Title
Ordinance adopting a Development Agreement to extend approved entitlements to construct a new Office/R&D Campus and multi-family residential building at 180 El Camino Real in the Planned Development (PD) Zoning District for a period of ten (10) years in exchange for payment of Community Benefit Monetary Contribution obligations in accordance with Title 19 and 20 of the South San Francisco Municipal Code.
Body
WHEREAS, the applicant received entitlements approval (P21-0126) by the City Council on September 14, 2022, to subdivide the property to create a total of three parcels, construct one new residential building containing 183 residential units, three Office/R&D buildings totaling approximately 750,000 square feet, ancillary uses and associated parking at 180 El Camino Real (APN 014-183-110), (collectively referred to as “Project”); and
WHEREAS, approval of the applicant’s proposal was considered a project for purposes of the California Environmental Quality Act, Pub. Resources Code §21000, et seq. (“CEQA”); and
WHEREAS, the City filed a Notice of Determination on September 16, 2022, determining that the 2022 Addendum to the 2009 Environmental Impact Report (State Clearinghouse No. 2009062070) (“2022 Addendum”) was the appropriate document and that the project would not have a significant effect on the environment; and
WHEREAS, the applicant now seeks approval of a Development Agreement (DA25-0001) for the Project to extend entitlement approval for a period of ten (10) years; and
WHEREAS, in exchange for the term extension, the applicant will make up to three (3) payments of their Community Benefit Monetary Contribution obligations; and
WHEREAS, the time extension allowed through the Development Agreement will not cause a new environmental impact not already evaluated/mitigated and therefore the 2022 Addendum is still the appropriate and accurate document that reflects the independent judgment and analysis of the City in relation to the Project’s environmental impacts, and the 2022 Addendum satisfies the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act and no further environmental review is necessary; and
WHEREAS, on August 21, 2025, the Planning Commission for the City of South San Francisco held a lawfully noticed public hearing, at which time interested parties had the opportunity to be heard, to consider the Development Agreement, as well as supporting documents, at the conclusion of which, the Planning Commission recommended that the City Council find that the previously adopted 2022 Addendum remains accurate and approve the Development Agreement; and
WHEREAS, the City Council held a duly noticed public hearing on August 27, 2025, to consider the 2022 Addendum and Development Agreement and take public testimony.
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 2009 South San Francisco General Plan (“2009 General Plan”); the South San Francisco General Plan and General Plan EIR; the South San Francisco Municipal Code; the Project applications; the draft Development Agreement; the 2009 South El Camino General Plan Amendment EIR and Statement of Overriding Considerations; the 2022 Addendum to the 2009 EIR; all site plans, and all reports, minutes, and public testimony submitted as part of the Planning Commission’s duly noticed August 10, 2022 meeting; all site plans, and all reports, minutes, and public testimony submitted as part of the City Council’s duly noticed September 14, 2022 meeting; all site plans, and all reports, minutes, and public testimony submitted as part of the Planning Commission’s duly noticed August 21, 2025 meeting; all site plans, and all reports, minutes, and public testimony submitted as part of the City Council’s duly noticed August 27, 2025 meeting; and any other evidence (within the meaning of Public Resources Code §21080(e) and §21082.2), the Cit Council of the City of South San Francisco hereby finds as follows:
SECTION 1. FINDINGS
General
1. The foregoing recitals are true and correct and made a part of this Ordinance.
2. The Exhibit attached to this Ordinance, the draft Development Agreement (Exhibit A), is incorporated by reference and made a part of this Ordinance, 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.
Development Agreement (DA25-0001)
1. The draft Development Agreement is consistent with the objectives, policies, general land uses and programs specified in the General Plan and the 2009 General Plan, and any applicable specific plan as it conforms to all governing land use requirements and would only extend the duration of project entitlements to ten (10) years;
2. The draft Development Agreement is compatible with the uses authorized in, and the regulations prescribed for the land use district in which the real property is located and would only extend the duration of project entitlements for ten (10) years;
3. The draft Development Agreement is in conformity with public convenience, general welfare, and good land use practice given the extended term for the entitlements proposed in the draft Development Agreement and will allow the City to absorb new development over a longer period with fewer temporary impacts related to new construction;
4. The draft Development Agreement will not be detrimental to the health, safety, and general welfare given the extended term for the entitlements proposed in the draft Development Agreement and will allow the City to absorb new development over a longer period with fewer temporary impacts related to new construction;
5. The draft Development Agreement will not adversely affect the orderly development of property or the preservation of property values and instead will contribute to a paced development and orderly transition from industrial use to an Office/R&D campus.
SECTION 2. Approval of Development Agreement
1. The City Council of the City of South San Francisco hereby approves the Development Agreement with 180 El Camino Real Owner, LLC attached hereto as Exhibit A and incorporated herein by reference.
2. The City Council further authorizes the City Manager to execute the Development Agreement, on behalf of the City, in substantially the form attached as Exhibit A, and to make revisions, corrections, and minor modifications to such Agreement, subject to the approval of the City Attorney, which do not materially alter or substantially increase the City’s obligations thereunder.
SECTION 3. Severability
If any provision of this Ordinance or the application thereof to any person or circumstance is held invalid or unconstitutional, the remainder of this Ordinance, including the application of such part or provision to other persons or circumstances shall not be affected thereby and shall continue in full force and effect. To this end, provisions of this Ordinance are severable. The City Council of the City of South San Francisco hereby declares that it would have passed each section, subsection, subdivision, paragraph, sentence, clause, or phrase hereof irrespective of the fact that any one or more sections, subsections, subdivisions, paragraphs, sentences, clauses, or phrases be held unconstitutional, invalid, or unenforceable.
SECTION 4. Publication and Effective Date
Pursuant to the provisions of Government Code Section 36933, a summary of this Ordinance shall be prepared by the City Attorney. At least five (5) days prior to the City Council meeting at which this Ordinance is scheduled to be adopted, the City Clerk shall (1) publish the Summary, and (2) post in the City Clerk’s Office a certified copy of this Ordinance. Within fifteen (15) days after the adoption of this Ordinance, the City Clerk shall (1) publish the summary, and (2) post in the City Clerk’s Office a certified copy of the full text of this Ordinance along with the names of those City Council members voting for and against this Ordinance or otherwise voting. This Ordinance shall become effective thirty (30) days from and after its adoption.