This chapter provides procedures by which changes may be made to the text of this Zoning Ordinance and to the Zoning Map whenever the public necessity and convenience and the general welfare require such amendment to maintain consistency with the General Plan.
(Ord. 1432 § 2, 2010)
The procedures in this chapter shall apply to all proposals to change the text of this Zoning Ordinance or to revise a zoning district classification or zoning district boundary line shown on the Zoning Map including prezoning as provided for in Chapter 20.560 (“Prezoning Procedure”).
(Ord. 1432 § 2, 2010)
An amendment to the text of the Zoning Ordinance or to the Zoning Map may be initiated by:
A. 
Any qualified applicant identified in Section 20.450.002 (“Application Forms and Fees”);
B. 
A motion of the City Council or Planning Commission;
C. 
A verified petition of at least 10 percent of the registered voters of the City; or
D. 
A person who has entered into a valid and enforceable agreement with the former Redevelopment Agency for the possible assembly of the property affected by the proposed amendment.
(Ord. 1432 § 2, 2010; Ord. 1469 § 1, 2013)
A. 
Application. A qualified applicant shall submit an application for a zoning amendment on a form prescribed by the Planning Division accompanied by the required fee. The Planning Division may require an applicant to submit such additional information and supporting data as considered necessary to process the application.
B. 
Coordination with Other Applications. The Planning Division may allow any necessary applications for amendments to zoning regulations or for approval under the requirements of this Zoning Ordinance or Title 19 (“Subdivisions”) of the South San Francisco Municipal Code to be processed simultaneously with the proposed zoning amendment.
(Ord. 1432 § 2, 2010)
A. 
Staff Report. The Chief Planner shall prepare a report and recommendation to the Planning Commission on the application for a zoning amendment. The report shall include, but is not limited to, a discussion of how the proposed amendment meets the criteria in Section 20.550.008 (“Criteria for Zoning Amendments”) for approving a zoning amendment and an initial environmental study prepared in compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act.
B. 
Public Hearing Required. All zoning amendments shall be referred to the Planning Commission, which shall hold at least one public hearing on any proposed amendment.
C. 
Public Notice. At least 10 days before the date of the public hearing, the Planning Division shall provide notice consistent with Chapter 20.450 (“Common Procedures”). Notice of the hearing also shall be mailed or delivered at least 10 days prior to the hearing to the South San Francisco Unified School District and any other local agency expected to provide essential facilities or services to the property that is the subject of the proposed amendment.
(Ord. 1432 § 2, 2010)
A. 
Planning Commission Hearing. The Planning Commission shall conduct a public hearing in conformance with Chapter 20.450 (“Common Procedures”).
B. 
Recommendation to Council. Following the public hearing, the Planning Commission shall make a recommendation on the proposed zoning amendment to the City Council. In formulating a recommendation, the Commission shall consider the extent to which the proposed amendment meets the purposes of this chapter, the compatibility of the proposed amendment with the General Plan and any applicable specific plan, and any changes to the amendment that the Commission deems necessary to comply with the General Plan or to reduce environmental impacts.
(Ord. 1432 § 2, 2010)
A. 
After receiving the report from the Planning Commission, the City Council shall hold a duly-noticed public hearing. The notice shall include a summary of the Planning Commission recommendation. If the matter under consideration is a proposal to reclassify a property from one zone to another and the Planning Commission has recommended against the adoption of such amendment, the City Council is not required to take any further action unless an interested party files a written request for a hearing with the City Clerk within 15 days after the Planning Commission action.
B. 
After the conclusion of the hearing, the City Council may approve, modify or deny the proposed amendment. If the Council proposes any substantial modification not previously considered by the Planning Commission during its hearings, the proposed modification shall first be referred back to the Planning Commission for report and recommendation, but the Planning Commission shall not be required to hold a public hearing thereon. The failure of the Planning Commission to report within 40 days after the referral, shall be deemed a recommendation to approve and the amendment shall be returned to Council for adoption.
(Ord. 1432 § 2, 2010)
The Planning Commission shall not recommend and the City Council shall not approve a Zoning Map amendment unless the proposed amendment meets the following criteria:
A. 
The proposed zoning district change is consistent with the adopted General Plan;
B. 
The subject property is suitable for the uses permitted in the proposed zone in terms of access, size of parcel, relationship to similar or related uses, and other considerations deemed relevant by the Planning Commission and City Council; and
C. 
The proposed change of zoning district is not detrimental to the use of land in any adjacent zone.
(Ord. 1432 § 2, 2010)