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Resolution of the City Council of the City of South San Francisco vacating certain public rights-of-way commonly known as DNA Way, Cabot Road, and Point San Bruno Boulevard located entirely within the Genentech Campus
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WHEREAS, on November 24, 2020, and December 1, 2020, the City Council of the City of San South San Francisco unanimously approved the Genentech Campus Master Plan Update project, which approval included, but was not limited to, adoption of the Development Agreement, certification of that certain Environmental Impact Report for the Genentech Master Plan Update (State Clearinghouse No. 2017052064), approval of that certain Genentech Master Plan Update (“Master Plan”), and approval of certain amendments to the City’s Genentech Master Plan Zoning District so as to facilitate implementation of the Master Plan; and
WHEREAS, to promote the Master Plan’s stated objective of establishing an integrated and walkable Campus that implements a more pedestrian-oriented shared street concept that prioritizes people over motorized vehicles, the Master Plan contemplates the potential reconfiguration of portions of public streets where the streets passes through the central portion of the Master Plan’s “Upper Campus” planning area, thereby improving pedestrian connections between indoor spaces and outdoor spaces so as to activate the Campus core while also permitting continued service vehicle and emergency access along said portions of the existing rights-of-way through the use of special pavers or other appropriate design treatments; and
WHEREAS, Section 8320, et. seq., of the California Streets and Highways Code outlines the procedures for the general vacation of street right-of-way; and
WHEREAS, in order to promote the vision of the Master Plan, Genentech has requested that the City vacate DNA Way, a portion of Cabot Road between Allerton and DNA Way, and Point San Bruno Boulevard as shown on Exhibit A, and sell such vacated former public streets to Genentech to be reconfigured and redeveloped as part Genentech’s campus; and
WHEREAS, in accordance with Section 65402 of the California Government Code and Section 8313 of the California Streets and Highways Code, on May 15, 2025, the Planning Commission for the City considered the proposed vacation of DNA Way, a portion of Cabot Road between Allerton and DNA Way, and Point San Bruno Boulevard and found that the proposed vacation is in conformity with the adopted General Plan for the City; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 8320 of the California Streets and Highways Code, the City Clerk set a public hearing for City Council consideration of the vacation of DNA Way, a portion of Cabot Road between Allerton and DNA Way, and Point San Bruno Boulevard right-of-way and published notice of said hearing for two successive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation in accordance with Section 8322; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 8323 of the California Streets and Highways Code, two weeks before the hearing, the City posted notice of the vacation conspicuously along DNA Way, the relevant portion of Cabot Road between Allerton and DNA Way, and Point San Bruno Boulevard; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 8324 of the California Streets and Highways Code, the City Council may vacate a street right-of-way if the City Council finds that the right-of-way is unnecessary for present or prospective public use; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 8324 of the California Streets and Highways Code, the City Council has prepared the conditions outlined in Exhibit B, which must be satisfied before the vacation occurs and before the resolution of vacation may be recorded; and
WHEREAS, Section 8355(a) of the California Streets and Highways Code authorizes the City Council to sell or exchange City property previously subject to a street, highway, or public service easement, and is no longer needed by the public, in the manner and upon the terms and conditions approved by City Council; and
WHEREAS, a Purchase and Sale Agreement has been prepared, which if approved by separate resolution, would convey the vacated right-of-way to Genentech; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to Government Code Section 54221(f)(1)(E) the property qualifies as “exempt surplus land” because it is a former right-of-way and is being conveyed to an owner of an adjacent property.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of South San Francisco finds that:
1. DNA Way, a portion of Cabot Road between Allerton and DNA Way, and Point San Bruno Boulevard located entirely within the Genentech Campus within the City of South San Francisco, San Mateo County, California, and primarily serving Genentech related travel is unnecessary for present or prospective public use.
2. As confirmed by the Planning Commission, the vacation of the right-of-way is in conformance with the City’s General Plan pursuant to Section 65402 of the Government Code.
3. The proposed vacation of the right-of-way was analyzed in the 2025 Addendum and the action is consistent with the adopted Genentech Master Plan Environmental Impact Report and the adopted SSF 2040 General Plan Update, Zoning Code Amendments, and Climate Action Plan Environmental Impact Report, and approval of the vacation would not necessitate the need for preparing a subsequent environmental document pursuant to the criteria of CEQA Guidelines Section 15162.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that based on the findings made and the above provisions of the Streets and Highways Code, the City Council hereby orders the vacation of DNA Way, a portion of Cabot Road between Allerton and DNA Way, and Point San Bruno Boulevard, as depicted and described on Exhibit A, Exhibit A-1, Exhibit A-2, Exhibit A-3, and Exhibit A-4 upon satisfaction of all conditions outlined in Exhibit B.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of this City Council is hereby directed to transmit a certified copy of this resolution to be recorded in the office of the County Recorder of San Mateo upon satisfaction of all conditions outlined in Exhibit B.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Manager or City Manager’s designee is hereby authorized to take any and all further actions to effectuate the vacation and completion of the conditions outlined in Exhibit B.