Belmont City Council
June 23, 2026

SAFETY ELEMENT UPDATE

ADOPTION HEARING
CITY OF BELMONT – CITY COUNCIL
June 23, 2026
Adrienne Smith, Principal Planner, City of Belmont
Eli Krispi, Senior Associate, PlaceWorks
Safety Element
Update
Agenda

1. Planning Commission and
City Council Comments

2. Proposed Revisions to the
Safety Element and
Conservation Element

3. Next Steps

PLANNING COMMISSION AND

CITY COUNCIL COMMENTS
Safety Element Adoption Hearing | June 23, 2026 |
Adrienne Smith, Principal Planner, City of Belmont | Eli Krispi, Senior Associate, PlaceWorks Comments Summary
4 City Council Meeting (4/28/26)
• Provide more information on coordination with other
jurisdictions and external agencies.
• What is the City’s response to simultaneous or cascading disasters?
• How does the City monitor for novel or unforeseen safety threats?
Safety Element Adoption Hearing | June 23, 2026 |
Adrienne Smith, Principal Planner, City of Belmont | Eli Krispi, Senior Associate, PlaceWorks Comments Summary
5 Planning Commission Meeting (6/2/26)
Safety Element
• Acknowledge the risk of gas line breaks caused by earthquakes. • Mention where erosion risks are highest in Belmont.

Conservation Element
• Where feasible, revise data tables to reflect most current available data. • Include mention of the Twin Pines Storm Water Detention Basin Project.

HOW WE RESPONDED TO

FEEDBACK
Safety Element Adoption Hearing | June 23, 2026 |
Adrienne Smith, Principal Planner, City of Belmont | Eli Krispi, Senior Associate, PlaceWorks Responses to City Council Comments (4/28/26
Meeting)
Comment letters Addressed
Partially addressed
Gaps
Partial
Coordination with other jurisdictions and external agencies Already addressed in Flooding, Sea Level Rise, Hazardous Materials, Utilities, and Emergency Management sections.

Is interjurisdictional emergency cooperation formally codified? Expanded Emergency Response section with input from SMC Fire and PD: SMC Fire JPA provides mutual aid across all county fire departments; Police Dept has informal/formal protocols plus statewide Master Mutual Aid Agreement participation.

City response to simultaneous or cascading disasters
Cascading hazards already discussed in Climate Change, Flooding, SLR, and Landslides sections. Revised Policies

6.8-3, 6.9-3, 6.9-5 and Action 6.9-7a to reference preparedness for multiple simultaneous events.

Does the City monitor for novel or unforeseen safety threats? Revised Policy 6.7-4 to explicitly include planning for 'novel and unforeseen hazardous conditions’.

Safety Element Adoption Hearing | June 23, 2026 |
Adrienne Smith, Principal Planner, City of Belmont | Eli Krispi, Senior Associate, PlaceWorks Responses to Planning Commission
Comments (6/2/26 Meeting)
Comment letters Addressed
Partially addressed
Gaps
Partial Include mention of the Twin Pines Storm Water Detention Basin Project in Conservation Element Safety Element has been updated to reflect general discussion of Belmont Creek flood management and restoration Initiatives.

Acknowledge the risk of earthquakes causing breaks in gas lines Revised the Seismicity and Ground Shaking section to note this risk, added an action to support better monitoring/retrofitting of gas lines and other utilities.

Where feasible, revise data tables to reflect most current available data Revised the data in the tables with new information as available.

Mention where erosion risks are highest in Belmont
Added additional language to the Erosion discussion to explain the general conditions where erosion risk is elevated.

Safety Element Adoption Hearing | June 23, 2026 |
Adrienne Smith, Principal Planner, City of Belmont | Eli Krispi, Senior Associate, PlaceWorks Staff-Proposed Revisions
9 Ensure policies clearly apply to new vs. existing development (flood & sea level rise) Revised Policy 6.2-14: install protective structures with new development.

Revised Action 6.2-23b: collaborate with OneShoreline on development standards.

Add dedicated Sanitary Sewer infrastructure section (new) Added a 'Sanitary Sewer' subsection to the Hazardous Materials policy section to improve organization and specificity of content:
• Policy 6.3-3: Ensure sanitary sewer facilities are designed and sized to reduce damage and contamination risk. • Action 6.3-3a: Prioritize maintenance and rehabilitation of aging infrastructure. • Action 6.3-3b: Maintain and regularly update the Sewer Master Plan.

Administrative/Continuity Cleanups
• Updated maps, graphics and minor language refinement.

Safety Element Adoption Hearing | June 23, 2026 |
Adrienne Smith, Principal Planner, City of Belmont | Eli Krispi, Senior Associate, PlaceWorks Recommendation
10 Staff recommend that the City Council:

Adopt a resolution amending the Belmont General Plan by adopting the updated Safety Element and associated amendments to the Conservation Element.

BACKUP SLIDES
Safety Element Adoption Hearing | June 23, 2026 |
Adrienne Smith, Principal Planner, City of Belmont | Eli Krispi, Senior Associate, PlaceWorks Study Session Comments Summary
13 Planning Commission (4/21/26)
• Provide clarity on standards for existing and new development in fire hazard zones.
• Clarify the uses and benefits of the Safety Element.
• Emphasize the importance of backup power and utility undergrounding. • More information on the emergency alert system and communications with non-English speakers.
• Explain how the Safety Element addresses wildfire smoke and air quality impacts.
• Other minor requests for clarification.

Safety Element Adoption Hearing | June 23, 2026 |
Adrienne Smith, Principal Planner, City of Belmont | Eli Krispi, Senior Associate, PlaceWorks Responses to Planning Commission
Comments (from study session)
Comment letters Addressed
Partially addressed
Gaps
Partial Policy 6-6.10 – Clarity on new vs existing development in FHSZs Revised to emphasize the State standards for new and existing development.

Backup power and utility undergrounding
Already addressed in Utilities (6.5), Emergency Response (6.7), Public Education (6.9), and Extreme Heat (6.11).

Clarify the uses and benefits of the Safety Element
Added narrative to Introduction explaining the Element uses and benefits.

Emergency alert system and reaching non-English speakers Expanded 'Emergency Alert Systems' section with detail from SMC Fire.

Wildfire smoke and air quality impacts
Added language noting distant wildfires can still harm air quality locally; updated vulnerable populations text; revised Policy 6.7-12 to add 'clean-air centers'.

Provided additional details as warranted.

Other minor requests for clarification
Safety Element Adoption Hearing | June 23, 2026 |
Adrienne Smith, Principal Planner, City of Belmont | Eli Krispi, Senior Associate, PlaceWorks Source Comment Topic Action Taken
PC Policy 6-6.10 clarity (fire hazard zones) Revised
PC Safety Element uses and benefits Revised
PC Backup power & utility undergrounding Already addressed PC Emergency alerts & non-English speakers Revised
PC Clay wastewater pipe risks Already addressed
PC Wildfire smoke & air quality Revised
CC Coordination with external agencies Already addressed CC Cascading/compounding hazards Revised
CC Codified interjurisdictional cooperation Revised
CC Monitoring for novel threats Revised
Staff New/existing development clarity (flood) Revised
Staff Sanitary sewer infrastructure section New section added 12 Summary of Comments and Actions

SAFETY ELEMENT OVERVIEW

PENINSULA RESILIENCE PLANNING
Safety Element Adoption Hearing | June 23, 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
17 Safety Element Adoption Hearing | June 23, 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
18 Safety Element Adoption Hearing | June 23, 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
19 Safety Element Adoption Hearing | June 23, 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 Adoption Hearing | June 23, 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
WHAT’S IN THE SAFETY

ELEMENT
22 Safety Element Adoption Hearing | June 23, 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?
23 Safety Element Adoption Hearing | June 23, 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
24 Safety Element Adoption Hearing | June 23, 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 Adoption Hearing | June 23, 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
26 WHAT WE HEARD FROM

THE PUBLIC
Safety Element Adoption Hearing | June 23, 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)
28 Safety Element Adoption Hearing | June 23, 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
29 Safety Element Adoption Hearing | June 23, 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
30 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 Adoption Hearing | June 23, 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
32 Safety Element Adoption Hearing | June 23, 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
33 Safety Element Adoption Hearing | June 23, 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
34 Safety Element Adoption Hearing | June 23, 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/
35 Safety Element Adoption Hearing | June 23, 2026 |
Adrienne Smith, Principal Planner, City of Belmont | Eli Krispi, Senior Associate, PlaceWorks Example: Sea level rise and emergent
groundwater policies
36  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 Adoption Hearing | June 23, 2026 |
Adrienne Smith, Principal Planner, City of Belmont | Eli Krispi, Senior Associate, PlaceWorks Example: Extreme heat policies
37  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 Adoption Hearing | June 23, 2026 |
Adrienne Smith, Principal Planner, City of Belmont | Eli Krispi, Senior Associate, PlaceWorks Example: Wildfire policies
38  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
Safety Element Adoption Hearing | June 23, 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 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
39 Safety Element Adoption Hearing | June 23, 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
40