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Resolution making findings and a recommendation that the City Council adopt a General Plan Amendment to create a new policy and actions that address equitable access to open space, climate resilience, and rewilding opportunities, consistent with the requirements of Senate Bill 1425.
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WHEREAS, in 2022 the City adopted a new General Plan (Shape SSF) that reflects the community’s vision for the future; and
WHEREAS, Shape SSF includes goals and policies related to open space and climate resilience; and
WHEREAS, in 2022 the State of California passed Senate Bill (SB) 1425 and added Section 65565.5 to the Government Code that requires that every city and county update its General Plan to incorporate policies and actions that address equitable access to open space, climate resilience, and rewilding opportunities; and
WHEREAS, amending the General Plan to include a new policy and supporting action items related to equitable access to open space, climate resilience, and rewilding opportunities is consistent with the City’s General Plan (Shape SSF) policy framework; and
WHEREAS, the proposed General Plan Amendment is considered a “project” for purposes of the California Environmental Quality Act, Pub. Resources Code §21000, et seq. (“CEQA”); and
WHEREAS, the proposed General Plan Amendment is subject to Tribal Consultation per the requirements of SB 18; and
WHEREAS, City staff conducted Tribal Consultation per the State’s requirements and consulted with one tribe, the Indian Canyon Mutsun Band of the Costanoan Ohlone People; and
WHEREAS, a representative of the Indian Canyon Mutsun Band of the Costanoan Ohlone People provided feedback on the proposed General Plan amendment, and as a result the proposed amendment contains an action item related to incorporation of indigenous land stewardship practices into climate resilience and rewilding strategies; and
WHEREAS, on July 16, 2026, the Planning Commission for the City of South San Francisco held a lawfully noticed public hearing to solicit public comment and consider the Addendum to the 2040 General Plan EIR and the proposed General Plan Amendment, take public testimony, and make a recommendation to the City Council; and
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission reviewed and carefully considered the information in the SB1425 Addendum, and by separate resolution, recommends that the City Council finds that the Addendum is the appropriate environmental document per CEQA Guidelines 15164, and no further environmental review is necessary.
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 2040 General Plan and General Plan EIR; the SB1425 Addendum to the 2040 General Plan EIR, as prepared by Lamphier-Gregory, Inc., dated May, 2026; and all reports, minutes, and public testimony submitted as part of the Planning Commission’s duly noticed July 16, 2026 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 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 General Plan Amendment (Exhibit A) is each incorporated by reference and made a 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.
General Plan Amendment
1. The proposed amendment meets the purposes of the General Plan, as it is intended to ensure access to open space, consider social, economic and racial equity, improve climate resiliency, and expand open space networks.
2. The proposed amendment is compatible with other provisions of the General Plan and any applicable specific plan; and
3. Any changes to the amendment that the Commission deems necessary to comply with other adopted Plans and ordinances or to reduce environmental impacts.
SECTION 2 DETERMINATION
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Planning of the City of South San Francisco hereby makes the findings contained in this Resolution and recommends that the City Council approve the General Plan Amendment for compliance with SB1425 (Exhibit A) to this resolution.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this Resolution shall become effective immediately upon its passage and adoption.