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Report regarding a resolution making findings and adopting the Initial Study / Mitigated Negative Declaration in accordance with the California Public Resources Code and the California Environmental Quality Act. (Philip Vitale, Deputy Director - Capital Projects, and Adena Friedman, Chief Planner)
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RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Staff recommends that the City Council consider the draft IS/MND and Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program, all comments received, and all other evidence and documents, and take the following action:
1. Adopt a resolution making findings and adopting the Initial Study / Mitigated Negative Declaration, in accordance with Section 21080 of the California Public Resources Code and CEQA Guidelines Section 15070 et seq.
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BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION
The New Park at Linden and Pine project (Project) proposes to build a new park in the Old Town neighborhood to address the lack of parks and open space identified in the 2015 Parks and Recreation Master Plan and 2022 General Plan (Shape SSF). To address this need, staff requested funding to transform 616 Linden Avenue and 700 Linden Avenue into a vibrant neighborhood park and cultural plaza for the community to enjoy.
In November 2023, the City engaged landscape architects from MIG Inc. of Berkeley, California to conduct community engagement, design, and prepare construction documents for the new park. In Spring 2024, the City and MIG launched a community design process to envision and design the new park at Linden and Pine Avenues. Through a series of public events, a community vision was developed, followed by input on two concept alternatives. During this process, the team learned about park priorities from neighbors and local businesses, followed the guidance of technical experts, and provided review for the Parks and Recreation Commission and City Council.
In April 2024, the City sponsored an open house and listening session to present the project to the community and gather their feedback to create the vision for the new park. Participants had the opportunity to describe their current and past activities at the site and comment on potential preferences for the new park.
In May 2024, the first merchant’s round table, a focus group session with the neighboring business owners, was conducted to focus on business-specific topics such as parking, loading, safety, activation, and customer experience. The group also looked at examples showing how other parks have supported surrounding businesses, including drawing in more daily customers, and providing outdoor seating options. A visioning pop-up and intercept interviews were also held to speak with the community to gather their comments and vision for the park.
In August 2024, the second open house was held, and staff gave an overview of the concept designs, answered questions, and recorded comments. At National Night Out, the project hosted a table where the community, including firefighters, police officers, and waste management staff, provided feedback on the two design alternatives and street configurations. At Movie in the Park, the design team hosted a pop-up station to present the two design alternatives and collected community feedback.
In September 2024, a second merchant’s round table was held for further discussions with local merchants where City staff and the design team had a formal discussion with participating businesses about their concerns, including traffic circulation, emergency access, and parking strategies. City staff presented an update of the park project to the Youth Commission. The design team attended Concert in the Park and provided an overview of the two alternative park concepts, answered questions, recorded comments, and provided an online survey to interested participants. At the Centennial Way Park South grand opening, City staff and design team informed participants about the two alternative park concepts, answered questions, recorded comments, and shared the online survey. At the Sociedad Mutualista Mexicana de Morelos, also known as Morelos Hall, the presenter informed visitors in Spanish about the two alternative park concepts and described the differences between each design. Participants asked questions about each concept and offered suggestions on how to adjust the designs.
In October 2024, City staff, the design team, and project environmental consultant provided an update on the project to the City Council, which provided an overview of the project, including community design events, the emerging vision and priorities, the initial feedback on two alternative designs, the site history, and environmental testing and findings which deemed the sites safe for development as a park.
In March 2025, a third open house and merchant’s round table were hosted to present the emerging design concept and project timeline to the community as well as gather input about public art. The project was also presented to the Parks and Recreation Commission and Youth Commission.
In May 2025, the preferred concept was presented to the City Council, who were in support of the emerging concept and inclusion of a restroom.
In June 2025, a playground equipment survey was circulated to the community, which concluded with 87% of responses from Old Town residents with preferences for playground equipment type, materials, and design.
Based on overwhelming feedback from community members, the park design allows for either a prefabricated single-stall restroom or space for a portable restroom. To help determine the best long-term option, the City partnered with Throne Inc. to pilot a subscription-based portable restroom to test if users might consider this a preferred option at this location. Pilot testing began in September 2025.
In February 2025, SWCA was engaged to prepare an Initial Study and Mitigated Negative Declaration (IS/MND) under the California Environmental Quality Act. The IS/MND was published in September with a 30-day public comment period that ended on October 22, 2025. No significant impacts were found.
Project Location
The 0.86-acre (project site (Assessor’s Parcel Numbers 012-174-300 and 012-145-370) is located at 700 Linden Avenue and 616 Linden Avenue and includes an approximately 100-foot section of Pine Avenue that bisects the project site in South San Francisco. The project site is bounded by Linden Avenue to the west, 8th Lane to the north, 7th Lane to the south, and residences to the east.
Project Description
The project would demolish an existing public parking lot with 21 parking spaces at 616 Linden Avenue, a section of Pine Avenue, and a vacant grass lot at 700 Linden Avenue for the construction of a new neighborhood park. The new park will cover 616 and 700 Linden Avenue and an approximately 100-foot section of Pine Avenue, to provide a new public space for residents of the neighborhood to gather, connect, and play. The new park will contain a plaza/outdoor event space, lawns, picnic areas, play structures, a fitness area, a potential restroom structure, new parking areas, and new lighting and landscaping. The plaza/outdoor event space will have a stage, electricity, and lighting with capacity for 200 people. The art installations would be decided based on a public art procurement process and designed to reflect the community’s identity and heritage and include art columns with lighting, a ground mural at the plaza, and an interactive art installation. Two flexible natural turf lawn spaces will have a combined capacity for 320 people. Small gathering areas with picnic tables and benches would surround each flexible lawn. There will be a play area with play structures for ages 2 to 5 and for 5 to 12 and include a climbing/sliding structure, group play spinner, nest swing, tot slide, and nature play logs and boulders. The play area will be underlain with engineered wood fiber play safety surfacing. A fitness area will include outdoor exercise equipment. A portable Throne restroom is currently being tested at the 700 Linden Avenue location, and a restroom may be permanently incorporated into the new park. Seventeen new parking spaces, including one new ADA van-accessible space will be on Pine Avenue, 7th Lane, and 8th Lane. Five diagonal parking spaces would be available on 7th Lane and seven diagonal spaces, including one ADA van accessible space on 8th Lane. Five parallel parking spaces would be on the one-way portion of Pine Avenue. Traffic calming measures, including new stop signs, crosswalks, and signage would be added around the park for pedestrian safety. The park would also feature several bicycle racks, addressing the current lack of bicycle parking. New street and park lighting and landscaping will be installed throughout the park. A privacy fence will be installed on the eastern side between the park and adjacent housing.
Project plans are attached as Exhibit A.
Landscaping and Public Space
The Project’s landscaping and site improvements will provide a brand new public space for South San Francisco residents to gather, connect, and play. The project will include the removal of approximately 10 existing trees on-site, eight trees adjacent to the parking lot on Linden Avenue and two trees on Pine Avenue, most of which are in fair to poor condition. Approximately 40 new trees would be planted throughout the project site along with low-water shrubs and other landscape plants. Landscaping would include drought-tolerant and native species with new efficient drip irrigation that meets state and local Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (WELO) requirements. Three planting areas would be added on-site for stormwater retention and treatment.
Two flex lawns and a plaza will provide flexible space for community events, small sports play, and gathering,
GENERAL PLAN AND ZONING
The new park is consistent with, and helps to achieve, many of the Parks and Recreation goals and policies in the City’s General Plan, including:
Goal PR-1: South San Francisco equitably provides improved parkland, recreational facilities, and services for all residents.
Policy PR-1.3: Design parks and facilities to meet universal access standards. Design parks and recreation facilities for universal access and multi-generational use, encouraging play by residents of all abilities and ages. Continue to improve existing parks and open spaces to accommodate the needs of users of all ages and abilities.
The General Plan Land Use Designation and Zoning District for the Linden and Pine Park is Parks and Recreation (PR), which is intended for parks and recreation complexes, intended to provide locations for a variety of recreational activities to meet the community’s diverse needs. Development of the new neighborhood park center is consistent with the City’s General Plan and Zoning.
COMMUNITY OUTREACH PROCESS
Community engagement for the New Park at Linden Avenue and Pine Avenue commenced in April 2024, with three open houses and online surveys. Conceptual design of the project was completed in March 2025, resulting in a design that included an outdoor plaza, two flexible lawns, fitness and game area, playground, parking spaces and possible onsite restroom. In April 2025, Schematic design commenced, detailing the location, size, and options for a potential restroom; selection, locations, and sizes of stormwater treatment measures; location of park irrigation system controls and equipment; location of utilities easements; location of art columns, and mosaics. The Schematic design phase concluded in May 2025. With input received during presentations to the Parks and Recreation Commission, Youth Commission, City Council, and engagement with local merchants and community, a list of design revisions were developed and incorporated into 90% construction documentation, which are currently under review.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The City, with assistance from SWCA Environmental Consultants prepared an Initial Study / Mitigated Negative Declaration (IS/MND) (State Clearinghouse #2025090993) for the proposed project (Associated CEQA Resolution, Exhibit A). It was circulated in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) for 30 days to the State of California and other reviewing agencies/jurisdictions, and interested parties, from September 22, 2025, through October 22, 2025.
The IS/MND that has been prepared for the Project concludes that impacts of the Project are considered to be less than significant with mandatory compliance with existing federal, State, and local standards and the implementation of mitigation measures listed in the IS/MND. Mitigation measures relate to nesting bird surveys and buffers, unanticipated cultural resource finds, unanticipated human remains finds, seismic-related failure, potential hazards from excavation and disposal of lead-impacted soil, excessive construction noise, disruption of emergency response from construction traffic, and unanticipated tribal cultural resources finds. Implementation of the Project would not degrade the quality and extent of the environment or result in adverse effects on human beings, provided the project adheres to all mandated policies, rules, and regulations of all relevant governing bodies.
The proposed mitigation measures are typical for a modern construction project and detailed within the IS/MND. These required mitigations, including implementation and reporting responsibility, schedule, and completion criteria are identified in the IS/MND and reflected on the Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program (Associated CEQA Resolution, Exhibit B). The City will ensure that all required mitigation measures are incorporated during project construction.
Comments on the IS/MND
The comment period on the IS/MND closed on October 22, 2025. Four comment letters were received during the comment period, as listed below:
• Amah Mutsun Tribal Band of San Juan Bautista & AMTB Email, no mailed hard copy: Standard comment letter with recommendations for investigation of and methods for work in soils with cultural and/or historic sensitivity with no comments on the IS/MND, dated September 22, 2025
• Muwekma Ohlone Tribe, Inc. Email, no mailed hard copy: Advisement, offer for tribal consultation and monitoring services, no comments on the IS/MND: dated September 29, 2025
• Pacific Gas and Electric Company Email, no mailed hard copy: Advisement to coordinate work around PG&E facilities, no comments on the IS/MND, dated September 24, 2025
• Pacific Gas and Electric Company Email, no mailed hard copy: Advisement to coordinate work around PG&E facilities, and acknowledgement that project does not appear to interfere with PG&E facilities or impact PG&E’s Planning Service Department, no comments on the IS/MND, dated October 14, 2025
FISCAL IMPACT
This project is included in the City of South San Francisco’s fiscal year 2024-25 Capital Improvement Plan. Transfer of funds from relevant accounts will be accomplished as funds are needed.
RELATIONSHIP TO STRATEGIC PLAN
Approval of this plan will contribute to the City’s Strategic Plan. It aligns with Priority #2, which is focused on enhancing quality of life by building and maintaining a sustainable city, making the city a great place to live, learn, and play.
CONCLUSION
The proposed New Park at Linden Avenue and Pine Avenue project has been reviewed substantially by City departments, commissions, and the City Council. The City Council action for this phase of the project development is to find the project consistent with zoning and environmental review. The new park will provide a gathering, recreation, and open space for residents in an area that is lacking available open space and has been designed with extensive community input and support. Therefore, staff recommends that the City Council follow the Planning Commission’s recommendation and take the following actions:
1. Adopt a resolution making findings to adopt the Initial Study / Mitigated Negative Declaration (ND23-0005), in accordance with Section 21080 of the California Public Resources Code and CEQA Guidelines Section 15070 et seq.
ASSOCIATED DOCUMENTS
1. New Park at Linden Ave and Pine Ave CEQA Resolution (File ID#25-1208)
A. Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration
B. Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program