All right, good evening, everyone.

Uh welcome to the City of Belmont's Planning Commission meeting for Tuesday, July 21st.

Uh it is 701.

Uh, and we have a quorum and we're ready to roll.

But before turning to the agenda uh items, uh, we'll give some um instructions on how to attend and participate um uh in tonight's meeting.

Uh for meeting attendance.

Uh the meeting is being broadcast live to all Belmont residents on Comcast Cable 27.

It's also streamed live via the city's website at Belmont.gov, and it's available uh via Zoom.

And the instructions for uh accessing the Zoom link for tonight's meeting are included in the agenda for public comment.

Um there are three ways to submit public comment.

One, um, one can uh comment in chambers uh by submitting a speaker slip to our clerk, and um you'll then have uh three minutes to submit your comment at the lectern.

Um also one can uh submit public comment uh via the the zoom app using the raised hand feature and again uh instructions for for uh doing that are included in the agenda.

And lastly, um uh one can uh submit written public comments uh for items on the agenda, and so long as those uh written comments are received by uh 4 p.m.

today, uh they will be uh considered uh by the commission.

So with those uh instructions, I think we can uh turn to a roll call, please.

Okay, um Commissioner Adam Kavich.

Here.

Takahashi?

Here.

Chair Coolidge?

Here.

Twig, yeah, Jadala here.

And absent tonight is Commissioner Kramer and Majeski.

Great, thank you very much.

We are accounted for.

Uh item two is the Pledge of Allegiance.

If we could um stand if you're able, and I'll lead us in a pledge.

The flag is here.

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and the Republic.

For what just stands one nation under God with liberty and justice for all.

Great.

Thank you very much.

Uh turning to item three, that's our community forum.

Uh, this is the portion of the agenda uh reserved for persons wishing to address the commission on um matters within our purview that uh are not included on tonight's agenda.

Um I think I'll see from staff if we have any um firstly any um anyone in chambers who'd like to submit comment for this item three.

Um no speaker slips in-house.

We do have one raised hand on Zoom.

Great.

Let's let's turn to that that um that member of the public, please.

Okay, um, Viola, go ahead on Zoom, you'll have three minutes.

Hello, um, my name is Viola Shedda.

I live here in Belmont, and I'm going into 12th grade this year.

I'm here to encourage Belmont to explore incentives for developers to include LiveWork units and new housing projects within the Belmont Caltrain Transit Corridor, because after doing research about the housing issues going on in our community, I think this is a great way to prioritize both the needs of citizens and developers.

As you know, Belmont is required to accommodate 1,785 new housing units by 2031, as much of that growth will occur in district one.

At the same time, state laws such as the density bonus law and Senate Bill 35 have significantly reduced the city's ability to acquire ground floor commercial space and new developments, as we've seen in the development at 500 to 580 Muslim May, and the resulting pushback from the community.

I believe that increasing the supply of housing, especially affordable housing, is incredibly important.

However, making sure neighborhoods where people can easily access services, jobs, and community spaces are just as important, um, especially in those new developments.

So I think that one practical solution to preserving the mixed use nature of neighborhoods while accommodating the preferences of developers is encouraging live work units where developers do not want to build when developers do not want to build ground form commercial units because they're classified as residential under the California building code.

They're generally easier to finance for developers, can be applicable for density bonuses, and can still support small businesses, entrepreneurs, and active streets.

Rather than imposing mandates, Belmont could offer incentives such as expedited permit review or reduced impact fees, though I am aware that this is a less useful option as the city is in a funding deficit for projects that include ground level live work units.

Thank you so much for your time and for the interesting feedback council members have provided.

And I look forward to engaging more on this topic.

Thank you.

Great, thank you very much, Miss Seda.

That was very impressive.

I just want to say for the record that I did speak with her late spring when she was putting together her analysis, and just super, super impressive.

So smart, and uh our future is in great hands.

Um just super neat to see someone from them being so interested in this topic that is that is obviously a very, very important topic.

So just wanted to kind of say thank you for that comment and recognize the awesomeness of her participation.

Great.

Uh any other raised hands on Zoom for item three.

No other raised hands.

Um I will note that we have one written comment that was submitted by the member of the public who just spoke.

Yes.

Um, that I think she summarized in her comments over Zoom and wondering if we had any additional written comments for item three received before 4 p.m.

today.

We did not.

And in fact, I've engaged with Miss Seda uh earlier today.

We've traded emails and phone numbers and hope to get onto a conversation with her to talk about context and her ideas and perspectives.

Very, very impressive.

I definitely agree.

The future's in great hands, and it's always nice to talk housing policy.

So cool.

But no other comments received on the CDV website um before 4 p.m.

Great, thank you.

Uh so that concludes uh item three, our community forum.

Item four um is for commissioner announcements and an agenda amendments.

I'll see if anyone here on the dais has any uh announcements.

No, no.

Okay, and I don't have any announcements, and I'll see if uh staff has any uh amendments to our agenda.

No amendments to our relatively light agenda.

Thank you.

Great, love it.

Item five is our consent business.

We have one item uh on consent.

It's item five A.

It's the approval of the June 16th, 2026 meeting minutes.

So this is the time to discuss if there's any um corrections, clarifications, revisions from um the commission.

And if not, we can uh entertain a motion for approval.

No, I have no comments, but I will make a motion towards approving the minutes of June 16th, 2026.

Great, thank you.

Is there a second?

I second.

Okay, it's been moved and seconded.

Okay, Commissioner Adam Kavich?

Aye.

Fakahashi?

Aye.

Jared Coolich?

Aye.

Twig?

Aye.

Jadala?

Aye.

Okay, motion passes five zero for the June 16th, 2026 minutes.

Great.

Thank you very much.

That concludes item five.

Item six is our um it's reserved for our study sessions, and we do not have a study session uh uh tonight.

So we'll move on to item seven, uh, which is our public hearings section of the agenda.

And we have one item, that's item 7A.

It's a single family design review for 1141 Villa Avenue.

And before turning to the staff presentation, I'll see if anyone has any uh ex-party communications or uh recusals for this item.

Um site visit, site visit only.

I have nothing to report.

I have nothing to report.

Nothing to report.

Okay.

Hello, commissioners.

This is for a single family tier three design review for 1141 Villa Avenue.

As always for the findings for the design review, the design review for addition should be well designed, articulated, and consistent.

The public use should not be impacted, as well as that it should be compliant with residential design guidelines and criteria.

For what is proposed, it will be for an addition of 1,159 square feet in order to develop a new second story at the existing single family home.

Uh which noted for the lot summary will be 5,571 square feet.

The slope is 15.71, which allows for a floor area ratio of 0.506.

And that allows them to have a maximum gross floor area of 2,819.

The existing home is 1,273.

What is proposed is 2,432, which is still under the noted floor area ratio and maximum size of 0.506 and 2,819, respectively.

For the proposed plan, uh before you is the site plan, the front to the new addition of the second story is 18 feet two inches.

The sides for the left will be 12 feet 5 inches to the new wall, and the side to the right will be 12 feet 3 inches.

Regarding the current zoning of R1C, which requires a front 15 foot setback, a side yard of 7 feet 6 inches, as well as a rear yard of 15 feet.

Noted in the board and batten home with existing porch and single story uh design layout, uh more of a cabin-esque look.

Uh but now this is the proposed elevation.

You can see the second story, the double uh two roof style in order to give more articulation and more of visual interest for the front elevation.

Uh you can see that the second story is also stepped back further on the bit on the base plate.

Um it is proportionally smaller in size in that regard.

Um the windows are um varied in sizes in order to give more dynamic looks.

Um overall, it has increased in height, uh, but it is still well below the required 28 feet uh limitation per the zoning.

Before you now is the left elevation.

Um you can see it is just a pitched roof along with a uh vertical side or sideboarding um board and but uh uh board and batten, and it continues that kind of aesthetic, uh just now going up.

Um to the left rear yard in where I'm circling now, it's slightly pushed back.

Um the front is now more uh more prominent.

There are limited amount of windows on the upper story, but um they are overall designed to not try to look as much into the privacy yards of the um existing neighbors.

However, that while they are not a requirement to uh respect privacy, uh they did their best to maintain uh a semblance of privacy and trying to be cordial uh to their existing neighbors on site.

And over here, you're able to still see the uh proposed balcony that is projecting.

Similar to the right side elevation, there's an existing uh again pitched roof, but this time they also have this side has a chimney.

Uh the chimney's being demo and removed for this again variants of just developing up uh with again with the balcony and varied uh windows in order to give that again respect to privacy uh limitations.

And for the rear yard elevations, um that is where the primary uh aspect of the again that balcony as well as the sliding doors in order to enter the balcony and get the view aspects that the applicant is desired, um, as well as just enjoying their overall again, board and batten aesthetic.

For the color and materials board, and also as a visual representation of release of the front elevation, uh the black will uh there'll be black trim and fascia, uh wooden accents, um, two different styles of roofs, one being metal, uh which is on the lower roof line, and then the other being composite shingle, uh, which is at the second uh upper level.

Uh the railings will be also decorated in the metal uh metal black.

Um there'll be white board and batted vertical sidings, and then again more black trim.

Thank you.

Great.

Thank you for that presentation.

Uh I'll see if the applicant has um presentation of their own.

This is not required, but this is your time to present if you'd like to do so.

I heard it was a perfect presentation.

Well, thanks.

Okay.

Wow, that's the bar has been set.

Um amazing.

So um I guess we'll turn now to questions from um the commission.

Anyone have any questions?

I must uh have one question, it's just kind of curious.

Uh what was the reason for having two different roof styles?

I will leave that to the applicant and the designer who's here on uh file.

Um you please step to the podium and speak into the mic so they can hear you, as well as be on record.

And also please introduce yourself.

I'm the architect uh Thailon Ka.

I'm the architect uh Tai Long Ka.

So uh for two types of uh uh roof material is uh is more or less uh to to make the the building looks more interesting.

And for the lower roof, because it's a lower, so it's more visible from the street and from other uh underground.

So that way it altered the material to make it more interesting.

So the main roof we use the shingles.

Yeah, that's that that will blend into the surrounding neighborhood.

So usually we alternate these two and uh uh mato roof, we will use on the lower and uh smaller size areas so you can see from the roof plan and also the elevation.

I hope that helped.

Hey, yeah, that yeah, I was just kind of curious.

To me, uh they're both major components of the building.

It to me it just looks a little bit odd having two different types.

I I I personally would have thought it looked better if you had one type, one or the other.

Right, right, right.

Yeah, so in most cases you expect like uh they all have the same material, but we do have uh many designs that are like different uh uh materials, especially when the areas of the roof they are different.

You don't want like a half to be one material and have to be another.

That will look sold.

So in this case, the elevations they are different, and uh lower roof are substantially small size.

So that's exactly the place we want to make more interest.

Right.

And that that's why I'm not too concerned about it because of the amount of it, it's much smaller.

Right, right.

But I was more or less kind of curious why you chose the okay, thank you.

Was that it?

Any additional questions?

Anyone else?

I do.

I just I had the same question about the roof, but I feel like that satisfies my curiosity.

On the uh southeast elevation, can you just talk us through the articulation?

So the articulation as a whole, that that one, yeah.

The articulation of the as a whole is there, but this elevation seems very flat, and I just wonder what the recess of the windows is on this side, and if there's anything else happening on this particular wall.

When you assess articulation, do you do it as all elevate elevations or is it elevation?

It's based on each elevation.

Um in terms of articulation, they for their proposed uh their proposal, they decided to use residential design criteria for daylight plane, and that is how they address this portion for the elevations, despite it being flat.

In terms of um the residential design guidelines for having facades for trying to prevent as much the second story, they implemented as much of the windows that they can or variants windows as well as window trim to at least add some aspects to that.

Um, but they're not fully compliant in that regard.

Thank you.

Thank you.

I think a similar question came up on our uh previous meeting.

So um thank you for for that explanation.

Uh I think it's it's a good question.

So any additional questions.

No.

Okay.

And I don't have any questions.

So I think we'll turn to public comment.

Um anyone in chambers wish to comment on this item.

Um no speakers in-house and no raised hands on Zoom for this item.

Great.

And Director Domello, any written comments submitted before 4 p.m.

today for this item?

We have not received any.

Great.

With that, then I will uh close the public hearing.

Um I guess I'll go back in time and open the public hearing.

Uh submit, ask for comments, and now I'll having received no comments, I will now close the public hearing.

Um and uh we'll turn to commissioner deliberation.

I had a little deliberation.

It's actually a question.

I didn't see any feedback from the outreach at all.

Just I only saw what they sent out.

I saw nothing back.

Is that correct?

Or did you receive any feedback from your outreach?

Uh per the summary that was provided, and as well as confirmation from the applicant, um the the mails were sent out, um the any particular meeting was held, but no one attended, um, and no feedback was actually gained.

However, they um did um have personal correspondence um when it comes to the chats, and they all seem supportive, but I will leave it to the applicants if they wish to come up to address that portion.

Maybe if you could just come to the lectern and and confirm what was represented that um there weren't any any written comments uh received in response to your outreach, but there were maybe some verbal comments you received.

My name is Ewing Santiago, and the property owner of one one for one Vela Avenue, and then I'm the applicant.

Um I I as uh Jeremy say I mail out uh my proposal and no none of my neighbor had uh any comment.

Uh I mean come plan.

However, uh because everybody are very close to each other.

Like when I just move in, like people come say hi.

Umber.

So um well, I have a I'm very lucky.

Two two years ago I'm moving.

Everybody are very uh friendly in my neighborhood.

And then um I have a dog, so when I want my dog, I meet all my neighbor, and then they just very exciting for my project, and they asked support it.

And the only question as just keep asking me, like when when you are you gonna build?

That's all.

Like when you're gonna start your project.

And I said, I don't know.

I need to go through the process and make sure everything's okay.

That that's it.

Great, thank you.

Great.

Thank you.

You can at least potentially check this portion off your off your list, though.

We'll see what comes of the vote.

But um, anyone else like to uh deliberate.

A comment was which I like the fact that the I guess it in the initial um paperwork, initial proposal, there were there was tree removal, and then you've taken that out of the equation, which is which is nice in doing the site.

Is that I noticed some nice mature trees around the house.

Great.

Yeah, I can I can generally make the findings.

It looks like a good project.

And on a minor point.

I really liked that you had your existing and you proposed on the single sheets.

That's so nice and clear.

To see what changes you're making.

That was really useful and thank you.

Great.

Anyone else wish to comment?

Yeah, generally I I like the architecture of it.

Uh the massing is good and how you broke it down.

Um it's simple but elegant.

I like it.

Um the roofing was a little bit odd to me, but not that big big of a deal.

Uh, my only other comment was uh the civil drawings appear to have the wrong address.

That's about one one four-one instead of one.

They wrote one four-one one.

But that's it.

But always good.

Great, thank you.

Great.

Yeah, I agree.

I can I can make the findings.

Um I agree that I appreciate the preservation of the trees.

It's always nice to do that where where possible.

Um, and just uh uh minor suggestion, which I I make to many applicants, which is to consider um cool roof shingles if you haven't already, which can significantly help reduce your cooling bills and and help us with our global warming goals.

So please consider those for your asphalt shingles.

That looks great.

Thank you.

Great.

Thank you to everyone for those thoughtful comments.

I have nothing to add.

I can make the findings as well.

So I think we have consensus and um I think maybe someone can propose a motion.

Well, I've got it open, so I will make a motion to approve the resolution of the planning commission of the city of Belmont, approving a single family design review at 1141 Villa Avenue.

Application number 2025-0021.

Um I'm just second vote.

Okay.

It's been moved and seconded.

Let's take a vote, please.

Okay, Commissioner Adam Kevich.

Aye.

Takahashi?

Aye.

Chair Coolidge?

Aye.

Twig?

Aye.

Jadala?

Aye.

Motion passes 5-0 for 1141 Villa Avenue, single family design review.

Great.

Thank you very much.

Congratulations.

You can tell your neighbors that, as I mentioned, this part is at least checked off your list.

Um, and this matter is uh appealable within 10 calendar days.

Good luck with your project.

Great.

That concludes um our uh public hearings portion of the agenda.

Um next is item eight, which is other business and updates, and I'll turn to Director De Mello to see if there's anything to discuss.

Absolutely.

Sure.

Quick.

Um first of all, uh, thanks for your attendance tonight for this meeting.

Umly one in July.

You do not have any August meetings.

Your August 4th meeting uh is national night out, so that will be a great event to be in attendance.

So no meeting typically occurs on those nights.

And then we don't have any business that's pressing for your August 18th meeting, so we're gonna be proposing cancellation of that one as well.

We should have some agenda items ready for your first meeting in September, which is September 1st.

So you get the month of August off, just like the city council doesn't have any meetings as well.

Um Grand Opening for the Rome project, the 125 unit all affordable project at 800 Belmont Avenue is uh shaping up for those first two weeks in September.

Um they've asked for a guest list, if you will, so um the commission will be invited to attend that event.

It should be in the middle of the day, not sure how that comports with your schedule, but we're looking at potentially uh a Tuesday or Wednesday of the week of the 8th or a Tuesday Wednesday of the week of the uh 12th.

Um again, like 11-ish to 2 o'clock.

So if you're around, it can make it.

Uh should be a really nice event.

And we're just trying to zero in on those dates, but wanted to give you kind of an early warning.

That's that's that's where we're kind of heading to for that uh grand opening celebration and event for that project.

Um and then finally, um, really appreciated the commission's feedback and comments that you gave us at a couple of uh public hearings in May and June about uh about neighborhood outreach.

Um you had given us some kind of targeted feedback about when we do it, the kinds of things that we should be looking for, continual changes and improvements.

Should we have secondary meetings when the project designs change, and we're taking a look at our strategy, and we're taking into account the comments that you made, and that we're gonna look at some potential changes.

So um thank you again for your feedback.

It was good, it was helpful for us, and um it should um serve us going forward.

So while it's not on tonight's agenda, just wanted to make sure that you knew that we're taking your feedback to heart, and we certainly appreciate it.

So that's really it from me.

Um from a Carlos window clock perspective.

Um this is my second to last meeting.

Um I um have tonight's meeting, and then September 1st will be my last meeting with the city at the Planning Commission.

I'm gonna be retiring in a couple days after that.

So um, so that's it for me.

Uh it's been a I mean, obviously, I'll do this on September 1st, but it's been a pleasure working with all of you to all the commissions that I've worked with over the 26 and a half years with the city.

So um exciting, bittersweet, sad, lots of tears, but also looking forward to the next phases in in my life.

So um I just thank you all for everything that you've done.

You've made this commission good, if if not great, um, and appreciate the thoughtful, careful consideration that you've given to pretty much every project.

You've kind of made us work, which is a good thing.

You've you've like give us given us an opportunity to make improvements um to make ourselves better, to make the process better.

And um we certainly like that.

I mean, if you were just to look at your packets and say, this sounds great, we're done.

That's one thing.

But when you're thoughtful, you're um provide good solid feedback for us.

We're always out to improve, and that's been the case with this commission and past commissions.

But I'd really have enjoyed working with all of you, and I thank you for that.

Um, I'm definitely gonna miss this.

Um it'll be nice to have Tuesday nights back, but um but I'll but I'll definitely miss being in Belmont being around people, being around the humanity and the collaboration and kind of the understanding and things that have kind of shaped a significant portion of my life.

So don't get all kind of tear tears here, but um anyway, just want to let you know that and I'll wrap it up now and more to come, but um hope you enjoy the rest of the night and the rest of your July and August and happy summer.

Well, thank you.

I think we'll probably save our goodbyes until September 1st.

Absolutely.

So thank you for those comments and thank you to staff for the presentation tonight.

Yeah.

Um, and um we are adjourned.

Adjourned at 729.

I said 7:30, and I nailed it.

So cool.

I took the understanding.