Belmont Weekly Civic & Community Briefing (Oct. 16–23, 2026): 2 Davis Drive Fire Station Plan, Old County Rd Housing, County El Niño Emergency & Centennial Fest
Key updates for Belmont residents: Planning Commission reviews 45-unit 2 Davis Drive project with dedicated site for new Fire Station 15, approves 4-unit Old County Rd infill, County declares El Niño emergency, ALPR audit results, and Centennial Festival traffic advisories.
This week in Belmont: City planning and community celebrations took center stage as the Belmont Planning Commission convened on Tuesday evening to review major residential infill initiatives and launch environmental scoping for a 45-unit housing proposal at 2 Davis Drive—a project that includes the dedication of a dedicated municipal site for a brand-new, three-story San Mateo Consolidated Fire Station 15. The Commission also approved a four-unit multifamily residential project along Old County Road under state transit-oriented parking provisions. Regionally, the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors followed Belmont's lead by formally declaring a countywide local emergency for the forecasted severe 2026–27 El Niño winter storm season, while a county civil grand jury audit recognized Belmont's automated license plate reader program as the most compliant on the Peninsula. All the while, Belmont prepares for its signature Centennial Festival, parade, and evening drone show this Saturday at Twin Pines Park.
This briefing covers civic decisions and community journalism published Oct. 16–23, 2026, alongside curated Peninsula weekend events from Oct. 24 through Nov. 1.
- 2 Davis Drive Project & New Fire Station 15: The Planning Commission held an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) scoping session on a proposed 45-unit residential neighborhood at 2 Davis Drive that includes dedicating a 0.35-acre parcel for a new 9,400-square-foot, three-story fire station replacing aged Station 15 on Cipriani Boulevard. Public scoping comments remain open through Nov. 6.
- Old County Road Housing Infill Approved: Commissioners granted Design Review and a Conditional Use Permit for a three-story, four-unit residential infill building at 1324 Old County Road, utilizing AB 2097 parking exemptions near Belmont Caltrain.
- County Proclaims El Niño Emergency: Following Belmont’s municipal proclamation last week, San Mateo County Supervisors voted 3–0–2 to declare a countywide local emergency and establish an inter-agency winter weather task force ahead of predicted historic rainfall.
- ALPR System Earns Top County Compliance Mark: A Civil Grand Jury investigation into police automated license plate readers found Belmont had the fewest deficiencies of any surveyed jurisdiction, confirming full adherence to privacy and data-sharing standards.
- Centennial Festival & Traffic Advisories: Belmont marks 100 years of incorporation this Saturday, Oct. 24, with a community parade, classic car show, and evening drone light show at Twin Pines Park, accompanied by planned closures along Ralston Avenue and Sixth Avenue.
Municipal Planning & Civic Actions
2 Davis Drive EIR Scoping: 45 Residential Units & Dedicated Site for New Fire Station 15
At its regular meeting on Tuesday, October 20, the Belmont Planning Commission conducted a formal public scoping session for the Environmental Impact Report (EIR) analyzing the proposed 2 Davis Drive Project. The development proposes 45 multi-family residential dwelling units across 71,989 gross square feet of residential area on a hillside parcel, featuring 12 four-bedroom and 33 three-bedroom residences at a gross density of 15.6 units per acre.
As a central community benefit, the project plan includes the dedication of an approximately 0.35-acre parcel to the City of Belmont for public safety infrastructure. The pad would be graded by the developer and transferred to host a brand-new, three-story, 9,400-square-foot modern fire station and staging facility to be funded and constructed by the San Mateo Consolidated Fire Department (SMCFD) and the city. The state-of-the-art facility will replace the outdated Fire Station 15 currently situated approximately 0.3 miles east at 2701 Cipriani Boulevard. City environmental consultant LSA and Principal Planner Adrienne Smith outlined the environmental review parameters, which will assess wildfire evacuation routing, slope stability, tree preservation, and Ralston Avenue corridor traffic impacts.
Belmont residents and property owners are invited to submit written comments identifying environmental issues, alternatives, and mitigation measures to be analyzed in the Draft EIR. The 30-day public scoping window remains open through Friday, November 6, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. Comments may be emailed to Principal Planner Adrienne Smith at asmith@belmont.gov or Deputy Community Development Director Kelly Beggs at kbeggs@belmont.gov.
Old County Road Infill: Four-Unit Residential Building Approved
The Planning Commission also held a public hearing for application PA2020-0043, voting 4–2 to approve Design Review and a Conditional Use Permit for a four-unit multifamily residential project located at 1324 Old County Road (APN 045-241-260, situated between 1328 and 1350 Old County Road). Proposed by applicant and property owner Ronald J. Dubois, the project will transform a 2,734-square-foot vacant parcel previously occupied by an unpaved parking area and railroad-spur easement into modern neighborhood housing. The decision is subject to a standard 10-day appeal window.
The approved three-story building stands 30 feet in height with two one-bedroom and two three-bedroom market-rate residences. Architectural plans feature natural wood accent bands, coffee-toned siding, stucco accents, and private outdoor living decks. Pursuant to California Assembly Bill 2097, no minimum vehicular parking spaces are mandated due to the site’s location within one-half mile of the Belmont Caltrain station; the site instead provides five dedicated bicycle parking spaces, comprehensive landscaping covering 19% of the lot, and upgraded concrete sidewalk improvements along Old County Road.
County Governance & Regional Bulletins
UpdateSan Mateo County Declares Emergency Ahead of Historic El Niño
Following Belmont’s proactive municipal proclamation last week, the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors voted 3–0–2 on Tuesday, October 20, to proclaim a countywide local emergency in anticipation of potential severe winter storms, as reported by the San Mateo Daily Journal. Projections from climate forecasters indicate heightened risk of sustained atmospheric rivers across Northern California through early 2027.
Dr. Shruti Dhapodkar, Director of the San Mateo County Department of Emergency Management, briefed supervisors on the necessity of mobilizing inter-agency resources early. Under the proclamation, the county has established an emergency task force to coordinate flood mitigation, mutual-aid engineering contractors, and sandbag depots across local cities, including Belmont and neighboring Foster City.
Civil Grand Jury Review: Belmont Automated License Plate Readers Lead County in Compliance
The Belmont City Council signed off on its formal response to a comprehensive San Mateo County Civil Grand Jury investigation examining law enforcement deployment of automated license plate reader (ALPR) cameras, according to the San Mateo Daily Journal. The Grand Jury evaluated transparency, oversight mechanisms, and privacy safeguards among Peninsula law enforcement agencies.
Significantly, the audit found that Belmont had the least amount of deficiencies in its automated license plate reader program of every municipality surveyed in the county. The Grand Jury confirmed that Belmont Police had zero unlawful out-of-state data sharing and maintained strict logging protocols. The city’s response reaffirms commitment to transparent public audit trails while employing cameras strictly for public safety and stolen vehicle recovery.
Peninsula Ballot Watch: San Carlos Half-Cent Sales Tax (Measure G) & School Bonds
With ballots arriving in household mailboxes, neighboring Peninsula cities are weighing consequential revenue measures. In San Carlos, voters are considering Measure G, which proposes a half-cent municipal sales tax (adding 5 cents to a $10 purchase) to generate an estimated $6 million annually in dedicated general fund revenue for street repairs, emergency services, and park maintenance.
Meanwhile, the San Mateo-Foster City School District has placed a $498 million school facility bond on the ballot to replace windowless classrooms, modernize STEM labs, and build workforce housing for educators. Additionally, the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors initiated discussions regarding potential zoning restrictions and moratoriums on new commercial data centers on unincorporated county land to safeguard electrical grid stability and water resources.
Belmont Centennial Festival: Saturday Parade Route, Park Closure & Traffic Advisories
The City of Belmont celebrates its 100th anniversary of incorporation (1926–2026) this weekend, highlighted by the official Centennial Festival on Saturday, October 24. Ahead of the festivities, the Belmont Police Department and Public Works Department issued a comprehensive traffic advisory bulletin outlining planned weekend street and park closures:
- Twin Pines Park Full Closure: Twin Pines Park is closed to all public vehicle access from Friday, Oct. 23 at 5:00 p.m. through Sunday, Oct. 25 at 8:00 a.m.
- Centennial Parade Route (Saturday, 10:30 AM – 3:30 PM): Ralston Avenue will be closed to vehicular traffic from Alameda de las Pulgas to El Camino Real. The parade stages at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church (1040 Alameda), moves north to Ralston, heads east down Ralston, and concludes at Sixth Avenue.
- Sixth Avenue Classic Car Show: Sixth Avenue from Ralston Ave to O’Neill Ave will remain closed the entire day Saturday.
- Evening Drone Show Closures (Friday 7:00–8:30 PM & Saturday 6:00–8:00 PM): Sixth Ave, Emmett Ave, and Waltermire St (from Sixth Ave to Safeway) will be closed to all vehicles and pedestrians during aerial performances.
📅 Peninsula Community Calendar & Halloween Radar (Oct. 24 – Nov. 1)
A curated selection of verified, family-friendly, cultural, and outdoor events taking place in Belmont and nearby Peninsula destinations.
UpdateBelmont Centennial Festival: Final Weekend & Drone Light Show
Belmont celebrates 100 years of municipal history with live music across multiple park stages, food trucks, family lawn games, historical society exhibits, and an evening 200-drone synchronized aerial light show over the park.
Una Ofrenda Musical - A Musical Altar for Our Muertos
Celebrate Día de los Muertos at the Belmont Library with an acoustic performance exploring traditional folk songs, storytelling, and musical rhythms that honor ancestral memory. Suitable for youth and families.
Storytime & Drawing Demo with Nidhi Chanani
Acclaimed author and graphic illustrator Nidhi Chanani visits the Belmont Library for a reading of her celebrated works, followed by an interactive live drawing demonstration and Q&A for aspiring young artists.
Boos and Brews on B Street & Trick or Treating
Hosted jointly by City of San Mateo Parks & Rec and the Downtown San Mateo Association, this lively afternoon festival features costume trick-or-treating at 50 participating local merchants, reptile petting zoos, DJ music, and crafts.
October 25, 2026 - 10 AM Free Marine Flare Disposal Day-Pillar Point Harbor
The San Mateo County Harbor District hosts a free drive-through disposal day for expired marine flares and recreational boating pyrotechnics, providing safe, eco-friendly disposal alongside the festive morning Witches Paddle across the harbor basin.
Trunk or Treat
Hiller Aviation transforms its outdoor courtyard and flight line into a festive Halloween runway. Trick-or-treat among decorated vehicle trunks and real airplanes. Participation and trick-or-treating are completely free; costumes encouraged.
Goblin Walk
Downtown San Carlos welcomes costumed ghouls and goblins (ages 7 and under with adults) to trick-or-treat along Laurel Street from San Carlos Ave to Arroyo Ave at storefronts displaying Goblin Walk posters. First 600 children receive trick-or-treat bags.
Halloween Zoo Night
A special after-hours Halloween evening at the Junior Museum & Zoo featuring festive animal encounters, face painting, educational treats, and costume fun. Advance ticket purchase required ($30/person; museum membership required).