San Carlos adopts watershed management plan


“It’s not just something to build and redevelop, but how can we integrate use, provide access, how can we incorporate trails,” Tarantino said. 

The Pulgas Creek Watershed drains approximately 3.5 square miles within the city, and the goals of the management plan look to address the expected increase in frequent and severe flooding. 

The most prevalent flooding risk factors include sedimentation, trash and debris, insufficient storm drain capacity, elevated groundwater levels and high tides, according to the staff report. Also, sea level rise and increased storm frequency contribute to more frequent landslides and flooding to consider. 

To address these, the mitigation plan looks to focus on improvement strategies by the city, policy changes to municipal codes and zoning, and community partnerships with regional stakeholders. 

Capital improvements projects the city is recommended to explore include floodplain detention basins at Arguello Park and Big Canyon Park, and possible underground detention basins in Burton Park and adjacent to El Camino Real. These infrastructure projects will be included in the city’s Parks Master Plan and district-specific master plans. The cost for such improvements are unknown, but can reach up to $30 million. 

Beyond the physical improvements that must occur, updating policies to encourage participation in improving the watershed and develop smartly and safely will be key, Tarantino said. 

The city will also look to adopt a Stream Development and Maintenance Overlay District to set creek setbacks to 35 feet for new development within commercial and industrial zoning districts. A sea level rise overlay district and shallow groundwater rise overlay district is also recommended to be aligned with OneShoreline’s guidance. 

These overlay districts will ultimately allow the city to implement requirements for developers to contribute to mitigation impacts of climate change and incorporate resiliency strategies in their planning, said consultant and project manager Camille Bandy. 

Expanding awareness and education on how the community can participate in mitigating risk factors and maintaining the watershed was a major priority discussed at the meeting. 

“Residents really play a big role in protecting the watershed,” Bandy said. “Although the changes might be considered small, there are things that residents can improve on their property that collectively have a huge impact on the watershed.” 

A manual for homeowners and residents near the creeks is in the works to provide information on what residents can do to maintain the watershed and programs they can participate in, said City Engineer Grace Le.

“They want more info, they’re not clear on what their responsibility is,” Le said, “It’s not that they’re not doing it, they don’t know that they have to do it, so that’s definitely something we need to work on.”

The council approved the management plan 4-0, with Councilmember John Dugan absent.