[Background Conversation]
>> Let's go ahead and call this meeting to order we'll begin
with a roll call.
[Reading names]
>> After much negotiation I have settled on a member
of the public that would like to step up and lead us
in the Pledge of Allegiance, and it is none other than Meredith
Baxter from Sunshine Gardens my down the hill neighbor.
Who normally waves at me every time I drive by.
Normally waves.
So we will stand, and you will begin.
>>I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United
States of America and to the Republic for which it stands,
one nation under God, indivisible,
with liberty and justice for all.
>> Thank you very much.
>> Thank you for being here.
>> We move along to Living act disclosures does the council
have anything to report tonight?
>> It would appear not.
>> No reporting so we'll now move along to reports from
staff.
>> Thank you.
We would like to invite the community
to come to one of our tree lightings.
On Monday August 31st at 7 p.m..
We will be getting ready to do the tree lighting which
is going to be lit up in gold for Childhood Cancer Awareness
Month.
The event is actually going to take place in this building
at LPR, in the community room on the second floor of.
So we hope that folks can join us for that event.
>> That completes the reports, any announcements?
>> We'll move along to council comment and request.
>> Who'd like to go first this evening?
>> I don't have much to >> You've been busy with things you
can't comment on.
>> (laughs) yes.
The United Methodist Church in Bailey City
actually had a prayer service at Alta Loma Park.
And I was invited to come and welcome the individuals there.
So, thank you for the invite.
I appreciate it.
Also, the comments that were received that they really loved
our parks and our facilities.
So I wanted to just make sure that I share that.
And then recently, we had a board commission meeting
where we appointed several great individuals
to several of our commissions.
And I know in the past Mr. Mayor we
have done some sort of board of the commission
at the end dinner, and I hope that we get to do that again.
I love hearing about this, the accomplishments
that they achieve and how we partner with them.
So if that's something we can do at the end of the year
I appreciate it.
That's all I have Mr. Mayor.
Thank you.
>> Who would like to go next?
>> I?
>> Yes Ma'am
>> Thank you mayor, congratulations to our newly
promoted police officers and staff,
and welcome to those who have just joined our South San
Francisco family.
It is great to see all of their family
and those who love them at the last batch of swearing
in ceremony held here at the Council Chambers.
And like Mark I'm impressed by the people that came forward
to join our Commission's.
Thank you to everyone who came and spent some time with us.
To those who are not appointed come
as engaged to make sure that we continued
the work that needs to be done.
Last Friday we had our first movie night
hosted by our Parks and Rec.
I thought there would be more families that
came because they'd be protected from the cold and the wind.
But it was a little disappointed that there
was less than we were expecting but maybe it's the first.
Hopefully next time it will be better attendance.
I would like to request that our meeting be adjourned today
in memory of two individuals.
One is Doctor Jose or sorry Jesus Abiah,
who died on August 6th, he worked at Stanford Medical
Center and Veterans Affairs for 20 years after a 20 year
successful practice in the Philippines.
And another one is Sunshine Garden resident
for a long time, Lucille Casey.
Was a commissioner at modern De La Rose for a long time
she used to work at Spruce School in San Mateo courthouse.
The Mateo County Courthouse.
She was preceded in death by her husband Larry.
May their souls rest in peace.
>> Thank you Flora.
Okay gentlemen come on one of you gets to go next.
>> All right I shall go next.
So, this past Saturday morning I believe it was Saturday morning,
yes it was we had a community hike on sign Hill,
it was a well attended event, I believe
there was around 30 people there,
and we hiked up and down sign hill,
I just want to give big kudos to city staff
for being incredible for that event.
I didn't expect a whole educational tour of Sign Hill
about the history of the Hill, about how the conservation
efforts happening there and the habitat restoration efforts,
I learned a lot about the butterflies there.
And a little known fact is the letters
that we see on Zion Hill today aren't the only letters that you
see on Sign Hill there used to be a big sign I believe
from a beer company, and eventually
knowing how Windy sign Hill is the letters blew over
and we couldn't put him back.
So what a lovely event getting people outside beer taking
walks and taking hikes, because it's
very important for all of us to go outside
come and touch some grass, and get some exercise.
And that's all I have for today.
Thank you.
>> Okay Councilman Flores?
>> Thank you Mr. Mayor, I joined my colleague here on thanking
city staff, I was able to join him as well as our city manager
and thank you to the city staff, and the team there,
everyone at Parks and Rec thank you for putting it together.
And thank you to the residents who came out
and for our city staff for communicating.
Many heard of it through social media channels.
Think always Loretta and Chuck as they
continue their commitment and advocacy to that open space.
Saturday I also was invited and joined close to 200 members
of the Oyster Point Yacht Club who
invited me over to their event this past Saturday.
It was a great opportunity to meet constituents
in that part of town, they were great in hosting and being
in community, they were very thrilled
for all of the development and new changes
that have been happening around Oyster Point Park they're
very grateful to this council and the work
they put into making this town beautiful.
I was told to share these words back to you all.
I joined also city staff in attending the opening
and welcoming of Assembly Diane Papin's new district,
her new district office, it was a very nice convening,
so if you have any need to contact her office
please know that she has a new office right here
in the city of San Mateo.
I also want to join in on adding the new promotion
and swearing in of all the men and women who filled the city.
Restaurant worker two in downtown
it was a very well attended event,
and I want to thank anyone who came out including business
owners and chamber members.
It continues to bring forth a networking opportunity
and connection to our business corridor,
and I want to especially thank Nems
for being an active partner since they arrived here
in South San Francisco and getting involved
with the committee community both providing medical services
as well as engaging with our business district
and that's all I have to report.
Thank you.
>> Thank you Councilman Coleman, you will like to know that those
butterflies that you mentioned one is called the Callippe
Silverspot, and then there was the mission blue,
they are the reason why the housing does not work all
the way up the hill on San Bruno Mountain because they were
discovered, they were an endangered species,
and they had to put together the first habitat conservation plan
in America in some things happen even on the environmental front.
>> During that hike, I guess our tour guide Candace said that
they had found a Clippy silver spot in Sindh Hill,
which means they can actually fly across from San Bruno
Mountain to sign Hill and potentially in the future we can
see a larger population there.
>> They're expanding..
That's right.
I just have a couple of things I wanted
to double down I was in this hall with floor and Eddie
and we were there for the release of the new people who
were getting badges pinned on, but Lieutenant Sean Curmi
who is one big deal in Sunshine Gardens,
if he was ever on the ballot he would eclipse me big time.
And I was told by both his godfather Brian Shapiro
and his wife, Sean's aunt Carmen, that I needed
to be at this event for Sean.
So I was.
But, that's kind of the beautiful thing about South San
Francisco, it's not easy for somebody who
has to enforce the law right?
To live in the community because you keep bumping into people
that maybe it wasn't such a good experience on their side.
But, it's wonderful when somebody
has the tenacity and the willingness
to live in the community that they serve.
It's a great thing.
Recently, I was invited out come well it's not a new company,
I guess it's been here for six years.
There's a company called zipline it's east of one on one
there was a large warehouse there
that used to do vertical farming.
So it had very tall roofs coming it was a zipline that's
been featured in a lot of news magazines
on television and such.
It's been there for six years and it's
getting ready to expand greatly, I
had no idea how much was occurring there.
But in their manufacturing plant which
was the tour that I received it's about 500 zero square feet,
and they're going to double in the near future.
But in manufacturing what happens
when you double your square footage is
you need more people to activate that space.
So right now they're at maybe 600 employees,
and I was told by the person that
will do the hiring that they are looking for 4 or 500 more,
they really wonderful thing about it,
it was all younger people that were so enthusiastic,
the way that they were working in
that well it's not an assembly line,
but there's so many components that go into those drones.
And this company got its start by delivering medicine and blood
supplies, in the country of Rwanda
because there was some people, some villages that
didn't have access to roads, so it would
take very long to get anything.
So that's where they started.
And then from Rwanda I guess they
went to another area that has problems with the roads
and situations to travel like that.
So they're in Dallas Texas and they're delivering both medicine
but now also they're delivering consumer goods and food.
It's just remarkable to see that sign on the Hill
that says the industrial city is kind of relevant again
because we are making stuff.
That was the highlight of the month for me.
So with that we'll move to the next item.
>> Thank you mayor we'll move on to public comments,
I don't have anyone signed up to provide a comment but I will
look to the audience just to make sure we don't have anyone
looking to provide?
And then Mr. Karkouti is in the audience
but he's not going to speak to us this evening?
Okay.
Margaret?
Would you like to?
Okay.
All right.
We all get a pass today.
>> Looking on Zoom we also have no speakers.
So we can move along to the next item.
We can move along to the consent calendar.
Item number one is a motion to approve the minutes from
the meetings of August 12th 2026 and August 19th 2026.
Item two is a motion to approve the reappointment of three
bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee members, one
Conference Center Authority member, one Housing Authority
member, and one library board member.
Item number three is a report regarding resolutions
authorizing amendments to the consulting Services Agreement
with Swinerton management, and consulting and LS Architecture
and Urban Design for the Orange Memorial Park Aquatic Center
project pier item number three A and three B are the resolutions,
item number four is a report regarding program supplemental
agreement number F 028 revision three.
With the state of California for the bridge Preventative
Maintenance program and authorizing
the approval of budget amendment number 27.001.
Item four is the resolution, item five is a report regarding
a resolution authorizing the acceptance of $4,387 and $0.14
in funding from the San Antonio County Registration
and Elections Division to support an early vote center
at the main library parks and recreation center
for the November 3rd 2026 statewide general election
and amending the Library Department's fiscal year 26
to 27 operating budget.
Via Budget amendment number 27.009.
Item five A is a resolution, item six is a report regarding
a resolution accepting $4,829.95 from the South San Francisco
Friends of the library to support library collections
programs and services.
Amending the Library Department's fiscal year
26 to 27 operating budget and approving budget amendment
number 27.0 ten.
Item number six A is the resolution,
item number seven is a report regarding a resolution
authorizing the acceptance of $58,000 from the California
State Library to support project read through the Adult Literacy
Services Program as predicted in the Library Department fiscal
year 26 to 27 estimate, item number seven A is
the resolution, item number eight is a report regarding
a resolution authorizing the acceptance of $34,000.30 $4,048
from the California State Library to support the project
read through the Family Literacy Services Program.
And amending the library's department's fiscal year 26
to 27 operating budget, and approving Budget amendment
number 27.013.
Item eight is the resolution, item nine is a report regarding
additional information and a resolution regarding body worn
cameras video audio equipment can video software and cloud
storage services with Axon Enterprise Inc.
And an additional amount of $1,937,587.88.
And for a new, not to exceed total amount of $2,737,507.88.
And authorizing the City manager or authorized
designee to execute the agreement.
Item number nine A is that resolution.
>> Thank you Jasmine would any council person like to remove
any item from consent?
Okay.
Just me, item number nine.
I will invite Lieutenant Ceriotti up to the podium
and when last we met, we had somewhat robust discussion
about a lot to do with the funding and the mechanism
for funding which for myself at second glance looks to be solid.
I'm not really having a problem with that.
But, I am interested in the staff report.
There are some pretty lofty goals here,
and I wanted to understand specifically
how we reached them.
So the conclusion of the report says
it's intended to improve officer's safety, equipment
reliability, evidence management, transparency,
operational effectiveness, and community trust.
So if all of those items come to fruition,
then I don't really have a problem with an extra 1.9
million, but I would like to know what aspects of these items
lead to this outcome where there is so much improvement?
>> Yes.
First good evening mayor vice mayor members of Council.
Yes, this package helps to build transparency and community
trust which is something that is very important to the South San
Francisco Police Department.
It's going to be connecting technology
across investigations, evidence, also performance reviews.
So, with body worn cameras comes accountability,
and that's also where the public trust comes through.
When we have critical incidents, or even just arrests that occur,
we have the opportunity to release body worn camera footage
when warranted, and that is especially important when
we are involved in critical incidents
to show what the officers responded to, how it was dealt
with, and the community then gets
to see the larger picture than what
they may hear just in a social media post or a press release.
It also leads to, I spoke a couple weeks
ago about the AI translation.
That is also going to build our community
trust with those body worn cameras if an officer comes
into contact with a monolingual or bilingual citizen,
then they are able to immediately press
the button on their body worn camera,
and that's going to foster trust because sometimes when
we are in the process of translation,
things can get lost in translation or they may not
be heard, so we are going to be getting information quicker
and being able to help those citizens in a faster manner.
And then I also spoke about the updated tasers that
will come with that package, and with that is upgraded,
less lethal tools that officers will be able to have.
I also spoke about the VR training that
comes with that package, where officers are going
to be receiving more training which also will foster improved
officer safety, more community trust,
we will be able to use those trainings in our community
academies, so that citizens can firsthand
see what the officers are utilizing out on the street,
and how they are being trained.
This ecosystem that I spoke about a couple of weeks ago,
that's what's going to strengthen when I talk
about officer safety it's all working together
in one ecosystem it's that one stop shop where
we're going to have GPS capabilities live
stream capabilities more situational
awareness where officers are responding to calls.
So if a supervisor isn't able to immediately be on that scene,
they can still be looking at that few system and making sound
decisions which then in turn will help our community members
.
We had just purchased the cameras
in fleet and the car system so now everything
is integrated with our drones for our drones will
be part of that Fusa system as well that we have already
utilized here
>> The officer would have access to the drone video?
>> Officers and dispatchers and supervisors have access
to the drone footage.
>> Lieutenant I was trying to envision what actually happens
on the scene, if the drone like maybe from his car from his
screen in the car is he able to see what the drone sees?
When he's on the scene?
>> Yes obviously when an officer is on scene,
we may have the drone pilot who's focusing more on the drone
footage so that the officer who's actually on scene dealing
with whatever the incident is, they are focused on the incident
at hand, however, a supervisor, if they're at a command post
they will be able to watch that footage as well as dispatchers.
>> Okay.
So at some point it talks about the insurance companies
do bundling, he put everything together
and you get maybe a bigger better deal with insurance
I sometimes wonder.
So, this is everything that they offer right?
I can't remember the name of the service,
but it's something ten plus right?
It was everything that they offer
would be part of this program for the $2 million.
>> Yes, not actually everything they offer,
we're looking at the officer's plan ten plus,
that's the middle plan that they have, they have a premium plan,
and then they have that that basic plan.
I did look at the basic plan, and we were adding a La Carte
items, we wanted the AI assistant,
we wanted to continue utilizing the community link
that we provide our citizens with the link
and they are able to upload evidence
that they have for their case, which has also fostered
relationships and community trust in that way
because they are able to upload their own evidence
to their own case.
So we wanted to add that.
And those things weren't part of that basic package.
So then when we were looking at adding them separately,
it was going to increase the cost,
therefore it was more cost effective to go
with that middle plan.
>> Okay.
And Lieutenant, the AI translation,
I've occasionally used Google translate, and sometimes what
you get back is more funny than helpful.
So did we test drive what they are
providing to know that it is of the caliper that
is what we need?
>> We have not personally utilized it,
I did speak with nearby agencies in San Mateo County who did
start utilizing it, they said they were happy with it.
I also spoke with the district Attorney's office
who said it was acceptable for us
to use the translation services through axon,
and it does record the conversation
while it's occurring so that also
is going to be uploaded as evidence to a case
as >> And then I was so pleased a couple of weeks
ago when we were getting a report from the fire department
that when they were negotiating a contract for the EMS services,
you know the Billables and whatever,
that they actually sat down with a company
and they were able to negotiate a better deal,
who did the negotiations on this contract?
>> I did.
>> And you negotiated hard?
>> I did.
I was actually speaking with axon about the savings
that we will get over the course of those five years,
and I asked, how did we come to that number?
And they said it was through the bundle,
and through staff's negotiations.
>> Okay, can you expand a little bit on that?
>> Yea, in the contract it has a yearly savings,
and so, the average savings per year is going to be $273,989.
And, that is based on those bundles
since we did go with the bundle with the added services
that we wanted, and there are different aspects where we need
certain licenses per officer for the equipment,
and, with the purchase of so many,
we added on a few of those licenses
so then we don't have to pay extra for those.
>> Okay.
I'm reassured, and I hate to tell the fire department
but you have eclipsed what they were
able to achieve but it's a whole different thing they weren't
spending $2 million.
But thank you for the update, I just needed some more time
to consider it.
And to hear a little bit more about what we are buying.
Having $2 million over the five years
is not a tremendous amount of money,
I think if we can achieve the goals that
are mentioned in this conclusion,
then we are in a much better place.
So thank you for the report.
>> Thank you Mr. Mayor.
>> With that we can get a motion on the entire consent calendar.
>> So moved
>> I'll second
>> Okay a motion and a second, roll call?
[Members voting]
>> Thank you Lieutenant.
>> Thank you.
Have a good night.
>> We can now move along to our public hearing item number ten,
a report regarding consideration of an ordinance adopting zoning
text amendments to title 20 of the South San Francisco
Municipal Code.
To update regulations pertaining to accessory dwelling units,
to comply with California state law,
and determination that the proposed zoning text amendments
are statutorily exempt from California Environmental Quality
Act.
Item number ten A is the ordinance.
>> I will go ahead and open the public hearing,
and welcome Miss Scangos to the podium.
>> Thank you.
Good evening mayor, vice mayor and council members.
Tonight I will be presenting proposed updates
to the city's Adu ordinance to bring it into compliance
with the state requirements.
The state continues to adopt new legislation
on Adu's annually accessory dwelling units.
To help streamline the creation of this
as a housing opportunity.
Local jurisdictions are required to incorporate these mandated
requirements into their Adu ordinances.
There are very limited areas where
local jurisdiction can retain control, in relation
to Adu requirements.
They include specific design details
when an Adu is considered exempt or nonexempt from the state,
and some administrative details.
Provided that they don't conflict with
or block state requirements.
So, the local jurisdiction is required
to incorporate these mandated requirements
into their local ordinance, and submit that ordinance
to the California Department of Housing and Community
Development, for their review within 60 days of adoption.
At that time, HCD will review for state compliance,
and issue a letter finding the ordinance in compliance
with state requirements, or not in compliance.
And if the latter, then the local Adu ordinances
deemed null and void.
Again, add regulations by the state are adopted annually.
They change on a yearly basis.
Staff does keep up with these changes,
most of the changes become effective January 1st
of the following year, and city practices have been updated
for the review and approval of ADUs.
However, the state requirements have not
been formalized in our local Adu ordinance since June of 2024.
That was our last round of updates to the ordinance
relating to Adu regulations.
And so, and tonight is the proposed amendments
and it is to bring our local ordinance up
to date with state regulations that have become effective
since June 2024.
For a high level summary of the changes,
they relate to five areas.
The first one, maximum number of units allowed
have changed for a single unit lot or a multiple unit lot,
a single unit lot is one that has an existing single family
dwelling or a proposed single family dwelling,
and the ADUs allowed on such a lot have increased from two ADUs
to four ADUs.
For multiple unit lots which are lots with two or more existing
or proposed dwelling units, the total number of allowed ADUs
has been increased by one additional Adu,
the overall total for these lots varies
because it is dependent on the number of existing dwelling
units on a site.
So there will be a wide range of allowed units
on that type of lot.
But they have been increased overall by one.
Maximum floor area has been clarified
to refer to interior livable space
when calculating allowable square footage
for an Adu on a lot.
Parking replacement requirements essentially remain the same
that any demolition of existing garages or parking
for the creation of an Adu that parking does not
have to be replaced, however they have incorporated
new requirements that require Any that go
are required for the Adu.
Owner occupancy requirements have
been removed for Junior ADUs that have separate sanitation
facilities.
Just a refresher, owner occupancy essentially
stated that a property owner had to reside
in either the primary dwelling unit, or the new junior Adu,
that has been removed for junior ADUs
with separate sanitation facilities.
And lastly, there has been some changes regarding fire
sprinklers, fire sprinklers cannot be required for an Adu,
if they have not been required for the primary dwelling,
additionally the construction has a new fire sprinkler
installation before the existing primary unit.
There has been some vagueness in state law regarding this,
and 21 elements, a group that we work with closely
has been working with various jurisdictions
to clarify that vagueness.
And staff will keep you posted on that
if there are any changes.
The modifications to the city's Adu ordinance
are statutorily exempt from Sequa.
Pursuant to the Public Resources Code section 21080.17,
and Sequa guidelines section 15282.1 H.
And no further environmental review
is required at this time for the proposed ordinance update.
Staff is recommending that the City Council
conduct a public hearing and follow
the recommendation of the Planning Commission,
and determine that the proposed zoning ordinance update does not
require further environmental review,
and is exempt from Sequa, and introduce an ordinance updating
Adu regulations to bring the ordinance into compliance
with state requirements.
That concludes my presentation, am available for any questions.
>> Stephanie before we ask our questions,
are there any public comments on this item?
>> No public comments mayor.
>> All right.
Any questions?
Any from the Council?
>> I will go.
So come I was reading this multiple times.
And I was still trying to understand
the maximum allowed ADUs on the different lots.
And so, I think the confusion is still going to be out there.
So, we partner with, I forget what
the team is called the housing, and we still
do that now correct?
>> That's correct and also through the 21 elements group
that we are a part of, there is an Adu resource center for San
Mateo County that is available for both staff and residents.
To seek help or clarification.
And I will say that staff has used them
many times for trying to understand the new requirements.
>> That's fantastic comment because I was reading this
and I'm like okay, if I have a lot split in a single unit,
like different categories, I was trying to do like some sort
of flow chart and I just couldn't do it.
So I was still looking at this and I still couldn't quite
get it.
So -- that's good that we're still working with hello
housing, I just want to make sure that I've got this right
here for a multiple unit lot with existing multiple unit
dwelling, they can have up to eight detached ADUs?
>> The way that it works is if there is an existing
multi-family residential building,
they could potentially get up to up to eight detached ADUs,
and they would have to have eight units themselves.
So if it was an existing six unit building,
they could only have up to six detached ADUs.
>> So it has to match the number of ADUs.
Okay.
I appreciate that.
And then there was something here about a letter
that we received from the California Housing Defense Fund,
and there was some questions about the proposed amendments.
Do we rectify this in terms of the argument?
Maybe we look at sky.
>> For both planning Commission hearings we submitted a hearing
to each one for each one we provided a written response,
the core issues that they identified,
I'm just going to be direct about this,
they simply misstated the law, and they misrepresented what was
in Hkdse handbook.
The main issue or the issues turned
around the deed restriction that the city requires
pursuant to the ordinance, and related
to the use of the Adu, all of the requirements
that are recorded through the deed restriction
enforce requirements in state law.
Their main point was that they believed that this was not
a deed restriction that could be properly recorded
against the property to restrict the Adu,
but in fact this is something that state law requires
to be done, and then as to the HCD handbook,
what it says is that you can't require
a deed restriction to require the Adu
to be an affordable unit, and the city does not do that,
and has not done that for multiple Adu updates.
I'm not sure where exactly they're
coming from with this letter they may be addressing
other communities where cities have attempted
to impose those kinds of restrictions
in a way that was improper.
But, we have reviewed the ordinance in response
to each letter, and made sure that the provisions
of the ordinance implementing the deed restriction
do no more than state law requires to be done,
and that it is compliant with Hkdse guidance on the issue.
>> Okay.
Thank you.
>> Any other questions for staff on this?
>> Brief question, on the staff report there's a couple figures
about lots that have SB nine, how many SB nine projects has
our city had?
>> We have had one.
>> One.
Okay.
>> Since it went into effect and that was a couple of years ago.
>> I. I remember back when it was a bill active in legislature
there was a lot of fear of what this could bring to South City.
And in reality there's only been one project.
So I think when we look at state laws,
oftentimes the bills aren't meant, I think normally,
I mean how many lots have we seen more than one Adu built
in South city?
>> I will say a handful, and it's been a converted garage
into a j a, and possibly a detached Adu.
>> Right.
Great.
Thank you.
So I think when it comes to some of these state laws that
are coming down, they are envisioning a smaller
house and a bigger lot, and when you look in South city,
there aren't many like that.
So for those who are kind of fearful of this new law,
I think we can take a deep breath.
And there won't be too much.
I mean I'm sure we'll see a couple write?
But there won't be too much change in South City.
Thank you.
>> Councilman while you were asking that question I was
thinking about downtown, where before all of this we were
allowing lot splits to get that second home that wouldn't be
on the same lot, so in fact more people would have an opportunity
to buy a single house than two houses on one lot,
and that was before all of this discussion,
we realized that that was a good way to go to make housing just
a little bit more affordable.
My only worry is that there are still a number of lots downtown
that are the original configuration where it's maybe
50ft wide in front, but it's 140ft deep.
And going back to the lanes, because in times past,
much before I arrived, that's where you kept your horse
and your carriage, 150ft away from your home on the back lane.
And now, some of those could be conducive to building maybe
for ADUs behind the main house.
And I think if I was today going to build a multifamily structure
an apartment house, I would be required to have sprinklers?
Wouldn't I?
>> It depends.
>> I would have to defer to someone more knowledgeable about
the building code better than myself.
>> Deputy chief is here if he wants to be recognized he can
come up, I mean we're having a discussion about the need
for fire sprinklers.
So if I'm building a multifamily you're
going to answer for the chief?
That's great.
Good for you.
I couldn't quite get his attention.
So thank you. (Indistinct) I can see a potential problem
with that.
But we aren't going to change the wisdom that
emanates from Sacramento.
Any other questions?
And then there's still lots we used to live in Tesla,
and they're big lots they're.
I really do commend you guys for making sure
that our local jurisdiction laws are in line with state laws.
It's very important that we have a diversity of housing types
here because we know that affordable housing is an issue.
>> Okay with that why don't we go ahead and close that public
hearing let's see if we can get a motion to move this along.
>> So moved.
>> Okay a motion on the floor.
Second from the vice mayor?
Roll call?
[Members voting]
>> Thank you so much.
>> Thank you.
>> We will now move on to item number 11,
it's a report regarding consideration of an ordinance
to amend title 20 of the South San Francisco Municipal Code
to allow for residential entitlements to be extended
by up to two years and determination that the proposed
amendments are categorically exempt from the California
Environmental Quality Act per section 15378 of the Sequa
guidelines, item number 11 A as the ordinance.
>> This is a public hearing so we'll go ahead and open it >>
Thank you very much Adina Friedman Chief Planner and I
will be presenting a very focused zoning text amendment
tonight, this is really focused on the time frame that planning
entitlements are valid after project approval,
only for residential projects.
So, how does today with our current regulations
discretionary approvals, they are
valid for two years with the opportunity for a one year
extension.
So, a project after approval discretionary approval
means something that needs review and approval
by either the design Review Board and Chief Planning
Commission or City Council.
So not a project that goes straight to building
permits obviously.
So project in that category would have three years
total to obtain building permits.
And, in the past, at least six years,
maybe longer before the pandemic ,
nearly every large complex project that does not have
a development agreement has requested that one year
extension.
That's pretty much just standard.
So, there is a challenge for residential projects
with the current timeline.
An applicant must maintain financing and obtain permits
within three years.
And it can be challenging to achieve this, particularly
for larger complex residential projects,
and for affordable housing projects which often receive
funding in different chunks on annual cycles,
so they can't obtain building projects
until they get that funding.
And after the expiration, resubmittal of permits
is expensive and time consuming.
It does not benefit the city, the applicant's,
or the community.
So, there are a few solutions or options for projects.
The first is a development agreement
which can be a great tool for commercial development,
particularly here in South San Francisco
we see projects that are built in phases over time,
and commercial developers have the financial resources
to invest in a development agreement.
Council has reviewed many development agreements
over the last few years for large commercial projects which
they are going to need more time to obtain building projects
and build out their projects.
So that is a good solution for commercial.
Now, for residential, during the pandemic, and a few years
after, the state provided several legislative extensions
for residential development, and in recognition
of the housing crisis and the difficulty
for obtaining financing.
So that means the state said even if you expire,
you have an additional 18 months in one case,
I think the other one was an additional six months.
However, those have all expired and the state
does not have any options like that currently available.
So, as a result, residential development often
needs more time and flexibility, and we
have seen projects being challenged by this three year
timeline.
So the proposal in front of council tonight
would allow for up to a two year extension.
For a total of four years to obtain building
permits for residential projects only.
This would apply if approved it would apply
to several categories of projects, projects that
have been approved, have not yet expired, but have not yet
been issued building permits.
Residential projects that are currently
in the entitlement pipeline, if they are approved,
and all residential entitlements going forward.
And, we have quite a few projects
that would fall into these categories.
The projects that have active entitlements and that are either
working towards building permits or haven't applied for building
permits yet is about 850 units.
We have another about 450 or so in the entitlement pipeline
now that are under review by the city.
This next slide I'm not going to go into it in detail,
it just goes into all of the wording that
would be provided to update the code
to have a two year extension.
The Planning Commission recommended approval in July
they noted that this is a timely amendment
it's responding to the economy.
It is an important tool for housing projects,
and an additional year can make a big difference
for housing projects come a particularly board projects.
This project is exempt from sequa persica guidelines section
1378, as it is minor in nature and would not
be considered a project under Sequa pierced and with that, I'm
going to conclude my staff presentation
and recommend that City Council conduct
a public hearing, following the Planning Commission's
recommendation and adopt an ordinance updating regulations
pertaining to entitlement expiration that concludes
my presentation and I'm happy to answer any questions that you
may have.
>> Thank you do we have any public comments?
>> No public comments.
>> Can you identify maybe a couple of specifics
of what's at stake here?
[Cross-Talk] And then absolutely yeah we have a project at 1477
Huntington that was approved for about 260 units so that's one
that will be coming up it would expire in 2027.
It was a project we called it the Bertolucci's project
on the Bertolucci site for 99 units, that one expires,
is at the end of this year?
Yeah end of this year.
And then, 500 Linden was approved,
that's an all affordable project that project has applied
for building permits which is great They have not yet applied
for building permits so they're currently first in their
in their first two year block, those are some of the big ones
off the top of my head.
>> So the only way that there is some movement on this
on the financial side is if miraculously the money comes
down.
Like a point and a half I think right?
Like change the landscape by financing these projects.
Or if rents were to move up substantially again.
Any sense of direction on that?
On what's happening?
>> On the financing side?
I would ask Nell if she has any ideas about that.
>> (Indistinct) part of their working actively towards
a building permit.
>> This is directly across from the Cyrus project that's well
underway?
>> Correct.
Cyrus.
>> That should be motivation if they're successful.
>> Precisely and directly behind their property will back right
up to that beautiful new park that the city just built.
Centennial Park South.
So it's a really incredible location.
We feel really hopeful about that project moving forward.
And then Adina also mentioned the Rotary Gardens phase two
project which is the family building.
That project, other than a tiny bit of city funding
it has no funding secured yet.
So, they are sort of in this place
where it could take 3 to 5 years to assemble that financing,
and they really can't advance the building
permit to substantially until they're almost fully financed.
So that project alone is sort of falling right into this timeline
where it could then benefit from this extension
without having to come back for a development agreement, which
would be a very discretionary approval,
and it would be costly.
It's a costly permit to get through the city.
And, or to have to re entitle the site.
>> Okay thank you.
Any other questions?
I'm going to go ahead and close the public hearing.
And let's see what the pleasure of the council is.
Anyone?
>> I will make the motion
>> Second
>> Second.
>> Okay general plan amendment on the floor.
Roll call?
[Members voting]
>> Thank you Miss Freeman.
>> I have the next item two.
>> Oh you do?
Wow.
Okay keep going. (laughs)
>> Item number 12 sorry is a report regarding consideration
of general plan amendment to comply with Senate Bill 1425
to create a new General Plan policy and actions that address
equitable access to open space, climate resilience,
and re wilding opportunities to determine that an addendum
to the 2040 General Plan Environmental Impact Report is
the appropriate Sequa document per cycle guidelines section
15162 and 15164.
>> Let's open it up and you're on.
>> Thank you very much this one's going to be very quick.
After we noticed the item for this public hearing,
the city determined that it would be better
to continue this item to a future date, so staff requests
that the City Council make a motion to continue
this item to a future date uncertain.
>> Okay.
Is anyone up for that?
>> Oh I will close the public hearing.
And then I'll see if we want to move to an uncertain date?
>> So moved.
>> Second
>> We have a motion and a second.
Roll call?
[Members voting]
>> Now we'll move along to items to Council Committee reports
and announcements.
>> Does anybody want to take a last shot at that?
Nothing?
Okay.
Wow.
And then on to the next item.
>> Next item is our closed session item number 13
conference with real property negotiators property,
vacant city property located at 465 Grant Avenue negotiators
and economic development manager and Elsie Lender and Development
Director.
Negotiating Partner Group under negotiation price and terms,
item number 14, conference with legal counsel
anticipated litigation, significant exposure
to litigation pursuant to Government code section
54956.921 potential case.
>> Okay, the council will enter closed session at this time.
[Board is in Closed Session]