Belmont Planning Commission Meeting – April 15, 2025

The Belmont Planning Commission met on Tuesday, April 15, 2025, at 7:00 PM in City Council Chambers. The commission approved a single-family design review, recommended rezoning and general plan amendments for a Mid-Peninsula Water District property, and handled consent calendar items.

Consent Calendar

• Item 5A – Approval of March 4, 2025 Meeting Minutes: Approved 5-0 (Commissioner Kramer absent).
• Item 5B – Approval of April 1, 2025 Meeting Minutes: Commissioner Majeski noted that a comment by Commissioner Kramer under agenda item 4 (Commissioner Announcements) regarding a marijuana issue was omitted. The commission voted 5-0 to carry the minutes forward to the next meeting with that addition added.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Community Forum (Item 3): No speakers or written comments.
• Item 7A – 2106 Arthur Avenue: One virtual speaker (Zen Q) expressed concern about spring water drainage from the property affecting neighbors. The applicant acknowledged the issue and stated drainage improvements would be addressed during the building permit phase.
• Item 7B – 1510 Folger Drive & APN: 044-353-080: One virtual speaker, Matt Salazar (neighbor at 1513 Folger Drive), expressed support for the water district’s intended use (office/EOC) and requested that sidewalk improvements be considered as part of the project.

Discussion Items

• Item 7A – Single-Family Design Review for 2106 Arthur Avenue:

  • Planner Ruiz presented the proposal: a 1,094 sq ft second-story addition and a 627 sq ft ground-floor addition (1,721 total sq ft) to the existing 1,843 sq ft home, yielding a total of 3,498 sq ft (max permitted is 3,905 sq ft). The lot is 14,750 sq ft but effectively 12,703 sq ft due to a large access easement. The slope is 23%, allowing a floor area ratio of 0.454. Proposed height is 26 ft 7 in (max 28 ft). Setbacks exceed requirements. Staff recommended approval.
  • The applicant (Richie from Alexandra Architect) noted that the owner bought a dilapidated house, addressed neighbor concerns about privacy by showing that the addition would be screened by existing trees, and pledged to improve stormwater drainage during construction.
  • Commissioners had no further questions. All four voting commissioners (Commissioner Twig recused due to a proximity conflict) stated they could make the required findings. Motion to approve passed 4-0-1. The decision is appealable within 10 calendar days.

• Item 7B – Rezoning & General Plan Land Use Map Amendments for 1510 Folger Drive & APN: 044-353-080:

  • Staff (Tim Sheck) explained that the Mid-Peninsula Water District (MPWD) owns the site, currently zoned R1B with a General Plan designation of Residential Low Density. MPWD plans to renovate the existing two-story building to serve as an Emergency Operations Center (EOC) and satellite corporation yard. The proposed changes: rezone to Public/Semi-Public (PS) and change the General Plan designation to Public/Community Facilities (PCF). This would allow a 17-ft storage shed (exceeding the 15-ft residential limit) and align with other MPWD sites. CEQA exemption applies (Class 1, Section 15301B). Staff found consistency with the General Plan and Zoning Plan.
  • The applicant, Kat Wolfing (MPWD General Manager), explained that the existing operations center on Derry Lane flooded two winters ago, highlighting the need for a high-ground EOC. She stated the site has been owned for over 80 years and no significant traffic increase is expected. The commission discussed potential concerns about the PS zone allowing up to 45-ft structures, but MPWD confirmed no plans for large tanks or buildings beyond the proposed shed and renovations. Staff noted that if a new principal building is proposed, it would require separate design review by the commission.
  • Commissioners expressed support for the emergency preparedness purpose but voiced concern about the 45-ft height allowance adjacent to a residential neighborhood. Staff clarified that changes to the PS zone height would require a separate legislative action and cannot be done per parcel. The commission requested that the staff report to City Council include narrative about the height adjacency concern.
  • Two separate motions were made and seconded:
    1. Recommendation to City Council to adopt an ordinance amending the zoning designation – passed 5-0.
    2. Recommendation to City Council to adopt a resolution amending the General Plan land use map designation – passed 5-0. Both recommendations are scheduled for the May 13, 2025 City Council meeting.

• Item 8 – Other Business and Updates: Staff announced a community survey regarding the Barrett Community Center and city service priorities, available at belmont.gov/conversation.

Key Outcomes

• Approved single-family design review for 2106 Arthur Avenue (4-0-1, one recusal).
• Voted to carry forward April 1, 2025 meeting minutes with an amendment (5-0).
• Recommended to City Council the rezoning of 1510 Folger Drive and APN: 044-353-080 to Public/Semi-Public (PS) (5-0).
• Recommended to City Council the General Plan amendment to Public/Community Facilities (PCF) (5-0).
• Staff will include concerns about permitted height adjacency in the recommendation to City Council.
• The meeting adjourned at approximately 8:00 PM.