APPEAL OF PLANNING COMMISSION DECISION
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
May 5, 2025
Certification of an EIR and Approval of Administrative Site Plan Review, Conditional Use Permit and Administrative Exception (Height) for a Proposed Industrial Development at 880 Doolittle Drive (PLN22-0039)
• Location: 880 Doolittle Drive
• East of Doolittle Drive/State Route 61
• North of Davis Street/State Route 112
• West of Davis West neighborhood
• Zoning: IG, Industrial General
• General Plan: Industrial General
• Site Size: 14.4 acres
• Vehicle Access: Doolittle Drive and
Hester Street
2 SITE SUMMARY
• Administrative Site Plan Review • 244,573 building (including 15,000 SF office)
• 64 loading docks and 59 tractor-
trailer spaces
• Parking for 204 passenger vehicles
and 24 bicycles
• 59 tractor-trailer spaces
• Conditional Use Permit • Warehouse, Storage Facilities • Warehouse, Wholesale/Retail Distribution
• No tenant identified yet
• Administrative Exception (Height) • Allow 50-foot-tall building • Plumbing for natural gas for industrial processes only
3 PROPOSED PROJECT PROPOSED PROJECT
4 PROJECT BACKGROUND
COMPLIANCE WITH ZONING REGULATIONS
Height
50 FEET
50 ft Max with Admin. Ex
Lot Coverage
39%
Below 75% max
Floor Area Ratio
0.4 Below 1.0 max
Landscape
7%
Exceeds min. 5%
Auto Parking
204 Spaces
Exceeds min. 203 spaces
Bike Parking
24 Spaces
Exceeds min. 11 spaces
• An Environmental Impact Report
was prepared for this project
• Circulated for public comment, 45
days ending August 5, 2024
• Comments received from seven
organizations
• Comments addressed in Final EIR
• Prepared Findings and Statements
of Overriding Consideration
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
6 ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
• Natural gas supply to building
• BAAQMD CEQA Guidance: inclusion of
natural gas is a significant impact based
on potential to contribute to GHG
emissions
• Building is intended to accommodate wide
range of potential tenants
• Many advanced manufacturing and R&D
tenants use natural gas for key processes
• General Plan policy support
• Mitigation Measure: building and appliances
must be electric; gas limited to industrial
processes that require natural gas
• Cannot be mitigated to less-thansignificant level
7 ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
Other Environmental Topics
Mitigated to Less-than-Significant
• Air quality during construction
• Nesting birds
• Cultural resources
• Hazardous materials, related to
demolition and construction;
groundwater management plan
• Noise during construction and
operations
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
8 APPEALS OF PLANNING COMMISSION DECISION ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW • Two appeals received
• Advocates for the Environment
• Mitchell M. Tsai for Carpenters Local 713
• Appellants claim comments on the EIR were not adequately addressed and more mitigation is feasible.
• Greenhouse gas emissions can be reduced
• Hire locally to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and transportation impacts • Energy impacts may not be less than significant with regulatory compliance • Raptors may be disturbed during nesting season
• Groundborne vibration should be studied further
• Staff has determined that comments were adequately addressed in the EIR, as documented in Attachment H of the Staff Report
• Documented in Attachment H (Comments and Responses) of the Staff Report 9 FINDINGS OF FACT ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
Admin. Site Plan Review
Project meets development
standards
Building is well articulated and
has visual interest
Landscaping compliments
building design
Parking, loading and service
areas are adequately screened
Detail features would be visually
consistent with the building
Conditional Use Permit
Use would be compatible with
surrounding industrial land uses
and industrial zoning
Conditions of approval ensures
the project will not be
determinantal to public health,
safety or welfare
Project would not create adverse
impacts to public services and
facilities
Admin Exception (Height)
Project would not create an
aviation hazard
Proposed height would allow
flexibility for modern industrial
uses
Project height is consistent with
other recently approved
industrial buildings
• Adopt a Resolution (Attachment A) certifying an Environmental Impact Report, adopting findings, a Statement of Overriding Considerations, and a Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program
• Adopt a Resolution (Attachment B) rejecting the appeal and affirming the decision of the Planning Commission to approve a Conditional Use Permit, Administrative Site Plan Review, and Administrative Exception (Height) to build a new
warehouse/distribution building at 880 Doolittle Drive
10 RECOMMENDATION ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW