Belmont Planning Commission Meeting - June 4, 2024

The Belmont Planning Commission met on Tuesday, June 4, 2024, at 7:00 PM in City Council Chambers. Five commissioners were present (Commissioners Gurevich, Kramer, Twig, Adam Kevich, and Chair Coolidge); Commissioners Meyer and Majeski were absent. The meeting covered three public hearings (two single-family design reviews and one continued complex project), a study session on the Twin Pines Park Stormwater Detention Basin Draft EIR, and a consistency finding for the FY2025 Capital Improvement Program.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Meeting Minutes (May 7, 2024): Approved unanimously (5-0).

Public Comments & Testimony

• 815 Hiller Street: A neighbor (grandson of adjacent resident) expressed full support via Zoom. An email from Mr. Bench also supported the project but raised concerns about construction pollutants and requested preservation of a redwood tree.
• 1506 Williams Street: Two neighbors from Winding Way (backyard adjacent) spoke in person, objecting to second-story windows overlooking their bedrooms and lack of privacy. Another neighbor (Vidya Sarma) spoke via Zoom with questions about foundation impacts, light blockage, ADU rental, and construction noise/duration. The architect (Faye Faye) and homeowner (Marco) spoke in favor of the project, noting outreach efforts and design modifications.
• Monte Cresta/Sequoia Way (Item 7C): One person (Richard Pendress) addressed the commission, requesting to be added to the notification list for future hearings, noting he had received no notice despite proximity.
• Twin Pines Park DEIR (Item 8A): No public comments were received at the meeting.

Discussion Items

• 815 Hiller Street – Single Family Design Review: The project proposed a 1,014-square-foot upper-floor addition (new second story) and a 438-square-foot ground-floor addition (total 1,452 sf addition). Resulting gross floor area would be 3,054 sf (permitted 3,145 sf). Lot size: 7,436 sf, average upslope 5.41%. Staff recommended approval, finding compliance with design criteria and no public view impacts. The applicant (Lisa Wellman, Plan A Design Group) described design strategies to reduce bulk and maintain privacy. Commissioners praised the design and supported the project. A question about reflective roofing standards was raised but not part of the project. No tree impacts were identified.
• 1506 Williams Street – Single Family Design Review: The project proposed a 1,279-square-foot upper-floor addition (new second story) and an 801-square-foot ground-floor addition (total 2,085 sf addition). Resulting gross floor area would be 4,025 sf (maximum allowed). Lot size: 13,500 sf, downslope 14.23%. A large-lot setback averaging 18.5 feet applied (actual setbacks exceeded requirements). An attached ADU (765 sf) is ministerial and not under review. Staff recommended approval. The architect noted community outreach and design adjustments. Commissioners discussed context (neighborhood mix of lot sizes), confirmed the project meets all development standards, and noted that privacy and private view impacts are not part of design review for this project (no floor area exception). The architect explained the ADU rental restrictions (long-term only). Commissioner Twig inquired about landscaping and a pond; both are existing or not part of this application. The commission approved the project.
• Item 7C – Monte Cresta Drive and Sequoia Way – Hillside Roadway Improvement Plan (Continued): Staff requested a further continuance to a date uncertain, citing additional CEQA analysis and response to public comments. The commission voted to continue (5-0). Full public notice will be provided for the rescheduled hearing.
• Item 8A – Twin Pines Park Stormwater Detention Basin Project Draft EIR: Public Works staff and an environmental consultant (ESA) presented the project. The underground detention basin (five-acre-foot phase one, four-acre-foot phase two) will be built under the City Hall parking lot to reduce downstream flooding in the Harbor Industrial Area. Construction of phase one (May 2025 – April 2027) would close the parking lot and parts of Twin Pines Lane. The Draft EIR identifies significant unavoidable impacts to tribal cultural resources, mitigated through a data recovery plan and tribal coordination. The 45-day comment period runs May 14 – June 28, 2024. No decision was required; the commission provided feedback, including clarifications on table 5.1 (alternative comparison) and tree removal count (seven trees). Commissioners asked about sediment reuse, pollutant capture, and the depth/alternatives. No public comments were offered at the meeting.
• Item 8B – Fiscal Year 2025 Capital Improvement Program – General Plan Consistency Review: The commission found the FY2025 CIP (62 projects, $25.4 million budget, $83 million five-year plan) consistent with the Belmont 2035 General Plan and Belmont Village Specific Plan. The action is categorically exempt from CEQA (Section 15306). Commissioner Twig noted the unfunded backlog for street maintenance ($33 million). The resolution was adopted (5-0).

Key Outcomes

• 815 Hiller Street: Approved (Motion 2024-0014, 5-0). Appealable within 10 calendar days.
• 1506 Williams Street: Approved (Application 2024-004, 5-0). Appealable within 10 calendar days.
• Monte Cresta/Sequoia Way: Continued to a date uncertain (5-0). Notice to be provided.
• Twin Pines Park DEIR: No action taken; public comment period open until June 28, 2024, at 5:00 PM.
• FY2025 CIP Consistency: Resolution adopted (5-0).
• Next Meeting: Scheduled for July 2, 2024, subject to commissioner availability; no time-sensitive items currently pending.