San Carlos · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in San Carlos public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
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.