Consultants summarize Belmont City outreach, propose shorter, policy‑focused rewrite of the comprehensive plan

Consultants presented findings from three public workshops and outlined a plan to shorten and reorganize Belmont City’s comprehensive plan so it is easier for residents and staff to use.

Joe, a consultant with the Center for Comprehensive Planning, told attendees the team collected “over 1,300 pieces of individual engagement” during recent outreach and will use that input to help shape an updated vision for Belmont through roughly 2034. He said the team will post slides and board materials on the project website and run a second, policy‑level survey in mid‑July to let residents review specific proposed policies.

Michael, a member of the consulting team, said the goal is to move from a long, book‑style document to a topic‑oriented structure (land use, economy, mobility, character, parks, environment) and to add a mid‑level “policy” layer between broad goals and specific programs. “The comprehensive plan should be comprised of goals, policies and programs,” he said, arguing the middle layer will help translate vision into implementable steps.

Consultants reported workshop themes that varied by area: northern Belmont raised connectivity and sidewalks, central Belmont emphasized waterfront access, downtown walkability and creative parking solutions, and southern Belmont (the peninsula) prioritized tree canopy preservation, equitable waterfront access for residents without private docks, and small, local retail options.

Using parks as an example, the team described how a broad goal — ensuring a range of park and recreational opportunities — becomes actionable through policies such as routinely asking young people if facilities are working and then using programs to deliver improvements. Michael said the restructure aims to consolidate long technical material into appendices so the main document remains concise and readable.

On engagement and implementation, Joe said the Center will continue supporting outreach and has been meeting individually with elected officials so constituent concerns are reflected in the process. Tiffany, a city project staffer, described a new City Connect tool the city is using to send targeted calls, texts and emails, and urged residents to sign up so the city can reach those who do not use social media. “We now have that connected so we’re encouraging everyone to sign up for Connect,” she said.

A resident at the meeting said there are widespread misconceptions that the city is approving development faster than infrastructure can support, and urged clearer public communication. Consultants responded that the updated plan should “stand on its own” and be written in plain language so residents can see how policies relate to infrastructure and capital budgeting.

The consulting team said there are no final decisions yet; the work is iterative and the team plans repeated community check‑ins. They announced a mid‑July policy poll and said the draft rewrite is expected to return to the community in stages, with adoption anticipated next year during the city’s normal adoption process.