South San Francisco Planning Commission Regular Meeting - February 20, 2025

The South San Francisco Planning Commission held a regular meeting on February 20, 2025, at 7:00 PM in the Council Chambers. The meeting covered approval of previous meeting minutes, a public hearing for a proposed three-story personal storage building, reaffirmation of an appeals panel subcommittee, and annual reorganization of the Chair and Vice Chair.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes Approval: The Commission unanimously approved the minutes from the November 21, 2024 Planning Commission meeting (6-0-1, with Commissioner Evans absent).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Nels DeLander (Carpenter's Local 217, South San Francisco resident): Expressed support for the storage building project but emphasized that it should be built by responsible contractors paying area standard wages, providing health care benefits, and using state-approved apprenticeship programs. He urged that workers be paid a living wage and have adequate health care.
• Emilia Arco (Owner of Arco's Autobody, neighboring business owner for 42 years): Opposed the project solely due to insufficient parking. Cited congestion on San Mateo Avenue, existing double-parking by semis, and the prevalence of RV parking on Lowry Street. He noted his own storage properties require substantial parking and recommended more on-site parking to avoid overflow and safety issues.

Discussion Items

• Public Hearing – 1341 San Mateo Avenue Personal Storage Building: The project involves demolishing an existing two-story office/research building (approx. 27,000 sq ft, built 1966) and constructing a three-story personal storage facility (approx. 30,250 sq ft lot, MIH zoning). The applicant, Buchanan Street Partners, and architect presented the design, which incorporates split-face CMU, fiber cement boards, stucco, and metal panels, with landscaping and a tower element at the corner. The project includes 6 on-site parking stalls plus a striped loading area, with access from San Mateo Avenue and Lowry Avenue. Staff recommended approval based on Consistency with the 2040 General Plan EIR and CEQA streamlining/categorical exemption.
• Commission Questions: Commissioners asked about fire suppression (non-combustible Type 2B construction, sprinkler system, lease prohibitions on flammables), tree species fire/earthquake resistance (trees selected per Design Review Board recommendations), security (key fob access, 24 cameras, three daily manager walks), and parking concerns. Applicant noted traffic generation is low (one car every 20 minutes). Commissioner Baker and others raised concerns about weekend overflow and large moving trucks. Commissioner Zhang inquired about operational measures for scheduling large trucks; applicant offered to add a lease requirement for advance scheduling.
• Reaffirmation of Appeals Panel Subcommittee: Assistant City Attorney Alexandra Wolf requested reaffirmation of a three-member subcommittee (plus one alternate) appointed in 2023 to hear appeals under Chapter 8.70 (tenant displacement from substandard units). The Commission unanimously reappointed Chair Faria, Commissioners Shihadeh and Evans, with Commissioner Zhang as alternate.
• Annual Reorganization of Chair and Vice Chair: Chair Faria recognized the need for new leadership. Commissioner Shihadeh nominated Vice Chair Funes-Ozturk for Chair; she was elected unanimously. Chair Funes-Ozturk then nominated Commissioner Pamukcu for Vice Chair; she was also elected unanimously. Both votes were 6-0-1. Chair Funes-Ozturk noted the distinction of having both women under 40 in the roles.

Key Outcomes

• CEQA Resolution (Item 2a): Unanimously adopted (6-0-1) making findings that the project's environmental effects were sufficiently analyzed under the 2040 General Plan EIR and that no additional environmental analysis is needed per CEQA Guidelines 15162, 15168, 15183, and 15332.
• Design Review & Conditional Use Permit (Item 2b): Unanimously approved (6-0-1) with conditions of approval, including requirements for parking management and use of responsible contractors as noted in public comment.
• Appeals Panel Reaffirmation: Unanimously approved (6-0-1) reappointing the same members to the subcommittee.
• Chair and Vice Chair Elections: Sarah Funes-Ozturk elected Chair and Aysha Pamukcu elected Vice Chair for 2025 (both 6-0-1). Chair Funes-Ozturk also suggested changing the voting order to have the Chair vote last, which was accepted by the Commission.