San Carlos · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in San Carlos public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Formula Business Ordinance Review
San Carlos is the only city in San Mateo County that restricts chain stores downtown, requiring a costly conditional use permit for businesses with 15+ locations. The council wants data and outreach before deciding whether to keep, loosen, or repeal the rule — with pressure to move faster than June 2027.
Northeast Area Specific Plan Opposition
The east side's industrial land near Highway 101 is now slated for a 20-year transformation into a mixed-use district with housing at 75-90 units per acre, active ground-floor uses, and flood protections. Existing businesses can stay, and the council added protections to keep space for plumbers, cabinet makers, and other trades as redevelopment happens.
SB 79 zoning exclusion near Caltrain
A new state law would override local zoning within a quarter mile of the Caltrain station, allowing up to 75-foot buildings and 120 units per acre — including in the downtown core where the city wants ground-floor retail. The council introduced an exclusion ordinance preserving current zoning until 2032 while staff prepares a local transit-oriented development plan. Councilmembers also want the city's story told in Sacramento.
Downtown Specific Plan adoption
The council formally adopted the Downtown Specific Plan and wrote it into the zoning code, locking in the long-term vision for downtown land use, design, mobility, and public space. Future development and public projects downtown must now be consistent with the plan.