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.
Library funding, hours and outreach
The Youth Commission is weighing a memorandum on Library operating hours that could affect when teens and residents can access the Library.
Hybrid meeting access
A memo on hybrid meetings could make it easier for residents and commissioners to participate without attending in person.
SB 1425 Open Space, Climate Resilience and Rewilding General Plan Amendment
Commissioner Trejo is discussing a native plant project at Brentwood Park, a hands-on environmental effort for local youth.
Youth civic engagement and the Youth Commission
The Commission is preparing an early-2027 presentation to the City Council on its activities, recommendations and goals — a chance for youth priorities to reach the Council directly.
Sidewalk Accessibility Survey Robots
Little robots are rolling around South San Francisco sidewalks this month to map curb ramps and intersections and flag accessibility barriers. The data will guide future sidewalk fixes and help the city chase grant money—so if you use wheels, a cane, or a stroller, this could eventually make getting around easier.
Crane truck purchase for public works fleet
The city was set to buy a new Freightliner 114SD crane truck for up to $488,274.93, adding to its public works equipment fleet.
SB 965 — Public library cards legislation
Library Board candidates discussed expanding adult and senior programming, digital literacy and AI education, the coming library cafe, and questions about how the Friends of the Library endowment is spent.
Personnel Appointment
The library has open recruitments, and the Director was scheduled to update the board on hiring progress. Staffing levels affect hours, programs and service quality at the library.
Future park in the Sunshine Gardens neighborhood
Applicants flagged dirty park bathrooms (a $250,000 renovation is planned), poor promotion of city events to non-English speakers and residents without email, closed bathrooms at Westborough, and loss of tree canopy. The council noted upcoming projects including the Orange Park playground renovation and new aquatic center.
ADU separate conveyance zoning amendment (AB 1033)
New state guidance raises the maximum number of accessory dwelling units allowed on a lot — up to four on a single-family lot. Staff cautioned that most South City lots are too small for that in practice, and the city offers handouts and a county ADU resource center to help homeowners navigate the rules.
New Business Advocates program for small businesses
The city's Launch Local program won a state Helen Putnam Award; it gives entrepreneurs a 12-month lease at $1 per square foot plus up to $10,000 in tenant improvement help. The first business, Six Cycles bike shop, just opened and an expansion is planned.
Orange Memorial Park stormwater project operations
The city is moving the Orange Memorial Park stormwater capture project from grant-funded startup into routine operations with a $658,964 three-year maintenance contract. The mayor noted neighboring cities haven't stepped up to share Colma Creek watershed costs.
State, Federal Advocacy and Grant Writing Contracts
The city is spending about $546,000 over multiple years on lobbyists and a grant writer to chase state and federal funding. Councilmembers debated whether a federal contract makes sense now, but agreed to try it for two years.
Fire Station 63 Site and Hetch Hetchy Concerns
A resident questioned whether the city checked with the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission before building Fire Station 63 next to Hetch Hetchy water lines, citing past project oversights. The related Westborough Boulevard acceptance moved forward with a corrected Planning Commission date of October 15.
Youth soccer field access and affordability
The youth soccer league keeps fees at $180 a season thanks to the city not charging co-sponsored groups for fields, lights, or utilities. But the league president says field space is so tight she now caps registration, and the newly turfed Westboro field isn't in the city's joint-use agreement with the school district.
Storefront retail cannabis regulations
The city currently allows only delivery-only cannabis retail. Council direction from the study session: two storefronts to start, east of Highway 101, a lottery after staff pre-screening, preference for existing local operators, and a 2-3% tax rate instead of 5%. An ordinance could come back in 2027.
Pension prefunding trust exploration
The city's pension costs have doubled over seven years to about $36.6 million a year. A Section 115 trust — targeting around $24 million — could smooth bad years and earn better returns, but the council wants more information before choosing between single- and multi-employer structures.
Downtown parking rates increase
First rate hike since 2020: meters go to $1.50-$1.75/hour, surface lots to $1.50, while the Miller garage stays at $1.25 to push drivers off crowded curbs and into the garage. Adds roughly $360,000 a year to a parking fund still running a deficit.
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.
Median landscaping condition and maintenance contract
Mayor Addiego pulled the landscaping contract to vent about neglected medians, particularly on Hickey Boulevard, and warned that a new state law banning watering of non-functional lawns will force a rethink of median design citywide.
Brown Act compliance training for committee members
The committee got a refresher on California's open-meeting law: no group emails or reply-alls, no reacting to each other's social media posts about committee business, and strict rules for remote participation. Violations can void decisions and bring penalties.
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.
Electric vehicle fire response capability
A $205,000 federal grant buys a 'Cold Cut Cobra' system that pierces EV battery packs with water mist — cutting firefighting water use from up to 15,000 gallons to about 200 and keeping firefighters out of toxic smoke.
TDM monitoring and enforcement of commute-reduction rules
The city tracks whether big developments actually reduce car trips, now using the OneCommute platform across 46 sites. Some sites remain non-compliant, and commissioners want real consequences; a fine framework may go to the City Council late this year or early 2027.
Community feedback survey at city events
Commissioners will start asking residents a short set of open-ended questions at events like Juneteenth and National Night Out — about belonging, safety, and what services the city is missing. A new ad hoc committee will run the campaign and analyze trends, with results posted publicly.
Equity lens for city communications
The commission's ad hoc committee is working with the city's communications manager to figure out how to get city information to residents who aren't reached by social media — possibly through trusted community liaisons.
Stormwater Fees Frozen Since 1993
Stormwater fees stay flat for another year, but because costs have risen since 1993, the general fund keeps subsidizing the program. Senate Bill 231 may eventually open a path to a cost-based fee.
Sewer Rate Increase and Low-Income Rebate
Stormwater fees stay flat for another year, but because costs have risen since 1993, the general fund keeps subsidizing the program. Senate Bill 231 may eventually open a path to a cost-based fee.
CDBG Funding for Community Services
San Mateo County Health pitched a partnership on the root causes of health — housing, food access, parks, education — and asked how the city wants to engage. Council members asked staff to inventory what the city already does and find actionable next steps.
Beekeeping allowed in all zoning districts
New rules would let residents and even businesses keep beehives citywide, not just in residential zones, with hive limits raised to six on large lots. Safeguards include flyway barriers, screening, rear-yard placement in residential districts, and required pollinator-friendly plantings to protect native bees.
Centennial Trail connection to Kaiser
The council was scheduled to award a minor construction contract to iDrill Engineering Inc. for Centennial Trail access improvements, with a matching budget amendment. The trail work would improve how residents get on and off the popular path.
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.
Electrification reach codes study
Sparked by a high school student's plea, the council agreed to study adopting Peninsula Clean Energy's model reach codes for all-electric new buildings — balancing climate goals against costs for homeowners and small remodelers.
Community-Based Transportation Plan for South City
A regional plan built from resident input targets better shuttles, safer crossings near schools, cheaper transit connections, and completing the Centennial Trail to Caltrain.
Human Trafficking Rescue
South San Francisco police cracked a human trafficking ring, freeing five victims and arresting one person. This bust was part of a larger national operation, highlighting local law enforcement's role in combating this serious crime.
Human Trafficking Operation
Police in South San Francisco just shut down a big human trafficking operation, saving five people and arresting one suspect. This local action was part of a larger national crackdown on this terrible crime.
Commercial Real Estate
Big pharma giant Pfizer is ditching South San Francisco, leaving a huge amount of lab space empty. This could mean major rent breaks for other companies looking to set up shop. We're also looking into whether the savings at Costco gas are worth the trip.
Mission Road Underground Utility District
About 2,500 feet of overhead wires along Mission Road between Grand Avenue and BART will be buried, improving safety, reliability, and walkability. Construction should start this summer and finish within a year.
Genentech 50th anniversary and $5 billion campus investment
The city honored Genentech's 50 years in South San Francisco. The company announced a $5 billion campus redevelopment expected to create roughly 4,000 jobs and continue its Future Lab school partnership.
Annual Military Equipment Report (AB 481)
State law requires the police department to report publicly on its military-style equipment — drones, less-lethal launchers, patrol rifles, and an armored rescue vehicle. Drones were used on every major incident in 2025, and the drone-as-first-responder program is expanding. All flight data is posted on a public transparency portal.
Police LGBTQ Liaison Program
South San Francisco's police department runs one of only two accredited LGBTQ liaison programs in California. The program supports both the community and LGBTQ employees inside the department, and a formal transition-support policy is being developed with HR.
City Council Procedures and Protocols Handbook amendments
The council approved handbook amendments over objections from residents who said the changes remove the recording of public commenters' remarks from minutes and questioned conflict-of-interest follow-through.
Westborough preschool funding and childcare
The council accepted an $850,000 federal check from Congressman Mullin for the Westborough Early Childhood Education Center, with groundbreaking this year. The 2026 priorities plan also includes a child care construction grant program.
Orange Memorial Park Restroom Renovation
The 2001-era restrooms at Orange Memorial Park are being fully gutted and rebuilt with durable, touchless fixtures for up to $258,587. Sports field usage has surged to nearly 30,000 monthly visits, and staff will monitor whether capacity is sufficient.
City Workforce Vacancies and Recruitment
The city's vacancy rate held at 9.7% in 2025 with a 182-day average hiring process. Police vacancies dropped from 8 to 6, and the water plant union's 23.5% vacancy rate is down to about 14% after new hires and raises.
Expanded Learning Opportunity Program (ELOP) for 2026/27
Parks and Recreation Director Greg Mediati was scheduled to update the committee on the ELOP program for the 2026/27 school year. This program shapes free before- and after-school care and enrichment for elementary students.
Hookah lounge CUP at 1429 San Mateo Avenue
The recording shows the Planning Commission approving the city's only permitted hookah lounge, using non-nicotine, non-tobacco products in a rear banquet room, with 21-and-over rules and compliance check-ins. Neighbors in the industrial corridor may notice evening and weekend event traffic and parking activity.
Drone First Responder site at Westborough Preschool
An anonymous $157,573.79 donation through the 100 Club of San Mateo County will enhance the police drone program, which has already helped catch an armed robbery crew and locate a gun at a hotel fight.
Meeting Minutes Transparency
A speaker argued the city stopped summarizing public comment topics in meeting minutes in 2020 and questioned the legal basis, asking the city attorney to revisit the practice at the upcoming handbook discussion.