Large new R&D and workplace plan proposed in South San Francisco | Native Information

A massive research and development and office project could be headed to South San Francisco, with the Urban Planning Commission agreeing to the proposal despite agreeing to reduce the projected impact on the surrounding community.

The 2.8 million square foot development, which is slated to be spread across seven buildings, would occupy 26.5 acres bordering San Bruno, just northeast of The Shops at Tanforan near the BART and Caltrain stations . The buildings range from three to seven stories with a maximum height of 120 feet. In addition, a new public road in an east-west direction would be built through the site as well as two parking garages with 1,100 parking spaces.

The plans also include a restaurant, bar and parklet, in addition to infrastructure improvements such as cycle paths, pedestrian zone improvements and redesign of intersections.

“You have my support in what you are doing with some changes when we get to the Environmental Impact Report,” said Michele Evans, Chair of the Planning Commission.

The EIR, a report required by state law to investigate things such as air pollution, noise and traffic in connection with new development, found that the project caused “significant” air pollution both during construction and during operation, as well as significant noise during construction and traffic requiring new traffic lights to be installed at a nearby intersection.

Although the site currently hosts several industrial uses, including warehouse and distribution buildings and equipment storage, it is also directly adjacent to a single-family home in San Bruno, which is where most of the commissioners’ concerns were directed.

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“We are talking about residents of San Bruno and there will be this massive construction on a two-lane road, we have to see that,” said Commissioner Norm Faria.

Commissioner Alex Tzang said that while he loved the vision and end product of the project, he had similar concerns.

“When I see that [EIR] When I say things like that, I can’t justify myself and say, ‘Yes, let’s try,’ ”he said. “That’s a pretty bad neighbor too.”

However, commissioners praised property developer Lane Partners for continuing the project and noted the environmental remediation required given the area’s past and present uses.

If approved, the project would be built in stages, the first of which would build the three southernmost buildings and the new road. A Lane Partner representative said that all 26 acres had already been procured.

Commissioner JulieAnn Murphy asked if the site could host residential units as the additional jobs in the areas would impact local housing needs.

According to Adena Friedman, a city planner, the site would have to be rezoned if living were to be included, as the area is currently intended for commercial and office use according to the city’s general plan. The site is also partially in a zone designed to receive up to 70 decibels of sound from San Francisco International Airport, and that when combined with the environmental remediation would make adding housing difficult, Friedman said.

The planning commission did not take any formal action on the project; Formal approval will be obtained from the developer during a future meeting, likely in the coming months.

corey@smdailyjournal.com

(650) 344-5200, ext. 105