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Resolution making findings and approving a Use Permit, Design Review, and a Tentative Map to construct the proposed Genentech Research and Early Development Center in the Genentech Master Plan (GMP) Zoning District subject to the attached Draft Conditions of Approval.
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WHEREAS, in 2020 the City of South San Francisco (“City”) adopted (1) Resolution No. 169-2020 certifying the Environmental Impact Report, including adoption of the Statement of Overriding Considerations and the Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program, for the Genentech 2020 Master Plan Update (State Clearinghouse No. 2017052064, (2) Resolution No. 170-2020 adopting the Genentech 2020 Master Plan Update, and (3) Ordinance No. 1614-2020 amending Chapter 20.260 of the South San Francisco Municipal Code related to the Genentech Master Plan Zoning District; and
WHEREAS, in 2025 the City adopted (1) Resolution No. 85-2025 approving an Addendum to the Genentech Master Plan EIR analyzing the potential effects associated with the transfer of ownership of the specific road rights-of-way within the Genentech Campus boundaries to Genentech and Genentech’s proposed rezoning of properties to the Genentech Master Plan Zoning District, (2) Resolution No. 86-2025 vacating certain public rights-of-way commonly known as DNA Way, Cabot Road and Point San Bruno Boulevard located entirely within the Genentech Campus, (3) Resolution No. 87-2025 approving a purchase and sale agreement with Genentech for the disposition of the vacated public streets, (4) Resolution No. 88-2025 approving amendments to the Genentech 2020 Master Plan and associated General Plan Amendments, and (5) Ordinance No. 1673-2025 amending the South San Francisco Zoning Map to include additional properties within the Genentech Master Plan District; and
WHEREAS, the Genentech 2020 Master Plan guides the development of the Genentech campus over a period of fifteen (15) years to create a vibrant, transit supported, state of the art research, office, and manufacturing campus for the life sciences; and
WHEREAS, Genentech, Inc. (“Owner” or “Applicant”) has submitted an application requesting approval for construction of the Genentech Research and Early Development (gRED) Center Project at 301, 330, 320, 325, 335, and 353 DNA Way, (APNs 015-092-280, 015-240-270, 015-240-280, 015-240-480, 015-250-440 and 015-250-450) 333 and 353 Point San Bruno Boulevard (APNs 015-250-140 and 015-250-410), and 383, 450, 455 and 470 East Grand Avenue (APNs 015-101-090, 015-102-500 and 015-250-390) within the Genentech Campus Master Plan Zoning District (“Project”); and
WHEREAS, the applicant seeks approval of a Conditional Use Permit (UP26-0001), Design Review (DR26-0003) and Tentative Map (PM26-0012), for the Project; and
WHEREAS, the Design Review Board reviewed the Project at its March 17, 2026 meeting and recommended approval of the Project; 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, in 2020 the City certified the Environmental Impact Report for the Genentech 2020 Master Plan Update (“Genentech 2020 Master Plan Update EIR”) (State Clearinghouse No. 2017052064); and
WHEREAS, in 2022 the City certified the Environmental Impact Report for the 2040 General Plan Update, Zoning Code Amendments and Climate Action Plan (“SSF 2040 General Plan EIR”) (State Clearinghouse No. 2021020064); and
WHEREAS, the Genentech 2020 Master Plan Update EIR and the SSF 2040 General Plan EIR (“Prior EIRs”) were certified in accordance with the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act (Public Resources Code, §§ 21000, et seq., “CEQA”) and CEQA Guidelines, which analyzed the potential environmental impacts of the Project; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15162, 15164, 15168 and 15183 a CEQA Consistency Checklist and Addendum to the Prior EIRs was prepared for the Project (“2026 CEQA Checklist and Addendum”) which evaluates whether preparation of a Subsequent EIR or Negative Declaration is required for approval of the Project; and
WHEREAS, the 2026 CEQA Checklist and Addendum concludes that in accordance with Public Resources Code § 21166 and CEQA Guidelines § 15162, 15164, 15168 and 15183, the implementation of the Project will not cause any new significant impacts, that it will not trigger any new or more severe impacts than were studied in the previously certified Prior EIRs, that no substantial changes in the project or circumstances justifying major revisions to the Prior EIRs have occurred, and that no new information of substantial importance has come to light since the Prior EIRs were certified that shows new or more severe significant impacts nor shows new, different or more feasible mitigation measures; and
WHEREAS, the City Council previously adopted Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Programs for the Prior EIRs and a Statement of Overriding Considerations for the Prior EIRs’ significant and unavoidable impacts, both of which remain in full force and effect for the Project; and,
WHEREAS, on September 3, 2026, the Planning Commission of the City of South San Francisco held a duly noticed public hearing at which time interested parties had the opportunity to be heard, to review the Project and the 2026 CEQA Checklist and Addendum, and to receive public comments; and
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission for the City of South San Francisco reviewed and carefully considered the information in the 2026 CEQA Checklist and Addendum, and by separate resolution determined that the 2026 CEQA Checklist and Addendum is the appropriate environmental document for approval of the Project and no further environmental review is required; 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 FOUND, DETERMINED AND 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; the South San Francisco Municipal Code; the Genentech 2020 Master Plan Update EIR and Statement of Overriding Considerations; the SSF 2040 General Plan EIR and Statement of Overriding Considerations; the 2025 Genentech Addendum to the Genentech 2020 Master Plan Update EIR and SSF 2040 General Plan EIR; the 2026 CEQA Checklist and Addendum, the gRED Center Project Plans, prepared by Cannon Design and Foster + Partners dated May 26, 2026; the Vesting Tentative Map prepared by WHB Engineers dated May 22, 2026; all reports, minutes, and public testimony submitted as part of the Planning Commission’s duly noticed September 3, 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
A. General Findings
1. The foregoing recitals are true and correct and made a part of this Resolution.
2. The Exhibits attached to this Resolution, including the gRED Center Project Plans (Exhibit A), the proposed Tentative Map (Exhibit B) and the Conditions of Approval (Exhibit C) are 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.
4. By separate resolution on September 3, 2026, pursuant to a duly noticed public hearing and based on its independent judgement and analysis, the Planning Commission recommended adoption of CEQA findings and determination that the 2026 CEQA Checklist and Addendum, prepared pursuant to CEQA Guidelines sections 15162, 15164, 15168 and 15183, is the appropriate environmental document for approval of the Project.
B. Use Permit Findings
1. The proposed use will not be adverse to the public health, safety or general welfare of the community, nor be detrimental to the surrounding properties or improvements because the proposed gRED Center Project is located in the Business Technology Park area and will be redeveloping buildings that are underutilized and/or past useful building life-cycles with a state-of-the-art life science project that is consistent with the General Plan designation, Genentech Master Plan and zoning regulations for the area;
2. The proposed gRED Center Project is consistent with the City’s General Plan and the Genentech Campus Master Plan because the proposed campus buildings and associated amenities and landscaping are consistent with the policies and design direction provided in the South San Francisco General Plan for the Business & Technology Park land use designation and within the Genentech Campus Master Plan;
3. The proposed gRED Center Project complies with all applicable standards included in Chapter 20.260 (“Genentech Master Plan District”) as well as the implementing policies and guidelines found in the Genentech Campus Master Plan; and
4. The proposed gRED Center Project buildings comply with the Genentech Campus Master Plan’s design guidelines which were used to evaluate the Project by staff and the City’s Design Review Board.
C. Design Review Findings
1. The Project is consistent with the applicable standards and requirements of the Zoning Ordinance because as submitted and modified through the Design Review Process, this Project meets or complies with the applicable standards included in the Genentech Master Plan District Zoning (Chapter 20.260), and the Genentech Campus Master Plan, including Appendix A: Design Review Checklist
2. The General Plan Land Use Designation for the site is Business & Technology Park (BTP) and the proposed Project is consistent with the General Plan because the proposed gRED Center Project campus redevelopment will create a modern, sustainable and connected upper campus that can evolve over time, allowing Genetech to expand and innovate in conformance with the City’s General Plan goals for land use and economic development;
3. The gRED Center Project is consistent with the applicable design guidelines adopted by the City Council in that the proposed gRED Center Project is consistent with the Genentech Campus Master Plan, including Appendix A: Design Review Checklist;
4. The proposed gRED Center Project is subject to Use Permit approval and those findings have been adequately made in support of the project.
5. The gRED Center Project is consistent with the applicable design review criteria in Section 20.480.006 (“Design Review Criteria”) because the project has been evaluated by the Design Review Board on March 17, 2026 and found to be consistent with each of the eight design review criteria set forth in South San Francisco Municipal Code Section 20.480.006 (Design Review Criteria).
D. Tentative Map Findings
1. The proposed gRED Center Projects’ tentative map, prepared by WHB and dated May 22, 2026, (attached hereto as Exhibit B) including the proposed designs and improvements, is consistent with the City’s General Plan because the tentative map would facilitate the redevelopment of existing Genentech Campus space with more modern and flexible development that will increase connections within the overall campus, which would implement the goals of the General Plan and the Genentech Campus Master Plan.
2. The proposed tentative map is consistent with the standards and requirements of the City’s Zoning Ordinance and with the provisions of the Genentech Campus Master Plan.
3. The tentative map complies and meets all the requirements of Title 19 of the South San Francisco Municipal Code (“Subdivisions”) and with the requirements of the State Subdivision Map Act.
4. The Project site is physically suitable for the type of development and density proposed, as the Project will redevelop existing campus buildings with more modern and flexible development and will improve vehicular, pedestrian, and bicycle connections which is envisioned in the General Plan and Genentech Campus Master Plan.
5. The tentative map is consistent with the analysis included in the 2026 CEQA Checklist and Addendum, approved by separate resolution.
6. The design and improvements of the tentative map are not in conflict with any existing public easements.
7. The property is located in a developed, urban setting, and is not subject to a Williamson Act contract, on open space easement, a conservation easement, or an agricultural conservation easement. The surrounding land uses and resulting parcels would not support agricultural uses; the resulting parcels would result in life science campus development not incidental to commercial agricultural use of the land.
SECTION 2 DETERMINATION
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that subject to the Conditions of Approval, attached as Exhibit C to this Resolution, the Planning Commission of the City of South San Francisco hereby makes the findings contained in this Resolution approves Use Permit (UP26-0001), Design Review (DR26-0003) and Tentative Map (PM26-0012) entitlements.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the resolution shall become effective immediately upon its passage and adoption.
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