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Record of Proceedings

South San Francisco Planning Commission Meeting: Lindenville Specific Plan Recommendation – September 7, 2023

Planning Commission — Thursday, September 7, 2023

BodySouth San Francisco, California

SessionPlanning Commission

DateThursday, September 7, 2023

StatusFILED

Video Record

0:00 / 1:11:53

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0:11

Recording in progress.

0:16

Welcome to Thursday, September 7th, regular meeting of the South San Francisco Planning Commission.

0:22

This meeting is being held in person at the municipal service building, but online participate participation is available to the public.

0:30

To provide a comment during the meeting, please fill out a speaker card if you are in the meeting chambers, or use the raise hand function if you are online.

0:39

You will have three minutes to make your comments.

0:42

Please note that all commission time limits and rules and of decorum will apply to public comments.

0:49

This meeting of the South San Francisco Planning Commission is hereby called to order.

0:53

Will you please stand and join in the pledge of allegiance?

0:58

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which is strength.

1:06

One nation under God indivisible with liberty and justice for all.

1:13

May we have a roll call, please.

1:18

Commission uh chairs, Chairperson Zhang.

1:21

Here.

1:22

Vice Chair Faria here.

1:24

Commissioner Shahade.

1:26

Here.

1:27

Commissioner Evans uh has an excused absence.

1:30

Commissioner Funes Osturk.

1:32

Yes.

1:32

Here.

1:32

And Commissioner Pamaku?

1:35

Here.

1:36

Commissioner Baker.

1:38

Present.

1:38

Thank you.

1:40

Are there any changes to the agenda?

1:44

No, we do not have any changes tonight.

1:46

Thank you.

1:47

Are any items or announcements from staff?

1:51

Not tonight.

1:52

Thank you.

1:53

So we'll move to public comments.

1:55

No, actually.

1:56

Nope.

1:56

Nope.

1:57

Consent.

1:59

So actually, it will be the public comments regarding anything.

2:05

That public comment.

2:07

So any member of the public wish to address the commission of uh on any item that is not on the agenda tonight.

2:14

If you are attending in person, please fill out a speaker card.

2:18

If you're attending online, please use the raise hand feature.

2:22

I see someone coming forward.

2:26

Sir, I assume you want to make the uh comment right now, right?

2:29

That's right.

2:30

Okay.

2:33

Please are making a comment on the item on the agenda.

2:37

On the agenda.

2:37

Yeah.

2:38

So this is for off agenda.

2:39

Okay, so please fill the card when the time comes, you you can come forward.

2:43

Is uh clerk is there anyone online or in person that wants to speak on items that's not on the agenda.

2:52

There is not.

2:53

Okay, hearing none, we'll move on.

2:55

Disclosure of ex parte communications.

2:58

Uh, if any commissioner has had any communication with applicants, we don't have that.

3:02

Uh any site uh project visit and had interaction with third parties or has any conflict of interest regarding any item on the agenda.

3:12

Please disclose them at this time.

3:15

If you would like to recuse yourself, please uh also do it at this time.

3:20

Seeing none, I'm gonna move on to the consent calendar.

3:25

Uh can clerk uh give us the listing of the consent calendar item, please.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting

Land Use Planning███████████████████████████████████35%

Earthquake Preparedness█████████████████████21%

Economic Development██████████10%

Public Comment█████████9%

Community Engagement█████5%

Procedural████4%

Affordable Housing████4%

Public Engagement████4%

Transportation Safety███3%

Summary of Proceedings

South San Francisco Planning Commission Regular Meeting – September 7, 2023

The Planning Commission held a public hearing to consider the Lindenville Specific Plan, associated General Plan and Zoning Code amendments, and an Addendum to the 2040 General Plan Environmental Impact Report (EIR). After staff presentations, public comments, and commissioner discussion, the Commission unanimously recommended adoption of all three resolutions to the City Council.

Consent Calendar

Approval of Minutes: The Commission unanimously approved the draft minutes from the August 3, 2023 Planning Commission meeting.

Public Comments & Testimony

Santosh Jayram (in-person speaker, owner of two units in South San Francisco) expressed strong support for the planning process but raised concerns about the plan’s impact on small life science companies. He noted that the plan removes life science as a by‑right use in many areas, which could force early‑stage startups to leave the city. He urged the Commission to preserve affordable space for small innovators.
Corey A. David (written comment) criticized the plan, predicting it would favor large developers, lead to high‑rise shadows, reduced parking, and displacement of existing businesses. He accused the Commission of ignoring residents’ wishes and called the process a “multi‑act play” with a predetermined outcome.
Carl Hansen (written comment) argued that the plan imposes too many restrictions on warehouse, distribution, and industrial uses in mixed‑use districts. He requested that these uses remain permitted by right rather than requiring a minor use permit, as many property owners are small investors who will continue to use their buildings as warehouses.

Discussion Items

Staff Presentation: Billy Gross (Principal Planner) and Eric Yerkovic (Ramian Associates) presented the Lindenville Specific Plan, which sets a 20‑year vision for the 400‑acre area. Key changes from the public review draft included: reverting two sites to earlier designations (40 Airport to residential high‑180, and several sites on Railroad Avenue to mixed‑use T3N), adding an additional 5% affordable housing requirement (total 20%) to qualify for height incentives, incorporating design standards for facade articulation and landscape, and adjusting park location maps. The EIR Addendum found that impacts would be the same as those in the 2040 General Plan EIR, with significant unavoidable impacts on air quality and transportation.
Commissioner Questions & Discussion: Commissioners asked about the transition zone (T4L) near Francisco Terrace. Staff explained a 40‑foot setback, landscaping buffer, and height limits (35 feet within 100 feet of the rear property line, then up to 65 feet) to mitigate impacts on adjacent single‑family homes. Commissioners expressed support for the plan, noting its regional benefits for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, improving walkability, and providing affordable housing. They acknowledged concerns about small businesses but emphasized that the plan is a first step and can be amended as market conditions evolve.
Commissioner Statements: Commissioner Baker highlighted the importance of regional thinking on air quality. Commissioner Funes called for better public transit. All commissioners thanked staff for community engagement and the comprehensive process.

Key Outcomes

Resolution 2a (EIR Addendum): Motion to recommend that the City Council determine the Lindenville Specific Plan Addendum is the appropriate environmental document. Passed 6‑0 (Commissioner Evans excused).
Resolution 2b (Specific Plan & General Plan Amendments): Motion to recommend adoption of the Lindenville Specific Plan and associated General Plan amendments. Passed 6‑0.
Resolution 2c (Zoning Amendments): Motion to recommend adoption of new zoning districts (Chapter 20.150, 20.160, 20.190, 20.200, 20.210), related code amendments, and zoning map amendments. Passed 6‑0.
No other administrative business or items from the Commission were discussed.

Next Steps

The Commission’s recommendations will be forwarded to the City Council for final action. The public may appeal any decision within 15 calendar days.

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