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Resolution making findings recommending approval for Project P25-0116, including Design Review and a Sign Permit to construct the Station 63 located at 71 Camaritas Avenue in the T5 Corridor (T5C) Zoning District.
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WHEREAS, the City of South San Francisco (“Applicant”) has proposed to construct an approximately 10,150-square-foot Fire Station building at 71 Camaritas Avenue (“Project Site”) and
WHEREAS, the proposed Project is located within the El Camino Real General Plan sub-area; and
WHEREAS, the proposed Project site is located within the T5C Zoning District and the Medium Density Mixed-Use General Plan land use designation; and
WHEREAS, the Applicant seeks entitlement approval for the Fire Station 63 Project (P25-0116) including Design Review (DR25-0022) and Sign Permit (SIGNS26-0003); and
WHEREAS, approval of the Applicant’s proposal is considered a “Project” for purposes of the California Environmental Quality Act, Pub. 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 an 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, environmental analysis for the proposed project was conducted, which concluded that the environmental effects associated with implementation of the project are fully within the scope of the environmental analysis conducted in the ECR/C FEIR and is consistent with the General Plan and that no new environmental document is needed per California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) Guidelines Sections 15183; and
WHEREAS, the Design Review Board reviewed the Project at its meeting of April 21, 2026, and recommended approval of the Project; 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 reviewed and carefully considered the information in the ECR/C FEIR and a CEQA Guidelines Section 15183 Consistency Checklist for the Project, pursuant to California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Section 15183 and by separate resolution, finds that the Consistency Checklist is the appropriate environmental document for the Project; 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; the South San Francisco General Plan, the South San Francisco Municipal Code; the ECR/C FEIR; the Fire Station 63 Project CEQA Guidelines Section 15183 Consistency Checklist and Exemption including all appendices thereto; the Project applications; the Fire Station 63 Project Plans, prepared by Shah Kawasaki Architects, dated April 8, 2026, Design Review Board Recommendation Letter dated April 29, 2026, 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. The Exhibits attached to this Resolution, including Conditions of Project Approval (Exhibit 1), Project Plans (Exhibit 2), Applicant’s Project Description (Exhibit 3), and Design Review Board Recommendation Letter (Exhibit 4) 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 a separate resolution, the Planning Commission, exercising its independent judgment and analysis, has found that a Fire Station 63 Project CEQA Guidelines Section 15183 Consistency Checklist and Exemption was prepared for the Project in accordance with CEQA, and is the appropriate document for the Project and no further environmental analysis would be required, and that the Project is exempt from CEQA as a Project that is consistent with a previously certified General Plan, community plan, and zoning.
5. The proposed Project is consistent and compatible with all elements in the City of South San Francisco General Plan, as it will help the City implement several broad General Plan goals and policies related to public safety and infrastructure.
6. The proposed Project is consistent with the standards and requirements of the City's Zoning Ordinance. The development of the Project Site would result in the construction of Fire Station 63 in the T5C zoning district, which is a permitted use.
7. The site is physically suitable for the type of development and density proposed, as close proximity to the Police Station and Library, Park and Recreation facility add to the civic campus presence in this area of the City and the proposed Project meets the City’s development standards.
B. Design Review
1. The Project, including Design Review, is consistent with Title 20 of the South San Francisco Municipal Code because the Project has been designed as a public safety facility which is allowed use in the T5C Zoning District and will provide a modern and safe training and maintenance facilities for firefighters.
2. The Project, including Design Review, is consistent with the General Plan because the proposed preschool expansion project is consistent with the policies and design direction provided in the South San Francisco General Plan for the Medium Density Mixed Use land use designation by providing public-safety and emergency services.
3. The Project, including Design Review, is consistent with the applicable design guidelines adopted by the City Council in that the proposed Project is consistent with the T5 Corridor (T5C) Zoning District development standards, and the Citywide development standards, as evaluated in the Zoning Ordinance Compliance analysis for the Project.
4. The Project is consistent with the applicable design review criteria because the Project has been evaluated by the Design Review Board on April 21, 2026 and found to be consistent with each of the criteria set forth in South San Francisco Municipal Code Section 20.480.006 (Design Review Criteria).
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 approves the entitlements request for the Fire Station 63 Project (P25-0116) including Design Review (DR25-0022) and Sign Permit (SIGNS26-0003), subject to the Conditions of Approval, attached as Exhibit 1 to this Resolution, the Planning Commission of the City of South San Francisco hereby makes the findings contained in this Resolution, and that the Planning Commission approves the entitlements request for the Fire Station 63 Project Plans.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this Resolution shall become effective immediately upon its passage and adoption.