Title
Resolution making findings and recommending that the City Council adopt the 2040 General Plan Update and Climate Action Plan Update.
body
WHEREAS, in 2019 the City Council of the City of South San Francisco initiated the comprehensive update to the General Plan, including preparation of the 2040 General Plan Update, preparation of the Climate Action Plan Update, preparation of the Zoning Ordinance Update and preparation of an Environmental Impact Report; and
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of South San Francisco appointed a General Plan Community Advisory Committee (“GPCAC”) to advise the City Council regarding the 2040 General Plan Update and over a three-year period, the GPCAC held monthly public meetings including, hosting several community information meetings; and
WHEREAS, the City held numerous community workshops, both in person and virtually, including sub-area meetings and pop-up meetings to discuss community issues, vision, guiding principles, to receive comments on the Draft 2040 General Plan Update policy framework, draft Elements, Draft Climate Action Plan Update, and Draft Zoning Ordinance Update; and
WHEREAS, all draft documents, meeting minutes and meeting videos were made available to the public through the project website, as well as information gathering through online surveys; and
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission and City Council held several Study Sessions at key milestones to guide the preparation of the 2040 General Plan Update, Climate Action Plan Update, and Zoning Ordinance Update; and
WHEREAS, the Draft General Plan Update and Climate Action Plan Update were published for public review and comment on March 1, 2022 and public comments have been received and incorporated into the final General Plan and Climate Action Plan; and
WHEREAS, a Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) was prepared to evaluate the 2040 General Plan Update, Climate Action Plan Update and Zoning Ordinance Update and the DEIR was published on June 24, 2022 for public review and comment; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act ("CEQA"), the City of South San Francisco Planning Commission by separate resolution recommended that the City Council: certify a Final Environmental Impact Report (“FEIR”) for the 2040 General Plan Update, Climate Action Plan Update and Zoning Ordinance Update; make findings relating to significant impacts, mitigation measures and alternatives, and adopt a Statement of Overriding Considerations; and adopt a Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program; and
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission conducted a duly noticed public hearing on September 15, 2022 to consider a recommendation to the City Council regarding adoption of the 2040 General Plan Update and Climate Action Plan Update.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT FOUND, DETERMINED AND 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 Environmental Impact Report; the South San Francisco Municipal Code; the South San Francisco 2040 General Plan Update; the South San Francisco Zoning Ordinance Update; the South San Francisco Climate Action Plan Update; the Draft and Final EIR prepared for the 2040 General Plan Update, Statement of Overriding Considerations and a Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program for the EIR and all appendices thereto; the Project applications; all reports, minutes, and public testimony submitted as part of the Planning Commission’s duly noticed September 15, 2022 meeting; and any other evidence (within the meaning of Public Resources Code §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. The Exhibits attached to this Resolution, including the 2040 General Plan Update (Exhibit A) and the Climate Action Plan Update (Exhibit B) 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.
B. General Plan Amendment Findings
1. The 2040 General Plan Update constitutes a comprehensive, long-term document capable of guiding the future development of the City.
2. The 2040 General Plan Update meets all the requirements for such plans as contained in the Planning and Zoning Law (Government Code sections 65300-65303.4).
3. The 2040 General Plan Update contains all of the seven elements mandated by Section 65302 of the Government code; land use, circulation, housing, conservation, open space, noise, safety elements and environmental justice. These mandatory elements and the optional economic development element are represented in the 2040 General Plan as: Land Use and Community Design, A Prosperous Economy for All, Mobility and Access, Abundant and Accessible Parks and Recreation, Community Health and Environmental Justice, Community Resilience, Climate Protection, Environmental and Cultural Stewardship, Noise
4. The 2040 General Plan Update has been prepared and adopted in accordance with the requirements of Planning and Zoning Law (Government Code, sections 65350-65362).
5. The Goals, Policies and other relevant content contained in the 2040 General Plan Update, pursuant to Government Code Section 65302.3(a) are consistent with and do not conflict with applicable airport/land use compatibility policies and criteria contained in the San Francisco International Airport Comprehensive Airport Land Use Compatibility Plan.
6. The Bay West Cove Specific Plan and the Terrabay Specific Plan have been incorporated into the 2040 General Plan Update and will hereby be replaced by the 2040 General Plan Update thereby eliminating these Specific Plans.
7. The East of 101 Area Plan and associated Resolution 84-97 will hereby be replaced by the 2040 General Plan Update thereby eliminating both of these documents.
8. The Climate Action Plan Update informed the 2040 General Plan Update and Goals, Policies and Actions addressing greenhouse gas emissions and adaptation strategies which are contained throughout the 2040 General Plan Update including all of the elements mandated by Section 65302 of the Government Code.
9. The Climate Action Plan Update provides the strategies for City of South San Francisco to reduce greenhouse gas emissions consistent with the direction of the State of California via SB 32 and California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) Guidelines 15183.5 in that the CMAP identifies GHG reduction targets of 40% by 2030 and 80% by 2040 relative to 1990 levels and identifies reduction measures and implementation strategies the City will use to achieve the State-recommended GHG emissions reduction targets.
SECTION 2. RECOMMENDATION
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 recommends that the South San Francisco City Council adopt the 2040 General Plan Update (GPA220-0003) and the Climate Action Plan Update.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this Resolution shall become effective immediately upon its passage and adoption.