[0:34] All right, good evening, everyone. Welcome to the city of Belmont's planning commission meeting for Tuesday, July 21st, it is 701, and we have a quorum, and we're ready to roll.

[0:48] But before turning to the agenda items, we'll give some instructions on how to attend and

[0:56] participate in tonight's meeting for meeting attendance.

[1:03] The meeting is being broadcast live to all Belmont residents on Comcast cable 27.

[1:10] It's also streamed live via the city's website at Belmont.gov and it's available via Zoom

[1:16] the instructions for accessing the Zoom link for tonight's meeting are included in the agenda for public comment.

[1:23] There are three ways to submit public comment. One can comment in chambers by submitting a speaker slip to our clerk.

[1:33] And you'll then have three minutes to submit your comment at the lectern. Also one can submit public comment via the Zoom app using the raised hand feed

[1:46] and again, instructions for doing that are included in the agenda. And lastly, one can submit

[1:56] written public comments for items on the agenda, and so long as those written comments

[2:02] are received by 4 PM today, they will be considered by the commission. So with those instructions,

[2:11] I think we can turn to a roll call, please.

[2:15] Okay, Commissioner Adam Cabbage.

[2:19] Takashi.

[2:20] Chair Coolidge.

[2:22] Twig.

[2:23] You know.

[2:24] Jadala.

[2:25] And absent tonight is Commissioner Cramer and Majeski.

[2:29] Great.

[2:29] Thank you very much.

[2:30] We are accounted for.

[2:32] Item two is the pledge of allegiance.

[2:33] If we could stand if you're able.

[2:35] I'll lead us in the pledge.

[2:38] The flag is here.

[2:39] I pledge allegiance to the flag and the United States of America and the jewelry of public

[2:46] from which it stands, one nation, under God, individual with liberty and justice for all.

[2:58] Thank you very much, turning to item three, that's our community forum.

[3:04] This is the portion of the agenda reserved for persons wishing to address the commission on matters

[3:11] within our peer purview that are not included on tonight's agenda, and I think I'll see

[3:21] from staff if we have any, firstly, anyone in chambers who'd like to submit comment for

[3:29] this item three?

[3:31] No speaker slips in the house, we do have one raise hand on Zoom.

[3:35] Great, let's turn to that member of the public please.

[3:40] Okay, Viola, go ahead on Zoom, you'll have three minutes.

[3:47] Hello, my name is Viola Sheta, I live here in Balmont, and I'm going into 12th grade this year.

[3:53] I'm here to encourage Balmont to explore incentives for developers to include live work units

[3:57] and new housing projects within the Balmont CalChain Transit Quarter,

[4:00] because after doing research about the housing issues going on in our community,

[4:04] I think this is a great way to prioritize both the needs of citizens and developers.

[4:09] As you know, Belmont is required to accommodate 1,785 new housing units by 231, as much

[4:16] of that both will occur in district 1.

[4:18] At the same time, state laws such as the density bonus law and Senate bill 35 have significantly

[4:23] reduced the city's ability to acquire ground floor commercial space and new developments

[4:28] as we've seen in the development at 500 to 580 Miss Lone Clay and the resulting pushback

[4:34] from the community.

[4:34] I believe that increasing the size of supply of housing, especially affordable housing, is an

[4:39] predomate important. However, making sure neighborhoods where people can easily access

[4:44] their business jobs and community spaces are just as important, especially in this new

[4:50] development. So I think that one part of the solution to preserving the mixed use in nature

[4:54] of neighborhoods while accommodating the practices of developers is encouraging the work units

[4:59] where developers do not want to lend developers, do not want to build ground floor

[5:03] commercial units, because they're classified as residential under the California building code.

[5:08] They're generally easier to finance for developers.

[5:11] Can be applicable for dense key bonuses and can still support small businesses, entrepreneurs, and active streets.

[5:18] Rather than opposing mandates, Belmont could offer incentives, such as expedited permit review or reduced impact fees,

[5:24] though I am aware that this is a less peaceful option as the city is in a funding deficit,

[5:29] for projects that include ground level, live work units.

[5:32] Thank you so much for your time and for the interesting feedback counselors have provided and I look forward to engaging more on this topic.

[5:40] Thank you.

[5:42] Thank you very much.

[5:44] The state of that was very impressive.

[5:45] I just want to say for the record that I did speak with her late spring and she was put in together her analysis and just super, super impressive.

[5:56] So smart, and our future is in great hands.

[6:01] Just super neat to see someone from Belmont being so interested

[6:05] in this topic that is obviously a very, very important topic.

[6:12] Just one of the kind of, say thank you for that comment

[6:15] and recognize the awesomeness of her participation.

[6:21] Great.

[6:23] Any other raised hands on Zoom for item three?

[6:26] No other raised hands.

[6:29] I will note that we have one written comment that was submitted by the member of the public.

[6:34] We just spoke.

[6:34] Yes.

[6:35] That I think she summarized in her comments over Zoom.

[6:39] And wondering if we had any additional written comments for item three received before 4 PM today.

[6:45] We did not.

[6:46] In fact, I've engaged with Miss Sita earlier today.

[6:49] We've traded emails and phone numbers.

[6:52] And I hope to get onto a conversation with her to talk about context and her ideas and perspectives.

[6:58] Very, very impressive, like definitely agree.

[7:01] The future is in great hands and it's always nice to talk housing policy.

[7:06] Cool.

[7:06] But no other comments received on the CDF website before for PM.

[7:11] Great.

[7:11] Thank you.

[7:12] So that concludes Item 3, our community forum.

[7:16] Item 4 is for commissioner announcements and agenda amendments.

[7:20] I'll see if anyone here on the dias has any announcements,

[7:27] okay, and I don't have any announcements, and I'll see if staff has any amendments to our agenda.

[7:34] No amendments to our relatively light agenda.

[7:36] Thank you.

[7:37] Great.

[7:37] Love it.

[7:38] Item five is our consent business.

[7:40] We have one item on consent.

[7:42] It's item five A.

[7:44] It's the approval of the June 16th,

[7:48] 2026 meeting minutes.

[7:51] So, this is the time to discuss if there's any corrections, clarifications, revisions from the commission.

[8:00] And if not, we can entertain a motion for approval.

[8:04] No, I have no comments, but I will make a motion towards approving the minutes of June 16th,

[8:08] 2026.

[8:09] Great, thank you.

[8:10] Is there a second?

[8:12] It's been moved in seconded.

[8:14] Okay.

[8:15] Commissioner Adam Gavitch.

[8:17] Falkanashi.

[8:18] Hi.

[8:18] Chair Coolidge?

[8:20] Aye.

[8:20] Twig?

[8:21] Aye.

[8:22] Jadala?

[8:23] Eight motion passes five zero for the June 16th, 2026 minutes.

[8:29] Great.

[8:29] Thank you very much.

[8:30] That concludes item five.

[8:32] Item six are to reserve for our study sessions.

[8:35] And we do not have a study session tonight.

[8:38] So we'll move on to item seven, which is our public hearings section of the agenda.

[8:44] And we have one item that's item seven A.

[8:46] It's a single-family design review for 1141 Villa Avenue and before turning to the staff presentation.

[8:54] I'll see if anyone has any ex-party communications or recusals for this item.

[9:01] Site visit.

[9:02] Site visit only.

[9:04] I have nothing to report.

[9:05] I have nothing to report.

[9:07] Nothing to report.

[9:09] Okay.

[9:11] Planner Ruiz will turn to you for a presentation.

[9:15] Hello, commissioners.

[9:16] This is for a single family tear-free design review for 1141 Villa Avenue.

[9:23] As always for the findings for the design review, the design for addition should be well designed,

[9:27] articulated a consistent, the public use should not be impacted, as well as that it should be

[9:32] compliant with residential design guidelines and criteria. For what is proposed, it will be for

[9:38] an addition of 1,159 square feet in order to develop a new second story at the existing

[9:43] single-family home, which noted for the lot summary will be 5,500-701 square feet, the slope

[9:52] is 15.71, which allows for a ratio of 0.506 and that allows them to have a maximum

[9:59] gross floor area of 2,819. The existing column is 1,273, what is proposed is 2,432, which

[10:09] is still under the noted for a racial and maximum size of 0.506 and 2,819 respectively.

[10:19] For the proposed plan, before you is the site plan, the front to the new addition of

[10:24] the second story is 18 feet to 2 inches, the sides for the left will be 12 feet, 5 inches

[10:32] to the new wall and the side to the right will be 12 feet, 3 inches.

[10:36] For the rear rear yard requirements, they will be proposed at 22 feet to the actual existing

[10:43] yard to the proposed house.

[10:45] However, they are having a second story about Kini and that is noted to AC no more than

[10:49] 15 feet.

[10:50] All of which are able to be met regarding the current zoning of R1C, which requires a front

[10:59] 15 foot setback, a side yard of 7 feet, 6 inches, as well as a rear yard of 15 feet.

[11:07] Before you is the existing front elevation, noted in the board and bat in home, with the existing

[11:13] porch and single story design layout, more of a cabin-esque look.

[11:19] But now this is the proposed elevation.

[11:21] You can see the second story, the double two roof-style in order to give more articulation

[11:27] and more of visual interest for the front elevation.

[11:30] You can see that the second story is also stepped back further on the base plate.

[11:35] It is proportionally smaller in size than that regard.

[11:39] The windows are varied in sizes in order to give more dynamic looks.

[11:45] And overall, it has increased in height, but is still well below the required 28 feet limitation for the zoning.

[11:55] Before you now is the left elevation.

[11:57] You can see it is just a pitched roof along with a vertical side boarding board and

[12:06] board and baton and it continues that kind of aesthetic just now going up through to the left

[12:13] rear yard and where I'm circling now. It's slightly pushed back. The front is now more prominent.

[12:20] There are limited amount of windows on the upper story but all designed to not try to look as much

[12:26] into the privacy yards of the existing neighbors however that while they are not a requirement to

[12:33] a respect privacy, they did their best to maintain

[12:37] a semblance of privacy and trying to be courteal

[12:41] to their existing neighbors on site.

[12:43] And over here, you're able to still see the proposed balcony

[12:46] that is projecting.

[12:49] Similar to the right-side elevation,

[12:51] there's an existing, again, pitch-drew,

[12:54] but this time there's also have this side has a chimney.

[12:56] The chimney's being demo and removed

[12:58] for this, again, variance of just developing up

[13:03] with the balcony and very windows in order to give that, again, respect to privacy and limitations.

[13:12] And for the rear yard elevations, that is where the primary aspect of the, again,

[13:17] that balcony, as well as the sliding doors in order to enter the balcony and get the view

[13:21] aspects that the applicant is desired, as well as just enjoying their overall, again,

[13:27] board and bat in a stick. For the color and materials board, and also as a visual

[13:32] of transportation for at least the front elevation.

[13:35] The black, there would be black trim in fascia,

[13:38] wooden axeds, two different styles of roofs,

[13:41] one being metal, which is on the lower roof line,

[13:44] and then the other being composite chingle,

[13:47] which is at the upper level.

[13:49] The railings would be also decorated in the metal black.

[13:53] There would be white, more than that in vertical sightings.

[13:56] And then again, more black trim.

[14:00] Thank you.

[14:03] Great.

[14:03] Thank you for that presentation.

[14:07] I'll see if the applicant has a presentation of their own.

[14:11] This is not required, but this is your time to present if you'd like to do so.

[14:19] I heard it was a perfect presentation.

[14:22] Wow, that's the bar has been set.

[14:25] Amazing.

[14:27] So I guess we'll turn now to questions from the commission.

[14:31] Anyone have any questions?

[14:34] I have one question, just kind of curious, what was the reason for having two different

[14:41] restyls?

[14:42] I will leave that to the app and the designer who is here on file, can you please set

[14:47] to the podium and speak into the mics so they can hear you as well as be on record.

[14:54] And also please introduce yourself.

[14:56] I'm the architect.

[15:01] So, for two types of roof material is more or less to make the building look more interesting.

[15:13] And for the law roof, because it's a law, so it's more visible from the street and from other underground.

[15:20] So that way, it's utterly the material to make it more interesting.

[15:26] So the main roof we use the shingles.

[15:30] Yeah, that will blend into the surrounding neighborhood.

[15:36] So usually we utterly these two.

[15:39] And a matter roof we will use on the lower and smaller sides, areas.

[15:46] So, you can see from the roof plant and also the elevation.

[15:52] Hope that helped.

[15:55] Yeah, yeah.

[15:56] Yeah, I was just kind of curious.

[15:57] To me, they're both major components of the building.

[16:02] To me, it just looks a little bit odd having two different types.

[16:06] I personally would have thought it looked better if you had one type, one or the other.

[16:10] Right, right.

[16:11] So, in most cases, you expect like they all have the same material, but we do have many designs that alternate different materials, especially one that areas of the roof, they are different.

[16:27] You don't want like a half to be one material and a half to be another that will look so so in this case

[16:34] the elevations they are different and

[16:37] Lord roof are substantially small size

[16:41] So that's exactly the place we want to make it more anxious right and that's why I'm not too concerned because of the amount of it is much smaller right

[16:50] But I was more or less kind of curious why you chose that. Okay. Thank you

[16:57] Was that it?

[16:58] Any additional questions?

[17:01] Anyone else?

[17:01] I do.

[17:02] I had the same question about the Ruth, but I feel like that satisfies my curiosity.

[17:06] Only a South East elevation could just talk through the articulation.

[17:11] So the articulation is a whole, that one here.

[17:14] The articulation of the, as a whole is there, but this elevation seems very flat.

[17:18] And I just want to what the recess of the windows is on this side.

[17:21] And if there's anything else happening on this particular wall.

[17:23] When you assess articulation, do you do is all elevations, was it elevation, it's based on each elevation.

[17:32] In terms of articulation, for their proposal, they decided to use residential design criteria for daylight plane,

[17:41] and that is how they addressed this portion for the elevations, despite it being quite.

[17:45] In terms of the residential design guidelines for having fissons for trying to prevent as much the second story,

[17:53] implemented as much as the windows that they can or variant windows as well as window trim

[17:58] to at least add some aspects to that, but they're not fully compliant in that record.

[18:06] Thank you.

[18:09] Thank you.

[18:09] I think a similar question came up on our previous meeting.

[18:12] So thank you for that explanation.

[18:14] I think it's a good question.

[18:18] Any additional questions?

[18:21] Okay, and I don't have any questions.

[18:23] So I think we'll turn to public comment.

[18:26] anyone in Chambers, wish to comment on this item?

[18:31] No speakers in House and no raise tans on Zoom for the side of.

[18:35] Great. And Dr. De Mello and he written comments to be before

[18:37] 4 p.m. today for this item. We have never received any.

[18:41] Great. With that then I will close the public hearing.

[18:47] I guess I'll go back in time and open the public hearing.

[18:50] submit, ask for comments, and now having received no comments, I want to close the public hearing.

[18:57] And we'll turn to Commissioner Delibration.

[19:01] I had a little discussion.

[19:03] I didn't see any feedback from the outreach at all.

[19:06] Just I only saw what they sent out.

[19:08] I saw nothing back.

[19:09] Is that correct?

[19:10] Or did you see any feedback from your outreach?

[19:13] The summary that was provided, as well as confirmation from the applicant, the males

[19:19] were sent out, any particular meeting was held, but no one attended, and no feedback was

[19:24] actually gained.

[19:25] However, the did have personal correspondence when it comes to the chats, and they all seem

[19:33] supportive, but I will leave it to the applicants if they wish to come up to address that

[19:36] portion.

[19:38] maybe if you just come to the lectern and confirm what was represented that there weren't any written comments received in response to your outreach but there were maybe some verbal comments received.

[19:52] My name is Ywing Santiago. I'm the property owner of one for one villa Avenue and I'm the applicant

[20:01] I as a Jeremy say I mail out my proposal and no now of my neighbor

[20:10] I have the any comment. I mean, come plan. However, because I'm Bella Avenue everybody

[20:18] a very costly child, like when I just move in, like people come say hi, they mean they

[20:26] need a phone number. So I have a very lucky two years ago I'm moving everybody, I'm very

[20:34] friendly in my neighborhood. And then I have a dog, so when I want my dog, I meet all my

[20:44] and then they're just very exciting for my project and they are supported.

[20:50] And the only question is just asking, like, what are you going to feel?

[20:55] That's all. When you're going to start your project, I don't know.

[20:59] I need to go through the process and make sure everything's okay.

[21:03] That's it.

[21:05] Thank you.

[21:07] Thank you. You can at least potentially check this portion off your list.

[21:12] So we'll see what comes about.

[21:15] Anyone else like to look at it?

[21:17] A comment was, which I like the fact that the, I guess in the initial, people work

[21:24] initial proposal.

[21:26] There was, there was tree removal and then you've taken that out of the equation, which is

[21:30] which is nice and doing the site visit.

[21:31] I noticed a nice mature trees around the house.

[21:35] Great.

[21:36] You know, I can, I can generally make the findings and looks like a good project.

[21:40] And on the minor point, I really like the,

[21:42] that you had to you existing and you proposed on the single sheet.

[21:45] That's so nice and clear to see what changes you're making.

[21:49] That was really useful and thank you.

[21:52] Great.

[21:55] Anyone else wish the comment?

[21:58] Yeah, generally I like the architecture of it.

[22:01] The massing is good and how you broke it down.

[22:05] It's simple but elegant.

[22:08] I like it.

[22:09] The riffing was a little bit odd to me,

[22:10] but not that big of a deal.

[22:14] My only other comment was the civil drawings

[22:16] appear to have that wrong address.

[22:18] That's about it.

[22:19] It's 1-1-4-1 instead of 1-2-1-4-1-1.

[22:24] That's it.

[22:27] But always good.

[22:28] Great, thank you.

[22:30] Great.

[22:30] Yeah, I agree.

[22:31] I can make the findings.

[22:34] I agree that I appreciate the preservation of the trees.

[22:37] It's always nice to do that where we're possible.

[22:40] And just a minor suggestion which I make to many applicants which is to consider cool roof

[22:46] shingles if you haven't already which can significantly help reduce your cooling bills and

[22:51] help us with our global warming goals. So please consider those for your asphalt shingles.

[22:55] That looks great. Thank you.

[22:57] Great. Thank you to everyone for those.

[22:59] For comments, I have nothing to add. I can make the findings as well.

[23:02] So I think we have consensus and I think maybe someone can propose a motion.

[23:07] I've

[23:10] got it open, so I will make a motion to approve the resolution of the Planning Commission, the City of Beaumont,

[23:16] approving a single-family design review at 1-1-4-1, Villa Avenue, application number 2-0-2-5-0-0-0-2-1.

[23:25] I'm just seconded up.

[23:27] Okay, it's been moved in seconded, let's take a vote please.

[23:30] Okay, Commissioner Adam Kevich.

[23:33] Talkahashi?

[23:34] Hi.

[23:34] Chair Coolidge?

[23:35] Hi.

[23:36] Toig, Jadala, I motion passes 5-0 for 1-1-4-1 Villa Avenue, single-family design review.

[23:47] Thank you very much.

[23:48] You can tell your neighbors as I've mentioned.

[23:50] This part is at least checked off your list.

[23:53] And this matter is appealable within 10 calendar days.

[23:58] Good luck with your project.

[24:01] Great.

[24:02] That concludes our public hearings portion of the agenda.

[24:07] next is item eight, which is other business and updates and I'll turn to direct it

[24:13] to the mellow to see if there's anything to discuss.

[24:15] Absolutely.

[24:16] Here.

[24:17] First of all, thanks for your attendance kind of for this meeting.

[24:21] The only one in July, you do not have any August meetings, your August 4th meeting is

[24:26] National Night Out, so that will be a great event to be an attendance.

[24:30] So no meeting typically occurs on those nights.

[24:33] And then we don't have any business that's pressing for your August 18th meetings, so we're going to be proposing cancellation of that one as well.

[24:40] We should have some agenda items ready for your first meeting in September, which is September 1st.

[24:46] So you get the month of August off just like the City Council doesn't have any meetings as well.

[24:52] Great opening for the Rome project, the 125 unit, all affordable project at 800 Belmont

[24:58] Avenue is shaping up for those first two weeks in September.

[25:03] They've asked for a guest list, if you will, so the commission will be invited to attend

[25:08] that event.

[25:08] It should be in the middle of the day, not sure how that comports with your schedule, but

[25:12] we're looking at potentially a Tuesday or Wednesday of the week of the eighth, or a Tuesday

[25:19] Wednesday of the week of the 12th. Again, like a 11-ish to a clock. So if you're around,

[25:27] it can make it. It should be a really nice event. And we're just trying to zero in on those

[25:32] dates, but I wanted to give you kind of an early warning. That's where we're kind of heading to for

[25:37] that grand opening celebration event for that project. Then finally, really appreciated the

[25:44] emissions feedback and comments that you gave us at a couple of public

[25:48] hearings in May and June about, it would be an outreach.

[25:54] You would give it us some kind of targeted feedback about when we do it.

[25:58] The kinds of things that we should be looking for, continual changes and

[26:02] improvements should we have secondary meetings when the project designs change and

[26:07] we're taking a look at our strategy and we're taking into account the

[26:11] is that you've made and we're going to look at some potential changes so thank you again for

[26:17] your feedback it was good it was helpful for us and it should serve us going forward so

[26:24] while it's not on tonight's agenda I just wanted to make sure that you knew that we're taking

[26:28] your feedback to heart and we certainly appreciate it so so that's really it for me from a

[26:39] This is my second to last meeting.

[26:44] I have tonight's meeting and then September 1st will be my last meeting

[26:48] with the City at the Planning Commission.

[26:50] I'm going to be retiring in a couple days after that.

[26:54] So that's it for me.

[26:56] It's going to obviously I'll do this on September 1st.

[26:59] But it's been a pleasure working with all of you,

[27:01] all of the commissions that I've worked with over the 26 and a half years

[27:05] with the City.

[27:06] So,

[27:09] exciting, bittersweet, sad, lots of tears, but also looking forward to the next

[27:14] phases in my life.

[27:17] So, I just thank you all for everything that you've done.

[27:21] You've made this commission good if not great and appreciate the thoughtful, careful consideration

[27:28] that you've given to pretty much every project.

[27:31] You've kind of made us work, which is a good thing.

[27:34] you give us, given us an opportunity to make improvements, to make ourselves better, to make

[27:41] the process better.

[27:43] And we certainly like that.

[27:44] I mean, if you would just to look at your packets and say, this sounds great, we're

[27:47] done.

[27:48] That's one thing.

[27:50] But when you're thoughtful, you are provide good solid feedback for us.

[27:54] We're always out to improve, and that's been the case with this commission and past commissions.

[27:59] But I'd really have enjoyed working with all of you.

[28:02] thank you for that. I'm definitely going to miss this. It'll be nice to have Tuesday nights back,

[28:10] but I'll definitely miss being in Belmont, being around people, being around the humanity,

[28:15] and the collaboration, and kind of the understanding and things that have kind of shaped

[28:19] this significant portion of my life. So, then I'll get all kind of tear here, but just want to let you know

[28:29] that and I'll wrap it up now and more to come, but I hope you enjoy the rest of the night

[28:35] and the rest of your July and August and Happy Summer.

[28:39] Thank you.

[28:40] I think we'll receive our goodbyes until September 1st.

[28:44] So, thank you for those comments and thank you to staff for the presentation tonight and we

[28:50] are adjourned at 7.29.

[28:55] I said 730, and I knew that, so that's cool, to be under.

Planning Commission Meeting

Transcript