Belmont Planning Commission Meeting - July 16, 2024

The Belmont Planning Commission met on Tuesday, July 16, 2024, at 7:00 PM in City Council Chambers. The meeting included approval of prior meeting minutes, a public hearing for a single-family design review and tree permit at 3711 Naughton Avenue, and an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) scoping session for the proposed 1301 Shoreway project. Chair Coolidge and Commissioner Twig were absent. Commissioners Meyer, Garovich, Kramer, Adam Kavich, and Vice Chair Majeski were present.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Meeting Minutes (November 21, 2023 and June 4, 2024): The commission voted separately on each set of minutes. The November 21, 2023 minutes were approved 4-1 (Commissioner Kavich abstained, not having been on the commission at that time) with two absent. The June 4, 2024 minutes were approved 4-1 (Commissioner Meyer abstained) with two absent.

Public Comments & Testimony

• 1301 Shoreway EIR Scoping: Nels DeLander, representing Carbers Local 217, spoke in favor of the project being built by a responsible general contractor that uses apprenticeships, provides healthcare, and pays a living wage, emphasizing safety and worker welfare.
• Written comments were received from the Department of Toxic Substances Control, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, the Sierra Club (concerned about biosafety levels—recommending no higher than BSL-2), and a resident (Rona Conendrum) expressing concerns about market saturation, traffic, and building heights.

Discussion Items

• 3711 Naughton Avenue - Single-Family Design Review & Tree Permit: Staff presented a proposal for a 127-square-foot ground floor addition and a 742-square-foot second story (869 total square feet), plus removal of a protected 38-inch suburban elm deemed in poor health and structurally unsafe. The applicant, Alex Zhang of Alex Sang Architects, described the design and addressed neighbor concerns about view blockage by providing elevation diagrams. The project met setback requirements and FAR limits. The commission found the design well-articulated and compliant with guidelines. No public comments were received. The commission approved Resolution 2024-009, 5-0, with the decision appealable within 10 calendar days.
• 1301 Shoreway EIR Scoping: The commission received a presentation from Tad Stern (Kimley Horn) on the CEQA process, project description (two office/life sciences buildings, 7-8 stories, 540,000+ square feet, adjacent to Belmont Creek and Bay Trail), and the 37-day Notice of Preparation (NOP) public comment period ending July 26, 2024. Commissioners discussed the need to study light pollution, bird strikes, recreation impacts on the Bay Trail, energy use, noise mitigation from Highway 101, biosafety levels, and potential LEED certification. No decision was made; the session was for gathering input on the EIR scope.

Key Outcomes

• Minutes Approved: Two sets of meeting minutes were approved with separate votes (details above).
• 3711 Naughton Avenue Approved: The single-family design review and tree removal permit were approved unanimously (5-0). The decision is appealable for 10 calendar days.
• 1301 Shoreway EIR Scoping: The public comment period remains open until July 26, 2024. The commission provided feedback on additional topics to include in the EIR. The draft EIR is expected for public review in September–October 2024, with final EIR and hearings in early 2025.
• Future Meeting Dates: Staff announced that the August 6, 2024 meeting would be rescheduled due to National Night Out; alternative dates (August 5 or 8) were proposed. Commissioners were asked to confirm availability for those dates and the regular August 20 meeting.