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Belmont residents describe planning staff delays and inconsistent land-use decisions
Summary
Two residents told the City Council on June 10 they have experienced prolonged delays and inconsistent responses from planning staff while pursuing certificates of compliance and other land-use actions, and urged council oversight and transparency.
During the public comment period at the June 10 meeting, two speakers described prolonged delays and inconsistent treatment by city planning staff in processing certificate-of-compliance (COC) and related land-use matters.
Gerard told the council he and others have "ample testimony on record" documenting staff decisions he described as "arbitrary and inconsistent," and that staff failed to clearly explain why similar properties received different determinations about whether street frontage was improved. He said the lack of responsiveness and explanation "reeks of fear" and urged the council to investigate and restore public trust.
Another speaker, Max, said he and a client submitted separate COC applications (one submitted August 2024, the other December 2024) and experienced long delays and inconsistent communications from planners. Max said one client’s application entered escrow the same day as the meeting and expressed concern that extended processing times could imperil a pending sale.
Council members did not take any formal action on these comments during the meeting; public speakers asked the council to investigate staff responsiveness and transparency in planning decisions.
Public comment items are on record in the minutes and the speakers asked the council to consider oversight or follow-up with planning staff.
