SAFETY ELEMENT UPDATE
PUBLIC REVIEW DRAFT
CITY OF BELMONT – CITY COUNCIL
April 28,2026
Adrienne Smith, Principal Planner, City of Belmont
Eli Krispi, Senior Associate, PlaceWorks
Peninsula
REsilience
Planning (PREP)
Agenda
1. Introduction
• What is a Safety Element?
• Why we're updating the Safety
Element
• Safety Element Update process
2. What's in the Safety Element
3. What we heard from the public
4. Updated goals, policies, and actions
5. Planning Commission feedback
6. Timeline and next steps
7. Discussion and questions
INTRODUCTION AND
CONTEXT
PENINSULA RESILIENCE PLANNING
Safety Element Briefing | April 28, 2026 |
Adrienne Smith, Principal Planner, City of Belmont | Eli Krispi, Senior Associate, PlaceWorks What is PREP?
Peninsula Resilience Planning (PREP) is a
project to plan for the harm posed by
climate change and natural hazards for nine
participating communities in San Mateo
County.
Includes:
Climate Vulnerability Assessments
Hazard Mapping
Safety Element Updates
Community Engagement
Website: https://prepsmc.com/
4 Safety Element Briefing | April 28, 2026 |
Adrienne Smith, Principal Planner, City of Belmont | Eli Krispi, Senior Associate, PlaceWorks What is a Safety Element?
Required part of a
community’s General Plan
Identifies hazards of
concern and related issues,
and establishes policies to
protect people and
property
Updated to meet new state
requirements and address
climate resilience
Natural
Hazards
Climate
Change
Hazards
Public
Safety
5 Safety Element Briefing | April 28, 2026 |
Adrienne Smith, Principal Planner, City of Belmont | Eli Krispi, Senior Associate, PlaceWorks Why Update the Safety Element?
Review and update of the Safety Element is
required following adoption of Housing
Element
Respond to new requirements and
emerging safety issues, including climate
resilience and evacuation needs
Incorporate the 2021 Multijurisdictional
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan (LHMP)
Support consistency with other similar
plans
Enhance eligibility for grant funding
6 Safety Element Briefing | April 28, 2026 |
Adrienne Smith, Principal Planner, City of Belmont | Eli Krispi, Senior Associate, PlaceWorks Integration with Other Plans
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan (LHMP):
Focused plan with detailed mitigation
actions; Safety Element incorporates LHMP
and provides policy framework
General Plan Elements: Safety Element
supports consistency with other General
Plan Elements and applicable agency plans
Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) - Details
immediate emergency response and
recovery procedures during disasters
Climate Action and Adaptation (CAAP)
Plan: Complements GHG reduction actions
with adaptation and resilience policies
Safety
Element
EOP
CAAP LHMP
Short-term,
focused plan
with detailed
implementation
actions.
City's blueprint
for responding
to the
challenge of
climate
change.
Safety Element Briefing | April 28, 2026 |
Adrienne Smith, Principal Planner, City of Belmont | Eli Krispi, Senior Associate, PlaceWorks Coordination with OneShoreline
Coordinated sea level rise
adaptation planning
Shared data and best practices
across jurisdictions
Joint grant applications and
funding opportunities to
leverage resources
Reviewed and provided
comments on draft Safety
Element
Safety Element Briefing | April 28, 2026 |
Adrienne Smith, Principal Planner, City of Belmont | Eli Krispi, Senior Associate, PlaceWorks Spring 2026:
Agency public
hearings and
adoption
Winter 2026 –
Spring 2026: Safety
Element public,
State agency, and
environmental
review
Spring 2025 – Fall
2025: Safety
Element
development
Spring 2024 –
Winter 2025:
Vulnerability
Assessment
Spring 2023 –
Winter 2024:
Project kick-off and
background
research
We are here
Project Schedule
9 WHAT’S IN THE SAFETY
ELEMENT
10 Safety Element Briefing | April 28, 2026 |
Adrienne Smith, Principal Planner, City of Belmont | Eli Krispi, Senior Associate, PlaceWorks Safety Element Components
Background and hazard profiles
o What threatens our community?
Maps and data
o Where are the risks and vulnerabilities?
Goals and policies
o How do we address these threats?
Implementation actions
o What specific steps will we take?
11 Safety Element Briefing | April 28, 2026 |
Adrienne Smith, Principal Planner, City of Belmont | Eli Krispi, Senior Associate, PlaceWorks Safety Element High-Level Goals
Climate adaptation and resilience: Prepare for
and adapt to changing climate conditions
Emergency preparedness and response:
Ensure effective response during emergencies
Infrastructure protection and improvement:
Strengthen critical systems and facilities
Community equity and accessibility: Protect
vulnerable populations and ensure equitable
access
Interjurisdictional coordination: Work
collaboratively with regional partners
12 Safety Element Briefing | April 28, 2026 |
Adrienne Smith, Principal Planner, City of Belmont | Eli Krispi, Senior Associate, PlaceWorks Hazards Assessed
Each community has their own
unique conditions, but there are
shared hazards and issues in most
of San Mateo County
Specific issues of concern in
Belmont include wildfire and
evacuation
Sea level rise and emergent
groundwater are emerging
areas of concern
Drought
Emergency preparedness and
evacuation
Extreme heat
Flooding
Hazardous materials
Wildfire
Safety Element Briefing | April 28, 2026 |
Adrienne Smith, Principal Planner, City of Belmont | Eli Krispi, Senior Associate, PlaceWorks Developing new policies or
modifying existing ones to meet
community priorities, respond
to current issues, and comply
with State law
Existing policies in the Safety
Element that are still working
and meeting local needs will be
kept
Safety Elements will also include
direction for implementation
Policies Community
feedback and
priorities
Service
provider
needs and
experiences
Direction from
local staff and
officials
State
requirements
Local and
regional best
practices
Vulnerability
Assessment
Findings
Policy Development
14 WHAT WE HEARD FROM
THE PUBLIC
Safety Element Briefing | April 28, 2026 |
Adrienne Smith, Principal Planner, City of Belmont | Eli Krispi, Senior Associate, PlaceWorks Community Engagement Activities
Conducted in-person and online engagement across all
participating jurisdictions
Community Workshops: March and April 2024, May 2025
Community of Concern Meetings: April – June 2024, March and April 2025
Stakeholder Meetings: June 2024, March and April 2025 Mapped Survey Tool: Ongoing (open throughout project) Public Hearings: Fall 2025 – present
Project Website: Ongoing (open throughout project)
16 Safety Element Briefing | April 28, 2026 |
Adrienne Smith, Principal Planner, City of Belmont | Eli Krispi, Senior Associate, PlaceWorks Key themes from multijurisdictional
community workshops:
Concern for communication gaps during
emergencies, especially for non-English
speakers
Need for infrastructure improvements (roads,
drainage, power systems)
Desire for more emergency preparedness
resources and training
Concerns about flooding, sea level rise, and
wildfire risk
Need for equitable distribution of resources
What We’ve Heard
17 Safety Element Briefing | April 28, 2026 |
Adrienne Smith, Principal Planner, City of Belmont | Eli Krispi, Senior Associate, PlaceWorks From PREP Service Provider Discussions (June 2024)
Infrastructure Concerns:
Protecting critical facilities by moving or hardening them Identified Barriers:
Limited funding and staffing
Lack of key data on some hazards
Needs for simplified permitting and improved regulation Key Recommendations:
Enhance community education and preparation before hazard events
Strengthen interjurisdictional coordination on adaptation solutions Implement nature-based solutions for flood protection and cooling What We’ve Heard
18 Service providers
• Chambers of Commerce
and business groups
• Community service
organizations
• Energy providers and
related services
• Environmental groups
• Faith-based
organizations
• Public health
organizations
• Transit providers
UPDATED ELEMENT
Safety Element Briefing | April 28, 2026 |
Adrienne Smith, Principal Planner, City of Belmont | Eli Krispi, Senior Associate, PlaceWorks Background Information Changes
Several new sections drafted:
Climate change impacts in Belmont
Sea level rise and emergent groundwater
Severe weather
Human health hazards
Seismic and geologic hazards split into separate sections Other sections revised to add new information and details (Introduction, flood hazards, hazardous materials, utilities, fire hazards, public safety and emergency management)
Maps revised and updated throughout
20 Safety Element Briefing | April 28, 2026 |
Adrienne Smith, Principal Planner, City of Belmont | Eli Krispi, Senior Associate, PlaceWorks Policy Changes
Revised existing policies/actions and added new ones to address emerging issues, respond to community concerns, and stay consistent with State law New policy/action sections:
Sea level rise
Emergent groundwater
Extreme heat
Policies/actions revised and added in other sections
21 Safety Element Briefing | April 28, 2026 |
Adrienne Smith, Principal Planner, City of Belmont | Eli Krispi, Senior Associate, PlaceWorks Changes to Conservation Element
Includes some topics that relate
to the Safety Element
New section on drought
hazards
Revised sections on climate
vulnerability and harm to
wastewater infrastructure
Other minor revisions to ensure
consistency with Safety
Element
22 PLANNING COMMISSION
FEEDBACK
Safety Element Briefing | April 28, 2026 |
Adrienne Smith, Principal Planner, City of Belmont | Eli Krispi, Senior Associate, PlaceWorks Planning Commission Feedback
Commission feedback/questions from review of Draft Safety Element in 4/21/2026 study session:
o Wildfire as a key hazard, fire risks of aboveground electrical utilities, lack of backup power during outages and the impacts to residents of smoke and poor air quality
o Importance of multijurisdictional collaboration in the update process and during possible future emergencies/disaster events
o How does the City communicate with non-English-speaking residents? o How does city coordinate with agencies not participating in PREP Safety Element process?
24 Safety Element Briefing | April 28, 2026 |
Adrienne Smith, Principal Planner, City of Belmont | Eli Krispi, Senior Associate, PlaceWorks Planning Commission Feedback
Staff recommended change based on Commission feedback:
o Policy 6-6.10 requires existing and planned development located in fire hazard severity zones meet certain construction standards
Staff to update language to improve clarity and to reflect updates to recent fire hazard mapping
25 TIMELINE AND NEXT STEPS
Safety Element Briefing | April 28, 2026 |
Adrienne Smith, Principal Planner, City of Belmont | Eli Krispi, Senior Associate, PlaceWorks What Comes Next?
Incorporate feedback from public
review period into final Safety
Element (ends 5/14/26)
State agency review – Cal OES
(Governor’s Office of Emergency
Services) and California Geologic
Survey
Planning Commission and City
Council adoption hearings
27 Safety Element Briefing | April 28, 2026 |
Adrienne Smith, Principal Planner, City of Belmont | Eli Krispi, Senior Associate, PlaceWorks We Want Your Input
How to Provide Input:
Share comments today during discussion
Contact Adrienne Smith, Principal Planner
Visit County project website: prepsmc.com
Visit City web site belmont.gov/safetyelement
Attend upcoming public hearings
City Council meeting April 28, 2026
Planning Commission meeting June 2, 2026
(tentative)
City Council meeting June 9, 2026 (tentative)
28 Safety Element Briefing | April 28, 2026 |
Adrienne Smith, Principal Planner, City of Belmont | Eli Krispi, Senior Associate, PlaceWorks Review Questions
Are the proposed goals and policies aligned
with Belmont’s priorities?
Do these policies address your safety
concerns?
Any additional feedback?
29 Safety Element Briefing | April 28, 2026 |
Adrienne Smith, Principal Planner, City of Belmont | Eli Krispi, Senior Associate, PlaceWorks Example: Sea level rise and emergent
groundwater policies
31 P 6.2-21: Work with the County, BCDC,
and OneShoreline to plan for sea level rise
P 6.2-24: Plan for sea level rise over the
lifespan of a project
P 6.2-28: Prepare a Buffer Zone around
the Bay shoreline
P 6.2-31: Require new buildings in
affected areas to address groundwater
vulnerabilities
Safety Element Briefing | April 28, 2026 |
Adrienne Smith, Principal Planner, City of Belmont | Eli Krispi, Senior Associate, PlaceWorks Example: Extreme heat policies
32 P 6.11-3: Expand the urban tree
canopy
P 6.11-5: Install public shade
structures
P 6.11-7: Create outreach and
education campaigns about extreme
heat
P 6.11-8: Explore creating mobile
service options for areas affected by
extreme heat and power outage
Safety Element Briefing | April 28, 2026 |
Adrienne Smith, Principal Planner, City of Belmont | Eli Krispi, Senior Associate, PlaceWorks Example: Wildfire policies
33 P 6.6-8: Promote and support vegetation
management programs
P 6.6-12: Continue to offer community
programs to improve home hardening
against wildfires
P 6.6-13: Coordinate with the San Mateo
Consolidated Fire Department on the need
for any new fire-safe regulations
P 6.6-15: Ensure there are adequate
emergency response resources for all areas
of Belmont