South San Francisco Planning Commission Special Meeting - May 30, 2019

The South San Francisco Planning Commission held a special meeting on Thursday, May 30, 2019, at 7:00 PM in the Council Chambers. The meeting covered three main items: a design review of the Community Civic Campus, a use permit for an indoor soccer facility, and a use permit for a fleet-based tour bus service. The commission also approved consent calendar items and heard public testimony.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Minutes: The commission unanimously approved the regular meeting minutes of April 18, 2019.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Todd Edwards (neighbor and owner of Pennou French Laundry and Cleaners) spoke against the fleet-based service use permit (Item 3). He detailed ongoing pollution issues at the property, including standing water, hazardous waste from a former paint factory, and a recent hazmat incident. He expressed concerns about diesel exhaust from buses affecting his business and asked that the site be cleaned before any permit is issued.

Discussion Items

• Item 4 – Community Civic Campus Design Review (Administrative Business): The Smith Group presented the schematic design for the library, parks & recreation, and community theater/council chamber building. Key features include an 80,000-square-foot, three-story building with a glass curtain wall, fritted glass for energy efficiency, a 1.5-acre park with synthetic turf, playground, and future garden. The park design includes a walking loop, fitness stations, and a connection to Centennial Way Trail. The police station design was also updated to harmonize with the campus. Commissioners offered feedback on materials, landscape, and lighting but took no formal vote; comments will be forwarded to the City Council for consideration on June 12, 2019.

• Item 2 – Indoor Sports and Recreation Use Permit (239 Utah Avenue): The applicant, Redwood Soccer Alliance, proposed an indoor soccer training facility for children ages 8–14. Hours of operation are Monday–Friday 5:00 PM–9:00 PM and weekends 10:00 AM–6:00 PM. No tournaments, special events, or summer camps are planned. The building will have 25 parking spaces (23 standard, 2 accessible), meeting the calculated requirement of 22 spaces. The project is categorically exempt from CEQA. The commission unanimously approved the use permit (UP19-0002) with standard conditions.

• Item 3 – Fleet-Based Service Use Permit (111 South Maple Avenue): The applicant proposed a tour bus service with 13 vehicles (5 buses, 3 minibuses, 5 vans) and 34 employees (max 14 on site). Hours of operation are 5:00 AM to 10:00 PM. The site provides 42 parking spaces, exceeding the 32 required. The building is currently vacant and undergoing renovations. During the public hearing, neighbor Todd Edwards raised significant concerns about environmental contamination, including standing water, hazardous waste, and a recent hazmat response. The applicant acknowledged that the building owner is responsible for site cleanup. After discussion, the commission approved the use permit (UP18-0017) with an additional condition: prior to issuance of the use permit, the property and proposed activity must comply with all applicable federal, state, and local air quality, water, and environmental regulations. The vote was 7–0.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Calendar: Approved (unanimous).
• Item 2 (Indoor Soccer): Use permit approved (7–0).
• Item 3 (Fleet Service): Use permit approved with added environmental compliance condition (7–0).
• Item 4 (Civic Campus Design): No vote; comments to be forwarded to City Council.
• Staff Farewell: Associate Planner Edgar Maravilla attended his last meeting; commissioners expressed appreciation.