San Carlos council approves new life science project

The Sobrato Organization plans to build a life science campus on a 3.4-acre lot at 841 Old County Road, consisting of two buildings, one four-story structure amassing about 134,000 square feet and another five-story building totaling about 205,000 square feet.

The plans were initially stalled after the council requested during a meeting in August that the Sobrato team and city staff negotiate a better community benefits package specifically calling for more public parking and public access to open space.

Councilmembers were presented with an updated package Monday including four designated public parking spots during business hours and an altered center courtyard that was completely open rather than only partially open to the public as previously proposed. The property manager will have the right to close the courtyard twice a month for private events and nonprofits and organizations will have the ability to request private access six times a year and possibly more often. The public would also be allowed to use all 46 surface parking spots after business hours and on weekends.

Before unanimously approving the proposal, councilmembers further negotiated the public benefits package. They successfully convinced the developer to commit to providing seven public parking spots during business hours, to install a dual water system capable of tapping into any future recycled water system the city installs and potentially allowing organizations to book the courtyard more than six times a year when feasible.

“This project has come back stronger with more benefits for our community and in better compliance with our Eastside Innovation District Vision Plan,” McDowell said, referencing a recently crafted strategic plan meant to guide the evolution of the city’s east side as new commercial development is built.

The community benefits package is valued at $7.7 million after accounting for contributions to the city’s Downtown Improvement Fund, Community Improvement and Recreation Fund, and Green Energy Sustainability Fund and the cost of maintaining and ensuring the public courtyard. About another $13 million will also be paid in fees including the city’s commercial linkage fee for affordable housing, sewer fees, traffic impact fee and child care impact fee.

A public plaza and cafe are also proposed at the corner of Commercial Street and Old County Road as part of the project along with additional streetscaping and an 8-foot wide bike path and 4-foot wide pedestrian path along the northern side of Bransten Road. The project will also underground utilities, reconstruct the sidewalk, create a cycle track along Old County Road, and will include 745 below-grade parking stalls.

“At the last meeting, we heard overall support for our project design but walked away understanding that clearly, you wanted to see more on-site benefits consistent with the Eastside Vision Plan,” Development Manager Jeff Sobrato said. “Our partnership with the city of San Carlos is important and we hope that you will be able to receive our proposal with enthusiasm.”