Several residents used the Planning Commission’s public comment period on Oct. 7 to press the city for information about parcel records and to ask about a possible hotel proposal along El Camino Real.

Gargi Parikh, who said she lives next door to the Silicon Valley Inn, asked whether a recent email from the hotel’s owners proposing a five‑story hotel is “already with the planning commission.” Community Development Director Carlos D'Amelo responded that staff can meet with her and provided an email for follow up: “My name is Carlos Dimelo,” he said on the record, and added, “you could send it to cdimelo@belmont.gov, and I’d be happy to arrange that meeting.”

Two other residents, identified as Ashut Thresha and Arvind Chandra, raised concerns about multiple APN numbers and the city’s use of a “notice of merger” for contiguous parcels. Thresha described parcels with a single APN assigned to them and said the city’s recorded notice referenced the subdivision ordinance; Chandra said he had purchased a vacant lot and that the county assessor had consolidated APNs in spring 2023 but that the city appears to take a different position on whether a recorded notice of merger by itself creates a separate buildable lot. Both asked for clearer explanation from city staff; Director D'Amelo confirmed the city received Chandra’s recent email and invited both speakers to follow up directly.

A youth commenter, Skye Linebach, urged the commission to pursue more environmental action and voiced support for the Twin Pines Restoration Project.

Staff did not report any formal project or application before the commission related to the five‑story hotel during the meeting; Director D'Amelo offered to meet with interested residents and to follow up by email. The comments were taken during the community forum portion of the Oct. 7 meeting, which is reserved for matters not on the agenda.