Firehouse Square revamp moves ahead

In an effort to revamp the area dubbed Firehouse Square, near the old Fire Station 14, the city of Belmont is considering a plan to bring its first truly mixed-use development to the intersection of El Camino Real and O’Neill Avenue.

The vacant building that once housed Ross Lighting could be razed to construct a three-story mixed-use building with one or two retail shops on the ground floor, underground parking and nine condominiums above.

A plan approved last year called for 12 underground parking spaces, two retail spots and just six residential units. Since that time, the city and the developer worked to expand the project to fit better in the Firehouse Square site, which is bounded by El Camino Real, Fifth Street, O’Neill Avenue and Broadway. The changes allowed for three additional units and 1,000 more square feet of commercial space. The developer relocated the garage down ramp to the Civic Lane alley off O’Neill Avenue, according to a report issued yesterday.

The change allows more underground parking that could serve future development in the area. It would require the city to sell a portion of Civic Lane to the developer to increase the property’s size from 8,563 square feet to 10,400 square feet, according to the report.

Firehouse Square is part of a four-pronged plan by the city’s redevelopment agency to improve downtown and attract new business.

The plan was introduced last year and was initially overshadowed by a controversial idea to redevelop the Belmont Sports Complex. The city has since dropped the idea of developing the sports center. It is still focused on Firehouse Square, Village Center, Belmont Station and Shoreway Place.

High-density development is recommended at Village Center, the area bounded by Ralston Avenue, Sixth Street, O’Neill Street and El Camino Real, according to the economic development report released last year.

The most significant development would likely occur in the Belmont Station area, reaching from the train station east on the block bordered by Masonic Way and Ralston Avenue. The underutilized area could become a district of unique shops and housing, according to the report.

The city has already prepared for some development with recent decisions. Earlier this year, the city moved the historic Emmett House from the city’s retail hub near Ralston Avenue and El Camino Real to a nearby residential area. It also approved a plan that would allow property owners on the east side of Highway 101, near the city’s corporation yard, to assemble their land for the possibility of a future large-scale development.

The Planning Commission will consider the changes at study session held at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, at City Hall, 1 Twin Pines Lane.

Dana Yates can be reached by e-mail: dana@smdailyjournal.com or by phone: (650) 344-5200 ext. 106.