Belmont is preparing for its planned commercial growth with a new set of zoning updates that will increase height and density limits in certain parts of the city.
During a council meeting April 22, the city proposed two regional commercial zoning tiers, which the council unanimously supported. The first regional commercial zoning designation would be similar to its current structure and another would push height limits up to 225 feet and increase density limits as well.
The change is meant to accommodate more commercial growth, and especially life science developments, east of Highway 101. Developments would by default stay in the Regional Commercial-1 district but could request a zoning change to Regional Commercial-2, which would require community benefits, a topic of discussion in a recent City Council meeting.
Despite a general market slowdown, the city has been gearing up for a stronger life science presence in the area, with several proposals that would have been some of the largest developments in the city. However, three of five major biotechnology projects have been withdrawn or indefinitely paused, including 601 Harbor Blvd., 2 Davis Drive and 300-400 Island Parkway.
The life science-focused firms also have more stringent regulations, given potential biosafety hazards that come with laboratory operations.
Councilmember Tom McCune said he hopes the plans help accommodate all types of commercial development over the next several years, even if it isn’t in life science space.
“This seems very geared around the thought that we will have a biotech resurgence at some point. I think we may have a business resurgence of some kind but maybe not necessarily in biotech,” McCune said. “Are we doing things that are flexible enough to accommodate other commercial-type uses?”
One of the larger proposals, a seven- to eight-story project located at 1301 Shoreway Road, is expected to continue moving forward, as well as the seven-story, 800,000-square-foot Beam Reach project in the Harbor Industrial Area, currently situated in unincorporated San Mateo County.
The new RC-2 zoning designation would allow for buildings that are similar in height to the Oracle buildings in Redwood Shores and some entitled building projects in Burlingame, one on Airport Boulevard and another on Old Bayshore Highway.
It would also create the zoning structure necessary for the Harbor Industrial Plan, a multi-year plan for Belmont to ultimately annex the HIA from the county and redevelop it — hopefully by 2026. The area currently consists of industrial businesses and a mobile home park — which will stay put per current plans — but the city hopes to add significant commercial development to the area over time.
“You’ll see a similar structure of two tiers, a base tier and a community benefits tier,” Deputy Community Development Director Laura Russell said. “It’s a little bit different with the HIA but a similar idea.”
City Manager Afshin Oskoui said the development changes are meant to accommodate a wide range of commercial needs, not just in the biotechnology sector.
“We’re not doing this just for bioscience. We’re doing this so that we can have a roadmap for development for the next 15 to 20 years,” Oskoui said. “Life science is a component of that planning process, whether it’s the next iteration of [artificial intelligence] or some research facility that’s needed.”
(650) 344-5200 ext. 102
(650) 344-5200 ext. 102
Daily Journal staff
{{description}}
Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.
Please purchase a Premium Subscription to continue reading.
To continue, please log in, or sign up for a new account.
We offer one free story view per month. If you register for an account, you will get two additional story views. After those three total views, we ask that you support us with a subscription.
A subscription to our digital content is so much more than just access to our valuable content. It means you’re helping to support a local community institution that has, from its very start, supported the betterment of our society. Thank you very much!
Only subscribers can view and post comments on articles.
Already a subscriber? Login Here
What the Constitution Means to Me Read moreWhat The Constitution Means To Me
You’ve likely known your closest friends for years — but when was the last time you met some… Read moreMaking Friends in Your 60s and Beyond
anna kuhre said:
Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup.
Error! There was an error processing your request.
Sorry, an error occurred.
Already Subscribed!
Cancel anytime
Thank you .
Your account has been registered, and you are now logged in.
Check your email for details.
Submitting this form below will send a message to your email with a link to change your password.
An email message containing instructions on how to reset your password has been sent to the email address listed on your account.
No promotional rates found.
Secure & Encrypted
Thank you.
Your gift purchase was successful! Your purchase was successful, and you are now logged in.
| Rate: | |
| Begins: | |
| Transaction ID: |
A receipt was sent to your email.
(0) comments
Welcome to the discussion.
Log In
Keep the discussion civilized. Absolutely NO personal attacks or insults directed toward writers, nor others who make comments.
Keep it clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
Don't threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Anyone violating these rules will be issued a warning. After the warning, comment privileges can be revoked.