What’s the story on the story poles in Belvedere?
The Planning Commission hosted a FEMA Flood Zone Community Meeting on January 30, 2012 at 6:30 pm in the Community Center. The meeting was attended by over 50 residents, officials, developers, and local architects. Meeting audio is available on the City’s website at:
http://www.cityofbelvedere.org/Archive.aspx?AMID=62&Type=&ADID=
The staff report and exhibits prepared for the item are also available at
http://www.cityofbelvedere.org/Archive.aspx?ADID=690
The City will be accepting preliminary public comment on the story poles and the recommended changes up to February 21, 2012. In March, the City Council will provide further direction to City staff. Please send any correspondence to the City of Belvedere Planning Department, 450 San Rafael Avenue, Belvedere, CA 94920 or email to pmacdonald@cityofbelvedere.org
The story pole locations are:
• 160 San Rafael Avenue
• 20 Cove Road
• 6A Peninsula Road
• 59 Peninsula Road
• 13 Teal Road
• 3 Bellevue Avenue
• 39 West Shore Road
In summary, the recommended changes would increase permitted building heights where the FEMA flood maps require new construction to build a higher first floor than those of existing homes. The recommendation is that every property in the floodplain receive this potential increased building height.
The top of the story poles, marked in orange, represents the recommended new maximum height limit. Some neighborhoods have different permitted heights for different building sizes. Toward the middle of some story poles, marked in blue, there are markings representing the recommended mid-range height limit, and the story poles near the bottom of some addresses (in white or natural wood color) represent the recommended new height of single-story residences. Near the very bottom, staff has placed a piece of white tape showing the new first floor level under the FEMA requirements. Markings in black represent the current height limits.
The story poles will be removed on February 10, 2012. Between now and then, City staff will document them and note their relationships to adjacent properties, sunlight and shading, scenic views, recreation, and other conditions in the area.
If you have questions, please contact Pierce Macdonald at pmacdonald@cityofbelvedere.org