Enforce Belmont’s Zoning Laws Fairly and Consistently
The Issue
We, the undersigned residents and stakeholders of Belmont, formally submit this petition urging the City of Belmont to REJECT the proposed road extension, grading plans, and associated land use permits for the Hillside Monte Cresta Drive Road Extension and Housing Development Project.
If the City proceeds with evaluating this proposal, we demand that officials DENY all requested discretionary exceptions—including waivers for road width, parking lane standards (Belmont Municipal Code Sec. 7-13), and floor area transfers—and REQUIRE a full Environmental Impact Report (EIR) under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
REASONS FOR OPPOSITION
1. Wildfire Hazard, Evacuation Risks & Emergency Access
The project site lies within a high-risk Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) zone characterized by steep slopes and limited ingress/egress. Extending Monte Cresta Drive without full, un-waived adherence to standard municipal emergency access and turnaround standards poses a direct threat to existing residents during a wildfire evacuation. Adding construction traffic and residential density to narrow hillside streets compromises vital response times for Belmont Fire and emergency services.
2. Slope Instability, Landslide Risk & Hydrology
The steep terrain surrounding San Juan Canyon presents severe geotechnical constraints. Significant grading, vegetation removal, and soil disturbance increase the risk of landsliding, erosion, and unmitigated storm Runoff into downstream drainages. A Mitigated Negative Declaration (MND) or categorical exemption is legally insufficient; a full EIR is necessary to thoroughly analyze and mitigate these severe geological and hydrological risks.
3. Inappropriate Discretionary Exceptions & Code Waivers
Discretionary exceptions to standard City requirements (such as road width reductions, parking lane waivers, and floor area transfers) are privileges, not rights. They should only be granted if a project does not compromise public health, safety, or welfare. Granting major exceptions on a high-hazard hillside sets a dangerous precedent and directly contradicts Belmont's Hillside Residential Overlay (HRO) intent.
4. Environmental & Community Character Impact
The development threatens local ecology, delicate hillside habitats, mature tree canopies, and the natural open space buffer that defines the San Juan Canyon neighborhood.
FORMAL DEMANDS TO BELMONT OFFICIALS
1. Deny Discretionary Waivers: Refuse to grant any exceptions to street width, parking, grading, or floor area standards for the Monte Cresta Drive extension.
2. Order a Full EIR: Reject any Mitigated Negative Declaration (MND) and order a comprehensive Environmental Impact Report (EIR) that rigorously evaluates slope stability, wildfire evacuation routing, and hydrological impacts.
3. Prioritize Public Safety: Reject the project outright if safe emergency access and slope stability cannot be strictly guaranteed without waivers.
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The Issue
We, the undersigned residents and stakeholders of Belmont, formally submit this petition urging the City of Belmont to REJECT the proposed road extension, grading plans, and associated land use permits for the Hillside Monte Cresta Drive Road Extension and Housing Development Project.
If the City proceeds with evaluating this proposal, we demand that officials DENY all requested discretionary exceptions—including waivers for road width, parking lane standards (Belmont Municipal Code Sec. 7-13), and floor area transfers—and REQUIRE a full Environmental Impact Report (EIR) under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
REASONS FOR OPPOSITION
1. Wildfire Hazard, Evacuation Risks & Emergency Access
The project site lies within a high-risk Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) zone characterized by steep slopes and limited ingress/egress. Extending Monte Cresta Drive without full, un-waived adherence to standard municipal emergency access and turnaround standards poses a direct threat to existing residents during a wildfire evacuation. Adding construction traffic and residential density to narrow hillside streets compromises vital response times for Belmont Fire and emergency services.
2. Slope Instability, Landslide Risk & Hydrology
The steep terrain surrounding San Juan Canyon presents severe geotechnical constraints. Significant grading, vegetation removal, and soil disturbance increase the risk of landsliding, erosion, and unmitigated storm Runoff into downstream drainages. A Mitigated Negative Declaration (MND) or categorical exemption is legally insufficient; a full EIR is necessary to thoroughly analyze and mitigate these severe geological and hydrological risks.
3. Inappropriate Discretionary Exceptions & Code Waivers
Discretionary exceptions to standard City requirements (such as road width reductions, parking lane waivers, and floor area transfers) are privileges, not rights. They should only be granted if a project does not compromise public health, safety, or welfare. Granting major exceptions on a high-hazard hillside sets a dangerous precedent and directly contradicts Belmont's Hillside Residential Overlay (HRO) intent.
4. Environmental & Community Character Impact
The development threatens local ecology, delicate hillside habitats, mature tree canopies, and the natural open space buffer that defines the San Juan Canyon neighborhood.
FORMAL DEMANDS TO BELMONT OFFICIALS
1. Deny Discretionary Waivers: Refuse to grant any exceptions to street width, parking, grading, or floor area standards for the Monte Cresta Drive extension.
2. Order a Full EIR: Reject any Mitigated Negative Declaration (MND) and order a comprehensive Environmental Impact Report (EIR) that rigorously evaluates slope stability, wildfire evacuation routing, and hydrological impacts.
3. Prioritize Public Safety: Reject the project outright if safe emergency access and slope stability cannot be strictly guaranteed without waivers.
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Petition created on July 23, 2026