San Carlos senior living facility to expand: 3 new units to be developed at the San Carlos Elms

“Supporting places where seniors can live with dignity, connection and care is important with our community,” Mayor Pranita Venkatesh said. 

From the original proposal of the San Carlos Elms in 1993, the facility has grown twice now. Since 1999, the senior care facility has provided 103 total units, including 21 below-market rate units and 14 memory-care units. 

Growing just a bit more allows three more seniors to age in San Carlos. 

The facility is locally owned and operated by the San Carlos Development Corporation. Its president, Kirsten Anderson, shared her hope for the facility’s continued growth. 

“Elms was developed 30 years ago to provide alternative housing for people that wanted to stay in the area, but were no longer able to stay in their home,” Anderson said to the City Council Monday. “That was the mission of the Elms 30 years ago … and we want that to be the mission 30 years from now.” 

Residents at the Elms are helped with their daily lives, including assistance with dressing and grooming, medication and escorts to meals and activities. The on-site dining hall provides three meals a day for all residents and there are amenities for each resident. Memory care programs serve clients with Alzheimer’s or other dementia diagnoses.

Described by Councilmember John Dugan as a “gem in our community,” the San Carlos Elms is in high demand. 

There are currently 77 individuals paying to be on a waitlist for any available units, said Scott Evans, executive director of the San Carlos Development Corporation. Ten of those on the waitlist are requesting the below-market-rate units. 

Councilmember Sara McDowell warmly approved the small expansion, and threw in an opening for any future growth the organization may seek in the future, referencing state density bonus laws that could be taken advantage of. 

“It’s an incredible resource in our community,” McDowell said. “I hear a lot from our older residents that we really need it in San Carlos and we really need more of it.” 

Construction on the upgrades is slated to begin late this year or early next, and last between 16 and 24 months. The work includes the demolition and reconfiguration of three units, which will require a few residents to be moved around, but no one will be displaced, the applicants said.