[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6604917,"mediaKeyId","3025739-cdf49068328dc931a500526a6bb0750d","parentId",3025739,"title","Planning commission recommends rezoning, general‑plan amendment for MidPen water site at 1510 Folger Drive","audioSeconds",2233,"startMs",1255000,"endMs",3488000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3025739-cdf49068328dc931a500526a6bb0750d&start=1255&end=3488","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3025739-cdf49068328dc931a500526a6bb0750d/thumbnail_1255000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6604917/Belmont-City/San-Mateo-County/California/Planning-commission-recommends-rezoning-generalplan-amendment-for-MidPen-water-site-at-1510-Folger-Drive","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6604917-c8c00202b0c4d9801838f63a081b452f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771200663&Signature=jGgRB2ZC8XeUb7pZ902GQRsEDzt6HHAyc36xTuVFyr8K59nLwl6ueW9S~nOTqOWC3ErzU5C-Edq1FpgFsqGjeMVHEeWq1QpdAorca8iqbPW0hWknAM5LQebIXqDoppYrToUH9bt2XkwHyOd3if6zGalBQnXCMyEzl-n1FwkKGY71L7r23qxyHKYAGAquB1hofL7pm42Rgc73uy-ZwoQ1LxWlcDdWNzjIiZ-d8zl51zuIqPWXYyeS6ebZSwwJAnhw-W9E6bObb8PpEiOsc4qN2TBlP7Jtm61WbH3RlBK7lbc2W-R~jG1r3m9gvwKe8pZ-k16EW6iodoARtJSHVJWB1g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Belmont City","date","2025-04-15T00:00:00Z","article","The Belmont Planning Commission on April 15, 2025 voted unanimously to recommend that the City Council rezone 1510 Folger Drive (APNs 044‑352‑050 and 044‑353‑080) from R1B (single‑family residential) to Public and Semi‑Public (PS) and amend the general plan land‑use designation from Residential Low Density to Public/Community Facilities (PCF). The commission’s two separate recommendations—one for the zoning map and one for the general plan map—both passed 5‑0 and will be forwarded to the City Council for final action.

City staff said the rezone and plan‑map amendment would align the property’s regulatory status with its current and planned use by the local water utility, described in the record as Community Peninsula Water District (also referenced historically as Belmont Water District) or MidPen. Staff explained the action is a legislative, phase‑1 step: it changes land‑use and zoning designations so the utility can later pursue site improvements through a subsequent design‑review process (phase 2). The staff report recommended a Class 15301(b) CEQA categorical exemption for work on existing public utility facilities.

Representatives from the water district, including general manager Kat Wolfing, told the commission the site has historic use as a tank and pump site and that the district intends to renovate the two‑story building and add storage and landscaping to create a satellite operations center and corporate yard to support emergency response. Wolfing said the district’s primary operations center on Dairy Lane flooded during recent storms; the Folger Drive site’s higher elevation makes it strategically valuable as a redundant operations location during floods or earthquake responses.

Staff and the applicant described planned improvements including an office renovation, EV parking and a metal storage shed up to 17 feet tall. Staff noted that some improvements (for example a storage shed reaching 17 feet) would not be permitted under the current R1B zoning. The PS district in Belmont’s zoning code carries development standards (including a maximum height standard of 45 feet) that staff said are appropriate to public‑utility sites and would streamline the district’s ability to make necessary operational improvements. Staff emphasized that phase 2—the design review for any new structures—will return to planning commission and be subject to the city’s development standards and design‑review process.

Commissioners and members of the public raised questions about the effect of the PS zoning’s 45‑foot maximum on neighborhood scale. Staff said height is measured from adjacent finished grade and that the district does not currently propose structures near that height—representatives said the immediate plan is for a 17‑foot shed and modest site improvements. Commissioners asked that staff include language about adjacency and height concerns in the materials forwarded to council; staff agreed to include the commission’s discussion and neighbor concerns in the report to council.

Neighbors who spoke at the public hearing and by Zoom said they appreciated the district’s emergency‑preparedness goal but asked questions about traffic, site maintenance, security, pedestrian access and whether the easement across the site would remain. A nearby resident, Matt Salazar (1513 Folger), suggested sidewalk improvements on the opposite side of the street as part of future work. Staff and the district said the parcel’s existing easement would remain and that security and maintenance measures are part of the district’s property management plans.

The commission’s actions were recorded as recommendations to the City Council; staff will prepare the ordinance and resolution for council consideration (targeted in staff comments for the May 13 meeting).","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Belmont City - Planning Commission Meeting - Apr 15, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Belmont Planning Commission on April 15, 2025 voted 5‑0 to recommend the City Council rezone 1510 Folger Drive from single‑family residential to Public and Semi‑Public (PS) and to amend the general plan to Public/Community Facilities.","taxTitle","Belmont City, San Mateo County, California","taxId",68612,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6604922,"Planning commission approves second‑story addition at 2106 Arthur Avenue",724,478000,1202000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3025739-cdf49068328dc931a500526a6bb0750d&start=478&end=1202","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3025739-cdf49068328dc931a500526a6bb0750d/thumbnail_478000.jpg","/articles/6604922/Belmont-City/San-Mateo-County/California/Planning-commission-approves-secondstory-addition-at-2106-Arthur-Avenue","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6604922-4c185cab6d58f26765638e54295c4fd0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771200663&Signature=T45vh0R3RkGETGOOLYpVPAGHrn5kdusEsPLtudPQABx-ehRe7o1OPI0SJy1V92vMpGyfzY58GVHmId3CaGIsuEek8aZc2jd7w~PE6898KAovZJmqiPhYSp-~2NUsrOi3uoW0LjYGVp4FCU3qPax74R5IBFNBAopPqvXw9PceMae64-kKdKTof4XEo5AOb0q3054Pzi6DGlCFHfqXEFJDzDuvWHYuWiH7RaHOjrTHrotHn2GawOEcXU~d78aB0a-A~~QhwO6yxl9EqVLG7u74NZPKbmy-JmQTTLSG2XEv4kq8Z4q28~XYaccOjOviHXNBBWx6O~FY1JyZIoiO~fSZkA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Belmont Planning Commission on April 15, 2025 approved a single‑family design review for 2106 Arthur Avenue, permitting a new second story and a lower‑level expansion. The motion passed 4‑0 with one abstention; one commissioner who had a proximity conflict did not participate.

Staff told commissioners the proposal would add 1,094 square feet on an upper floor and expand the lower floor by 627 square feet for a total post‑project gross floor area of 3,498 square feet, below the maximum allowed for the lot. The effective lot size was described as 12,703 square feet after accounting for an access easement; staff said the permitted maximum gross floor area for lots of 10,000 square feet or greater is 3,905 square feet. Setbacks presented in staff materials showed front: 44 feet; right: 16 feet; left: 12 feet; rear: 35 feet 9 inches. Staff recommended approval, finding the additions were consistent with the city’s residential design guidelines and would not exceed the 28‑foot height limit for the location.

In response to commissioner questions and public comment, staff and the applicant said drainage and stormwater control measures would be reviewed and required during the building‑permit review with involvement by planning, building, and public works. The applicant, Richie of Alexan Architects, told the commission the property was in poor condition when the owner purchased it and that the owner decided to expand. Richie said neighbors raised concerns about privacy and drainage at the neighborhood meeting; he said the applicant superimposed the proposed addition into neighbor photos and believed the addition would remain screened by existing trees.

A Zoom speaker, identified in the record as Zen Q, told the commission that a nearby spring feeds water down through the neighborhood and asked whether the districting of spring flow could be rerouted; the speaker also cited a past backyard flood. The commission and staff replied that stormwater and site drainage would be addressed during the building‑permit stage and that any required erosion control or drainage improvements would be reviewed before construction.

After deliberation, a commissioner moved to adopt a resolution approving the single‑family design review (application number given in the record as 2020Five‑six). The motion was seconded and carried by recorded vote: four ayes, one abstention; the record notes one recusal/abstention related to a proximity conflict. The planning commission’s approval is appealable within 10 calendar days, and staff noted building‑permit review will follow the design approval.

The commission’s action covers only the design‑review approval on this parcel; permits addressing drainage, grading, and erosion control will be required during the separate building‑permit process.","The Belmont Planning Commission approved a single‑family design review for a two‑story addition at 2106 Arthur Avenue on April 15, 2025, by a 4‑0 vote with one abstention. Staff said the proposed project meets zoning and residential design guidelines; drainage and stormwater issues will be addressed at the building‑permit stage.","actionData","errors"]

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Planning commission recommends rezoning, general‑plan amendment for MidPen water site at 1510 Folger Drive

Planning commission approves second‑story addition at 2106 Arthur Avenue