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Resolution making findings and recommending that the City Council adopt the Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration (ND23-0005) for the Orange Memorial Park Aquatic Center in accordance with Section 21080 of the California Public Resources Code and CEQA Guidelines Section 15070 et seq.
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WHEREAS, the City of South San Francisco (“Applicant”) has proposed the construction of a new aquatic center in a 6.5-acre site within in Orange Memorial Park referred to as “Project Site” in the City consisting of a new building with an indoor pool and an attached outdoor pool (“Project”); and
WHEREAS, the applicant seeks approval of a Design Review Permit (DR23-0037) for the Project; and
WHEREAS, approval of the applicant’s proposal is considered a “project” for purposes of the California Environmental Quality Act, Pub. Resources Code §21000, et seq. (“CEQA”); and
WHEREAS, on behalf of the City, SWCA Environmental Consultants prepared an Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration (“IS/MND”) for the Project (ND23-0005) analyzing the potential environmental effects of the Project, which was submitted to the State Clearinghouse (SCH No. 2023090168) and the San Mateo County Clerk and was circulated for a 30-day public review period, beginning on September 8, 2023, and ending on October 9, 2023; and
WHEREAS, the City received two comment letters on the IS/MND during the applicable comment period; and
WHEREAS, the City determined that the comments identified during the comment period do not result in new significant impacts or mitigation measures, or change impact conclusions; and
WHEREAS, the City determined that responses to comments and corrections to the IS/MND do not require recirculation of the IS/MND or warrant the preparation of an environmental impact report under sections 15073.5 and 15074.1 of the CEQA Guidelines; and
WHEREAS, the IS/MND concluded that, although the Project could have a potentially significant effect on the environment, there will not be a significant effect in this case because the IS/MND identifies measures that will be incorporated into the Project, which will either avoid or mitigate to a level of insignificance all potentially significant or significant effects of the Project; and
WHEREAS, on November 2, 2023, the Planning Commission for the City of South San Francisco held a lawfully noticed public hearing to solicit public comment and consider the proposed entitlements and environmental effects of the Project and take public testimony, and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that based on the entirety of the record before it, which includes without limitation, the California Environmental Quality Act, Public Resources Code §21000, et seq. (“CEQA”) and the CEQA Guidelines, 14 California Code of Regulations §15000, et seq.; the South San Francisco General Plan and General Plan EIR; the South San Francisco Municipal Code; the Project applications; the Project Plans, as prepared by ELS Architecture, dated August 28, 2023; the Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration, as prepared by SWCA Environmental Consultants, dated September 8, 2023; all site plans, and all reports, minutes, and public testimony submitted as part of the Planning Commission’s duly noticed November 2, 2023 meeting; and any other evidence (within the meaning of Public Resources Code §21080(e) and §21082.2), the Planning Commission of the City of South San Francisco, based on substantial evidence in the record, hereby finds as follows:
SECTION 1 FINDINGS
General
1. The foregoing recitals are true and correct and made a part of this Resolution.
2. The exhibits and attachments, including the IS/MND and all appendices prepared by SWCA Environmental Consultants (attached as Exhibit A), and Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program (Exhibit B), are incorporated by reference as part of this Resolution, as if set forth fully herein.
3. The documents and other material constituting the record for these proceedings are located at the Planning Division for the City of South San Francisco, 315 Maple Avenue, South San Francisco, CA 94080, and in the custody of the Chief Planner.
4. The IS/MND reflects the Planning Commission’s independent judgement and analysis and, based on the whole record before it inclusive of the IS/MND and public comments received, the Planning Commission finds that there is no substantial evidence that the project will have a significant effect on the environment.
SECTION 2 DETERMINATION
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Planning Commission of the City of South San Francisco hereby makes the findings contained in this Resolution and recommends that the City Council adopt the Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration (ND23-0005), in accordance with Section 21151 of the California Public Resources Code and CEQA Guidelines section 15070 et seq. as the environmental document for the Project and conclude that no further environmental review is required.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the resolution shall become effective immediately upon its passage and adoption.
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