South San Francisco Planning Commission Meeting – March 17, 2022: Zoning Amendments, Housing Progress Report, and Public Hearing Training
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South San Francisco Planning Commission Meeting – March 17, 2022
The South San Francisco Planning Commission held a regular meeting on Thursday, March 17, 2022, at 7:00 PM via teleconference under the Brown Act and Assembly Bill 361. All seven commissioners (Sam Shihadeh, Chair; Alex Tzang, Vice Chair; Norm Faria, JulieAnn Murphy, Michele Evans, Sarah Funes, Luis De Paz Fernandez) were present. Staff included Chief Planner Tony Rozzi, Assistant City Attorneys Claire Lai and Alexandra Wolf, Associate Planner Stephanie Skangos, and others. The meeting covered approval of previous minutes, a public hearing on zoning code amendments, an informational housing progress report, and a training presentation on public hearing procedures.
Consent Calendar
- February 3, 2022 Regular Meeting Minutes: Approved unanimously. (Motion by Commissioner Faria, second by Commissioner Evans; roll call 7-0.)
Public Comments & Testimony
- No members of the public spoke on any agenda item, and no written or voicemail comments were received.
Discussion Items
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Item 2 – Public Hearing: Zoning Amendments (Large Family Daycare Homes, ADUs, Design Review)
Claire Lai presented proposed changes to Title 15 (Buildings and Construction) and Title 20 (Zoning):- Large Family Daycare Homes: Remove special rules to comply with state law requiring them to be treated as by-right residential uses (for up to 14 children, less than 24 hours, without parent present).
- Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs): (a) Clarify that ADUs and junior ADUs cannot be used for short-term rentals (less than 31 days); (b) Allow ADUs to be sold separately from the primary residence under narrow conditions – the seller must be a qualified non-profit corporation (501(c)(3) with welfare exemption) and the buyer must be low- or moderate-income; (c) Allow multiple-unit sites to have either detached ADUs plus converted ADUs from existing non-habitable space, or an attached ADU subject to local standards.
- Design Review: Exempt SB9 units and other future ministerial projects from discretionary design review, consistent with state law.
Commissioners asked clarifying questions about the criteria for selling ADUs (Commissioner Faria noted small lots may be challenging) and the design review exemption process (Chief Planner Rozzi explained objective standards will be used). No public testimony. The commission unanimously adopted Resolution recommending City Council approval of the ordinance. (Motion by Commissioner Faria, second by Commissioner Evans; roll call 7-0.)
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Item 3 – 2021 Housing Element and General Plan Annual Progress Report
Stephanie Skangos presented the required annual report covering calendar year 2021. Key statistics:- Building permits issued: 148 new residential units (3 single-family, 2 small multi-family [2–4 units], 102 multi-family from the 200 Airport project, and 41 ADUs).
- Certificates of occupancy: 126 units (mostly from 200 Linden project, finaled in 2021).
- RHNA (Regional Housing Needs Allocation) progress: The city has issued building permits for 63% of its Cycle 5 allocation (1,175 of 1,864 units).
- Affordability breakdown: Very low (30–50% of Area Median Income [AMI]), low (50–80% AMI), moderate (80–120% AMI), above moderate (>120% AMI). Income limits for San Mateo County (2021) were provided: extremely low (30% AMI) = $38,400; very low (50% AMI) = $63,950; 60% AMI = $76,740; low (80% AMI) = $102,450; state median = $104,700.
- Next RHNA Cycle (2023–2031): Estimated allocation of 3,956 units, a significant increase.
- General Plan compliance: Partial compliance with Office of Planning and Research (OPR) guidelines; the ongoing General Plan update aims to address deficiencies.
Commissioner Funes noted the hardship for seniors and disabled residents on SSI/SSDI (about $12,000/year) and requested inclusion of income figures in future reports. Commissioner Murphy questioned whether affordability is adjusted dynamically; staff confirmed it is static at permit issuance. Commissioner Evans commended the comprehensive report. No action required; the report will be presented to City Council on March 23 and submitted to the state by April 1.
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Item 4 – Presentation: Public Hearing and Decision-Making Process
Assistant City Attorneys Claire Lai and Alexandra Wolf conducted a training on the planning commission’s role, quasi-judicial duties, conflicts of interest, ex parte communications, and proper conduct during public hearings. They covered:- Conflict of Interest: Financial interests, real property within 1,000 feet, gifts >$500, etc., require recusal and disclosure on the record.
- Ex Parte Communications: Must be disclosed publicly (time, place, content); general discussions without specific project references are permissible but discouraged if they evolve into project-specific talk.
- Hearing Process: Staff report, applicant presentation, commissioner questions (not comments), public testimony, then deliberation after closing the hearing.
- Findings and Conditions: Decisions must be supported by factual findings in the record; conditions must be reasonably related to the project.
Commissioners engaged in Q&A, including scenarios about bias, recusal after retirement, and financial interests of consulting firms. Commissioner Tzang noted that commissioners sometimes inadvertently state positions during question periods; Lai advised that minor slips may not invalidate the process but urged caution. Commissioner Evans suggested recusing if there is a perception of bias, even if no actual bias exists. The training was informational; no action taken.
Key Outcomes
- Consent Calendar: Unanimously approved (7-0).
- Public Hearing (Item 2): Resolution recommending City Council adoption of zoning code amendments passed unanimously (7-0). The City Council will hold a separate public hearing.
- Housing Progress Report (Item 3): Received and noted; staff will present to City Council on March 23 and submit to state by April 1.
- Public Hearing Training (Item 4): Completed; commissioners were reminded to consult the city attorney regarding potential conflicts of interest.
Meeting Transcript
But you must be have very good vision if that's the case. Or or your or your camera has to hide in identity. So chair, you've got your script. All good. We're ready. All right. We have the whole gang and it and our presenter such. I am just waiting on Allie. Let me make sure she's in and all uh great. Alexandra's gonna join us. Yeah. Oh, I let her know she could join a little bit later when ready to rock. Right. Welcome to the Thursday, March 17, 2022, regular meeting of the South San Francisco Planning Commission. This meeting is being held in accordance with the Brown Act as currently in effect under the provisions of Assembly Bill 361, which allows attendance by members of the planning commission, city staff, and the public to participate and conduct the meeting by teleconference. Teleconference locations are not open to the public to provide a comment during the meeting. Please use the raised hand function indicating you would like to speak, and you will be unmuted in order during times reserved for public comment. You will have three minutes to make your comments. Emails or message comments that you provide. Please note that all commission time limits and rules and decorum will apply to public comments. This meeting of the South Central Planning Commission is hereby called to order. Will you please stand and join me in the pledge of allegiance? I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Absolutely, Chair. Commissioner Ferrio. Here commissioner Evans. Commissioner DePaz Fernandez. Here commissioner Funis. Here. Commissioner Murphy. Here. Vice Chair Zhang. Here. And Chair Shiata. Here. Everyone's present. Are there any changes to the to the agenda? No proposed changes, Chair. Does any member of the public wish to address the commission on an item that is not on the agenda tonight at this time? Please use the raise hand feature to indicate that you would like to provide a comment. At this time, I will ask the clerk if there are any members of the public who would like to provide a comment. No hands are raised, Chair. Hearing no speakers, we will move on. Next on the agenda is the disclosure of export communications. Recognizing that's not pertain to items on tonight's agenda, nonetheless. If any commissioner has had any communication with applicants, did any site or project visits had interactions with third parties, or has any conflicts regarding any items on the agenda? You may disclose them at this time. If you would like to refuse yourself for an item, you can also do that at this time hearing none. Next on the agenda is a consent calendar.
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