Title
Report regarding consideration of an application for a Minor Use Permit Modification to relocate wireless communications facilities from 642 Forbes Boulevard to 640 Forbes Boulevard and 660 Forbes Boulevard in the Genentech Master Plan District in accordance with Title 20 of the South San Francisco Municipal Code and determination that the project is categorically exempt under CEQA. (Billy Gross, Principal Planner)
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RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Staff recommends that the Zoning Administrator approve the Minor Use Permit Modification (MUP25-0001), based on the attached Draft Findings and subject to the attached Draft Conditions of Approval, and determine that the project is categorically exempt under the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), Class 3, Section 15303, New Construction or Conversion of Small Structures.
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BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION
The Genentech campus is served by an AT&T Mobility Distributed Antenna System (DAS) for in-building service. In 2020 a Minor Use Permit (MUP19-0008) was approved to install additional DAS facilities on five buildings throughout the campus. Each wireless facility consists of one panel antenna and one Remote Radio Unit (RRU), per roof mount. The panel antenna sends and receives radio signals, and the RRU is a remote radio transceiver that connects to a wireless interface. The panel antenna and RRU are placed on an 8-foot vertical pipe and are supported by a non-penetrating roof mount connected to a solid block.
One of the five buildings that was included in the 2020 application, Genentech Building 51 (B51), located at 642 Forbes Boulevard, is planned to be vacated and demolished. The two facilities on B51 are proposed to be relocated to nearby buildings; one will be relocated to B06 (660 Forbes Boulevard) and one will be relocated to B09 (640 Forbes Boulevard), in order to maintain cell coverage for the area.
ZONING CONSISTENCY
Location and Development Standards
The project is located in the Genentech Master Plan District (GMP). This proposed modifications comply with the development standards of the South San Francisco Municipal Code (SSFMC) Chapter 20.370 Antennas and Wireless Communication Facilities, including height and setback standards. The proposed heights of the roof mounted antennas do not project more than 15 feet above the existing height of the buildings and the antennas meet setback requirements. In addition, the proposed sites for the wireless facilities are located more than 600 feet from a residential structure.
Impact Analysis
Centerline prepared a Radio Frequency (RF) Report to evaluate the proposed relocations to B06 and B09 (Attachments 6 and 7). The report evaluates how the project will comply with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) guidelines for human exposure to radio frequency radiation. The evaluation analyzed the maximum effective radiated power of the antennas at the two new building locations.
The study determined for a person anywhere at ground level, the maximum RF exposure from the proposed operation to be 0.28% of the applicable public exposure limit, which is below the limit of 100%. The maximum calculated level for a person on the roof of any of the five buildings is 0.57% of the public exposure limit. The results included several “worst-case” assumptions and are expected to overstate actual power density levels from the proposed operation. Therefore, based on the information and analysis, the proposed operation will comply with the prevailing standards for limiting public exposure to radio frequency energy and will not cause a significant impact on the environment.
GENENTECH MASTER PLAN
The most recent Genentech Master Plan was adopted in 2020 and provides a guide for the company’s growth. The proposed project is consistent with the Master Plan because it will allow for the Campus to maintain a high level of accessibility and connectivity between neighborhoods and specific campus functions. This project ensures the Campus will meet necessary service requirements through improved wireless infrastructure.
GENERAL PLAN CONSISTENCY
The project is consistent with the City’s General Plan. The Business and Technology Park land use designation provides opportunities for continued evolution of the city’s economy, from manufacturing and warehousing/distribution to high technology and biotechnology. The proposed wireless communications facilities provide continued support for the Genentech Campus.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The proposed project has been determined to be categorically exempt under the provisions of CEQA, Class 3, Section 15303, New Construction or Conversion of Small Structures because the proposed project consists of the location of microcell facilities that are accessory structures on existing building rooftops.
CONCLUSION
The application is consistent with the zoning and design standards for wireless communications facilities, therefore staff recommends that the Zoning Administrator approve the Minor Use Permit Modification (MUP25-0001) based on the attached Draft Findings and subject to the attached Draft Conditions of Approval and make a determination that the project is categorically exempt under CEQA.
Attachments:
1. Draft Findings of Approval
2. Draft Conditions of Approval
3. Project Plans - Building B06
4. Project Plans - Building B09
5. Project Description
6. Radio Frequency Reports - 660 Forbes (B06)
7. Radio Frequency Report - 640 Forbes (B09)
8. Compliance Verification