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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-06-23 Planning Commission Meeting Agenda REVISEDThursday, July 6, 2023 7:00 PM City of South San Francisco P.O. Box 711 (City Hall, 400 Grand Avenue) South San Francisco, CA Municipal Services Building, Council Chambers 33 Arroyo Drive, South San Francisco, CA Planning Commission ALEX TZANG, Chairperson NORMAN FARIA, Vice Chairperson SAM SHIHADEH, Commissioner MICHELE EVANS, Commissioner SARAH FUNES, Commissioner AYSHA PAMUKCU, Commissioner JOHN BAKER, Commissioner Regular Meeting Agenda HYBRID IN-PERSON/VIRTUAL MEETING NOTICE 1 July 6, 2023Planning Commission Regular Meeting Agenda How to observe the Meeting (no public comment): https://www.ssf.net/government/city-council/video-streaming-city-and-council-meetings/planning- commission ZOOM LINK BELOW -NO REGISTRATION REQUIRED Join Zoom meeting: https://ssf-net.zoom.us/j/82584801637 (Enter your email and name) Webinar ID: 825 8480 1637 Join by Telephone: +1 669 900 6833 Teleconference participation is offered in the meeting via Zoom as a courtesy to the public. If no members of the Commission are attending the meeting via teleconference, and a technical error or outage occurs on the teleconference feed, the Commission will continue the meeting in public in the Council Chambers. How to Submit written Public Comment before the meeting: Email: [email protected] Members of the public are encouraged to submit public comments in writing in advance of the meeting. The email will be monitored during the meeting.The City encourages the submission of comments by 6:00pm on the date of the Public Hearing to facilitate inclusion in the meeting record. How to provide Public Comment during the meeting: LIMITED TO THREE (3) MINUTES PER SPEAKER 1. By Zoom: When the Clerk calls for the item on which you wish to speak, click on "raise hand." Speakers will be notified shortly before they are called to speak. 2. By Phone: Enter the conference ID fund on the agenda. When the Clerk calls for the item on which you wish to speak, Click *9 to raise a hand to speak. Click *6 to unmute when called. 3. In Person: Complete a Digital Speaker Card located at the entrance to the Council Chamber’s. Be sure to indicate the Agenda Item # you wish to address or the topic of your public comment. When your name is called, please come to the podium, state your name and address (optional) for the Minutes. American Disability Act: Page 2 City of South San Francisco Printed on 6/29/2023 2 July 6, 2023Planning Commission Regular Meeting Agenda The City Clerk will provide materials in appropriate alternative formats to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Please send a written request to City Clerk Rosa Govea Acosta at 400 Grand Avenue, South San Francisco, CA 94080, or email at [email protected]. Include your name, address, phone number, a brief description of the requested materials, and preferred alternative format service at least 72-hours before the meeting. Accommodations: Individuals who require special assistance of a disability-related modification or accommodation to participate in the meeting, including Interpretation Services, should contact the Office of the City Clerk by email at [email protected], 72-hours before the meeting. Additional meeting materials received or provided after initial publication of the Public Hearing Agenda may be found here: https://www.ssf.net/departments/economic-community-development/planning-division/planning-commi ssion Page 3 City of South San Francisco Printed on 6/29/2023 3 July 6, 2023Planning Commission Regular Meeting Agenda CALL TO ORDER ROLL CALL PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE AGENDA REVIEW ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM STAFF PUBLIC COMMENT DISCLOSURE OF EX-PARTE COMMUNICATIONS This portion of the meeting is reserved for Planning Commissioners to disclose any communications, including site visits, they have had on current agenda items, or any conflict of interest regarding current agenda items. CONSENT CALENDAR Consideration of draft minutes from the June 15, 2023 Planning Commission1. 06-15-23 PC Final MinutesAttachments: Master Sign Program and Design Review for a previously approved office/R&D project at 580 Dubuque Avenue in the East of 101 Transit Core (ETC) Zoning District in accordance with Title 20 of the South San Francisco Municipal Code and determination that the project is categorically exempt from CEQA. (Christopher Espiritu, Senior Planner) 2. Attachment 1_DRB Comment Letter Attachment 2_Master Sign Program Plans Attachment 3_Draft Findings and Conditions of Approval Attachments: ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS Report regarding the release of the Draft Lindenville Specific Plan. (Billy Gross, Principal Planner) 3. Executive Summary of the Draft LSP Staff Presentation Attachments: The Commission has adopted a policy that applicants and their representatives have a maximum time limit of 20 minutes to make a presentation on their project. Non-applicants may speak a maximum of 3 minutes on any agenda item. Questions from Commissioners to applicants or non-applicants may be answered by using additional time. ITEMS FROM THE COMMISSION Page 4 City of South San Francisco Printed on 6/29/2023 4 July 6, 2023Planning Commission Regular Meeting Agenda ADJOURNMENT **Any interested party will have 15 calendar days from the date of an action or decision taken by the Planning Commission to appeal that action or decision to the City Council by filing a written appeal with the City Clerk as provided under Chapter 20.570 of the South San Francisco Municipal Code. In the event an appeal period ends on a Saturday, Sunday, or any other day the City is closed, the appeal period shall end at the close of business on the next consecutive business day. The cost to appeal for applicants, residents, and all others is $1,848. Page 5 City of South San Francisco Printed on 6/29/2023 5 City of South San Francisco Legislation Text P.O. Box 711 (City Hall, 400 Grand Avenue) South San Francisco, CA File #:23-528 Agenda Date:7/6/2023 Version:1 Item #:1. Consideration of draft minutes from the June 15, 2023 Planning Commission City of South San Francisco Printed on 6/28/2023Page 1 of 1 powered by Legistar™6 June 15, 2023 Minutes Page 1 of 3 MINUTES June 15, 2023 CITY OF SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO REGULAR PLANNING COMMISSION CALL TO ORDER / PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TIME: 7:00 PM AGENDA REVIEW No changes. ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM STAFF None. PUBLIC COMMENTS None. CONSENT CALENDAR 1. Consideration of draft minutes from the May 18, 2023 Planning Commission Motion to approve: Commissioner Baker, Second – Commissioner Shihadeh, approved by roll call (5-0-0) Meeting Video: https://ci-ssf- ca.granicus.com/player/clip/1713?view_id=2&redirect=true&h=6475c40fd78e36befffe6 63c8a3638fd 2. Report regarding a resolution finding that the proposed fiscal year 2023-24 Capital Improvement Program is consistent with the City’s General Plan in accordance with Government Code Section 65401. (Matthew Ruble, Principal Engineer and Eunejune Kim, Public Works Director/City Engineer) ROLL CALL / CHAIR COMMENTS PRESENT: Vice Chair Faria Commissioners: Baker, Funes-Ozturk, Pamukcu, Shihadeh ABSENT: Chair Tzang, Evans STAFF PRESENT: Tony Rozzi - Chief Planner – Christopher Espiritu – Senior Planner – Kelsey Evans – Clerk – Matt Ruble – Principal Engineer 7 June 15, 2023 Minutes Page 2 of 3 2a. Resolution finding that the proposed fiscal year 2023-24 Capital Improvement Program is consistent with the South San Francisco General Plan in accordance with Government Code Section 65401. • Olga Perez – Public comment via email submission. Motion to approve: Commissioner Baker, Second – Commissioner Shihadeh, approved by roll call (5-0-0) Meeting Video: https://ci-ssf- ca.granicus.com/player/clip/1713?view_id=2&redirect=true&h=6475c40fd78e36befffe6 63c8a3638fd PUBLIC HEARING 3. Report regarding consideration of applications for a Design Review Permit, Transportation Demand Management Plan, and Community Benefits Program to allow a new Office/R&D development on 800 Dubuque Avenue, and consideration of associated California Environmental Quality Act Analysis. (Christopher Espiritu, Senior Planner) Public Hearing opened 7:05 pm Public Hearing closed 7:47 pm 3a. Resolution making findings and recommending that the City Council approve a Design Review Permit and Transportation Demand Management Plan to allow a new Office/R&D Development on 800 Dubuque Avenue Motion to approve: Commissioner Baker, Second – Vice Chair Faria, approved by roll call (5-0-0) Meeting Video: https://ci-ssf- ca.granicus.com/player/clip/1713?view_id=2&redirect=true&h=6475c40fd78e36befffe6 63c8a3638fd 3b. Resolution making findings and recommending that the City Council adopt the Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration (ND22-0004) in accordance with Section 21080 of the California Public Resources Code and CEQA Guidelines Section 15070 et seq. Motion to approve: Commissioner Shihadeh, Second – Commissioner Baker, approved by roll call (5-0-0) Meeting Video: https://ci-ssf- ca.granicus.com/player/clip/1713?view_id=2&redirect=true&h=6475c40fd78e36befffe6 63c8a3638fd ADMINISTRATIVE 8 June 15, 2023 Minutes Page 3 of 3 None. ITEMS FROM THE COMMISSION None. ADJOURNMENT Vice Chair Faria adjourned the Planning Commission meeting at 7:55PM. Tony Rozzi, Chief Planner, AICP Alex Tzang, Chairperson or Norm Faria, Vice Chairperson Secretary to the Planning Commission Planning Commission City of South San Francisco City of South San Francisco TR/tr 9 City of South San Francisco Legislation Text P.O. Box 711 (City Hall, 400 Grand Avenue) South San Francisco, CA File #:23-541 Agenda Date:7/6/2023 Version:1 Item #:2. Master Sign Program and Design Review for a previously approved office/R&D project at 580 Dubuque Avenue in the East of 101 Transit Core (ETC)Zoning District in accordance with Title 20 of the South San Francisco Municipal Code and determination that the project is categorically exempt from CEQA.(Christopher Espiritu, Senior Planner) RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends that the Planning Commission determine that the Master Sign Program (SIGNS23-0014)for the 580 Dubuque Avenue project is categorically exempt from CEQA per Section 15311,Class 11 and approve the project based on the proposed findings and subject to the proposed conditions of approval. MOTION TO ADOPT STAFF RECOMMENDATION (1)Move to determine the project is exempt from CEQA and approve the Master Sign Program subject to the attached findings and conditions of approval. BACKGROUND The Planning Commission and City Council previously approved the entitlements for a new office/R&D building located at 580 Dubuque Avenue.The project is currently under construction.As part of the project’s entitlements,the Conditions of Approval for the project required that any future signage for these projects was subject to a separate review and approval. DISCUSSION/ZONING CONSISTENCY ANALYSIS South San Francisco Municipal Code (SSFMC)Section 20.360.010 (Master Sign Program)states that the purpose of a Master Sign Program is to provide a method for an applicant to integrate the design and placement of signs within a project with the overall development design to achieve a more unified appearance. The proposed Master Sign Program is consistent with the high-quality materials,design,and character of the building.The proposed signs would be constructed of a variety of architectural grade glass,acrylic,and metals such as stainless steel,aluminum,and others.The proposed signage would be well-integrated into the project components and would provide clear wayfinding to and within the site for multiple modes of transportation. The proposed signage in the Master Sign Program would be of an appropriate scale and location,and would be consistent with the character and quality of the proposed building. Attachment 2 to this staff report is the Master Sign Program Project Plans for the 580 Dubuque Avenue development. In summary, the proposed signage program includes: City of South San Francisco Printed on 6/28/2023Page 1 of 3 powered by Legistar™10 File #:23-541 Agenda Date:7/6/2023 Version:1 Item #:2. Monument Signage The applicant is proposing one primary monument sign located at the entrance to the project site and others located along paths of travel to direct visitors to building entrances and service areas.Approximate dimensions of the largest monument sign are 14’-2½”tall by 3’-5”wide and would not exceed 68.5 square feet in area. Other monument signs are relatively smaller with varying heights between 5’-10’tall and between 9.25-38 square feet in area.Two of the proposed monument signs are existing Caltrain directional signs that would be slightly relocated in the same general area for public visibility. High Rise Signage High rise identification signage is also proposed at the building roofline to identify the major building occupants from a greater viewing distance.Fabricated aluminum steel individual internally illuminated channel letters are proposed to be installed on the north and south elevations of the building.The proposed high rise identification signages are approximately 8 feet tall and would be 166 square feet (North)and 112 square feet (South) in areas, respectively. Various other signage types are also proposed such as: ·Exterior Wayfinding Signage to direct visitors to major campus destinations and visitor parking. ·Marquee Signage located on the entrance/exit frames outside of the building. ·Regulatory Signage (Wall Signs) to direct visitors to major campus designations and visitor parking ·Window Signs noting building operations near entrances/exits. DESIGN REVIEW BOARD The Design Review Board (DRB)considered the master sign program on May 16,2023.The DRB recommended the application for approval by the Planning Commission as the proposed sign program was widely supported by the Board.The DRB offered recommendations for minor changes to the proposed monument signage,and those recommendations are included in the Draft Findings and Conditions of Approval (Attachment 3). GENERAL PLAN CONFORMANCE The Project site is part of the East of 101 Planning Sub-Area as defined by the City of South San Francisco’s General Plan. The site’s General Plan designation is East of 101 Transit Core (ETC). The Project is consistent with the guiding and implementing policies in the General Plan as it has been designed to promote campus-style uses,such as biotechnology,high-technology and research and development uses.The signage material,color,style,and placement would be functional,informational and compatible with the intended character of the East of 101 Area and the approved building design.The Master Sign Program would not result in any substantial changes to the approved building,and the overall project would remain consistent with the intent and purpose of the General Plan. City of South San Francisco Printed on 6/28/2023Page 2 of 3 powered by Legistar™11 File #:23-541 Agenda Date:7/6/2023 Version:1 Item #:2. ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW The project proposes signage for an existing approved and CEQA cleared project.A categorical exemption for onsite signage per CEQA Section 15311, Class 11 applies to this Master Sign Program. CONCLUSION The applicant has worked with staff and the DRB to create a thoughtful,balanced and high-quality Master Sign Program for the Office/R&D development at 580 Dubuque Avenue that is in scale with the building,compatible with the urban setting and functional for those visiting and utilizing the campus.Staff recommends that the Planning Commission approve the Master Sign Program application,per the draft Findings and Conditions of Approval. Attachments 1.Design Review Board Comment Letter 2.Master Sign Program Plan Set 3.Draft Findings and Conditions of Approval City of South San Francisco Printed on 6/28/2023Page 3 of 3 powered by Legistar™12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 DRAFT FINDINGS OF APPROVAL P21-0037: SIGNS23-0014 MASTER SIGN PROGRAM FOR 580 Dubuque Avenue (As recommended by City Staff on July 6, 2023) As required by the Master Sign Permit Application Procedures (SSFMC Section 20.360.010) and the Design Review Procedures (SSFMC Section 20.480), the following findings are made in support of a Master Sign Program at 580 Dubuque Avenue in the East of 101 Transit Core (ETC) Zoning District in accordance with Title 20 of the South San Francisco Municipal Code (SSFMC), based on public testimony and materials submitted to the South San Francisco Planning Commission which include, but are not limited to: project plans prepared by RSM Design dated April 2023; and Planning Commission hearing of July 6, 2023. Master Sign Program 1. The proposed signs are compatible in style and character with the buildings to which the signs are to be attached, any surrounding structures and any adjoining signage on the site because the proposed signs were designed to be in keeping with the architectural design of the buildings, using similar materials and colors; 2. The Master Sign Program contains standards for all wayfinding and identification signage for the site. Any future tenants will be provided with adequate opportunities to construct, erect, or maintain a sign for identification; and 3. The Master Sign Program includes the installation of wayfinding and identification signage that will improve both pedestrian and vehicular circulation and emergency vehicle access. Design Review 1. The Master Sign Program complies with the applicable standards and requirements of this Ordinance because as submitted and modified through the Design Review Process, this sign program meets or complies with the applicable standards included in Chapter 20.090 (Downtown/Caltrain Station Area Zoning Districts); 2. The Master Sign Program complies with the General Plan the City Council has adopted because the proposed sign program is consistent with the policies and design direction provided in the South San Francisco General Plan for the Business Commercial land use designation; 56 3. The Master Sign Program complies with any applicable design guidelines adopted by the City Council in that the proposed sign program is consistent with the Design Principles in Section 20.360.003; and 4. The Master Sign Program complies with the applicable design review criteria in Section 20.480.006 (“Design Review Criteria”) because the project has been evaluated against, and found to be consistent with, each of the eight design review criteria included in the “Design Review Criteria” section of the Ordinance. 57 DRAFT FINDINGS OF APPROVAL P21-0037: SIGNS23-0014 MASTER SIGN PROGRAM FOR 580 Dubuque Avenue (As recommended by City Staff on July 6, 2023) A) Planning Division requirements shall be as follows: 1. The applicant shall incorporate the recommendations of the Design Review Board from their meeting of May 16, 2023, and as listed below: a) The proposed “Spur” monument sign is too tall and has multiple fonts that makes the sign distracting to read. b) Monument sign colors that were intended to match the corten steel look do not work as well as presented. Applicant should ensure materials selected work together so that the contrasting colors do not look incompatible. c) Confirm that the monument sign will not block the sightlines as cars are entering/existing the campus. 2. The applicant is responsible for providing site signage during construction, which contains contact information for questions regarding the construction. 3. Provide clear signage on site for commercial and visitor parking areas to help direct vehicle traffic. 4. The construction drawings shall substantially comply with the approved plans prepared by RSM Design, dated April 2023, as approved by the Planning Commission in association with SIGNS22-0019, and as amended by the conditions of approval. The final plans shall be subject to the review and approval of the Chief Planner. 5. The total sign area for all signs included in the Master Sign Program shall not exceed the square footage as indicated in the Planning Commission approved plans. Sign area shall be calculated by blocking or boxing around the outside edge of the proposed signage, including the logo. 6. Any modification to the approved use, plans or conditions of approval shall be subject to SSFMC Section 20.450.012 (“Modification”), whereby the Chief Planner may approve minor changes. For questions regarding Planning Division COAs, please contact: Christopher Espiritu (650) 877-8535 or [email protected] 58 City of South San Francisco Legislation Text P.O. Box 711 (City Hall, 400 Grand Avenue) South San Francisco, CA File #:23-544 Agenda Date:7/6/2023 Version:1 Item #:3. Report regarding the release of the Draft Lindenville Specific Plan. (Billy Gross, Principal Planner) RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends that the Planning Commission receive a presentation on the release of the Draft Lindenville Specific Plan. INTRODUCTION The Draft Lindenville Specific Plan is now available for public review and comment. The Draft Plan is being presented to the City Council, various Boards and Commissions, and to the general public throughout the month of July. In addition, the digital Specific Plan is available on the project website at <https://shapessf.com/plan-lindenville/> and executive summary documents have been prepared and posted. The executive summary documents have been translated into Spanish, Tagalog and Mandarin, and all the documents will be translated upon adoption. This Planning Commission study session is intended to provide an overview of the format and contents of the Lindenville Specific Plan. BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION In October 2022,the City adopted a comprehensive update of the General Plan,Zoning Code and Climate Action Plan,providing an updated vision for the city.The new General Plan identifies the Lindenville sub-area as an important opportunity to add housing adjacent to the downtown transit-rich core,to support a creative arts and maker community,and to continue the city’s industrial heritage.To ensure that new development proceeds in an organized and well-planned manner and includes new housing opportunities,the City Council authorized the preparation of a Lindenville Specific Plan and associated environmental analysis. While the General Plan is a required document for each city in California,a specific plan is an optional planning and zoning tool that implements the goals and policies of the General Plan in a particular geographic area.It takes the community’s vision developed during the General Plan process and defines the detailed policies,City programs,and development standards to implement that vision for the area.Typically,the plan addresses areas of change that need special attention and integrated/holistic planning. The development of the Lindenville Specific Plan occurred in four stages that began in 2022. ·Project Initiation.In this initial phase,the planning team analyzed the existing conditions of Lindenville to understand the key issues,opportunities,and emerging trends of the Plan Area.This phase included a series of community outreach events where the team shared background information and gathered feedback on community priorities related to Lindenville. ·Land Use Alternatives.To compare distinct approaches for accommodating new residential and mixed uses while still supporting Lindenville’s current uses,different land use,mobility,open space,and urban City of South San Francisco Printed on 6/29/2023Page 1 of 3 powered by Legistar™59 File #:23-544 Agenda Date:7/6/2023 Version:1 Item #:3. uses while still supporting Lindenville’s current uses,different land use,mobility,open space,and urban design alternatives were prepared.Public feedback on the alternatives was gathered through workshops and a series of City Council,committee,and commission meetings,and this led to the development of a preferred land use plan in Winter 2023. ·Development of Preferred Plan,Technical Analysis,and Policies.The technical analysis of the preferred plan covered a range of study areas,such as sea level rise,traffic,health,and economic impacts in Lindenville.Likewise,the goals,policies,and development standards in the Draft Specific Plan built off of the community input heard throughout the planning process and the technical analysis. ·Plan Release and Adoption.The last phase of the planning process includes the release of the Public Review Draft of the Specific Plan for City Council,Planning Commission,and community review.The Plan will be presented at hearings and community workshops before the final plan goes before City Council for adoption. Building off these efforts,the Lindenville Specific Plan will be the guiding document to help realize the General Plan's vision for the area as a mixed-use neighborhood,employment hub,and cultural center of South San Francisco.Walkable,connected districts,including the South Spruce corridor,are envisioned as lively destinations where people have easy access to retail,parks,and other community resources.The Plan will preserve the city's industrial heritage but will also provide new opportunities for people to live in the district.A revitalized Colma Creek has the potential to become a community-serving linear park with restored ecology that benefits the health and wellbeing of people and wildlife. Following the release of the Public Draft Lindenville Specific Plan on June 30,staff and the consultant team will continue to review the key elements of the plan with the City Council,Planning Commission,and other City Boards and Commissions per the following planned meetings: ·July 3 Youth Commission ·July 6 Planning Commission ·July 12 Virtual Community Open House ·July 13 Community Open House (in person at Emergency Operations Center) ·July 17 Equity and Public Safety Commission ·July 18 Design Review Board ·July 20 Cultural Arts Commission ·July 26 City Council It is anticipated that the Lindenville Specific Plan adoption hearings will occur in September 2023. CONCLUSION It is recommended that the Planning Commission receive a presentation on the release of the Draft Lindenville Specific Plan and provide any preliminary feedback. City of South San Francisco Printed on 6/29/2023Page 2 of 3 powered by Legistar™60 File #:23-544 Agenda Date:7/6/2023 Version:1 Item #:3. Attachments 1.Executive Summary of the Draft Lindenville Specific Plan 2.Staff Presentation City of South San Francisco Printed on 6/29/2023Page 3 of 3 powered by Legistar™61 1 CHAPTER 2 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 62 2 CHAPTER 2 Community Engagement Throughout the Specific Plan process, the planning team conducted a variety of engagement activities that included public workshops, pop-up events, stakeholder interviews, and Council, committee, and commission meetings. In order to hear from community members, stakeholders, and businesses of different backgrounds, the planning team used a variety of engagement platforms throughout the planning process. Both in-person and virtual events and meetings were organized, and interactive surveys and features of the project website were used. Whenever possible, meetings and materials were available in a bilingual (Spanish/ English) format. Introduction The Lindenville Specific Plan will be the guiding document to help realize the General Plan's vision for the area as a mixed-use neighborhood, employment hub, and cultural center of South San Francisco. Walkable, connected districts, including the South Spruce corridor, are envisioned as lively destinations where people have easy access to retail, parks, and other community resources. The Plan will preserve the city's industrial heritage but will also provide new opportunities for people to live in the district. A revitalized Colma Creek has the potential to become a community-serving linear park with restored ecology that benefits the health and wellbeing of people and wildlife. Pop-up at the South San Francisco Concert in the Park 63 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 3 Vision for Lindenville The Vision established by the General Plan was developed through extensive community input from City Council, Planning Commission, and local stakeholders. The Specific Plan sets out to continue the city’s industrial legacy, but also create a Colma Creek Mixed Use Neighborhood, and allow for the enhancement of existing features, such as the revitalization of Colma Creek into a community-serving linear park with restored ecology, and the development of new spaces for housing, creative and artistic uses, and improved pedestrian and bicyclist paths. The policy set forth in the Lindenville Specific Plan is consistent with the goals of the General Plan, but it refines the land use pattern and creates specific development standards and implementation policies that put those ideas into action. Lindenville is a vibrant and inclusive neighborhood that maintains a base of job opportunities, promotes the creative economy, and creates a new residential neighborhood where all people can thrive. 64 4 LINDENVILLE SPECIFIC PLAN Major Strategies to Achieve This Vision As South San Francisco begins to prepare for climate change impacts and as demands change in the housing and industrial sectors, Lindenville presents a unique opportunity to balance multiple priorities through development and land use changes, infrastructure improvements, and implementation actions that can have multiple benefits. The following cross-cutting strategies will be used to guide the future changes in Lindenville, create the Colma Creek Mixed Use Neighborhood the community has envisioned, retain an industrial core while allowing some higher-density employment, and reach the goals the Specific Plan sets for Lindenville. These strategies support the Vision and are implemented by the more detailed standards, guidelines, and actions found in following chapters. WHAT DO WE MEAN WHEN WE SAY MIXED USE? Mixed use can be defined in two ways: neighborhood and vertical mixed use. Neighborhood, or horizontal mixed use, describes an area with housing adjacent to retail, commercial, and other uses. While an individual parcel might have only one use, the area of proximate parcels may have a diversity of uses. Vertical mixed use describes parcels with buildings that have homes on the upper floors and a distinct use on the ground floor. The Colma Creek Mixed Use Neighborhood of Lindenville is expected to have both types of mixed-use development patterns. 65 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 5 Establishing Character Areas The Specific Plan establishes four distinct Character Areas, the Colma Creek Mixed Use Neighborhood, the South Spruce Avenue Corridor, the Employment Areas, and the South Linden Avenue Arts and Makers District. Standards and policies for each area are intended to guide the “look and feel” of each of these places, specifying the attributes that make each of these places distinct and unique. Each area contains standards to implement the Vision for Lindenville, and to create a unified sense of place and address land use compatibility. Guidance for the areas covers land uses, mobility, open space and blue-green infrastructure, and urban design, as these are some of the building blocks for a complete neighborhood. Likewise, building design standards aim to create character, distinction, and visual interest within Lindenville. Materials and craft maintain a strong link to Lindenville’s industrial past. New developments are encouraged to use colors and materials that reference the former industrial uses of buildings. Lindenville Character Areas 66 6 LINDENVILLE SPECIFIC PLAN Creating A Complete Neighborhood The Colma Creek Mixed Use Neighborhood in Lindenville will help the City achieve its sustainability goals and provide more neighborhood choice in South San Francisco. Allowing mixed use land uses will spur the creation of new housing opportunities and community services, which when paired with local job centers and mobility and open space improvements, creates a complete and walkable neighborhood, where people can easily reach destinations within a short walk or bike ride. The introduction of housing in Lindenville also creates opportunities for people to live closer to work, help reduce traffic congestion by internalizing trips, and increase housing production to enable the City to meet its housing goals. PROMOTING HOUSING AFFORDABILITY The Colma Creek Mixed Use Neighborhood and South Spruce Avenue Corridor allow for the construction of a variety of housing types with distinct height and density standards. Townhomes and less intensive building types may be located in areas adjacent to existing residential, while mid-rise apartment buildings can be placed along transit corridors or adjacent to commercial uses. Live/work types are allowed throughout Lindenville, including along South Linden Avenue in the South Linden Avenue Arts and Makers District. Allowing these distinct housing options can create rental and ownership opportunities within Lindenville, in turn creating a community with people of different income levels and family types. The Plan sets a goal of 20% of housing units built within Lindenville to consist of deed-restricted affordable housing for households at or below moderate-income levels. The affordable housing strategies incorporated into the Plan to meet this goal include targeting the use of citywide affordable housing production tools and funding sources, assisting affordable housing developers in overcoming development constraints, and incentivizing commercial and market-rate housing developers to produce affordable units. Policies and actions related to affordable housing are included in the Land Use and Housing chapter. PROVIDING SUPPORTIVE SERVICES AND USES Residents of a complete neighborhood should be able to dine, shop, socialize, and fulfill daily needs all within a short walk or bike ride. Allowing mixed use development creates opportunities for non-residential uses and services to set up shop alongside residential uses or at a walkable or bikeable distance from residential areas. These supportive uses will generally be located along the South Spruce Avenue Corridor, in the South Linden Avenue Arts and Makers District, and within the Colma Creek Mixed Use Neighborhood. People are more incentivized to live in the Colma Creek Mixed Use Neighborhood when there is supportive infrastructure, like public transit, expanded bike lanes, and improved sidewalks, that can connect them to neighborhood-serving uses and job centers. This Plan supports the creation of complete neighborhoods by requiring active ground floor uses in strategic locations and allowing a diversity of resident-supporting land uses in Lindenville. Complete Neighborhood Diagram 67 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 7 Land Use Districts 68 8 LINDENVILLE SPECIFIC PLAN Building on the Industrial Legacy The changing economy has led to a decline in small businesses, light industrial, and other flex employment uses across the region. There is a strong demand for industrial space throughout San Mateo County and South San Francisco, but businesses are competing for a shrinking supply of space as industrial properties are redeveloped. Building on Lindenville’s industrial legacy, the Specific Plan continues the locally and regionally important industrial uses and jobs while also encouraging the adaptation of existing older industrial areas into new and modern industrial spaces, crafting a second-generation Lindenville, “The Industrial City 2.0.” Lindenville retains the logistics, manufacturing, and warehousing uses it is known for, but the policies and standards of the Specific Plan allow for more flexibility that can support emerging industrial and creative uses. This can maintain the diversity of business types operating in Lindenville and keep South San Francisco at the forefront of innovation. The Specific Plan retains the same capacity for industrial uses as set by the City’s General Plan and includes strategies to prevent the displacement of existing Lindenville businesses. Some of the business retention strategies include increasing City outreach and assistance to local businesses and supporting renovations and new construction needed to meet the evolving needs of industrial businesses. Cultivating Arts and Cultural Identity Lindenville contains a burgeoning group of artists, makers, and creative businesses that enhance the identity of the Plan Area, in particular South Linden Avenue. Following the direction laid out in the General Plan and the Public Arts Master Plan, this Specific Plan establishes an overlay that facilitates the retention and creation of new creative uses in the South Linden Avenue Arts and Makers District. Accompanying guidelines to the overlay seek to create a lively and flexible District that has active ground floor uses and a variety of building types that support a range of creative industries. The Arts and Makers District requires arts and marker uses on the ground floor of buildings and minimizes the regulatory requirements for the adaptive reuse of existing buildings along South Linden Avenue. The Arts and Makers District additionally serves as a transitional area between the existing, traditional industrial spaces in Lindenville and the new, mixed use residential uses in the northern portion of the Plan Area. When paired with mobility and infrastructure improvements, the enhanced South Linden Avenue corridor better connects Downtown South San Francisco to the San Bruno BART Station south of the District. 69 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 9 Building Climate Resilience Human-induced climate change has begun to affect climate systems and created extreme weather events in cities throughout the world. South San Francisco has witnessed changes in sea level rise, precipitation, and heatwaves. Lindenville faces flood risk that is likely to be exacerbated by rising sea levels and increased intensity of precipitation and extreme storm events. There are multiple potential sources of flood risk surrounding Lindenville, with the San Francisco Bay to the west, Colma Creek running through the north section of the Plan Area, and Navigable Slough in the southeast Plan Area. Climate change will increase pressure on the existing infrastructure systems managed by various agencies, particularly the stormwater system. Opportunities to increase system resilience throughout Lindenville include reducing impervious coverage with new development, increasing detention capacity, and using green infrastructure in parks and streets to remove pollutants and reduce runoff volumes entering the stormwater system. While green stormwater infrastructure can lessen impacts from increased rainfall and sea level rise, interventions within Lindenville alone will not fully mitigate these potential impacts. Watershed wide improvements, both up and downstream from Lindenville, will be required to minimize the potential extent of future flooding. This will require proactive initiatives with OneShoreline, surrounding communities, and State and federal agencies. Lindenville is also susceptible to urban heat island effects due to the extensive impervious and low albedo surface areas and its lack of tree canopy. These conditions can exacerbate heat stress within the Plan Area during extreme heat events. The widespread commercial and industrial land uses (which require large expanses of asphalt and concrete) and building typologies (which require more roof space than typical residential neighborhoods) in Lindenville contribute to the substantially high percentage of impervious coverage. The Specific Plan’s blue-green infrastructure network works with the open space network in creating new parks and green spaces in Lindenville that are regenerative, enhanced with stormwater management strategies, and designed to increase Lindenville’s urban forest canopy. Strategies to build climate resilience are woven into all of the chapters of the Specific Plan and have influenced the development of the policies, actions, and standards of the Specific Plan. Source: Hassell Studio Source: SERA Architects 70 10 LINDENVILLE SPECIFIC PLAN Enhancing Open Spaces Open space and blue-green infrastructure enhance the quality of life, improve ecology, and support resilience in Lindenville. While blue-green infrastructure improvements could solely mitigate flood risk, pairing the infrastructure with open space improvements provides multiple benefits. The open space network contains existing green spaces and new public park and open space typologies that can be used by residents and workers of all ages and abilities. New mini and linear parks located throughout the mixed-use residential neighborhoods create places for residents to gather, engage in recreation, and foster health. Additionally, the open space network connects to the Centennial Way Trail and other active transportation features that connect to Orange Memorial Park and to the Bay Trail. These active mobility connections provide opportunities for physical and passive recreation and reduce greenhouse gas emissions from motorized vehicles. Other open space improvements, such as the naturalization of creek and flood channels, help to restore the ecology of waterways and habitats, increase the biodiversity and resiliency of the area, and create new recreation opportunities. The open space framework is based on the following strategies: • Colma Creek Greenbelt. Colma Creek Greenbelt is a nature-based enhancement to the Colma Creek flood channel that provides an active transportation connection through multi-use trails, facilitates passive recreation and gathering opportunities, and provides plant and animal habitat while addressing the area’s stormwater and floodwater management needs. • Railroad Neighborhood Park. A new neighborhood park north of Colma Creek that is a local destination, providing publicly-accessible spaces and facilities for community gatherings, cultural events, recreation, and the social needs of both locals and visitors. • Lindenville Linear Park. The Lindenville Linear Park runs north to south, connecting the Colma Creek Greenbelt and the Centennial Way Trail via green-lined pedestrian and bike path. • Mini Parks and Plazas. Mini parks and plazas provide smaller-scale open space throughout Lindenville that support community gathering spaces adjacent to new development. Source: SERA Architects Source: SERA Architects 71 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 11 Parks and Open Space Framework Plan 72 12 LINDENVILLE SPECIFIC PLAN Promoting Health and Environmental Justice Lindenville has historically supported light industrial, manufacturing, and service and repair businesses, which all contribute to the City’s legacy as the “Industrial City.” This legacy, plus its location adjacent to regional transportation infrastructure, has created environmental conditions that need to be mitigated to ensure the health and wellbeing of current and future residents and workers, and to create a healthier community overall. Lindenville has a disproportionately high pollution burden from diesel particulate matter and traffic, two pollution sources that stem from the area’s industrial and logistics uses and its proximity to high- volume roadways. The high proportion of freight truck traffic traveling to, from, and through the area disperse diesel particulate matter, and exhaust from non- diesel vehicles contains many toxic chemicals that may pose health risks to Lindenville’s residents and workers. The area’s industrial legacy also means that there are sites contaminated with hazardous chemicals that require remediation. These historically contaminated sites, and the storage and disposal of hazardous substances, pose threats to soil health, groundwater quality, and human health. South San Francisco faces sea level rise from multiple sources, but the low-lying areas in Lindenville also risk exposure to runoff containing toxic chemicals from rising groundwater. Healthy communities are places that foster positive health outcomes for all who live, work, and play in them. Good nutrition, physical activity, and access to healthcare all influence health. However, health is also influenced by many other factors, including safe and sanitary housing and low exposure to pollution. A neighborhood’s physical, social, and economic environments combine to make residents healthier and more resilient to long-term changes and short-term shocks. Considering the overall pollution burden of Lindenville, the Plan includes policies and design standards meant to protect residents and building occupants from air pollution and industrial pollutants present in the soil. The policies, actions, and standards of the Specific Plan have been developed through an environmental justice lens and with the intent to make Lindenville a healthy, livable community. Connecting Communities The mobility network of Lindenville is designed to be multimodal, safe, and connected while advancing sustainability and livability goals. Street space is limited throughout Lindenville, with each street presenting an opportunity to prioritize walking, biking, transit, truck, and regional auto access. In the layered network presented in the Specific Plan, each mobility mode is prioritized within a subset of streets to offer high quality infrastructure for that mode, it is tied directly to the anticipated future land uses and local and regional mobility improvements. Street design standards call for bike and pedestrian improvements throughout many street types, but they also allow for flexible curbside zones that can better serve the transit agencies, businesses, and people who use those streets. Bike, pedestrian, and transit improvements in particular help to create a walkable and bikeable environment that is safe and comfortable for people of all ages and abilities. These improvements are focused in and around the Colma Creek Mixed Use Neighborhood. By having safer mobility options, more residents and workers can be incentivized to use them over single occupancy vehicles, which furthers the Plan’s climate and sustainability goals and promotes reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. Likewise, due to the industrial and auto-oriented nature of the Plan Area, many streets in Lindenville continue to accommodate auto and truck travel to US-101 and I-380. The layered network approach ensures all Lindenville residents, workers, and visitors can travel throughout the Plan Area and are connected to the rest of the city and region. 73 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 13 Transit Priority Streets Bicycle Priority Streets 74 Public Draft Specific Plan Planning Commission July 6, 2023 75 Give an overview of the Lindenville Specific Plan process Review vision and major strategies in the Public Draft Specific Plan Review key land use and development standards Hear your comments on the Public Draft Specific Plan The Purpose of Today’s Meeting is… Planning Commission / 2 76 Specific Plan Process Existing Conditions Summer 2022 Alternatives Fall 2022 Preferred Plan Winter 2023 Technical Analysis Winter 2023 Specific Plan Winter – Summer 2023 Adoption September 2023 We are here! Planning Commission / 3 77 Summary of Engagement Process •2 online surveys •3 community workshops (2 in person, 1 virtual) •4 pop-up events •3 rounds of stakeholder meetings •6 Technical Working Group meetings •9 Board and Commission meetings •Colma Creek Citizen’s Advisory Committee x2 •Planning Commission x2 •Bicycle and Pedestrian Commission x2 •Parks and Recreation Commission •Cultural Arts Commission •City Council Planning Commission / 4 78 Public Draft Specific Plan Released June 29, 2023 Planning Commission / 5 79 Planning Commission / 6 80 Vision Planning Commission / 7 81 Transforming Lindenville Planning Commission / 8 From an employment area To a place for people, nature, arts, opportunity, and resilience Source: Hassell Studio 82 Major Strategies to Achieve the Vision 1.Establishing Character Areas 2.Creating a Complete Neighborhood 3.Building on the Industrial Legacy 4.Cultivating Arts and Cultural Identity 5.Building Climate Resilience 6.Enhancing Open Spaces 7.Promoting Health and Environmental Justice 8.Connecting Communities Planning Commission / 9 83 Establishing Character Areas •Complete neighborhoods •Development and amenities near transit, in residential areas, and in walkable activity centers •Unique design standards Planning Commission / 10 84 Creating a Complete Neighborhood •Diverse housing •Neighborhood serving uses •Arts and makers spaces Planning Commission / 11 85 Building on the Industrial Legacy •Industrial building types that support the "Industrial City 2.0" •Emphasis on preserving regionally- important industrial uses and local jobs, while providing modern industrial spaces •Enable reinvestment to provide modern industrial space in MIH, MIM districts Planning Commission / 13 86 Cultivating Arts and Cultural Identity •New Lindenville Arts and Makers Overlay •Unique design standards •Art in public spaces Planning Commission / 14 87 Building Climate Resilience Integrated design strategies •Flooding: Colma Creek, Navigable Slough adaptation strategies •Stormwater management: blue-green infrastructure •Heat island: urban forest canopy cover Planning Commission / 15 88 Enhancing Open Spaces Planning Commission / 16 Neighborhood Parks Plazas Colma Creek Greenbelt Greenways and TrailsMini Parks and Plazas Lindenville Linear Park 89 Enhancing Open Spaces Planning Commission / 17 Type of Open Space Required Open Space (acres) Colma Creek Greenbelt 16.3 Neighborhood Park 3.0 Lindenville Linear Park 7.5 Mini Parks and Plazas 12.4 Centennial Way Trail 4.5 Total 43.7 90 Promoting Health and Environmental Justice •SFO Airport: Noise and safety capability requirements •Industrial and highway adjacency: Window, screening, and open space requirements •Air quality: Indoor air pollutant filtering •Environmental effects: Site and soil assessment •Regional access routes: Away from mixed use areas Planning Commission / 18 91 Connecting Communities •Welcoming and accessible for people using all modes of transportation •Layered network approach •Accounts for existing uses and right of way constraints •Complete street guidance Planning Commission / 19Transit Priority Streets 92 Connecting Communities •Walkable block structure •Integrated bike and pedestrian network Planning Commission / 20Bicycle Priority Streets 93 Key Planning and Urban Design Standards Planning Commission / 21 94 Key Planning and Urban Design Standards 1.Land Use Districts 2.Building Height 3.Active Ground Floor Uses 4.Arts and Makers District 5.Design Standards Planning Commission / 22 95 Land Use Districts •Land use districts regulate use, density / intensity, and height •3 form-based districts •6 use-based districts •Overlay zones incentivize district priorities •Open space •Green building •Arts and makers •Active ground floor uses Planning Commission / 23 96 Land Use Districts Planning Commission / 24 District Minimum Residential Density (DU/AC) Maximum Residential Density (DU/AC) Base Non-Residential Floor Area Ratio Maximum Floor Area Ratio with Community Benefits2 RM-22 15 or existing density, whichever is greater 221 NA - T3CM 20 60 0.5 minimum for non- residential, 1.0 maximum for non-residential uses 2.5 T4L 80 120 0.5 maximum for non- residential uses 3.75 T5L 80 140 0.5 maximum for non- residential uses 4 BPO NA NA 1 2.5 BTP-H NA NA 0.5 2.5 for Clean Technology, Office, and R&D MIM NA NA 0.42 1.0 for all permitted uses except Office and R&D MIH NA NA 0.4 2.5 for all permitted uses except Office and R&D PQP NA NA NA NA 97 How Does the Specific Plan Map Differ from the General Plan? Planning Commission / 25 Changed from Industrial Transition to Mixed Use Established a lower-density residential transition Changed from Mixed Industrial High to Mixed Industrial Changed from Mixed Use to Business & Professional Office Changed from Business & Professional Office to Mixed Industrial High Changed from Mixed Use to Mixed Industrial High Changed from Mixed Use to Mixed Industrial High 98 Building Height •Heights oriented towards the Mixed Use Neighborhood, San Bruno BART, and along Highway 101 •Height Incentive Overlay •Transition to RL Districts Planning Commission / 26 99 Height Incentive Overlay •Green building standards •Greenpoint Rated •Whole building lifecycle assessment • Open space standards •At least 20% •Development Incentives •Up to 160’ in height; may not exceed FAA regulations •High rise building requirements apply Planning Commission / 27 100 Transition from T4L to RL Districts Planning Commission / 28 101 Active Ground Floor Uses Overlay •Spaces for retail sales, personal services, restaurants •Required ground floor retail space that yields ~ 10,000 to 15,000 square feet of active uses •Building design requirements •Temporary uses allowed to reserve space for future uses Planning Commission / 29 102 Arts and Makers Overlay •Development incentives for provision of arts and makers space – 50% of ground floor use •Development Incentives •All Parcels •Sale of goods on-site is permitted •Relaxing requirements for temporary uses like events and performances •Converted Buildings •No new parking, loading, landscape, or open space required •New Buildings •No minimum parking Planning Commission / 30 103 Design Standards Planning Commission / 31 Intent: to create unique design character for areas in Lindenville •Building massing •Materials and color •Passive shading •Entryways 104 Establishing Character Areas Planning Commission / 32 Building Massing Color ShadingMaterials 105 Colma Creek Greenbelt Planning Commission / 33 106 Colma Creek Vision GENERAL PLAN GOAL SA-24: Colma Creek is transformed and new open spaces are created to provide opportunities for social interaction, recreation, flood protection, and urban ecology. Policy CR-3.1: Develop Colma Creek adaptation solutions. Continue to work with San Mateo County Flood and Sea Level Rise Resiliency District on developing and implementing adaptation options for Colma Creek. Planning Commission / 34 Source: Hassell Studio Source: Hassell Studio 107 Colma Creek Greenbelt •16+ acres of open space •Active mobility corridor •Flood improvements •Blue-green infrastructure Planning Commission / 35 108 Colma Creek Cross Sections Planning Commission / 36 109 Colma Creek Flood Analysis •Modeled existing and future flood scenarios with sea level rise •Combination of channel capacity improvements (raising floodwalls 1’ and widening the creek to the south) result in the creek meeting it’s intended level of service Planning Commission / 37 Spruce AvenueLinden AvenueDissipator TeethWSE (Future 50-year + 3ft SLR ) 2ft freeboard 1.8ft freeboard Future 50-year Storm + 3ft SLR 110 Colma Creek Greenbelt TDR Program Planning Commission / 38 •Properties in Colma Creek Greenbelt Overlay eligible to transfer floor area / units •Receiving site may also: •Receive up to a 50% parkland credit •Waive linkage / community benefit fees 111 Next Steps Planning Commission / 39 112 Public Draft Specific Plan Engagement Activities •Community Open House Events •Virtual event: July 12, 11:30am - 1:30pm •In person event: July 13, 5:30pm - 7:30pm •Pop-Up Events •Orange Memorial Park Farmers’ Market: July 8, 10am - 1pm •Orange Memorial Park Movie Night: July 21, 6pm •Boards and Commissions •Youth Commission: July 3 •Planning Commission: July 6 •Equity and Public Safety Commission: July 17 •Design Review: July 18 •Parks and Recreation Commission: July 18 •Cultural Arts Commission: July 20 •City Council: July 26 Planning Commission / 40 113 Specific Plan Feedback •Written comments concerning the Specific Plan should be sent to: •Lisa Costa Sanders, Project Administrator •City of South San Francisco •[email protected] •All public comments must be submitted by July 31, 2023 Planning Commission / 41 114 Specific Plan Feedback Form •Visit the Plan Feedback website at: https://shapessf.com/plan- feedback/ •Add comments one at a time through the Feedback Form •Comments can be general or chapter specific Planning Commission / 42 115 Executive Summaries Available at: https://shapessf.com/ •English •Spanish •Mandarin •Tagalog Planning Commission / 43 116 Next Steps after the Comment Period •Compile public comments and recommend Specific Plan changes: August •Presentations to Boards and Commissions: August and September •SFO Airport Land Use Commission •City/County Association of Governments of San Mateo County (CCAG) Board •Planning Commission •Release Environmental Impact Report Addendum: September •City Council Consideration: September Planning Commission / 44 117 Thank You! Planning Commission / 45 118