Imagined downtown San Carlos finally OK’d

The long-awaited document’s final approval reflects just the beginning of incoming decisions to make, councilmembers said at the meeting Nov. 24. 

“Plans on paper are one thing, but the devil’s always in the details,” Councilmember Neil Layton said. 

While councilmembers considered few minor detail adjustments throughout the planning document, the major focus was on ensuring that future councilmembers, residents and business in San Carlos will have the ability to adjust as needed.

“Our downtown is going to change no matter what,” Mayor Sara McDowell said. “Having a plan gives our community a say in how that change happens. “

Recent adjustments to the planning document include encouraging ground-floor commercial spaces for developments along El Camino Real, maintaining the unique zoning for the SamTrans headquarters building located at 1250 San Carlos Ave. and promoting the public’s access to private business parking. 

The SamTrans headquarters is currently zoned for a minimum density of 75 dwelling units per acre. San Carlos had recently considered increasing that minimum density to 90 dwelling units per acre, but ultimately approved maintaining the current density because it will more likely allow the site to be feasibly redeveloped into much-needed housing once SamTrans relocates to Millbrae in 2026.  

The zoning approved was said to help SamTrans and the city of San Carlos move forward with a mixed-use redevelopment “as soon as possible,” according to a staff report. 

Promoting prosperity and economic development was a key consideration of the plan. Policies and actions approved in the document make San Carlos take a “business-friendly approach” that will help businesses start, operate and grow. 

The Downtown Specific Plan was approved shortly after the City Council approved its Downtown Streetscape Master Plan, which promotes pedestrian and bicycle access to and through downtown. 

The construction documents for a reimagined Harrington Park are under development, and will be tackled first in a long list of projects that will redevelop and vitalize downtown San Carlos. Funds for the Harrington Park improvements will be included in the city’s two-year budget for Fiscal Year 2026-28. The next upgrade will be to the park’s connection to the 700 block of Laurel Street as the pedestrian-only plaza. 

Following the second reading of the resolution slated for Dec. 8, the San Carlos Specific Plan will take effect on Jan. 7, 2026. 

“This is a visionary plan for us and the city, it’s going to be transformative to continue to make us the jewel of the Peninsula,” Councilmember Adam Rak said. “I look forward to everyone coming down to San Carlos and participating in this great downtown we’re creating.”