a duly noticed public hearing to take public comment and consider a
recommendation on the IS/ND; and
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission has reviewed and carefully considered the
information in the IS/ND, including all comment letters submitted, 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 2010 South El Camino Real General Plan
Amendment and related zoning and design guidelines, including the Environmental Impact
Report prepared for the Amendment; the South San Francisco Municipal Code, including the
recently adopted Chapter 20.25, “El Camino Real Mixed-Use District”; the Initial Study and
Negative Declaration, and Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact,
prepared for the Project, including all written comments received; all reports, minutes, and public
testimony submitted as part of the Design Review Board meeting held on June 16, 2009; all
reports, minutes, and public testimony submitted as part of the City Council’s study session held
on August 19, 2009; all reports, minutes, and public testimony submitted as part of the Planning
Commission's study session held on January 21, 2010; all reports, minutes, and public testimony
submitted as part of the Planning Commission's duly noticed public hearing on June 3, 2010; 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 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), including those recently adopted as part of the
South El Camino Real General Plan Amendment (City Council Resolution No. 31-2010), 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 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, 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; and in 2010 the City Council certified an
Environmental Impact Report for the South El Camino Real General Plan Amendment and
related zoning and design guidelines. 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 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 General Plan Amendment EIR. The IS/ND, 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, Supplemental EIR and General
Plan Amendment EIR, 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/ND 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/ND for the Project (ND09-0002).
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 3rd day of June , 2010 by the
following vote:
AYES: Commissioner Gupta, Commissioner Giusti, Commissioner Moore,
Commissioner Ochsenhirt, Commissioner Zemke, Vice Chairperson Bernardo
and Chairperson Prouty
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: None
ATTEST:
Commission Secretary
Susy Kalkin
Exhibit A
Initial Study and Negative Declaration
For the South San Francisco Zoning Ordinance Update
1459255.1