San Carlos Downtown Specific Plan OK’d by Planning Commission

The Downtown Specific Plan was described by Senior Planner Lisa Porras as the city’s “north star” and a regulatory tool that includes goals, policies, action items and standards for development to guide the city to 2045.

Although the plans have been under development for years, “it really is just the beginning,” Porras said.

“There’s a lot of different action items for future work in front of us,” Porras said to the Planning Commission. “Through this plan, we’re committing to doing that work and investigating and working through these issues that are very important to the community.”

The plan includes detailed information regarding urban design and policy that reflects a “shared vision” for San Carlos, which focuses on equity and resilience, establishing distinct identities of the different areas of the city, increasing downtown vibrancy and urban vitality, and strengthening mobility and connectivity that promotes safe and alternative modes of travel.

“I like thinking about our city in an updated and modernized way and in a way which is flexible over time with however our city changes and how our citizens use our public spaces,” Commissioner Jorge Tapias said.

A key portion of the specific plan also emphasizes prosperity and economic development. The intent of a reimagined downtown is to promote foot traffic and patronage in downtown to build support for its various small businesses.

Other topics addressed in the long-term planning document include walkability, parking and transportation, installing public art, promoting sustainable infrastructure and how to fund it all.

An extremely rough estimate of the 13-phased projects to improve the downtown is estimated at $125 million. Commissioners noted that this is likely an underestimate, considering inflation and unforeseen costs.

Although Commissioner Twisha Anand said she “approaches it with skepticism,” she is happy to see the city move forward with plans and prepare for construction in coming years.

Commissioner Summer Bundy described the Downtown Specific Plan as aspirational but necessary.

“It is going to be hard. There’s lots of details but I do think it does set out a plan that helps to reflect what we’ve heard from the community and the values we have,” Bundy said. “Things are going to change whether or not we choose to change them.”

San Carlos has approved various guiding plans in the recent five years that look to prepare for an anticipated influx of new residents and related development needed, as well as the growing desire to pedestrianize cities and properly adapt to climate change.

The closure of the 700 block of Laurel Street to pedestrian-only use and a reimagined downtown plan — the Downtown Streetscape Master Plan was approved by the City Council in April — have begun a long-term plan to renovate the city’s living room.

The first implementation and action taken with the guidance of both the Streetscape Master Plan and Downtown Specific Plan is described as “Phase 1A” or updating Harrington Park. Technical documentation and design and engineering drawings will be presented to the City Council Nov. 10, and it will likely consider advertising the project to bid shortly after, moving forward on the very beginning of a long-term plan.