South San Francisco City Council Meeting - August 27, 2025

The South San Francisco City Council convened for a regular meeting covering a wide range of topics, including proclamations, staff announcements, presentations on international exchanges, council reports on community events, public comments on local processes, and significant land use and development agreements. The council also approved a major design update for a new preschool facility.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Annie criticized the nomination process for the Mayor's Women of the Year award, arguing it created a "fake democracy facade" because public nominations were not required for selection. The speaker stated that despite a nominee receiving nine nominations, they were not selected, questioning the fairness and integrity of the process.
• A bicyclist safety advocate briefly commented during the consent calendar, citing record-high bicyclist fatalities and questioning the city's ability to move forward with the El Camino Real Plan without an environmental impact study on traffic impacts.

Discussion Items

Proclamations and Presentations

• Childhood Cancer Awareness Month: A proclamation was presented to Jose Peña in honor of his daughter Juliana. Mr. Peña expressed gratitude and emphasized the city's role as a frontrunner in awareness, while noting decreased funding and that childhood cancer remains the leading cause of death in children.
• Suicide Prevention Month: A proclamation was accepted by Maya Canas of the Youth Action Board, who shared a personal story about her cousin and urged increased awareness and use of resources like the 988 crisis line.
• Retirement of Finance Director Karen Chang: Councilmember Nicholas presented a proclamation honoring Karen Chang for her 33-year career and her role in maintaining the city's AAA credit rating.
• Sister Cities Exchange with Kishiwada, Japan: Staff presented on a delegation trip to Kishiwada and a reciprocal student visit to South San Francisco, highlighting cultural exchange and community partnerships funded by the Rotary Club.

Council Comments and Announcements

• Multiple councilmembers praised the success of the recent Cultura Fest, with Mayor Flores reporting over 4,000 attendees and no emergency incidents. The event was described as a historic, unifying community celebration.
• Councilmembers reported on various events, including a BART fairgate installation, child care town halls, and the tragic shooting in Minneapolis.
• Tributes were made to former school board trustee Ray Latham and karate instructor Sensei Sue Miller.

Public Hearing: Tobacco Regulations (Hookah Bars)

• Staff proposed amendments to the zoning code to remove "hookah bar and smoking lounge" as a permitted use, aligning with recently adopted county tobacco ordinances.
• Applicant Nisareen Carmi requested a conditional use permit for a restaurant offering non-tobacco, non-nicotine hookah, citing cultural importance and a commitment to strict age verification and product restrictions.
• Council Debate: Members expressed conflicted views. Concerns centered on enforcement challenges in distinguishing between legal and illegal products and potential public health impacts. Support was voiced for cultural inclusivity and supporting a small business investment. The council directed staff to include strict conditions (e.g., signage, separate lounge, menu disclosures, age 21+) in any permit.

Public Hearing: Development Agreement Extensions

• 180 El Camino Real (Steelwave): A 10-year extension was requested for entitlements to construct life science buildings and 183 residential units. In exchange, the developer agreed to prepay 70% of community benefit fees ($2.4M total) over five years. The current market downturn was cited as the reason for the delay. The Safeway component is under construction and unaffected.
• 800 Dubuque Avenue (IQHQ): A similar 10-year extension was requested for an entitled R&D campus, with a prepayment structure for community benefit fees. The developer highlighted a recently completed but vacant building and optimism about market recovery, especially near transit.

Administrative Business: Westboro Preschool Project

• Staff and architects presented a new design for a 100-child preschool at Westboro Park, featuring a residential-style, courtyard building with nature-based play areas. The project also includes new park restrooms and ADA-compliant pathways.
• The design moves the preschool from the existing community center, freeing that space for senior and community programming.
• Councilmembers praised the design and the project's benefits to the park and community. The total cost is estimated at $12-13 million, with funding from CIP funds, a congressional earmark, and child care impact fees.
• Council approved amendments to consulting agreements with Kitchell CEM and Dorman Associates to proceed with full project management and design services.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Calendar: Unanimously approved (5-0), including minutes, project completions, consulting agreements for a shoreline study, grant applications for bike/pedestrian improvements, budget amendments, lease agreements, fire inspections, library materials, and a rezoning for 70 townhomes at 500 Railroad Avenue.
• Tobacco Ordinance Amendments: Ordinance introduced (4-0-1, with Mayor Flores abstaining) to remove hookah bars/smoking lounges from the zoning code, with a carve-out for one pending application to proceed with a conditional use permit under strict conditions.
• Development Agreements: Both 10-year extension agreements for 180 El Camino Real and 800 Dubuque Avenue were approved unanimously (5-0), including the prepayment structures for community benefit fees.
• Westboro Preschool: Resolutions approving increased consulting service agreements were passed unanimously (5-0), advancing the project toward a Spring 2026 groundbreaking.
• Closed Session: The council announced it would meet in closed session to discuss real property negotiations at 400 Miller Avenue and potential litigation.