South San Francisco · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in South San Francisco public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Handicraft/custom manufacturing use at 180 S Spruce Avenue, Suite C
A small-scale craft or custom manufacturing business wants to operate in Suite C of a building in the Lindenville neighborhood. The Zoning Administrator will decide whether that use fits the T4 Lindenville zoning rules through a Minor Use Permit.
County-to-city land conveyance near Westborough and Camaritas
San Mateo County is transferring a small parcel near Westborough Boulevard and Camaritas Avenue to the city. The Commission found it consistent with the General Plan, a step toward the city taking ownership.
Genentech campus activity and community benefits
Genentech's 2025 report showed flat campus square footage, strong transit alternatives (about a third of trips), 80,000 scooter-share rides, and $3.5 million in housing and transportation fee payments, plus an expanded $250,000 community fund.
1229 Crestwood Drive property negotiations
The council met in closed session to negotiate the price and terms for selling vacant city property at 356 Grand Avenue to the Ben Tre Group.
Residential Entitlement Extensions Extended to Four Years
Housing projects approved by the city currently have three years to get building permits before starting over. With high interest rates and construction costs, every large residential project since 2020 has needed an extension. The change gives housing — including about 200 affordable units — one more year to secure financing.
Future of the Municipal Service Building
Resident Corey David sharply criticized the city's handling of the closed MSB, demanding answers about a $2.25 million FEMA grant and alleged neglect. Vice Mayor Nagales clarified he'd committed to revisiting the issue when he becomes mayor, per a prior council decision to wait two years.
Southline Development Wind Concerns
A resident reported dangerous wind tunnels near the six-story Southline development on Tanforan Avenue, including an elderly resident who fell, and asked the city to order an independent wind study and work on mitigation.
Metropolitan Hotel affordable housing preservation
The city is lending up to $3.1 million from its Commercial Linkage Fee Fund to help Synergy CDC buy the Metropolitan Hotel at 220 Linden Avenue, preserving affordable housing.
1051 Mission Road (PUC Site) affordable housing project
The 800-unit PUC site project — including 158 affordable units, a childcare center, parks, and a Colma Creek bridge — has been stalled since 2019. The council rewrote the deal after Bridge Housing withdrew, freeing $14.6 million in fees as a last-dollar backstop and extending the timeline to 2032 so state grant applications in May can proceed.
616 Maple Avenue six-unit development and tenant relocation
A six-unit for-sale project was approved last year, but the family living in the existing house remains a concern. State SB 330 requires a replacement-housing plan before building permits, and the housing division is working with the owner; commissioners asked for a future update.
Housing Production and RHNA Progress
The city permitted 593 new housing units in 2025, about 19.5% of its nearly 4,000-unit state allocation three years into the cycle. Commissioners discussed why market-rate units outpace affordable ones and how financing delays slow construction.
Proposed four-unit apartment building at 227 Armour Avenue
A design review application for a new four-unit apartment building in the downtown residential high zone was presented as consistent with city plans and guidelines.