Councilmember· 2022-11-01 - 2026-12-01
Sara McDowell
San Carlos
About
Sara McDowell's campaign centers on fiscal conservatism, notably taking a stance against increasing local sales taxes. Her platform also engages with key local issues such as housing developments as she contends for a seat on the San Carlos City Council.
Campaign promises (1)
- taxesSara McDowell opposes the proposed sales tax increase.Related votes
Voice
- Meetings spoken in
- 18
- Total speaking time
- 2:32:39
- Avg per meeting
- 8:29
- Segments
- 1994
Want every word McDowell has said?
The OpenCity MCP for Claude.ai answers questions like “what has McDowell said about housing this year” with one prompt — full speaking history, with YouTube timestamps.
Top issues during term (8)(Development)
Affordable housing at Cherry Street Commons and new proposals
While building costs are high, adding more affordable units helps stabilize skyrocketing local rents and keeps our tax dollars working locally.
MHA Supportive Housing at F Street and El Camino Real
Project cost is estimated at over $18 million, funded through state and county sources, not city dollars.
626 Walnut Street Affordable Housing Development
No city money is going in — funding comes from county Measure K dollars and state sources; the city's role is streamlined entitlement review.
RHNA Cycle 7 Housing Mandates
Compliance is an unfunded state mandate that cost the city millions in the last cycle.
San Carlos Elms Expansion and Senior Housing Needs
The Elms spends over $900,000 a year subsidizing its 21 below-market-rate units; the project cost wasn't stated.
Downtown Revitalization Construction Support
The city committed $44 million to street paving over five years and will consider additional parking enforcement funding; DPT funding requests come at budget time.
808 Alameda hillside development concerns
11 El Camino Real subdivision parcel map
Developer posted $1.319 million and $659,000 performance bonds; no city cost.
Decisions during term (4)
Recorded while McDowell was in office — not necessarily decisions they moved, spoke to, or voted on.
Adopt a Resolution Approving and Authorizing the Execution of an Amendment to the Existing Cooperation Agreement with the County of San Mateo for Participation in the County’s Housing and Community Development Programs for Non-Entitlement…
Agendize Walnut Street development discussion (MidPen Housing / San Mateo County)
Introduce Ordinance 1635 — San Carlos Elms Planned Development Amendment (PD-14)
Receive the State Mandated 2025 Housing Element Annual Progress Report and Direct Staff to Submit Report to the State Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) by April 1, 2026.
Voting record (0)(Development)
No votes found matching Development.