Belmont council disapproves Crescent Development after hearing concerns about sewer capacity and funding for intersection fixes

Belmont City Council voted 4–1 to disapprove the development agreement for ZA‑202306, the Crescent Development, after an extended public hearing in which staff, consultants, residents and county representatives described technical trade‑offs and competing community priorities.

Planning Director Tiffany Farrell told council the proposal would rezone 13.68 acres to a Downtown District Conditional zoning and allow a mixed‑use master plan with 259 multifamily flats, 47 townhomes and roughly 13,865 square feet of ground‑floor commercial. Farrell said the developer would dedicate about 3.71 acres of park land (Dwight Frady Field) to the city and had pledged streetscape, pedestrian and public‑art commitments, including a minimum $20,000 toward an entry piece managed by the Main Street Advisory Board.

“The plan before you this evening is the result of feedback from community meetings and staff reviews,” Farrell said during the staff presentation, listing architectural commitments and pedestrian improvements the applicant agreed to provide.

Opponents at the mic raised environmental and infrastructure concerns. Kathy Willette, a Belmont resident, urged denial because the plan would remove mature tree canopy and increase stormwater runoff, telling council: “This parcel as it exists now is home to a significant…