MidPen Water seeks zoning amendments for emergency operations center in Belmont

The Belmont City Planning Commission meeting on April 15, 2025, focused on a significant proposal regarding the alignment of zoning and general plan designations for a property operated by Midpeninsula Water District. The proposed amendments aim to enhance the district's emergency response capabilities and ensure consistency with existing land use maps.

During the meeting, city staff presented the first phase of the project, which involves legislative actions to align zoning with the intended use of the property. This phase is crucial for setting the groundwork for future improvements. The second phase will include a detailed design review of the proposed enhancements to the site.

Kat Wolfing, the general manager of Midpen Water, emphasized the importance of the project, noting that the site has been a vital part of the community's water supply for over 95 years. She highlighted the vulnerability of their current operations center to flooding and earthquakes, stressing that the proposed facility would serve as an emergency operations center, improving the district's ability to respond to natural disasters.

Commission members raised questions about the expected traffic levels associated with the site, with Wolfing assuring them that there would be no significant increase in traffic, as the site is primarily used for storage and staging during major projects.

The commission is set to recommend approval of the amendments to the city council, paving the way for the next steps in the project. This initiative is seen as a critical move to bolster the community's infrastructure and emergency preparedness in the face of potential natural disasters.