South San Francisco Planning Commission Regular Meeting - May 5, 2022

The South San Francisco Planning Commission held a regular meeting on May 5, 2022, at 7:00 PM via teleconference. The meeting included approval of prior meeting minutes, a public hearing on an East of 101 Area Plan Amendment to allow an eight-story office/R&D building at 580 Dubuque Avenue, and an annual update on the Transportation Demand Management (TDM) program. The Commission approved the area plan amendment and discussed the progress and future of the city's TDM efforts.

Consent Calendar

• The Commission unanimously approved the April 21, 2022, regular meeting minutes (6-0, with Commissioner Funes absent at the time of the vote).

Public Comments & Testimony

• No public comments were made on any agenda item. No emails or voicemails were received for the public hearing or TDM update.

Discussion Items

• Public Hearing: East of 101 Area Plan Amendment for 580 Dubuque Avenue
  Senior Planner Christopher Espiritu presented the item. The project at 580 Dubuque Avenue proposes approximately 265,000 square feet of office and lab/R&D space, 180 feet in height (eight stories), a floor area ratio of 3.20, and 346 parking spaces in a three-level below-grade garage. The Commission had previously considered the project and approved entitlements and an environmental review (IS/MND). An errata memo identified a need for an additional action: an amendment to the East of 101 Area Plan to remove the project site from its boundaries. Staff explained that the 1994 area plan is outdated and will be replaced by the upcoming General Plan update. The Commission recommended the City Council approve the amendment.
  Commissioners expressed support: Commissioner Faria noted the plan is outdated; Commissioner Evans called it a common-sense approach; Commissioner Murphy said it is consistent with the upcoming General Plan; Commissioner Funes highlighted the transit-oriented nature of the project. The motion to adopt the resolution passed 7-0.

• Administrative Business: Annual Transportation Demand Management Update
  Dana Rubin and Michael Sunji of Nelson Nygaard presented the 2020–21 TDM update. The program monitors employee commute patterns for 18 participating sites east of Highway 101, with a target of 28% non-driving mode share. Due to the pandemic, the 2021 survey was modified: 54% of sites provided updates, of which 56% gave quantitative data. Among those, all but one exceeded the 28% threshold. Telecommuting was a major factor, with over 50% of employees working from home. Qualitative updates from eight sites (covering ~2,600 employees) showed about one-third telecommuted, and those who did not worked on-site 2–4 days per week. The consultants noted that essential industries like Costco had no telecommuting.
  Commissioners discussed enforcement and accountability. Commissioner Evans questioned consequences for non-compliance; staff noted current ordinance limitations and that the General Plan update will include stronger enforcement. Commissioner Faria emphasized mandatory reporting for 2022. Vice Chair Zhang asked about verification of survey data; staff explained the honor system is supplemented by self-policing through limited parking supply. Commissioner DePaz Fernandez reminded the Commission to consider essential workers and non-traditional hours. Chair Shihadeh inquired about collaboration between large employers (e.g., Genentech) and smaller companies; staff confirmed that a shuttle-sharing program continues. The Chair also asked whether the 28% threshold is adequate; staff responded that higher thresholds (up to 45%) are already applied to some projects and that the TDM ordinance will be updated as part of the General Plan.

Key Outcomes

• East of 101 Area Plan Amendment: The Commission adopted a resolution (7-0) recommending that the City Council approve the amendment to remove 580 Dubuque Avenue from the East of 101 Area Plan boundary, allowing the proposed office/R&D development.
• TDM Program: The Commission received the annual update and directed staff to pursue stronger enforcement mechanisms and higher mode-share targets in the forthcoming General Plan update. The next TDM reporting cycle will be key for compliance.
• Meeting Schedule: The next regular meeting (May 19, 2022) was canceled; a busy summer of hearings is anticipated.
• Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned in memory of Jim Metz, a longtime community contributor.