Monte Cresta Drive Road Extension and Housing Project

Project Description

The project would extend Monte Cresta Drive by 335 feet from its existing terminus at Monte Cresta Drive and Sequoia Way. The Monte Cresta Drive extension would provide access to five unimproved parcels, Assessor’s Parcel Numbers (APNs) 043-234-170 (Lot 21), 043-234-210 (Lot 19/20), 043-232-090 (Lot 10), 043-232-130 (Lot 11/12) and 043-232-270 (Lot 7). The extension of Monte Cresta Drive would facilitate potential future development of single-family homes on the five undeveloped parcels. The applicant owns three of the five lots that would potentially benefit from the construction of the road segment.

Project Update

The application proposal has been amended to include the development of three single-family detached homes, each approximately 3,500 square feet, on three of the applicant's subject parcels. The project qualifies as a housing development project under State law. The project is seeking the following approvals: Road Improvement Plan, Design Review, Floor Area Transfer, Conditional Use Premt, Grading Plan, Tree Removal Permit, and an Exception to Parking Lanes under Belmont City Code Section 7-13(e)(7)(a-c).  

Project Location

The Project is located in a developed residential neighborhood in the City of Belmont in San Mateo County. The proposed project is located south of the intersection of Monte Cresta Drive and Sequoia Way at the top of a northwest-facing slope overlooking San Juan Canyon.

Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration (IS/MND) Available for Public Review

• Monte Cresta Drive Draft IS/MND 2025
• Monte Cresta Drive Draft Appendix 2025
• Notice of Availability February 2025

Previous Documents

• Monte Cresta Drive 15183 Exemption Checklist 2023 (Appendix Included)
• Appendix H Summary of Public Comments 2023
• Monte Cresta Drive Draft IS/MND 2022
• Monte Cresta Drive Appendix 2022

DOCUMENTS:

1. Geotechnical Studies, Responses & Peer Reviews (2018 - 2021)
2. Biological Assessment (July 2018)
3. Arborist Report (July 2018)
4. Sewer Analysis (July 2019)
5. Hydrology Study & Proof of Concept (July 2021)
6. Will Serve Letters
7. Exception Request & Cross Slope Analysis (March 2019 & September 2018)
8. Recommendation Letter for Exception Request (February 2024)
9. Cost Estimate & Finance Plan
10. Neighborhood Outreach
11. Project Plans
12. 1988 San Juan Hills Area Plan EIR
13. 2024 - Focused Special-Status Plant Survey
14. Seismic Hazard Evaluation

Public Hearings

The proposed road extension project was previously reviewed by the Planning Commission at their May 7, 2024 meeting. The Commission conducted a public hearing on the matter; significant public testimony was presented, including both verbal and written communications. At the conclusion of discussion on the project, the Commission continued the item to a future Planning Commission meeting. The Agenda and Meeting Video are available for review. At their June 4, 2024 meeting, the Commission took an action to postpone consideration of the item to a future Planning Commission meeting to allow further review of project information, a response to public testimony, and additional assessment of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) as related to the project.