HomeMy WebLinkAboutPC Meeting 10-19-23 (Reso 2930-2023) - 573 Forbes Blvd Entitlements (P23-0050)City of South San Francisco
Resolution 2930-2023
P.O. Box 711 (City Hall, 400
Grand Avenue)
South San Francisco, CA
File #:23-740 Agenda Date:10/19/2023
Version:1 Item #:2b.
Resolution making findings and approving Design Review and a Transportation Demand Management Plan for
the construction of a new 8-story office / R&D building within the Business Technology Park - High (BTP-H)
Zoning District at 573 Forbes Boulevard.
WHEREAS, the applicant has proposed the construction of an 8-story, 315,718 square foot (gross square
footage) office / R&D building approximately 137 feet in height (with rooftop elements reaching 171 feet), an 8
-level parking structure containing 470 parking stalls, open spaces, landscaping, and circulation improvements
(“Project”) on the property located at 573 Forbes Boulevard (APN 015-082-170) of approximately 2.83 acres
(referred to as “Project Site”) in the City; and
WHEREAS, the proposed Project is located within the Business Technology Park - High (BTP-H) General Plan
Land Use Designation and Zoning District; and
WHEREAS, the applicant seeks approval of a Design Review Permit (DR23-0013) and Transportation Demand
Management Program (TDM23-0005) for the Project; and
WHEREAS, approval of the applicant’s proposal is considered a “project” for purposes of the California
Environmental Quality Act, Pub. Resources Code §21000, et seq. (“CEQA”); and
WHEREAS, the City Council certified an Environmental Impact Report (“EIR”) on October 12, 2022 (State
Clearinghouse number 2021020064) in accordance with the provisions of CEQA and the CEQA Guidelines,
which analyzed the potential environmental impacts of the development of the 2040 General Plan Update,
Zoning Code Amendments and Climate Action Plan (“2040 General Plan EIR”); and
WHEREAS, the City Council also adopted a Statement of Overriding Considerations (“SOC”) on October 12,
2022 in accordance with the provisions of CEQA and the CEQA Guidelines, which carefully considered each
significant and unavoidable impact identified in the 2040 General Plan EIR and found that the significant
environmental impacts are acceptable in light of the project’s social, economic and environmental benefits; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15183, City staff and the applicant conducted
environmental analysis in the form of an environmental checklist for the proposed Project; and
WHEREAS, the 573 Forbes Boulevard Project Environmental Checklist and analysis concludes that in
accordance with CEQA Guidelines Section 15183, the proposed Project is consistent with the development
density established by the existing general plan land use designation and zoning for which the 2040 General
Plan EIR was certified, and demonstrates that the proposed Project qualifies for streamlined environmental
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File #:23-740 Agenda Date:10/19/2023
Version:1 Item #:2b.
Plan EIR was certified, and demonstrates that the proposed Project qualifies for streamlined environmental
review, as there are no project-specific significant effects which are peculiar to the Project or the Project Site;
and
WHEREAS, on October 19, 2023, the Planning Commission for the City of South San Francisco held a
lawfully noticed public hearing to solicit public comment and consider the environmental effects of the Project
and proposed entitlements and take public testimony; and
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission reviewed and carefully considered the information in the 2040 General
Plan EIR and 573 Forbes Boulevard Project Environmental Checklist pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section
15183 and by separate resolution, found that the Environmental Checklist demonstrates that the proposed
Project qualifies for streamlining, as there are no project-specific significant effects which are peculiar to the
Project or the Project Site; and
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission exercised its independent judgment and analysis, and considered all
reports, recommendations, and testimony before making a determination on the Project.
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 2040 General Plan; the South San Francisco Municipal Code; the 2040 General Plan EIR and
Statement of Overriding Considerations; the Project applications; the 573 Forbes Boulevard Project Plans, as
prepared by DGA planning | architecture | interiors dated June 2023; the Proposed Transportation Demand
Management Plan, as prepared by Fehr & Peers, dated September 2023; the 573 Forbes Boulevard Project
Environmental Checklist, including all appendices thereto, prepared by Lamphier-Gregory, Inc. dated October
2023; all site plans; all reports, minutes, and public testimony submitted as part of the Planning Commission’s
duly noticed October 19, 2023 public hearing; 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:
SECTION 1 FINDINGS
A.General Findings
1. The foregoing recitals are true and correct and made a part of this Resolution.
2. The Exhibits attached to this Resolution, including Conditions of Project Approval (Exhibit A), Project
Plan Set (Exhibit B), Proposed Transportation Demand Management Plan (Exhibit C), and Pedestrian
Wind Assessment (Exhibit D) are each incorporated by reference and made a 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
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File #:23-740 Agenda Date:10/19/2023
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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 the Chief Planner.
4. By a separate resolution, the Planning Commission, exercising its independent judgment and analysis,
has found that, the 573 Forbes Boulevard Environmental Checklist prepared for the Project, is the
appropriate document for the Project, as the Environmental Checklist concludes that implementation of
the Project will not create any new significant impacts or trigger any new or more severe impacts than
were studied in the previously certified 2040 General Plan EIR; that no substantial changes in the
projects or circumstances justifying major revisions to the 2040 General Plan EIR have occurred; and
that no new information of substantial importance has come to light since the 2040 General Plan EIR
was certified that shows new or more severe significant impacts nor shows new, different or more
feasible mitigation measures.
B.Design Review
1. The Project, including Design Review, is consistent with Title 20 of the South San Francisco Municipal
Code because the Project has been designed as a high-quality office / R&D development, which will
provide a pedestrian- and bicycle-friendly campus and transit-oriented environment with on-site
amenities, and achieve a sustainable building and landscape design.
2. The Project, including Design Review, is consistent with the General Plan because the proposed office /
R&D development is consistent with the policies and design direction provided in the South San
Francisco General Plan Business Technology Park - High (BTP-H) Land Use designation by developing
new office / R&D facilities with campus-serving amenities and connections to transit hubs.
3. The Project, including Design Review, is consistent with the applicable design guidelines adopted by
the City Council in that the proposed Project is consistent with the BTP-H Zoning District development
standards and the Citywide development standards, as evaluated in the Zoning Ordinance Compliance
analysis for the Project.
4. The Project, including Design Review, is consistent with other planning or zoning approval that the
project requires for the reasons stated above.
5. The Project is consistent with the applicable design review criteria in South San Francisco Municipal
Code Section 20.480.006 (“Design Review Criteria”) because the project has been evaluated by the
Design Review Board on June 20, 2023, and found to be consistent with each of the eight design review
criteria included in the “Design Review Criteria” section of the Ordinance.
C.Transportation Demand Management Plan
1. The proposed trip reduction measures contained in the TDM Plan (attached hereto as Exhibit C) are
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1. The proposed trip reduction measures contained in the TDM Plan (attached hereto as Exhibit C) are
feasible and appropriate for the Project, considering the proposed use and the Project’s location, size,
and hours of operation. Appropriate and feasible measures have been included in the TDM Plan to
achieve the 40-point minimum in trip reduction measures for Tier 3 development.
2. The proposed performance guarantees will ensure that the target 40% alternative mode use established
for the Project by SSFMC Chapter 20.400 (“Transportation Demand Management”) will be achieved
and maintained. Conditions of approval have been included to require that the Final TDM Plan, which
must be submitted for review and approval prior to issuance of a building permit, shall outline the
required process for on-going monitoring, including annual surveys and triennial reports.
SECTION 2 DETERMINATION
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Planning Commission of the City of South San
Francisco hereby makes the findings contained in this Resolution and approves the entitlements request for 573
Forbes Boulevard (P23-0050: DR23-0013 and TDM23-0005) subject to the attached Conditions of Approval.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this Resolution shall become effective immediately upon its passage and
adoption.
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Attest:__________________________________
Adena Friedman
Secretary to the Planning Commission
I hereby certify that the foregoing resolution was adopted by the Planning Commission of the
City of South San Francisco at a regular meeting held on then 19th day of October, 2023 by the
following:
vote:AYES:
NOES:
ABSTENTIONS:
ABSENT:
Chair Tzang, Vice Chair Faria, Baker, Evans, Funes-Ozturk, Shihadeh
______________________________________________________________
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Pamukcu