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Resolution making findings recommending that the City Council make a determination that the environmental effects of the construction of the Vantage Healthpeak Life Sciences Campus located at 420, 440, 460, 480 and 490 Forbes Boulevard, consisting of six buildings and three associated parking structures, were sufficiently analyzed under the 2040 General Plan Environmental Impact Report and no additional environmental analysis is needed pursuant to CEQA Guidelines sections 15162 and 15183.
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WHEREAS, HCP Forbes, LLC (“Applicant”) has proposed construction of an approximately 1.65 million square of new building space anticipated to accommodate health science/biotechnology tenants (“Project Site”); and
WHEREAS, the proposed Project is located within the Business Technology Park - High (BTP-H) zoning district; and
WHEREAS, the applicant seeks approval of P22-0117 & P22-0138: MP23-0002, PP23-0001, DR22-0036, UP22-0011, TDM22-0009, PM22-0002, DA22-0005 & ND22-0002 (“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, the City Council approved the City’s General Plan in 2022, which articulates the vision for growth and development throughout the east of 101 area as well as the entire City through 2040; and
WHEREAS, the City Council certified an Environmental Impact Report (“EIR”) on October 12, 2022 (State Clearinghouse number 2021020064) in accordance with the provisions of CEQA and the CEQA Guidelines, which analyzed the potential environmental impacts of the development of the 2040 General Plan Update, Zoning Code Amendments and Climate Action Plan (“2040 General Plan EIR”) which analyzed the potential environmental impacts of the development east of 101; and
WHEREAS, the City Council also adopted a Statement of Overriding Considerations (“SOC”) on October 12, 2022 in accordance with the provisions of CEQA and the CEQA Guidelines, which carefully considered each significant and unavoidable impact identified in the 2040 General Plan EIR and found that the significant environmental impacts are acceptable in light of the project’s social, economic and environmental benefits; and
WHEREAS, Section 15162 of the CEQA Guidelines states that no subsequent EIR need to be prepared for a project where an EIR has previously been prepared unless the lead agency identifies subsequent changes in circumstance that were identified and not previously analyzed or would create new significant environmental effects; and
WHEREAS, in addition, Section 15183 of the CEQA Guidelines mandates that projects that are consistent with the development density established by existing zoning, a community plan, or general plan policies 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 that are peculiar to a project or its site; and
WHEREAS, CEQA Guidelines Section 15183 specifies that when reviewing a project that meets the requirements of this section, a public agency shall limit its examination of environmental effects to those that the agency determines in an environmental checklist or other analysis; and
WHEREAS, an environmental analysis checklist was prepared for the proposed Project by the City dated September 23, 2023, which provides substantial evidence that the proposed Project is within the scope of the previous environmental analysis including General Plan EIR and Mitigation Monitoring Program and that the subsequent CEQA analysis is not required for the proposed Project; and
WHEREAS, as demonstrated through the environmental checklist analysis of project impacts, there are no effects that are peculiar to the project, or were not previously identified, or have become more adverse due to new, previously unknown information, and no further environmental review would be required pursuant to Section 15183; and
WHEREAS, on October 19, 2023, 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 South San Francisco General Plan and General Plan EIR; the Vantage Campus Master Plan Project CEQA Analysis, all site plans, and all reports, minutes, and public testimony submitted as part of the Planning Commission’s duly noticed October 19, 2023 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 Findings
1. The foregoing recitals are true and correct and made a part of this Resolution.
2. Exhibit A, and all related appendices, attached to this Resolution, The Vantage Campus Master Plan Project Initial Study CEQA Analysis, along with the General Plan EIR (Exhibit B) 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. CEQA Findings
1. For the reasons stated in this Resolution, there is not substantial evidence in the record to support a fair argument that approval of the Project will result, as contemplated in CEQA Guidelines Section 15162, in significant environmental effects beyond those adequately evaluated and addressed by the General Plan EIR nor would the Project require any new mitigation measures, and there are no subsequent changes in circumstance that were identified and not previously analyzed or would create new significant environmental effects.
2. Further, Section 15183 of the CEQA Guidelines mandates that projects that are consistent with the development density established by existing zoning, a community plan, or general plan policies 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 that are peculiar to a project or its site. CEQA Guidelines Section 15183 specifies that when reviewing a project that meets the requirements of this section, a public agency shall limit its examination of environmental effects to those that the agency determines in an environmental checklist or other analysis. The environmental checklist prepared for the Master Plan and Precise Plan and appendices prepared by the City for the Project dated September 23, 2023 serves as substantial evidence that the Project is within the scope of the previous environmental analysis including General Plan EIR and Mitigation Monitoring Program and that the subsequent CEQA analysis is not required for the proposed Project. As demonstrated through the environmental checklist analysis of Project impacts, there are no effects that are peculiar to the Project, or were not previously identified, or have become more adverse due to new, previously unknown information. As such, no further environmental review would be required pursuant to Section 15183. The Project would be subject to all relevant mitigation measures included in the 2040 General Plan EIR Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting program.
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 determines and recommends the City Council determine that the environmental effects of the proposed Project were sufficiently analyzed under the 2040 General Plan Environmental Impact Report and no additional environmental analysis is needed pursuant to CEQA Guidelines sections 15162, 15183.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the resolution shall become effective immediately upon its passage and adoption.
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