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Record of Proceedings

South San Francisco Planning Commission Meeting - August 21, 2025

Planning Commission — Thursday, August 21, 2025
BodySouth San Francisco, California
SessionPlanning Commission
DateThursday, August 21, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:17:52

Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it
0:43

All right.

0:44

Hello, everybody.

0:45

Welcome to the Thursday, August 21st, 2025 regular meeting of the South San Francisco Planning Commission.

0:53

This meeting is being held in person at the Library Parks and Rec Building Council Chambers.

0:59

To provide a comment during the meeting, please fill out a speaker card and give it to the clerk.

1:03

You'll have three minutes to make your comments.

1:06

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

1:12

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

1:17

Will you please stand and join in the Pledge of Allegiance?

1:38

May we please have roll call?

1:43

Commissioner Baker.

1:45

Commissioner Faria.

1:47

Commissioner Shahade.

1:49

Here.

1:50

Commissioner Zhang.

1:51

Here.

1:52

Vice Chairperson Palmiku.

1:54

Here.

1:54

Chairperson Kunas Ostark and Commissioner Evans are absent.

2:00

Thank you.

2:01

Are there any changes to the agenda?

2:04

No changes.

2:05

Thanks.

2:06

Uh items or announcements from staff?

2:10

We do not have any announcements tonight.

2:12

Okay.

2:22

Next we have the consent calendar.

2:25

May we have a listing of the consent calendar items?

2:30

Yes.

2:30

We have one item on the consent calendar, which is consideration and approval of minutes from the August 7th, 2025 Planning Commission meeting.

2:40

Madam Chairman with the consent calendar.

2:42

I'll second.

2:45

Thank you.

2:46

Can we have a vote?

2:50

Commissioner Baker.

2:52

Yes.

2:53

Commissioner Faria.

2:54

Yes.

2:54

Commissioner Shahade.

2:56

Yes.

2:57

Commissioner Zhang.

2:58

Yes.

2:59

Vice Chairperson Palmaku.

3:01

Yes.

3:03

Chairperson Funas Auschwerk and Commissioner Evans are absent.

3:12

I think I skipped over.

3:14

Let me go back to disclosure of Ex parte communications.

3:18

If any commissioner has had any communication with applicants, did any sites or project visits, had any interactions with third parties, or has any conflicts regarding items on the agenda, you may disclose them at this time.

3:30

If you would like to recuse yourself for an item, and also do so at this time.

3:54

Does any member of the public wish to address the commission on an item that is not on the agenda tonight at this time?

4:00

If so, please fill out a speaker card and give it to the clerk.

4:08

We do not have any comments.

4:10

Hearing no speakers, we will move on.

4:28

Yes, item number two is a report regarding consideration and recommendation of approval to city council of a zoning text amendment to make minor revisions to the South San Francisco Municipal Code, Section 2110 related to building height, consideration of a variance and design review for the redevelopment of the boys and girls club facility at 201 West Orange Park and the Parks and Recreation Zoning District in accordance with Title 20 of the South San Francisco Municipal Code and determination under the category of the California Environmental Quality Act that the project is categorically exempt as an infill development project.

5:04

And I am Adina Friedman, Chief Planner, and I will give the presentation tonight.

5:11

Great.

5:12

So the item, so good evening, Vice Chair and Commissioners.

5:16

The item in front of you tonight is the redevelopment of the clubhouse for the Boys and Girls Club of the Peninsula.

5:26

This slide shows the location of the existing boys and girls club, which is on a three-acre site on a city-owned property adjacent to Orange Memorial Park.

5:37

And as you can see, it's also proximate to Centennial Way Trail.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Youth Programs██████████████████████████████████34%
Land Use Planning███████████████████19%
Parks and Recreation████████████12%
Economic Development████████████12%
Procedural███████████11%
Community Engagement████4%
Engineering And Infrastructure███3%
Mental Health Awareness███3%
Technology and Innovation█1%
Summary of Proceedings

South San Francisco Planning Commission Meeting - August 21, 2025

The regular meeting addressed two major development items: the redevelopment of the Boys and Girls Club facility and a development agreement extension for 180 El Camino Real. Both items received unanimous support from the commission after presentations and public comment.

Consent Calendar

  • Unanimous approval of the minutes from the August 7, 2025 Planning Commission meeting.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • For the Boys and Girls Club redevelopment, six community members expressed support:
    • Mark Cox, pastor of Good News Chapel, expressed support but raised concerns about construction impacts and requested assistance with tree removal.
    • Lena Martinez, a high school senior, expressed support, citing personal benefits from the club's programs and the need for a high school facility.
    • Melanie Kreitz, a lifelong resident, expressed full support for the upgrades and expansion, highlighting the program's value for families.
    • Aaron, a single parent, expressed support, stating the program is a lifeline for his family.
    • Michael Ochoa, a union representative, expressed support for the project and its use of union labor.
    • Ryan Siebers, school district director, expressed support for the expansion to meet community demand and serve high school students.

Discussion Items

  • Boys and Girls Club Redevelopment: Staff, led by Chief Planner Adina Friedman, recommended approval for a zoning text amendment (allowing additional height for mechanical equipment), a variance (for rear setback), and design review. The applicant, represented by CEO Jenny Obiaya and Michelle, presented plans to modernize and expand the facility, including a new teen center and kitchen. Commissioners discussed the variance justification (site constraints), community benefits, and partnerships, expressing strong support.
  • 180 El Camino Real Development Agreement: Staff, presented by Billy Gross, recommended approval of a 10-year extension for entitlements in exchange for prepaid community benefit fees. The applicant, Steve Dunn and Ben, discussed market challenges delaying the office/R&D and residential components and progress on the Safeway project. Commissioners supported the extension due to economic conditions.

Key Outcomes

  • Boys and Girls Club Project: The commission adopted resolutions recommending city council approval of CEQA exemption (Class 32 infill), zoning amendment, variance, and design review. Vote: 5-0 in favor (with Chairperson Kunas Ostark and Commissioner Evans absent).
  • 180 El Camino Real Development Agreement: The commission recommended city council approval of the development agreement. Vote: 5-0 in favor (with Chairperson Kunas Ostark and Commissioner Evans absent).

Meeting Transcript

All right. Hello, everybody. Welcome to the Thursday, August 21st, 2025 regular meeting of the South San Francisco Planning Commission. This meeting is being held in person at the Library Parks and Rec Building Council Chambers. To provide a comment during the meeting, please fill out a speaker card and give it to the clerk. You'll have three minutes to make your comments. Please note that all commission time limits and rules of decorum will apply to public comments. This meeting of the South San Francisco Planning Commission is hereby called to order. Will you please stand and join in the Pledge of Allegiance? May we please have roll call? Commissioner Baker. Commissioner Faria. Commissioner Shahade. Here. Commissioner Zhang. Here. Vice Chairperson Palmiku. Here. Chairperson Kunas Ostark and Commissioner Evans are absent. Thank you. Are there any changes to the agenda? No changes. Thanks. Uh items or announcements from staff? We do not have any announcements tonight. Okay. Next we have the consent calendar. May we have a listing of the consent calendar items? Yes. We have one item on the consent calendar, which is consideration and approval of minutes from the August 7th, 2025 Planning Commission meeting. Madam Chairman with the consent calendar. I'll second. Thank you. Can we have a vote? Commissioner Baker. Yes. Commissioner Faria. Yes. Commissioner Shahade. Yes. Commissioner Zhang. Yes. Vice Chairperson Palmaku. Yes. Chairperson Funas Auschwerk and Commissioner Evans are absent. I think I skipped over. Let me go back to disclosure of Ex parte communications. If any commissioner has had any communication with applicants, did any sites or project visits, had any interactions with third parties, or has any conflicts regarding items on the agenda, you may disclose them at this time. If you would like to recuse yourself for an item, and also do so at this time. Does any member of the public wish to address the commission on an item that is not on the agenda tonight at this time?

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