San Carlos · issues

Civic issues

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

2 issues (filtered)13 topics

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HighZoning

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.

3 mentionsLast discussed Sep 14, 2026

HighZoning

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.

2 mentionsLast discussed Jan 26, 2026