HomeMy WebLinkAboutPC Meeting 04-18-24 (Reso 2942-2024) - Zoning Ordinance Cleanup (P23-0128; ZA23-0003)City of South San Francisco
Resolution 2942-2024
P.O. Box 711 (City Hall, 400
Grand Avenue)
South San Francisco, CA
File #:23-959 Agenda Date:4/18/2024
Version:1 Item #:3a.
Resolution making findings and recommending that the City Council adopt an ordinance amending Title 20 of
the South San Francisco Municipal Code to make minor revisions, corrections, and clarifications; modify and
add development standards to implement Housing Element programs and policies; and update regulations
pertaining to accessory dwelling units.
WHEREAS, in October of 2022, the City Council for the City of South San Francisco (“City”) adopted a
comprehensive update to the City’s Zoning Ordinance, which update included (i) an entirely new Title 20
replacing the existing Zoning Ordinance; and (ii) an entirely new Zoning Map replacing the City’s existing
Zoning Map (collectively, “Zoning Ordinance Update” or “ZOU”), and such Zoning Ordinance Update was
prepared to ensure consistency with the 2040 General Plan Update and the Climate Action Plan Update; and
WHEREAS, since adoption of the Zoning Ordinance in October 2022, with continued use and implementation
of the Ordinance, the City has identified areas of the Zoning Ordinance that require minor refinement,
clarification, and/or correction; and
WHEREAS, the City staff has drafted proposed revisions to the City’s Zoning Ordinance to address the
identified areas that require correction (“Zoning Amendments” or “Amendments” attached hereto as Exhibit
A); and
WHEREAS, the Zoning Ordinance was adopted after preparation, circulation, consideration, and adoption of
an Environmental Impact Report (“2040 General Plan EIR”) for the 2040 General Plan Update, Climate Action
Plan Update and Zoning Ordinance Update in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act,
Public Resources Code Sections 21000, et seq. (“CEQA”), which analyzed the environmental impacts of
adopting the 2040 General Plan Update, Climate Action Plan Update and Zoning Ordinance Update and
concluded that adoption of the 2040 General Plan Update, Climate Action Plan Update and Zoning Ordinance
Update 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; and
WHEREAS, the minor refinements, clarifications, and/or corrections set forth in this Zoning Amendment, are
minor in nature, the adoption of which would not result in any new significant environmental effects or a
substantial increase in the severity of any previously identified effects beyond those disclosed and analyzed in
the 2040 General Plan EIR prepared and circulated for the 2040 General Plan Update, Climate Action Plan
Update and Zoning Ordinance Update nor do the refinements, clarifications, and/or corrections constitute a
change in the project or change in circumstances that would require additional environmental review; and
WHEREAS, it is also staff’s evaluation that the proposed changes and clarifications are not subject to the
requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section
15601(b)(3) because it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the proposed changes and
clarifications may have a significant effect on the environment; and
WHEREAS, on April 18, 2024, the Planning Commission for the City of South San Francisco held a lawfully
noticed public hearing to solicit public comment and consider the proposed Zoning Amendments and associated
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File #:23-959 Agenda Date:4/18/2024
Version:1 Item #:3a.
noticed public hearing to solicit public comment and consider the proposed Zoning Amendments and associated
CEQA determination, take public testimony, and make a recommendation to the City Council on the Zoning
Amendments.
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 Zoning Amendments; and all reports, minutes, and public
testimony submitted as part of the Planning Commission’s duly noticed April 18, 2024 meeting; 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 I FINDINGS
A.General Findings
1. The foregoing recitals are true and correct and made a part of this Resolution.
2. The Zoning Amendments, attached to this Resolution as Exhibit A,are incorporated by reference and
made a part of this Resolution, as if set forth fully herein.
3.The minor refinements, clarifications, and/or corrections set forth in the Zoning Amendments,
attached to this Resolution as Exhibit A, are minor in nature, the adoption of which would not
result in any new significant environmental effects or a substantial increase in the severity of
any previously identified effects beyond those disclosed and analyzed in the 2040 General
Plan EIR prepared for the 2040 General Plan Update, Climate Action Plan Update and Zoning
Ordinance Update, nor do the refinements, clarifications, and/or corrections constitute a change
in the project or change in circumstances that would require additional environmental review.
Furthermore, the proposed changes and clarifications are also not subject to the requirements
of CEQA pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3) because it can be seen with
certainty that there is no possibility that the proposed changes and clarifications may have a
significant effect on the environment.
4. 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.
B.Zoning Amendment Findings
1. The proposed Zoning Amendments are consistent with the 2040 General Plan because the Ordinance
Amendments will continue to reinforce many of the 2040 General Plan policies maintaining a balanced
land use program and is consistent with the City’s overall vision for the proper location of uses. None
of the new or revised definitions, tables, figures, policies, standards and land uses will conflict with or
impede achievement of any of the goals, policies, or land use designations established in the 2040
General Plan. The proposed amendments including revisions to the ADU regulations are also consistent
with state law requirements.
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File #:23-959 Agenda Date:4/18/2024
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2. The areas of the City impacted by the proposed Zoning Amendments are suitable for the proposed uses
in terms of access, size of parcel, relationship to similar or related uses, and other considerations
because the minor revisions, corrections and clarifications will not alter the existing uses permitted in
the Zoning Ordinance and will further ensure orderly development.
3. The proposed Zoning Amendments are not detrimental to the use of land in any adjacent zone because
the minor revisions, corrections and clarifications will ensure that the Zoning Ordinance is consistent
and accurate and none of the Amendments will change any of the existing zoning districts.
SECTION II RECOMMENDATION
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 recommends that the City Council adopt
an ordinance amending the Zoning Ordinance in accordance with the Zoning Amendments set forth in Exhibit
A, attached hereto and incorporated herein.
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 18th day of April 2024 by
the following:
vote:AYES:
NOES:
ABSTENTIONS:
ABSENT:
Chair Faria, Vice Chair Funes-Ozturk, Baker, Evans, Shihadeh, Tzang _
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_Pamukcu____________________________________________