Housing

Goal LU-4:

High-quality residential neighborhoods.

Intent:

To promote residential neighborhoods designed for a high quality of life for neighborhood residents and visitors.

Policy LU-4.1: Implement objective design standards.

Adopt and implement objective design standards to manage new low-density development.

Policy LU-4.2: Encourage small-scale residential infill development.

Encourage small-scale residential infill development in existing residential neighborhoods.

• Action LU-4.2.1: Create preapproved accessory dwelling unit (ADU) plans.

  Preapprove ADU plans from ADU vendors to expedite ADU permit processing.

• Policy LU-4.3: Promote complete neighborhoods by allowing some commercial uses in residential neighborhoods.

  Locate new commercial uses in existing residential neighborhoods on connector and boulevard street types and/or at key neighborhood street intersections to promote complete neighborhoods. Encourage and support home businesses.

• Policy LU-4.4: Improve pedestrian and bicycle connectivity in residential neighborhoods.

  Link existing residential neighborhoods by providing convenient pedestrian and bicycle connections to nearby destinations, such as parks, public facilities, and shopping centers.

• Policy LU-4.5: Neighborhood compatibility.

  Require new development to be compatible and well-integrated with existing residential neighborhoods.

• Policy LU-4.6: Develop neighborhood design guidelines.

  As appropriate, develop design guidelines for residential neighborhoods in South San Francisco to promote high-quality design.

• Policy LU-4.7: Support neighborhood associations.

  Support neighborhood associations throughout South San Francisco to facilitate community building and neighborhood identity.

• Policy LU-4.8: Promote maintenance and improvement of property through code enforcement.

  Promote maintenance and improvement of property through code enforcement to encourage investment and reinvestment in neighborhoods.

• Policy LU-4.9: Encourage amenity space for physical activity / healthy living in multifamily development.

  Encourage new multifamily development to provide amenity space (gyms, active spaces, outdoor open space, flex working spaces, etc.) which promote physical activity and healthy living options.

• Policy LU-4.10: Encourage walkable connections in multifamily development.

  Encourage new multifamily developers to provide convenient, walkable connections to nearby trails, transit, and open space to promote active lifestyles.

• Policy LU-4.11: Encourage neighborhood compatible uses.

  Encourage compatible uses like schools, parks, recreation and community centers, childcare facilities, and residential neighborhoods.

Goal SA-3:

The City promotes new residential, mixed use, and employment uses to add business patrons and residents to create a sustainable and thriving Downtown, while maintaining a scale and character that is complementary to existing uses.

Intent:

To diversify land uses to be mutually beneficial to residents and businesses.

Policy SA-3.1: Implement the Downtown Station Area Specific Plan.

Continue to implement the Downtown Station Area Specific Plan and update as necessary.

• Action SA-3.1.1: Engage with community on Downtown growth.

  Engage with the Downtown community to understand priorities and desired benefits resulting from Downtown growth.

Policy SA-3.2: Create mixed use neighborhood centered along Colma Creek.

Create a new mixed use residential neighborhood centered along Colma Creek within a short walk of Downtown amenities and services that provides a range of housing types for all income levels and household groups.

Policy SA-3.3: Balance parking needs and impacts Downtown.

Balance the need for parking to support a thriving Downtown with the need to minimize the impacts of parking upon a vibrant pedestrian, bicycle, and transit-oriented neighborhood. 

Policy SA-3.4: Focus housing growth Downtown.

Focus housing growth Downtown around the Caltrain Station and along Airport Boulevard.

Policy SA-3.5: Encourage Downtown parcel aggregation.

Encourage flexibility in allowing developers to aggregate parcels.

Goal SA-4:

New opportunities are created to live Downtown and to protect existing residents against threats of displacement.

Intent:

To give all people – current and future – opportunities to live and remain in Downtown.

Policy SA-4.1: Preserve existing affordable housing.

Protect existing residents from displacement by preserving existing affordable housing, increasing assistance for renters, and exploring homeownership models.

• Action SA-4.1.1: Homeownership expansion.

  Evaluate potential for community land trusts and/or other shared equity homeownership models to expand homeownership Downtown.

Policy SA-4.2: Leverage publicly-owned land Downtown.

Leverage South San Francisco’s inventory of publicly-owned land Downtown to support housing affordability.

Policy SA-4.3: Encourage moderate density housing types.

Encourage development of moderate density housing types to increase the supply and diversity of housing Downtown.

Goal SA-10:

The South San Francisco BART Station is developed as a mixed use hub; continue to work closely with BART to coordinate on land use changes and development near the Station.

Intent:

To create a variety of housing, gathering spaces, offices, retail, dining, and more to benefit all at the South San Francisco BART station.

Policy SA-10.1: Allow mix of uses at South San Francisco BART.

Encourage a mix of residential, personal services, restaurants, childcare, markets and grocery stores, small offices, retail, entertainment, and gathering places and facilitate convenient connections to the South San Francisco BART Station.

• Action SA-10.1.1: Coordinate with BART on developing housing at SSF BART station.

  Coordinate with BART to conduct studies to determine the feasibility of developing the surface parking lot on Mission Road into housing.

• Action SA-10.1.2: Create station area access plan.

  Prepare a station area access plan for the South San Francisco BART Station that includes street, sidewalk, biking, and infrastructure improvements.

Policy SA-10.2: Intensify residential uses.

Encourage development of higher intensity residential uses on current big box and shopping centers north of the BART Station.

Policy SA-10.3: Encourage active ground floor uses near South San Francisco BART.

Encourage active ground floor uses, such as retail, within a half mile of the South San Francisco BART station to promote pedestrian activity.

Goal SA-22:

A new residential neighborhood centered along Colma Creek within a short walk of Downtown amenities and services that provides a range of housing types for different income levels and housing types.

Intent:

To provide opportunities for everyone to live and access services in Lindenville.

Policy SA-22.1: Introduce a mix of affordable and market rate housing in Lindenville. 

• Action SA-22.1.1: Develop Lindenville master or specific plan.

  Develop a master plan or specific plan for new mixed use neighborhoods in Lindenville.

• Action SA-22.1.2: Designate residential priority sites.

  Designate residential priority sites, which require a specific amount of future development projects be dedicated to residential land uses.

• Action SA-22.1.3: Require context-sensitive design.

  Require context-sensitive design for new buildings developed along Colma Creek, such as height step backs and building setbacks.

Policy SA-22.2: Encourage lot assembly to facilitate housing and mixed use development in Lindenville.

Encourage the assemblage of adjacent parcels by providing greater development incentives for master planned redevelopment in areas of Lindenville transitioning to residential or mixed use development than would be available for development on a parcel-by-parcel basis. 

Policy SA-22.3: Golden Gate Produce Terminal and Park ‘N Fly sites.

Encourage parcel assemblage of the Park ‘N Fly site (160 Produce Avenue) and the Golden Gate Produce Terminal site (131 Terminal Court) and encourage developers to create a master plan for mixed use development on the combined parcels. 

Policy SA-22.4: Placemaking and infrastructure improvements in areas to be developed with residential uses.

Prioritize placemaking and infrastructure improvements in areas that currently have non-residential uses that have Medium Density Mixed Use or High Density Mixed Use designations. 

Policy SA-22.5: Require buffering of residential uses in Lindenville.

Ensure residential land uses are buffered from heavy industrial uses and major roadways via landscaping, street trees, and attractive fences and walls.

Policy SA-22.6: Require small block sizes for new residential neighborhoods.

Where possible, ensure the new residential neighborhood near Colma Creek is developed with small block sizes to facilitate convenient vehicular and pedestrian connections through the neighborhood.

Policy SA-22.7: Adequate public services in Lindenville.

Coordinate with the South San Francisco Unified School District and City public services, including the Fire Department and the Police Department, to ensure public services can accommodate growth impacts of this new development in Lindenville.

Goal SA-34:

There is new residential infill development in proximity to the South San Francisco BART Station, Mission Road, and El Camino Real.

Policy SA-34.1: Expand housing opportunity.

Expand housing opportunity in Sunshine Gardens by working with the County of San Mateo to evaluate multifamily housing on the County-owned site along Mission Road.

Goal SA-36:

There is new residential infill development and recreational and childcare amenities in Westborough.

Policy SA-36.1: Allow mixed use shopping centers.

Create a complete neighborhood by allowing mixed use activity centers, introducing new housing at the Westborough Shopping Center and the shopping center at Gellert Boulevard and Westborough Blvd.

Policy SA-36.2: Provide childcare in Westborough.

Explore development of a new childcare center to serve Westborough residents in the Westborough shopping center.

Policy SA-36.3: Encourage infill housing development in Westborough.

Expand housing opportunity in Westborough by encouraging small-scale residential infill development (e.g., ADUs) in existing residential neighborhoods and working with the South San Francisco Unified School District to convert the Foxridge School site to park space and housing that offers affordable, teacher housing opportunities.

Policy SA-36.4: Expand parks and walking trails in Westborough.

Expand access to parks and active transportation opportunities in Westborough.

• Action SA-36.4.1: Support the development of a new park and bicycle and pedestrian trails along Skyline Boulevard in collaboration with Caltrans.

  Support the development of a new park and bicycle and pedestrian trails along Skyline Boulevard in collaboration with Caltrans.

Goal SA-38:

New residential infill development is encouraged in Winston Serra.

Policy SA-38.1: Explore housing development and open space on Serra Vista school site.

Work with the South San Francisco Unified School District to evaluate a medium-density housing development and a publicly accessible open space on the former Serra Vista school site. If the site redevelops, maintain a buffer between new development and existing homes to protect health and safety, preserve open space, and foster urban ecology.

Goal CHEJ-6:

Low-income residents have access to safe housing and shelter throughout South San Francisco.

Intent:

To enhance the quality of existing affordable housing and to expand housing opportunities and services for residents experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity.

Policy CHEJ-6.1: Strengthen programs to maintain a safe and sanitary supply of affordable housing.

Strengthen programs to maintain a safe and sanitary supply of affordable housing.

• Action CHEJ-6.1.1: Continue working with San Mateo Fall Prevention Task Force.

  Continue working with San Mateo Fall Prevention Task Force in creating safer homes for older adults.

• Action CHEJ-6.1.2: Establish lead and asbestos removal program.

  In cooperation with San Mateo County and other regional agencies, establish a lead-based paint and asbestos removal program for affordable housing units built before 1980.

Policy CHEJ-6.2: Enforce housing maintenance and building codes safety.

Enforce applicable provisions of the housing and building codes. Where implementation of applicable provisions may result in housing displacement, identify opportunities to ensure residents remain housed. Expand maintenance and abatement assistance programs for single (including mobile homes) and multi-family properties of low-income households. Support programs designed to rehabilitate deteriorated units through weatherization, modernization, and elimination of common home pollutants.

Policy CHEJ-6.3: Track HUD inspections.

Track and address annual United States Housing and Urban Development (HUD) inspections of publicly subsidized housing units.

Policy CHEJ-6.4: Strengthen programs to provide housing and services for unhoused residents.

Strengthen programs to provide housing opportunities and services for unhoused residents, including safe restrooms, permanent supportive housing, and services..

• Action CHEJ-6.4.1: Provide safe restroom facilities.

  Provide mobile shower, bathroom, and needle exchange sites and facilities for unhoused residents.

• Action CHEJ-6.4.2: Implement permanent supportive housing.

  Implement the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Housing First program once permanent supportive housing is available within the city.

• Action CHEJ-6.4.3: Provide services for unhoused families.

  Work with homeless service providers to prioritize legal help, housing assistance, and other social services for unhoused families in South San Francisco.

Policy CHEJ-6.5: Partner with the local shelters.

Continue to partner with the local shelter to provide cots for emergency shelter situations, including extreme heat and cold days.

Goal CHEJ-7:

Low-income households are protected from displacement. 

Intent:

To ensure existing low-income residents are able to continue to comfortably live in South San Francisco.

Policy CHEJ-7.1: Support residents who are at-risk of being displaced.

Reduce the rate of evictions and support low-income residents who are at-risk of being displaced.

• Action CHEJ-7.1.1: Provide renter education and assistance.

  Continue to connect low-income residents to city, county, state, and non-profit resources that provide technical, legal, and financial assistance for renters facing eviction.

• Action CHEJ-7.1.2: Develop anti-displacement plan.

  Develop an anti-displacement plan to halt displacement in the city, particularly in Downtown, Sign Hill, El Camino, and Sunshine Gardens, which may include a rent stabilization policy, just cause-eviction and harassment protections, tenant and landlord mediation programs, right of first refusal, rental assistance, tenant legal counseling, and a rent board to implement the program.

• Action CHEJ-7.1.3: Create a rental and eviction registry.

  Create a rental and eviction registry to assess rental market and eviction trends.

• Action CHEJ-7.1.4: Provide housing for people with disabilities.

  Add disability to the existing live-work preference policy to prioritize providing housing to people with disabilities.

Policy CHEJ-7.2: Create pathways for homeownership.

Support low-income residents in securing homeownership and establishing generational wealth in South San Francisco as a pathway to prevent displacement.

• Action CHEJ-7.2.1: Connect residents to mortgage assistance resources.

  Provide mortgage assistance to help low-income homeowners at risk of foreclosure with financial or counseling support. Provide residents with resources and connections to HEART of San Mateo County, a countywide homeowner assistance program, and other non-profit homeowner assistance programs.

Policy CHEJ-7.3: Encourage resident controlled limited-equity housing.

Encourage resident controlled limited-equity ownership, such as limited-equity condominiums, limited-equity cooperatives, and community land trusts.

Policy CHEJ-7.4: Expand housing funds and programs.

Continue to expand housing funds and ensure residents have access to home repair programs.

Policy CHEJ-7.5: Enforce fair housing laws.

Strictly enforce fair housing laws to protect residents from housing discrimination.

• Action CHEJ-7.5.1: Provide resident housing rights education.

  Provide education, outreach, and referral services for residents regarding their rights as tenants and buyers.

• Action CHEJ-7.5.2: Provide landlord housing rights education.

  Provide education and outreach to landlords, property managers, real estate agents, and others on their obligations as they make or manage properties available for housing.