Title
Resolution making findings and a determination that the environmental effects of the construction of Fire Station 63 Project located at 71 Camaritas Avenue were sufficiently analyzed under the 2011 El Camino Real/Chestnut Avenue Area Plan Final Environmental Impact Report (ECR/C FEIR) and based on the Compliance Checklist, no additional environmental analysis is needed pursuant to California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Section 15183.
body
WHEREAS, the City of South San Francisco (“Applicant”) has proposed construction of an approximately 10,150 square foot Fire Station 63 Project (“Project Site”); and
WHEREAS, the proposed Project is located within the T5 Corridor (T5C) Zoning District; and
WHEREAS, the applicant seeks approval of Design Review (DR25-0022) and Sign (SIGNS26-0003); and
WHEREAS, approval of the applicant’s proposal is considered a “Project” for purposes of the California Environmental Quality Act (Public Resources Code §§21000, et seq.) (“CEQA”); and
WHEREAS, the City Council approved the El Camino Real/Chestnut Area Plan in 2011, which articulates the vision for transformation the area into a new walkable, distinctive, mixed-use district throughout the 98 acres along El Camino Real from Southwood Drive to north of Sequoia Avenue; and
WHEREAS, the City Council certified the El Camino Real/Chestnut Avenue Area Plan Final Environmental Impact Report (“ECR/C FEIR”) in 2011 (State Clearinghouse #2010072015) in accordance with the provisions of CEQA and the CEQA Guidelines, which analyzed the potential environmental impacts of development; and
WHEREAS, the City adopted a new General Plan in 2022 which updated certain zoning designations within the project site; and
WHEREAS, CEQA Guidelines Section 15183 provides that projects which are consistent with the development density established by existing zoning, community plan, or general plan polices for which an EIR was certified shall not require additional environmental review except as might be necessary to examine whether there are project-specific significant effects which are peculiar to the project site; and
WHEREAS, the City, in conjunction with an environmental consultant, FirstCarbon Solutions, prepared a CEQA Guidelines Section 15183 Consistency Checklist for the Project, pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15183; and
WHEREAS, the Fire Station 63 Consistency Checklist concluded that the Project is found to be in conformance with the analysis and conclusions of the ECR/C FEIR because the Project is, and has always been, consistent with the development density established in both the ECR/C Area Plan and the General Plan (Shape SSF), and implementing Zoning and is within the scope of the ECR/C Area Plan and the ECR/C FEIR and would not result in any new significant environmental effects or a substantial increase in the severity of any previously identified effects beyond those disclosed and analyzed in the ECR/C FEIR certified by City Council nor would new mitigation be required; and
WHEREAS, on June 18, 2026, 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
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission exercised its independent judgment and analysis, and considered all reports, recommendations, and testimony before making a determination on the Project.
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 El Camino Real/Chestnut (ECR/C) Area Plan and ECR/C FEIR; the Fire Station 63 Project CEQA Guidelines Section 15183 Consistency Checklist and Exemption, the General Plan, Zoning Ordinance, all site plans, and all reports, minutes, and public testimony submitted as part of the Planning Commission’s duly noticed June 18, 2026 meeting; and any other evidence (within the meaning of Public Resources Code Sections 21080(e) and 21082.2), the Planning Commission of the City of South San Francisco hereby finds as follows:
SECTION 1 FINDINGS
A. General
1. The foregoing recitals are true and correct and made a part of this Resolution.
2. Exhibit 1, The Fire Station 63 Project CEQA Guidelines Section 15183 Consistency Checklist and Exemption and all appendices, is 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.
B. California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)
1. For the reasons stated in this Resolution, the Project is subject to a CEQA exemption and does not require additional CEQA review pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15183 as the Project is consistent with a Community Plan, General Plan or Zoning because as supported by the findings of the Consistency Checklist:
a. The Project is consistent with the development density in the ECR/C Area Plan and is within the scope of the ECR/C Area Plan and the ECR/C FEIR.
b. The project is consistent with the development density and zoning regulations in the Shape SSF General Plan and the Zoning Ordinance.
c. There are no project-specific effects which are peculiar to the Project or the project site.
d. There are no substantial changes proposed in the Project, which the ECR/C FEIR failed to analyze as significant effects.
e. There are not any potentially significant off-site and/or cumulative impacts which the ECR/C EIR failed to evaluate.
f. There is no substantial new information which results in more severe impacts than anticipated by the ECR/C FEIR.
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 a determination that the environmental effects of the proposed Project were sufficiently analyzed under the El Camino Real/Chestnut Avenue Area Plan Final Environmental Impact Report (ECR/C FEIR) pursuant to California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Section 15183.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the resolution shall become effective immediately upon its passage and adoption.
* * * * * * *