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Residents raise concerns about Belmont’s certificates-of-compliance process during public forum
Summary
Two residents used the Planning Commission’s community forum to criticize the city’s certificate-of-compliance (COC) process, citing unclear instructions and slow responses; staff said materials are being compiled on the city website and staff will follow up with individual inquiries.
At the start of the Oct. 21 Belmont City Planning Commission meeting two members of the public raised concerns about the city’s certificates-of-compliance (COC) process, saying communications and guidance to applicants are unclear and slow.
Max Reinhardt told commissioners the COC process has, in his experience, "purposefully unclear and incomplete instructions" and that city staff have been unwilling or unable to answer applicants’ questions. He said he has worked in Belmont for more than 15 years and compared Belmont’s process unfavorably with neighboring jurisdictions in San Mateo County and other Bay Area cities.
A second speaker, Arvind, said he is pursuing a home build on a lot and had sent an email with questions about next steps roughly two weeks earlier but had not yet received a reply. Arvind asked staff what the next steps would be for his inquiry.
Director DeMello responded that staff had received a written communication from Mr. Reinhardt before the 4 p.m. public-comment deadline and had provided copies to the commissioners as part of the public record. DeMello acknowledged delays in replying to some inquiries and said staff would follow up personally on Arvind’s email. He said the city has established a web page about the COC process (described as under construction) that outlines steps an applicant should consider when purchasing and developing lots in the San Juan Hills area.
Staff said the COC process can be complex, varies by property and zoning, and that some older signs or property conditions are legally nonconforming and may not require change unless the owner elects to update. DeMello offered to ensure Arvind receives a follow-up from staff and noted there are a number of similar inquiries from property owners in the San Juan Hills.
No additional public commenters were recorded on the item. Commissioners did not take further action at the meeting but staff committed to follow up with the individual inquiries mentioned on the record.
The comments were entered into the public record and copies were provided to commissioners and the city clerk for the file.
