Title
Report regarding a resolution determining that no further review under the California Environmental Quality Act is required and to accept a portion of Westborough Boulevard near Camaritas Avenue to be relinquished by San Mateo County for the purpose of constructing Fire Station 63. (Jacob Gilchrist, Deputy City Manager)
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RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation It is recommended that the City Council adopt a resolution to determine that no further review under the California Environmental Quality Act is required and to accept a portion of Westborough Boulevard near Camaritas Avenue to be relinquished by San Mateo County for the purpose of constructing Fire Station 63.
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BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION
In 2021, the City Council approved the purchase of real property at 71 Camaritas Avenue (APN 010-402-240) for the purpose of building a new Fire Station 63. Last year, following Council direction to restart design for the new station, the project team found a small discrepancy in the parcel map. An approximately 1,100 square foot area of land immediately adjacent to the parcel is currently owned by San Mateo County as part of the Westborough Boulevard right of way, despite this land not being part of Westborough Boulevard. The oddly shaped notch in the 71 Camaritas Avenue parcel creates a challenge for positioning the new Fire Station on an already cramped site. The area is currently part of the planting edge around the perimeter of the existing parking lot for the former Buri Buri Liquor unit, and the County was not aware of its ownership until alerted by City staff.
San Mateo County Public Works Deputy Director Khoa Vo and South San Francisco Principal Engineer Matt Ruble collaborated on navigating confirmation of ownership. Following that, Mr. Vo drafted a report and resolution recommending that the County relinquish the property to the City under the California Streets and Highways Code Section 1731 which allows a County Board of Supervisors to give County highway land to a City if the land is within the city limits. There is no cost to South San Francisco for accepting this property. Mr. Vo is taking this item to the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors on September 29, 2026.
Initial Civic Campus plans included building a new Station 63 as Phase III of the Civic Campus Project. That portion of the plan was delayed to find a suitable location and develop funding for a new Fire Station 63. The City evaluated the environmental impacts of the Civic Campus Project pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”), and the City Council, as lead agency for purposes of CEQA, certified and adopted a Subsequent Environmental Impact Report (“SEIR”) at a duly noticed public hearing on December 13, 2017. The SEIR serves as the CEQA documentation for the City’s consideration and approval of the Project, and no additional CEQA review is required for the acquisition of additional property for the Project.
In accordance with the applicable requirements of Government Code Section 65402, on October 1, 2026, the Planning Commission will consider a resolution finding that the location, purpose, and extent of the proposed acquisition of this property is in conformity with the City’s adopted General Plan.
Following approval by both bodies and the Planning Commission action, the relinquishment and City certificate of acceptance will be recorded, and staff will consolidate this land into APN 010-402-240.
FISCAL IMPACT
Accepting this relinquished land creates no direct fiscal impact to the City.
RELATIONSHIP TO CITY COUNCIL PRIORITIES ACTION PLAN
Acceptance of the relinquished land supports the Fire Station 63 project, which is in alignment with the Modern and Sustainable major focus area, as the current Fire Station 63 is inadequate for the Fire Department’s modern needs, including:
• Storage of reserve apparatus or larger vehicles;
• Limited living quarters, which precludes the station from accommodating additional firefighters when needed for large scale incidents;
• Limited storage of emergency equipment and disaster supplies, which prevents the Fire Department from storing these critical items in the Buri Buri neighborhood.
• Adequate decontamination rooms and corridors;
• Drive through apparatus bay access; and
• Capability to refill breathing air tanks.
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, Staff recommends that the City Council adopt a resolution to determine that no further review under CEQA is required and to accept a portion of Westborough Boulevard near Camaritas Avenue to be relinquished by San Mateo County for the purpose of constructing Fire Station 63.
ASSOCIATED DOCUMENTS
Exhibit 1 - Site Map Showing Subject Land Area