Title
Report regarding a resolution making findings and determining that the acquisition of 1229 Crestwood Drive by the City of South San Francisco is in conformance with the South San Francisco adopted General Plan and in accordance with Government Code Section 65402. (Nell Selander, Director of Economic and Community Development)
label
MOTION FOR THE COMMISSION TO ADOPT STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
1. Move to adopt a resolution making findings that the acquisition of 1229 Crestwood Drive is in conformance with the South San Francisco adopted General Plan.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
It is recommended that the Planning Commission adopt a resolution making findings and determining that the acquisition of 1229 Crestwood Drive by the City of South San Francisco is in conformance with the South San Francisco adopted General Plan and in accordance with provisions of State Planning Law (Gov’t Code Section 65402).
Body
BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION
The property addressed 1229 Crestwood Drive, currently developed with a 1,460 square foot (SF) single-family home, is vacant and is for sale and accepting purchase offers on Wednesday, July 15, 2026. The developed property measures approximately 4,860 SF and is unique because the rear property line is adjacent to a very large open space area controlled by the South San Francisco School District. The open space is part of the Sunshine Gardens Elementary School property. As the Planning Commission likely recalls, the City’s Parks and Recreation Master Plan as well as the ShapeSSF General Plan prioritize land acquisition to support a new public park for the Sunshine Gardens neighborhood which has been a long-time community request.
While the subject parcel is moderately sized at just under 5,000 SF, in the longer term it could be developed as an access point to the much larger SSFUSD open space area if the City and school district are able to coordinate a shared access/development concept.
The action item before the Planning Commission tonight would be to determine that this potential acquisition is consistent with the City’s General Plan and applicable State planning law.
PARCEL INFORMATION
The property at 1229 Crestwood Drive and Assessor’s Parcel Number 011-211-240 is 4,860 SF, currently developed with a 1,460 SF home with three bedrooms and two bathrooms and an attached garage. The property's current use is as a single-family home and is zoned RL-8 for low density residential. The map below shows the property’s location with a green arrow, relative to the larger Sunshine Gardens Elementary School open space.
GENERAL PLAN CONFORMANCE
In accordance with the provisions of State Planning Law - specifically, Government Code Section 65402 - prior to acquisition or sale of real property by the City, the Planning Commission, as the planning agency for the City, is required to find such acquisition is in conformity with the adopted general plan.
The acquisition of the property includes no proposed change of use to the property in the short term and would present an opportunity for the City to own a property that could be used to access a larger open space for the community. The current use of the property as a single-family home is consistent with the South San Francisco General Plan. The existing General Plan designation, Low-Density Residential, will remain the same and is consistent with the parcel’s existing and future use, which permits public parks by-right.
The purchase of the property is also consistent with General Plan policy direction, in particular the following:
Policy PR-4.2: Coordinate with South San Francisco Unified School District on facility access.
Work closely with South San Francisco Unified School District to improve community access to school facilities, including pools, athletic fields and playgrounds, outside of school hours to improve neighborhood access to recreational facilities, to expand after-school and summer programs, and to strengthen the relationship between schools and their immediate neighborhoods. Establish procedures for the creation of joint sites, including the division of maintenance responsibility.
• Action PR-4.2.1: Establish Sunshine Gardens Shared use agreement.
Establish a partnership with the South San Francisco Unified School District to provide access to Sunshine Gardens Elementary School open space areas and playground.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The proposed purchase of this property is consistent with the General Plan and does not contemplate short-term development, therefore, no CEQA action is required by the Planning Commission at this time.
CONCLUSION
It is recommended that the Planning Commission adopt a resolution making findings and determining that the acquisition of 1229 Crestwood Drive by the City of South San Francisco is in conformance with the South San Francisco adopted General Plan and in accordance with Government Code Section 65402.
Associated Files:
1. 25-2070, General Plan Conformance Resolution