South San Francisco Planning Commission Regular Meeting – April 18, 2024

The South San Francisco Planning Commission held its regular in-person meeting on Thursday, April 18, 2024, in the Council Chambers at 901 Civic Campus Way. Chair Norman Faria presided, with Vice Chair Sarah Funes-Ozturk and Commissioners Alex Tzang, Sam Shihadeh, Michele Evans, and John Baker present; Commissioner Aysha Pamukcu was absent. Staff announced a City Council request for a future planning commission presentation to City Council. The Commission voted 6-0 on all items requiring action.

Consent Calendar

• The Commission unanimously approved the March 21, 2024 Planning Commission minutes.
• The Commission unanimously approved the Master Sign Program and Design Review for the existing life science campus at 230 East Grand Avenue, including a determination that the project is categorically exempt from CEQA.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Ten emailed public comments were read into the record. All commenters urged the Planning Commission to direct the City Council to remove the Municipal Services Building (MSB) at 33 Arroyo Drive from the Housing Element and instead designate other city-owned properties for housing. Speakers described the MSB as a structurally sound, code-compliant community gathering place and argued that the Roberta Teglia/Magnolia Center is inadequate for seniors. They requested that the MSB be preserved as a multi-use community and senior center. Commenters included Cynthia Markopolis, Charlene Roosville, Darlene Marsh, Marco Nunziati, Dolores Piper, Aurelia Campbell, Maureen Kelly, Merritt Vetter, Dell Shambari, and Bonnie Morgan.
• During the Genentech annual report item, a public commenter thanked Genentech for its community support and suggested the company create youth programs in Old Town, noting the lack of services for Spanish-speaking immigrant and essential-worker families.

Public Hearing: Title 20 Zoning Text Amendments

• Senior Planner Stephanie Skangos presented proposed amendments to Title 20 of the Municipal Code. The amendments address six areas: correcting typographical errors, section titles, and cross-references; clarifying intent; implementing Housing Element programs, including no-net-loss provisions, permanent supportive housing, and low-barrier navigation centers; updating accessory dwelling unit regulations to comply with state law; renaming taxis and limousine services to fleet-based services; and reorganizing chapters on use-specific standards and definitions. Staff concluded the amendments are categorically exempt from CEQA.
• The ADU amendments would allow detached ADUs up to 18 feet in height, with an additional two feet allowed within a half-mile of public transit; attached ADU height limits remain unchanged.
• Commissioner Baker asked clarifying questions on setbacks, front-yard paving limits, and long-term bicycle parking. He suggested changing the proposed bicycle parking requirement to provide at least 5% of required or maximum permitted vehicular spaces. The Commission agreed to the amendment. Commissioner Tzang asked about correcting a confusing “whichever larger/smaller” setback provision; staff confirmed that the section was cleaned up. No speaker cards or written comments were received during the public hearing.

Administrative Business: 2023 Genentech Annual Report

• Principal Planner Billy Gross introduced the annual report, and Genentech site planning director Sophie Martin presented. Genentech reported no net square footage added to the campus in 2023. A new Security Operations Center (Building 38) is nearing completion. Genentech acquired the Lithotype out-parcel and will pursue a future master plan update. No new leases were executed; the company will occupy 751 Gateway in fall 2024.
• Transportation demand management data showed the drive-alone rate at 60.8%, down from the prior year and close to pre-pandemic levels. Average daily single-occupancy vehicle trips were about 3,600, well below the 5,200 cap. Campus parking inventory is approximately 6,400 spaces, with utilization around 70%. Genentech pays annual community benefit fees split between affordable housing and transportation, and reported 2023 community grant recipients.

Administrative Business: Brown Act Presentation

• Senior Associate City Attorney Alexandra Wolf presented a high-level overview of the Ralph M. Brown Act, Public Records Act, and meeting procedures. Key topics included open meeting requirements, serial meeting prohibitions, agenda posting timelines (72 hours for regular meetings, 24 hours for special meetings), social media restrictions under AB 992, and public records obligations. She also noted that in-person attendance is required and no remote attendance is permitted.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Calendar approved 6-0.
• Resolution recommending City Council adoption of the Title 20 zoning text amendments (Item 3A) was adopted 6-0, including the amendment to clarify that long-term bicycle parking must be at least 5% of required or maximum permitted vehicular spaces.
• The Genentech Annual Report and Brown Act presentation were received as informational items; no votes were taken.
• The Commission took no action on the public comments regarding the MSB.