Report List
Report No. Other IDs Year Author(s) Title Affiliation
NWIC File # 21-0249 580 Dubuque Avenue Project
S-029657e 2001 Draft Finding of No Adverse Effect, Caltrain Electrification Program, San Francisco, San
Mateo, and Santa Clara Counties, California
JRP Historical Consulting
Services
Rand F. Herbert
S-029657f 2008 Cultural Resources Addendum for the
Caltrain Electrification Program Alternative:
San Francisco, San Mateo, and Santa Clara
Counties, California
Far Western
Anthropological Research
Group, Inc.
Sharon A. Waechter,
Jack Meyer, and Laura
Leach-Palm
S-029657g 2008 Addendum Finding of Effect, Caltrain
Electrification Program, San Francisco to San
Jose (MP 0.0 to 52.0); San Francisco, San
Mateo, and Santa Clara Counties, California
JRP Historical Consulting,
LLC
Meta Bunse
S-029657h 2002 Inventory and Evaluation of Historic
Resources, Caltrain Electrification Program,
San Francisco to Gilroy (MP 0.0 to 77.4)
(Draft)
JRP Historical Consulting
Services
S-030760 2005 Archaeological Inventory for the South San Francisco Four-Tracking and New Station
Project, Caltrain Peninsula Corridor Line, San
Mateo County, California; From North of
Tunnel Avenue in Brisbane, MP 6.1, to Colma
Creek in San Bruno, MP 9.72
Far Western
Anthropological Research
Group, Inc.
Laura Leach-Palm and
Brian F. Byrd
S-031824 2006 Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board,
South San Francisco Station and Track Work
Project; Brisbane and South San Francisco,
San Mateo County, California; Caltrans Mile
Posts: 06.10 to 10.60
OHP PRN - JRP Historical Consulting
FTA040913A
S-031824a 2006 Archaeological Inventory for the South San Francisco Station and Track Work Project,
Caltrain Peninsular Corridor Line, San Mateo
County, California, From North of Tunnel
Avenue in Brisbane, MP 6.1., to Scott Street
in San Bruno, MP 10.6
Far Western
Anthropological Research
Group, Inc.
Laura Leach-Palm and
Brian F. Byrd
S-031824b 2007 Finding of Effect (No Adverse Effect), South San Francisco Station and Track Work
Project, San Mateo County, California
Section 106 Consultation [ Section 106
Consultation
(Rncl.02) on the South San Francisco Station
and Track Work Project, San Mateo County,
California Office of Historic
Preservation
Milford Wayne Donaldson
Report List
Report No. Other IDs Year Author(s) Title Affiliation
NWIC File # 21-0249 580 Dubuque Avenue Project
S-036747 2006 Finding of No Adverse Effect for the
Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board,
South San Francisco Station and Track Work
Project, Brisbane, South San Francisco and
San Bruno, San Mateo County, California,
Caltrain Mile Posts: 06.10 to 10.60
Rand Herbert, JRP Historical Consulting
Christopher Morris, and
Cynthia Toffelier
OHP PRN -
FTA021021A
S-036747a 2002 FTA021021A; Caltrain Electification Program, San Francisco, San Mateo, and Santa Clara
California Office of Historic
Preservation
Knox Mellon
S-036747b 2006 FTA021021A; Caltrain Electification Program, San Francisco, San Mateo, and Santa Clara
California Office of Historic
Preservation
Milford Wayne Donaldson
Report List
Report No. Other IDs Year Author(s) Title Affiliation
NWIC File # 21-0249 580 Dubuque Avenue Project
S-048738 2011 California High-Speed Train Project,
Environmental Impact Report/Environmental
Impact Statement, San Francisco to San
Jose Section, Archaeological Survey Report,
Technical Report [Draft]
Denise Jurich and Amber PBS&J
Grady
Report List
Report No. Other IDs Year Author(s) Title Affiliation
NWIC File # 21-0249 580 Dubuque Avenue Project
S-048738a 2011 California High-Speed Train Project,
Environmental Impact Report/Environmental
Impact Statement, San Francisco to San
Jose Section, Historic Architectural Survey
Report, Technical Report [Draft]
Amber Grady and PBS&J
Richard Brandi
STATE OF CALIFORNIA Gavin Newsom, Governor
NATIVE AMERICAN HERITAGE COMMISSION
October 22, 2021
Rebecca Auld
Lamphier-Gregory
Via Email to: [email protected]
Re: Native American Tribal Consultation, Pursuant to the Assembly Bill 52 (AB 52), Amendments to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) (Chapter 532, Statutes of 2014), Public Resources Code Sections 5097.94 (m), 21073, 21074, 21080.3.1, 21080.3.2, 21082.3, 21083.09,21084.2 and 21084.3, 580 Dubuque Ave. Project, San Mateo County.
Dear Ms. Auld:
Pursuant to Public Resources Code section 21080.3.1 (c), attached is a consultation list of tribes that are traditionally and culturally affiliated with the geographic area of the above-listed project. Please note that the intent of the AB 52 amendments to CEQA is to avoid and/or mitigate impacts to tribal cultural resources, (Pub. Resources Code §21084.3 (a)) (“Public agencies shall, when feasible, avoid damaging effects to any tribal cultural resource.”) Public Resources Code sections 21080.3.1 and 21084.3(c) require CEQA lead agencies to consult with California Native American tribes that have requested notice from such agencies of proposed projects in the geographic area that are traditionally and culturally affiliated with the tribes on projects for which a Notice of Preparation or Notice of Negative Declaration or Mitigated Negative Declaration has been filed on or after July 1, 2015. Specifically, Public Resources Code section 21080.3.1 (d) provides:
Within 14 days of determining that an application for a project is complete or a decision by a public agency to undertake a project, the lead agency shall provide formal notification to the designated contact of, or a tribal representative of, traditionally and culturally affiliated California Native American tribes that have requested notice, which shall be accomplished by means of at least one written notification that includes a brief description of the proposed project and its location, the lead agency contact information, and a notification that the California Native American tribe has 30 days to request consultation pursuant to this section.
The AB 52 amendments to CEQA law does not preclude initiating consultation with the tribes that are culturally and traditionally affiliated within your jurisdiction prior to receiving requests for notification of projects in the tribe’s areas of traditional and cultural affiliation. The Native American Heritage Commission (NAHC) recommends, but does not require, early consultation as a best practice to ensure that lead agencies receive sufficient information about cultural resources in a project area to avoid damaging effects to tribal cultural resources.
The NAHC also recommends, but does not require that agencies should also include with their notification letters, information regarding any cultural resources assessment that has been completed on the area of potential effect (APE), such as:
1. The results of any record search that may have been conducted at an Information Center of the California Historical Resources Information System (CHRIS), including, but not limited to:
CHAIRPERSON
Laura Miranda
Luiseño
VICE CHAIRPERSON
Reginald Pagaling
Chumash
SECRETARY
Merri Lopez-Keifer
Luiseño
PARLIAMENTARIAN
Russell Attebery
Karuk
COMMISSIONER
William Mungary
Paiute/White Mountain
Apache
COMMISSIONER
Julie TumamaitStenslie
Chumash
COMMISSIONER
[Vacant]
COMMISSIONER
[Vacant]
COMMISSIONER
[Vacant]
EXECUTIVE SECRETARY
Christina Snider
Pomo
NAHC HEADQUARTERS
1550 Harbor Boulevard
Suite 100
West Sacramento,
California 95691
(916) 373-3710
[email protected]
NAHC.ca.gov
• A listing of any and all known cultural resources that have already been recorded on or adjacent to the APE, such as known archaeological sites;
• Copies of any and all cultural resource records and study reports that may have been provided by the Information Center as part of the records search response; • Whether the records search indicates a low, moderate, or high probability that unrecorded cultural resources are located in the APE; and
• If a survey is recommended by the Information Center to determine whether previously unrecorded cultural resources are present.
2. The results of any archaeological inventory survey that was conducted, including:
• Any report that may contain site forms, site significance, and suggested mitigation measures.
All information regarding site locations, Native American human remains, and associated funerary objects should be in a separate confidential addendum, and not be made available for public disclosure in accordance with Government Code section 6254.10.
3. The result of any Sacred Lands File (SLF) check conducted through the Native American Heritage Commission was negative.
4. Any ethnographic studies conducted for any area including all or part of the APE; and
5. Any geotechnical reports regarding all or part of the APE.
Lead agencies should be aware that records maintained by the NAHC and CHRIS are not exhaustive and a negative response to these searches does not preclude the existence of a tribal cultural resource. A tribe may be the only source of information regarding the existence of a tribal cultural resource.
This information will aid tribes in determining whether to request formal consultation. In the event that they do, having the information beforehand will help to facilitate the consultation process.
If you receive notification of change of addresses and phone numbers from tribes, please notify the NAHC. With your assistance, we can assure that our consultation list remains current.
If you have any questions, please contact me at my email address: [email protected].
Sincerely,
Katy Sanchez
Associate Environmental Planner
Attachment
Native American Heritage Commission
Native American Contacts List
October 22, 2021
Irene Zwierlein, Chairperson
3030 Soda Bay Road
Lakeport 95453
(650) 851-7489 Cell
(650) 851-7747 Office
Ohlone/Costanoan
,CA
[email protected]
(650) 332-1526 Fax
Amah Mutsun Tribal Band of Mission San Juan Bautista
This list is current as of the date of this document and is based on the information available to the Commission on the date it was produced.
Distribution of this list does not relieve any person of statutory responsibility as defined in Section 7050.5 of the Health and Safety Code,Section 5097.94 of the Public Resources Code, or Section 5097.98 of the Public Resources Code.
This list is only applicable for contacting local Native Americans Tribes for the proposed: 580 Dubuque Ave. Project San Mateo County.
Tony Cerda, Chairman
244 E. 1st Street
Pomona 91766
(909) 629-6081
Ohlone/Costanoan
,CA
[email protected]
(909) 524-8041 Fax
Costanoan Rumsen Carmel Tribe
This list is current as of the date of this document and is based on the information available to the Commission on the date it was produced.
Distribution of this list does not relieve any person of statutory responsibility as defined in Section 7050.5 of the Health and Safety Code,Section 5097.94 of the Public Resources Code, or Section 5097.98 of the Public Resources Code.
This list is only applicable for contacting local Native Americans Tribes for the proposed: 580 Dubuque Ave. Project San Mateo County.
Ann Marie Sayers, Chairperson
P.O. Box 28
Hollister 95024
(831) 637-4238
Ohlone/Costanoan
,CA
[email protected]
Indian Canyon Mutsun Band of Costanoan
This list is current as of the date of this document and is based on the information available to the Commission on the date it was produced.
Distribution of this list does not relieve any person of statutory responsibility as defined in Section 7050.5 of the Health and Safety Code,Section 5097.94 of the Public Resources Code, or Section 5097.98 of the Public Resources Code.
This list is only applicable for contacting local Native Americans Tribes for the proposed: 580 Dubuque Ave. Project San Mateo County.
Charlene Nijmeh, Chairperson
20885 Redwood Road, Suite 232
Castro Valley 94546
(408) 464-2892
Ohlone / Costanoan
,CA
[email protected]
(408) 205-9714
Muwekma Ohlone Indian Tribe of the SF Bay Area
This list is current as of the date of this document and is based on the information available to the Commission on the date it was produced.
Distribution of this list does not relieve any person of statutory responsibility as defined in Section 7050.5 of the Health and Safety Code,Section 5097.94 of the Public Resources Code, or Section 5097.98 of the Public Resources Code.
This list is only applicable for contacting local Native Americans Tribes for the proposed: 580 Dubuque Ave. Project San Mateo County.
Quirina Luna Geary, Chairperson
P.O. Box 8053
San Jose 95155
(707) 295-4011
Ohlone/Costanoan
,CA
[email protected]
Tamien Nation
This list is current as of the date of this document and is based on the information available to the Commission on the date it was produced.
Andrew Galvan
P.O. Box 3388
Fremont 94539
(510) 882-0527 Cell
Ohlone
Bay Miwok
Plains Miwok
Patwin
,CA
[email protected]
(510) 687-9393 Fax
The Ohlone Indian Tribe
This list is current as of the date of this document and is based on the inf was produced.
Distribution of this list does not relieve any person of statutory responsib and Safety Code,Section 5097.94 of the Public Resources Code, or Sectio This list is only applicable for contacting local Native Americans Tribes fo Kenneth Woodrow, Chairperson
1179 Rock Haven Ct.
Salinas 93906
(831) 443-9702
Foothill Yokuts
Mono
Wuksache
,CA
[email protected]
Wuksache Indian Tribe/Eshom Valley Band
This list is current as of the date of this document and is based on the inf was produced.
Distribution of this list does not relieve any person of statutory responsib and Safety Code,Section 5097.94 of the Public Resources Code, or Sectio This list is only applicable for contacting local Native Americans Tribes fo .
CALIFORNIA LAND REUSE AND REVITALIZATION ACT
(CLRRA) AGREEMENT
ATTACHMENT C
to the
580 Dubuque Avenue Project Initial Study / Mitigated Negative Declaration
TRANSPORTATION ANALYSIS
ATTACHMENT D
to the
580 Dubuque Avenue Project Initial Study / Mitigated Negative Declaration
580 Dubuque Avenue
Transportation Analysis
Prepared for:
Lamphier-Gregory
January 18, 2022
Hexagon Transportation Consultants, Inc.
Hexagon Office: 4 North Second Street, Suite 400
San Jose, CA 95113
Phone: 408.971.6100
Hexagon Job Number: 21TD01
Client Name: Lamphier-Gregory
580 Dubuque Avenue January 18, 2022
Page | 1
This report includes an analysis of Vehicle Miles Travelled (VMT) and an evaluation of potential impacts to transit, pedestrian, and bicycle facilities for the proposed Office/Research & Development building at 580 Dubuque Avenue in South San Francisco, as required by the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
580 Dubuque Avenue January 18, 2022
Page | 2
Project Description
This report presents the results of the CEQA transportation analysis (TA) conducted for the proposed Office/ Research & Development (R&D) building at 580 Dubuque Avenue in South San Francisco, California. The project proposes to construct approximately 295,000 square feet of Lab/ R&D and office space (inclusive of a 4,000 square feet café) adjacent to the new South San Francisco Caltrain station.
The development is consistent with the proposed 2040 General Plan update, which plans for higherdensity, transit-oriented uses at and around the project site. Structured parking would be provided in four stories below grade, with approximately 350 parking spaces. Vehicular access to the project would be provided via Dubuque Avenue.
580 Dubuque Avenue January 18, 2022
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CEQA Analysis
VMT Analysis
Pursuant to SB 743, the CEQA 2019 Update Guidelines Section 15064.3, subdivision (b) states that vehicle miles travelled (VMT) will be the metric in analyzing transportation impacts for land use projects for California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) purposes. The City of South San Francisco has adopted certain thresholds of significance based on the project type to guide in determining when a project will have a significant transportation impact. For non-retail land use projects, a significant impact would occur if the VMT would be above the threshold, which is defined as 15% below the regional average.
The City of South San Francisco provides screening criteria for development projects. The criteria are based on the type of project, characteristics, and/or location. If a project meets the City’s screening criteria, the project is expected to result in less-than-significant impacts, and a detailed CEQA VMT analysis is not required. The City’s policy states that projects within ½ mile of an existing or planned high-quality transit corridor or major transit station should be presumed to have no impact on VMT.
However, this presumption would not apply if the project FAR is less than 0.75, includes parking that is higher than required by the City, is inconsistent with Plan Bay Area, or replaces affordable residential units with a smaller number of market-rate units. The project site is located adjacent to the South San Francisco Caltrain Station. The project is proposing an FAR of 3.19, fewer than required parking spaces, is consistent with the land use zoning that is proposed under the City’s 2040 General Plan Update and would develop a vacant site.
Therefore, a detailed VMT analysis would not be required.
The project would also implement a Transportation Demand Management (TDM) program as required by the Municipal Code, which requires all non-residential projects that would generate more than 100 daily trips to implement various trip reduction measures to reduce single occupancy vehicle trips (SOV) and achieve a minimum 28% alternative mode use. The project would also provide parking that is less than the parking required by the code to encourage employees and visitors to use transit, given its proximity to the Caltrain station.
Cumulative Impact Analysis
According to the Governor’s Office of Planning and Research (OPR), a finding of a less-than-significant project impact would imply a less than significant cumulative impact. Also, the project is consistent with the South San Francisco General Plan. Shape SSF 2040 is an update to the City’s currently General Plan that is currently in progress. The project aligns with the updated land use controls currently proposed under the 2040 General Plan Update, which plans for higher-density, transit-oriented uses at and around the project site: reimagining the area as a new urban corridor accessible to pedestrians, bicyclists, and transit riders. Therefore, the project would be considered as part of the cumulative solution to meet the General Plan’s long-range transportation goals and would result in a less-thansignificant cumulative impact.
Transit, Pedestrian and Bicycle Analysis
Pedestrian: Sidewalks and crosswalks are provided on most streets in the immediate vicinity of the proposed project. Sidewalks exist along the east side of Dubuque Avenue, on Grand Avenue and Airport Boulevard. A metal staircase on the northeast corner and a crosswalk across the east leg of the signalized Dubuque Avenue/E Grand Avenue intersection currently provide connections for pedestrians 580 Dubuque Avenue January 18, 2022
Page | 4
from areas east of the Caltrain tracks and downtown areas to the Caltrain station. As part of the South San Francisco Caltrain Reconstruction Project that is currently in progress, an underpass is being constructed that would provide a direct connection for pedestrians and bicyclists between areas to the west and east of the Caltrain tracks. This underpass would also provide a connection to the new Caltrain station platform. As the project is located adjacent to the Caltrain station, the new underpass would provide an alternative pedestrian connection between the project, downtown destinations, and areas to the east of the Caltrain tracks.
A significant impact would occur if the proposed project conflicted with applicable or adopted policies, plans or programs related to pedestrian facilities or otherwise decreased the performance or safety of pedestrian facilities. The South San Francisco General Plan requires project proponents to provide sidewalks and street trees as part of frontage improvements for new development. The project would provide a clear walkway between the existing sidewalk on Dubuque Avenue and the main building entrance that would be provided on the north side of the building. A pedestrian walkway with landscaping and lighting would be constructed along the western edge of the property along the access road that would run parallel to Dubuque Avenue. The project will coordinate with Caltrain/Joint Powers Board (JPB) who currently own the parcels to the south and east of the project site to provide pedestrian access between the project site and the Caltrain station in a permittable and accessible manner. The project is anticipated to have a less-than-significant impact on the existing and planned pedestrian facilities.
Bicycle: Bicycle access to the project site is currently limited as there are no bike lanes on Dubuque Avenue. In the vicinity of the project, Class II bike lanes are located on Airport Boulevard (north of Miller Avenue), along Poletti Way, Gateway Boulevard (between E Grand Avenue and Airport Boulevard), along Sister Cities Boulevard, and along Oyster Point Boulevard (east of Gateway Boulevard). An impact to bicyclists would occur if the proposed project disrupted existing bicycle facilities or conflicted with or created inconsistencies with adopted bicycle system plans, guidelines, and policies. According to the South San Francisco Bicycle Master Plan, Class III Bicycle Routes are proposed along Dubuque Avenue between E Grand Avenue and Oyster Point Boulevard. Class III Bicycle Routes are recommended on roadways frequently used by bicyclists that do not have the necessary right-of-way (ROW) for installing bicycle lanes. Bicycle Routes are identified by either signs or shared lane markings and they typically have a shared wide outside lane for vehicles and bicycles. Because additional ROW from the project site is not necessary to implement the planned bicycle facility along Dubuque Avenue, the project would not conflict with existing and planned bicycle facilities. Therefore, the impact to bicycle facilities would be less-than-significant.
Transit: The City of South San Francisco, in partnership with Caltrain is currently reconstructing the South San Francisco Caltrain station, which is expected to be completed by November 2021. The reconstructed station includes a new median platform, underpass entrances connecting to downtown and East Grand Avenue, and a shuttle loading area along Poletti Way. Combined with the Caltrain Electrification project, the reconstructed station is expected to see increased service levels, which has been included in Caltrain planning. Since the project is located adjacent to the Caltrain station, it is expected to generate trips via transit services. According to OPR guidelines, the addition of new transit riders should not be treated as an adverse impact as such development also improves regional flow by adding less vehicle travel onto the regional network. Therefore, the project is anticipated to have a less-than-significant impact on transit facilities and services.
Safety
A project safety impact is considered significant if the proposed project would provide inadequate design features that present safety concerns within the project site or on the adjacent streets. Vehicles would access the project site from an existing driveway on Dubuque Avenue that would also provide 580 Dubuque Avenue January 18, 2022
Page | 5
access to the Caltrain station parking lot. The existing site access roadway would be reconstructed along the western property boundary. Visitor drop-offs would occur at the entry plaza located at the northwest corner of the project site. Parking access would be provided along the south end of the building.
In order to address potential conflict in vehicular movement on the Caltrain access road and internal roads serving the project site, the project will install stop signs at each intersecting point for exiting vehicles (see Figure 1).
According to the South San Francisco Municipal Code, the speed limit on Dubuque Avenue is 30 mph.
Although the project would not construct any new driveways on Dubuque Avenue, the project should coordinate with the City of South San Francisco to improve sight distance for vehicles exiting onto Dubuque Avenue. Field observations showed that the curved alignment of Dubuque Avenue combined with the fence/retaining wall impacts the visibility of northbound traffic for drivers exiting onto Dubuque Avenue from the Caltrain station parking lot. Additionally, signs attached to the fence and vegetation at the corner of the property to the north obstruct sight distance between southbound Dubuque Avenue traffic and vehicles exiting the shared project and Caltrain driveway under existing conditions. Because the proposed project would add traffic to the existing driveway on Dubuque Avenue, the project would result in a potential safety impact. The following mitigation would improve the safety at the intersection of Dubuque Avenue the shared Caltrain /project driveway.
Transportation Mitigation 1: Shared Dubuque Avenue Driveway Safety Improvements. The applicant shall coordinate the following safety improvements for the intersection of Dubuque Avenue and the shared Caltrain / project driveway to provide adequate sight distance between northbound Dubuque Avenue traffic and vehicles exiting the shared Dubuque Avenue driveway. a) The applicant shall coordinate with the City to decrease the speed limit on Dubuque Avenue to 25 mph.
b) The applicant shall coordinate with the City to reduce the height of the fence along the retaining wall on Dubuque Avenue to the south of the project site to improve visibility of approaching northbound traffic.
Additionally, the applicant shall coordinate with the City and adjacent properties as reasonably feasible to address existing sight distance obstructions at the intersection of Dubuque Avenue and the shared Caltrain / project driveway as follows:
c) Coordinate with Caltrain to relocate or reduce the height of the existing “Caltrain Station Parking” sign located on the south side of the shared Dubuque Avenue driveway to provide adequate sight distance between northbound Dubuque Avenue traffic and vehicles exiting the shared Dubuque Avenue driveway.
d) Coordinate with the property owner to the north to clear obstructing signs and vegetation from the corner of their property to provide adequate sight distance between southbound Dubuque Avenue traffic and vehicles exiting the shared Dubuque Avenue driveway.
With the implementation of these mitigation measures, the shared Caltrain / project Dubuque Avenue driveway would have adequate sight distance and the project would not result in significant safety impacts.
580 Dubuque Avenue January 18, 2022
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Emergency Access
The proposed project would not reroute or change any of the City streets in its vicinity that would impact emergency vehicle access to properties along Dubuque Avenue. The existing site access roadway that would be reconstructed along the western property boundary would accommodate emergency vehicles.
Thus, the project would not result in any emergency vehicle access impact that would be considered significant.
Conclusions
The project would not result in a potentially significant impact to VMT relative to employee trips as the project site is located within ¼ mile of the South San Francisco Caltrain station.
The project would also implement a Transportation Demand Management (TDM) program as required by the Municipal Code that requires all non-residential projects that would generate more than 100 daily trips to implement various trip reduction measures to reduce single occupancy vehicle trips (SOV) and achieve a minimum 28% alternative mode use. The project would also provide parking that is less than the parking required by the code to encourage employees and visitors to use transit. Given its proximity to the Caltrain station and reduced on-site parking spaces, the project is expected to achieve a higher than the minimum 28% alternative mode use.
The project would not result in any impacts to existing and planned pedestrian and bicycle facilities.
With mitigation, the project would not result in any significant safety impacts. The project would not result in any significant emergency vehicle access impacts. 580 Dubuque CEQA Analysis
Figure 1
Proposed On-Site Circulation and Stop Signs
STOP
STOP
STOP
STOP
LEGEND
= Drop-Off Circulation
= Caltrain Parking Lot Access
= Project Parking Garage Access
STOP = Recommended Stop Sign
NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY OF PUBLIC REVIEW AND
NOTICE OF INTENT TO ADOPT A MITIGATED NEGATIVE
DECLARATION FOR THE PROPOSED
580 DUBUQUE AVENUE PROJECT
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN: that the City of South San Francisco Planning Division has completed the Initial Study/ Mitigated Negative Declaration (IS/MND) for the 580 Dubuque Avenue Project. This IS/MND is now available for public review and comment. The IS/MND may be accessed on the City’s website at https://weblink.ssf.net/weblink/ under Planning Division/Environmental Reports (https://weblink.ssf.net/weblink/Browse.aspx?dbid=0).
Physical copies of the IS/MND and all documents incorporated by reference are available for review at the Planning Division at 315 Maple Avenue. Additional physical copies of the IS/MND are available at the Orange Avenue Library at 804 W. Orange Avenue, the Grand Avenue Library at 306 Walnut Avenue, and the City Clerk’s Office at 400 Grand Avenue.
PROJECT LOCATION: The 1.89‐acre project site (Assessor’s Parcel Number 015‐021‐998) is located in the City of South San Francisco, California at the southern end of Dubuque Avenue, north of the Grand Avenue overpass as it intersects with U.S. 101. It is bordered by Dubuque Avenue and the U.S. 101 highway on the west, the Caltrain right‐of‐way and station property on the east and south, and development and parking on the 720 Dubuque Avenue parcel to the north. Figure 1 shows the project location. As a part of the Caltrain station relocation and upgrade, the project site was recently used for construction staging. The project site is currently vacant and fenced.
The site is impacted by contamination from historic and adjacent uses, mostly due to historic railroad use of the site and undocumented fill. The main contamination of concern is mainly low levels of lead and other metals in the soil. Removal of impacted soil is proposed as part of the project (see below).
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The project applicant, South City Ventures, LLC, is proposing construction and operation of a new 295,000‐square‐foot, 8‐story, office / research and development (R&D) building and structured parking 4 stories below grade, with approximately 350 parking spaces. Project site improvements would also include sidewalks, landscaping, and lighting along Dubuque Avenue. Ground floor amenities would include a fitness center, conference space, and a café with an adjacent outdoor terrace near the building’s entry lobby. The applicant is targeting life science tenants. Figure 2 shows the site plan.
The site is within the boundaries of the Downtown Station Area Specific Plan (DSASP). However, the site was not specifically indicated for development in the DSASP as it was in use as part of the Caltrain station property at the time, prior to the station relocation and upgrade. Project applicants are requesting a rezoning from Freeway Commercial to Downtown Station Area Specific Plan District; Transit Office/R&D Core Subdistrict as well as a related General Plan Amendment (land use map and text amendments), East of 101 Area Plan Amendment, Downtown Station Area Specific Plan Amendment (land use map and text amendments), Zoning Map Amendments, Conditional Use Permits (Parking Reduction, Floor Area Ratio Increase), Design Review, and a Transportation Demand Management Plan.
Project construction activities are anticipated to span approximately 2 years. The project would involve removal of contaminated soil, with approximately 5 to 9 feet of soil being removed across 60% of the site and disposal of the contaminated soil off site. Excavation for subsurface parking would extend to depths of up to about 60 feet below ground surface and would require construction during excavation.
Site preparation and foundation work would run approximately the first 9 months, followed by building 580 Dubuque Project ‐ Notice of Intent to Adopt a Mitigated Negative Declaration Page 2 of 4 construction over about 12 months and finishing/paving/landscaping over about 3 months. A total of about 325 workers are anticipated to be onsite throughout the construction process.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS: The IS/MND that has been prepared for the project concludes that impacts of the project are considered to be less than significant with mandatory compliance with existing federal, State and local standards and the implementation of mitigation measures listed in the document. Mitigation measures relate to minimizing potential construction‐period impacts, including construction dust and emissions best practices; surveys for and buffering of nesting birds; monitoring for and appropriate response to undocumented cultural, paleontological, or tribal cultural resources; compliance with design plans prepared by appropriate engineers; implementation of a Response Plan pursuant to the previously‐approved CLRRA Agreement (Docket No HSA‐FY19/20‐013) in coordination with the California Department of Toxic Substances Control to safely remove the contaminated soil at the project site; and implementation of measures to improve driver site distance at the shared project/Caltrain parking lot driveway intersection with Dubuque Avenue. Implementation of the project would not degrade the quality and extent of the environment or result in adverse effects on human beings, provided the project adheres to all mandated policies, rules and regulations of all relevant governing bodies.
PUBLIC REVIEW COMMENT PERIOD: The City of South San Francisco is soliciting comments regarding the analysis contained in the IS/MND. All comments must be received by the City of South San Francisco Planning Division no later than 5:00 PM on February 17, 2022. Written comments on the IS/MND may be sent via email or U.S. mail and addressed to:
Christopher Espiritu, Senior Planner
City of South San Francisco
Economic and Community Development Department
315 Maple Avenue
South San Francisco, CA 94080
Comments may also be sent via email to [email protected] For comments sent via email, please include “MND Comments: 580 Dubuque Project” in the subject line and the name and physical address of the commenter in the body of the email.
For additional information please contact Christopher Espiritu, Senior Planner at (650) 877‐8535 and/or [email protected].
Date: January 19, 2022
[email protected]
Telephone: (650) 877‐8535
580 Dubuque Avenue Project ‐ Notice of Intent to Adopt a Mitigated Negative Declaration Page 3 of 4 Figure 1: Project Location
580 Dubuque Project ‐ Notice of Intent to Adopt a Mitigated Negative Declaration Page 4 of 4 Figure 2: Project Site Plan