Belmont Planning Commission Special Meeting - November 4, 2024

The Belmont Planning Commission held a special meeting on Monday, November 4, 2024, at 7:00 PM in City Council Chambers. The meeting included public hearings on two residential development proposals and a draft Environmental Impact Report for a major commercial project. The commission approved both residential projects unanimously and heard public comments on the DEIR.

Consent Calendar

• The meeting began with a motion to continue the approval of meeting minutes for September 17, 2024, and October 1, 2024, due to insufficient quorum. The items were postponed to a future meeting.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Item 7A (3248 Lori Drive): James, a neighbor, expressed concerns about an existing unpermitted deck and retaining wall that encroach on his property. He urged that the hillside stabilization and drainage issues be addressed as a high priority and requested a clear point of contact during construction. He expressed general support for the homeowner's plans.
• Item 7C (1301 Shoreway Road DEIR):
  • Moises Villeda, a field representative for Carpenters Union Local 217, spoke in support of the project but urged the selection of a responsible general contractor that uses local subcontractors and supports apprenticeship programs, emphasizing the need to provide construction jobs to Belmont and San Mateo County residents.
  • Anthony Urbina, a business representative for Sheet Metal Workers Local 104, representing over 2,000 San Mateo County residents, expressed interest in discussing labor impacts with the developer and submitted a letter requesting careful review of environmental and public health impacts.

Discussion Items

• Item 7A – 3248 Lori Drive: Staff presented a proposal for a 595-square-foot upper-floor addition to an existing single-family home, bringing total net square footage to 3,075 (max permitted: 3,500). The project included removal of an encroaching deck and addressing drainage/retaining wall issues through conditions of approval. The commission commended neighbor collaboration and approved the design review (Resolution 2021-0059) with a 4-0 vote.
• Item 7B – 23 Somerset Court: Staff presented a proposal for a 423-square-foot ground-floor addition (total floor area 3,491 sq ft; max permitted: 7,697 sq ft) to a home in the Hallmark West planned development. The project also involved improving interior flow and adding a JADU. No public comments were received. The commission approved the Conditional Use Permit and Single-Family Design Review (4-0).
• Item 7C – 1301 Shoreway Road Draft EIR: Staff and consultants presented an overview of the project—a mixed-use life science and office development with two buildings totaling 541,000 sq ft and a parking structure on 6.91 acres. The DEIR analysis found that all significant environmental impacts can be mitigated to less-than-significant levels, with no significant unavoidable effects. The public comment period runs from October 8 to November 22, 2024. The commission received public testimony but took no action, as the hearing was for comment purposes only.

Key Outcomes

• Item 7A: Approved Single-Family Design Review at 3248 Lori Drive (Resolution 2021-0059). Vote: 4-0. Conditions include removal of encroaching deck and structural/drainage review during building permit phase.
• Item 7B: Approved Conditional Use Permit and Single-Family Design Review at 23 Somerset Court (Application 2024-0030). Vote: 4-0.
• Item 7C: Public hearing held; no action taken. The DEIR public comment period remains open until November 22, 2024 at 5:00 PM. All comments received will be addressed in the Final EIR, expected to be released in early 2025, followed by public hearings in March–April 2025.