HomeMy WebLinkAboutReso 18-2016 RESOLUTION NO. 18-2016
CITY COUNCIL, CITY OF SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, STATE OF CALIFORNIA
A RESOLUTION MAKING FINDINGS AND APPROVING
GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENTS TO MAKE CHANGES TO
THE LAND USE SECTION REVISING THE EAST OF 101
AREA PLAN PERTAINING TO LEGAL CONFORMING USES
RECOGNIZED BY RESOLUTION 84-97 AND THE
PLANNING SUB-AREAS ELEMENT TO ENSURE POLICY
CONSISTENCY WITH THE GENERAL PLAN, THE
DOWNTOWN STATION AREA SPECIFIC PLAN (DSASP)
AND THE TRANSIT OFFICE / RESEARCH AND
DEVELOPMENT CORE (TO/RD) ZONING DISTRICT.
WHEREAS, in 1997, the City Council adopted Resolution 84-97 approving General Plan
Amendment GP-97-030 ("GP-97-030"), amending the East of 101 Area Plan to delete "freight
forwarding" as a use consistent with the "Planned Industrial" land use designation, and
WHEREAS, GP-97-030 included a provision to allow property which was used in whole
or in part for freight forwarding, customs brokering, wholesale, warehousing or distribution uses
as of July 10, 1997 to continue as legal, conforming uses; and
WHEREAS, GP-97-030 included a provision to allow wholesale, warehouse, and
distribution uses to be converted to freight forwarding and customs brokering uses with a
Conditional Use Permit until July 10, 2000; and
WHEREAS, except as provided by GP-97-030, new development in the "Planned
Industrial" land use category shall not include warehouse, distribution, wholesaling, freight
forwarding, and customs brokering uses; and
WHEREAS, the City's General Plan was updated in 1999, and the "Planned Industrial"
land use designation transitioned to "Business Commercial," and the 1999 General Plan includes
Policy 3.5-I-11 which prohibits new warehouse, distribution, wholesaling, freight forwarding and
customs brokering uses in the Business Commercial land use designation; and
WHEREAS, the City of South San Francisco ("City") adopted the Downtown Station
Area Specific Plan (DSASP) in February 2015; and
WHEREAS, the Downtown Station Area Specific Plan ("DSASP") guides future
development in the portions of the City that lie within a one-half mile radius of the Caltrain
station and provides the blueprint for future change and improvements in the Downtown and
adjoining areas; and
WHEREAS, the DSASP focuses on improving connections and linkages to the Caltrain
station, downtown, and employment uses east of 101; and
WHEREAS, the Transit Office/R&D Core Zoning Sub-district of the DSASP is
envisioned as a high-intensity urban employment district, characterized by a walkable street
pattern; and
WHEREAS, warehouse, distribution, wholesaling, freight forwarding, and customs
brokering uses are not permitted in the Transit Office/R&D Core Zoning Sub-district of the
DSASP; and
WHEREAS, warehouse, distribution, wholesaling, freight forwarding, and customs
brokering uses generate high levels of truck traffic and are not pedestrian-oriented, and thus, not
consistent with the long-term vision of the DSASP; and
WHEREAS, staff has prepared amendments to the City's General Plan by amending the
East of 101 Area Plan and the Planning Sub-Areas Element to be consistent with and implement
the policies of the DSASP and underlying zoning; and,
WHEREAS, the DSASP was adopted after preparation, circulation, consideration, and
adoption of an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) in accordance with the California
Environmental Quality Act, Public Resources Code Sections 21000, et seq. ("CEQA"), which
analyzed the environmental impacts of adopting the DSASP; and,
WHEREAS, the revisions and corrections set forth in this General Plan Amendment, as
they relate to the East of 101 Area Plan, and the Planning Sub-Areas 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 Environmental Impact Report prepared and circulated for the DSASP adoption, 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, on January 21, 2016 the Planning Commission for the City of South San
Francisco held a lawfully noticed public hearing to solicit public comment and consider the
proposed General Plan Amendment, take public testimony, and make a recommendation to the
City Council; and,
WHEREAS, on February 10, 2016, the City Council for the City of South San Francisco
held a lawfully noticed public hearing to solicit public comment and consider the proposed
General Plan Amendment, take public testimony, and adopt this resolution approving the
General Plan Amendment.
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 General Plan and General Plan EIR; the
South San Francisco Municipal Code; the General Plan Amendment; and all reports, minutes,
and public testimony submitted as part of the Planning Commission's duly noticed January 21,
2016 meeting; and all reports, minutes, and public testimony submitted as part of the City
Council's duly noticed February 10, 2016 meeting and any other evidence (within the meaning
of Public Resources Code §21080(e) and §21082.2), the City Council of the City of South San
Francisco hereby finds as follows:
SECTION 1 FINDINGS
I. 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 the proposed Amendment to the
portion of the East of 101 Area Plan contained in Resolution 84-97 (Exhibit A), and the
proposed Amendment to the General Plan Planning Sub-Areas Element (Exhibit B) are
made part of this Resolution;
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, Sailesh Mehra.
II. General Plan Amendments Findings
1. As described in Exhibits A and B, adoption of the proposed General Plan Amendment
will include an amendment to the portion of the East of 101 Area Plan contained in
Resolution 84-97 and the Planning Sub-Areas Element of the South San Francisco
General Plan. The amendments would include changes to achieve internal consistency
with the vision and policy direction in the General Plan, Downtown Station Area Specific
Plan, and the Zoning Ordinance. The amendments are intended as minor alterations to the
General Plan related to implementation of the Downtown Station Area Specific Plan; and
2. The City Council has received and considered the Planning Commission's
recommendation in support of the General Plan Amendments and consistent with State
law, the South San Francisco General Plan, and the South San Francisco Municipal Code,
the City Council finds that the proposed General Plan Amendments are otherwise
consistent and compatible with the South San Francisco General Plan, are compatible
with the Downtown Station Area Specific Plan, do not obstruct or impede achievement of
any General Plan policies, are necessary to comply with other adopted plans, and further
a number of important Guiding and Implementing Policies set forth in the Land Use,
Planning Sub-Areas, and Transportation Elements, including without limitation:
Guiding Policy 2-G-2: "Maintain a balanced land use program that provides opportunities
for continued economic growth, and building intensities that reflect South San
Francisco's prominent inner bay location and excellent regional access."
Guiding Policy 2-G-5: "Maintain Downtown as the City's physical and symbolic center,
and a focus of residential, commercial, and entertainment activities."
Guiding Policy 3.1-G-1: "Promote Downtown's vitality and economic well-being, and its
presence as the city's center."
Guiding Policy 3.1-G-2: "Encourage development of Downtown as a pedestrian-friendly
mixed-use activity center with retail and visitor-orientated uses, business and personal
services, government and professional offices, civic uses, and a variety of residential
types and densities."
Guiding Policy 3.1-G-3: "Promote infill development, intensification, and reuse of
currently underutilized sites."
Guiding Policy 3.1-G-4: "Enhance linkages between Downton and transit centers, and
increased street connectivity with the surrounding neighborhoods."
SECTION 2 RECOMMENDATION
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Council of the City
of South San Francisco hereby makes the findings contained in this Resolution, and approves
and adopts the General Plan Amendment to the portion of the East of 101 Area Plan contained in
Resolution 84-97attached as Exhibit A, and the amendments to the Planning Sub-Areas Element
attached as Exhibit B.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this Resolution shall become effective immediately
upon its passage and adoption.
* * * * *
I hereby certify that the foregoing Resolution was regularly introduced and adopted by
the City Council of the City of South San Francisco at a regular meeting held on the 10th day of
February, 2016 by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Karyl Matsumoto, Richard A. Garbarino, and Liza Normandy
Vice Mayor Pradeep Gupta and Mayor Mark N. Addiego
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: None
TEST: Olt /e
Kris .-471:rtine if City Clerk
EXHIBIT A
PROPOSED REVISED RESOLUTION: EAST OF 101 AREA PLAN
GPA16-0001
EXHIBIT B
PROPOSED PLANNING SUB-AREAS ELEMENT AMENDMENT
GPA16-0001