Belmont council introduces ordinance to move forward with 1301 Shoreway life‑science and office project after EIR review

Council members on Tuesday introduced an ordinance to advance the proposed 1301 Shoreway Road development after staff presented the project and certified the final Environmental Impact Report.

The project, presented by Christopher Dalkumos of Good Company and consultant Danae Hall (Kimley‑Horn), would build two office or life‑science buildings totaling about 542,035 square feet, plus a nine‑level parking garage and public amenities along Belmont Creek. The applicant and staff said the final EIR found no significant and unavoidable impacts after mitigation and that the environmental document conservatively evaluated life‑science uses up to biosafety level‑3.

The project team described a community benefits and development agreement that includes a baseline $6,300,000 cash contribution (escalating to $7,000,000 if development occurs in years 8–10), a public art commitment (1% of project cost with at least half as cash to citywide projects), publicly accessible trail improvements, and labor provisions requiring a union‑signatory general contractor that will make reasonable efforts to ensure at least 30% of the construction workforce are San Mateo County residents.

"They're also included as part of the community benefits package," Dalkumos said, listing trail amenities, a sports court and exercise nodes. Danae Hall summarized the CEQA process and mitigation program, noting the EIR received seven comments largely focused on sea‑level rise and biological resources and that final responses were included in the FEIR.

Public commenters urged Council to limit parking and prioritize transit. Giuliano Carlini, a resident and cyclist, told the council the site is transit‑oriented and asked that the city "restrict this parking to a level that any other transit‑rich city in the world does." Council members pressed staff and the applicant about parking counts, public parking access, EV chargers and the transportation demand management (TDM) measures that will be required at permitting.

Staff and the applicant said six parking spaces will be designated for public access (three at the trailhead entry and three at the sports court) while the remainder is intended for building employees and tenants. The applicant said EV chargers will be provided to meet CalGreen requirements in effect at time of permitting. Staff also noted the project documents allow administrative reductions in parking up to 10% if future conditions warrant.

After questions and deliberation — with several council members citing the labor and community benefits package as a reason for support — Councilmember Latimer moved to introduce the ordinance and related resolutions; Councilmember McKeown seconded. The motion to introduce passed on a 5‑0 roll call. Mayor Mates and staff clarified that tonight's action was to introduce the ordinance and solicit final feedback; zoning amendments and final approvals will follow a second reading and subsequent hearings.

The council meeting packet includes the full FEIR, a mitigation monitoring and reporting program, proposed development agreement term sheet, and detailed findings for the conceptual development plan and zoning map amendment. The project will return to the council for final zoning decisions and any subsequent permits.