Research & Development Zoning Text Amendment
City Council Meeting - Introduction
May 9th, 2023
Proposal
1.Amend Belmont’s Research and Development Laboratory use classification and definition; and
2.Adopt a parking ratio specific to Research and Development uses.
Background
Belmont adopted “Research and Development
Laboratory” use classification (2017).
Bay Area is among the top 3 markets for life sciences
research and development.
Life sciences research and development activities
expanding
Increase in life sciences research and development
proposals in Belmont.
Life sciences focuses on the study of living things
(plants, animals, and humans).
Research and Development
Operation & Function
Operational Activities
Lower impact than office, warehousing, and light
industrial uses
Employee Density
Buildings typically include 20-50% lab use
Fewer employees than office but more than warehousing and light industrial Customer Traffic
Do not attract customers like offices (medical, financial, insurance, etc.)
Customer generation similar to warehousing and light
industrial
Parking Demand
Fewer customers and employees = less traffic and
lower parking needs
Research and Development Laboratory Use
Amend to “Research and Development Facility”
and
Amend Use Definition:
“An office and laboratory facility for scientific research and the design, development, and testing of electrical, electronic, magnetic, optical, pharmaceutical, chemical, and/or biotechnology components and products in advance of product manufacturing. It may include assembly of related products from parts produced off site where the manufacturing activity is secondary to the research and development activities. A typical Research and Development facility has 20% to 50% of the floor area dedicated to the laboratory use.” Section 8 and 8A, Off-street Parking and Loading
• Require a minimum of 1 space per 600 square feet
• Allow a maximum of 1 space per 500 square feet
• Establish loading space requirements
6 County, State, and Federal Regulations
• Regulations on air emissions – not applicable to Biosafety Levels 1 and 2 • County approval of waste management plans & permits
• State licensure of lab personnel with renewal requirements • State licensure & registration of Lab spaces
• State approval of business & safety plans
• Regular reporting of inventory & storage practices
• State and Federal lab equipment requirements & specifications 7 Discussion
“Office” parking currently applies to R&D
• Exceeds R&D parking demand
• CUP required to align parking provided with
demand
Supporting research for proposal
• Neighboring jurisdictions
• Parking demand studies
• Transportation demand studies
Discussion
Regional Commercial
Harbor Industrial Area
Discussion
Life sciences and specific parking ratio benefits the City • Efficient use of limited land
• Reduce urban heat island effect
Life sciences and specific parking ratio achieves
General Plan policies
• Economic growth and vitality
• Update parking standards to facilitate infill development • Parking requirement result in an efficient parking supply • Facilitate groundwater recharge/allow stormwater to
infiltrate the ground on-site
Previous Action Taken
San Carlos Airport Land Use Compatibility
Approval received April 13th
Planning Commission
Recommended approval May 2nd
Recommendation to the City Council
1. Amend Belmont’s Research and Development Laboratory use classification and definition; and
2. Adopt a parking ratio specific to Research and Development uses.