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San Bruno council approves TCP cleanup and bundled cannabis code changes after public comment
Summary
The City Council introduced zoning map and code amendments to align the Transit Corridors Plan with existing mixed‑use districts, cancel the Mills Park development agreement, and approved minor cannabis‑code updates (curbside pickup subject to police approval; medical access for 18–20 with physician recommendation; signage language allowed) as part of a bundled package voted 4–0 with one recusal.
The San Bruno City Council voted to introduce a package of zoning and municipal‑code amendments that staff described as cleanup to implement the 2013 Transit Corridors Plan (TCP) and to streamline several related code provisions.
The ordinance package rezones the Civic Center and several PD parcels in the TCP area into the adjacent mixed‑use districts (TOD‑2/CBD) to provide coherent development standards; it allows public‑safety facilities to remain permitted in mixed‑use districts; permits ground‑floor residential in the central business district to support housing goals; and cancels the Mills Park development agreement at the request of the applicant. Staff said these changes do not require additional environmental review.
The package also bundled minor commercial‑cannabis code amendments. Staff recommended three targeted changes: allow curbside pickup if protocols are approved by the police chief, permit medical customers aged 18–20 with a physician’s recommendation to access products, and allow a discreet signage option that may include the word “dispensary.” The planning commission recommended approval of most code amendments but voted against permitting the word “dispensary” on signage (4–0 with one recusal). Staff said the signage change was framed to preserve discretion and minimize public visibility.
Multiple public speakers—including labor representatives and Embark (the local cannabis retailer) executives—urged the council to adopt the three cannabis changes. Embark’s representatives said the changes align local code with state law, would improve patient access, permit curbside service to seniors and people with mobility challenges, and enable modest signage so customers can find the store. The police chief said he had seen no policing or parking problems at the storefront and that curbside operations could be conditioned to meet security and enforcement standards.
Councilmember Hamilton moved the staff package including the signage change (attachment 4); Mayor Rico Medina seconded. The motion passed 4–0 with Councilmember Salazar recused (the recusal was because some parcels under consideration were within 1,000 feet of his residence). Staff will bring the ordinances back for formal adoption steps in the coming meetings.
Vote: motion passed 4–0 (Salazar recused).
