A Bold 20-Year Vision for the Future
City Council Set to Adopt Downtown Specific Plan
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The City of San Carlos is excited to announce that the Public Draft Downtown Specific Plan is now available.
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Public Draft Downtown Specific Plan, October 14, 2025 (Online View)
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Public Draft Downtown Specific Plan, October 14, 2025 (Print View)
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Hard copies are available at the Development Services Counter located on the first floor at City Hall, San Carlos Library, Adult Community Center, and Youth Center.
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After years of thoughtful collaboration, vibrant community engagement, and careful planning, San Carlos is on the brink of an exciting new chapter! The long-anticipated Downtown Specific Plan - a comprehensive roadmap for the heart of our city - is entering its final stages of completion.
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Designed to guide the evolution of downtown for the next 20 years, the plan lays out bold goals and actionable strategies across key areas that impact daily life, local character, and long-term vitality. These include:
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Land Use & Urban Design – Creating welcoming, well-designed spaces that reflect the charm and character of San Carlos.
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Prosperity & Economic Development – Supporting local businesses, attracting innovation, and keeping our downtown thriving.
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Mobility & Transportation – Making it easier and safer to get around - on foot, by bicycle, car, or transit.
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Parking & Transportation Demand Management – Smart solutions to balance parking needs and reduce congestion.
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Public Realm – Enhancing parks, plazas, and shared spaces that bring people together.
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Public Art – Celebrating creativity and community identity through meaningful public art installations.
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Sustainability & Resiliency – Building a greener, more resilient downtown that’s ready for the future.
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Infrastructure – Upgrading the systems that keep our city running smoothly.
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Implementation – Turning vision into reality with clear steps and ongoing community partnership.
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This plan is more than just policy - it’s a reflection of what we value as a community and where we see ourselves headed. The choices we make now will help shape a vibrant, inclusive, and dynamic downtown for generations to come.
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As we approach the final stretch, we invite all San Carlans to stay engaged, share their voices, and help bring this vision to life. Together, we’re creating a downtown that’s not just a place to go - but a place to belong.
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Public hearings to consider the Downtown Specific Plan for adoption will take place:
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November 3, 2025, 7:00 p.m. – The Planning and Transportation Commission will consider adopting a resolution recommending the City Council adopt the Downtown Specific Plan.
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November 24, 2025, 7:00 p.m. – The City Council will consider adopting the Downtown Specific Plan.
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To access the agenda packets and Zoom meeting details please visit
www.cityofsancarlos.org/agenda.
Comments or questions? Email AdvancePlanning@cityofsancarlos.org.
A good plan involves everyone!
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Highlights
Harrington Park Redesign: News & Updates
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How It All Started
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Harrington Park improvements are part of a larger vision to transform Downtown San Carlos into a lively, welcoming environment with vibrant urban plazas and tree-lined streets to meet the community’s desire for outdoor gathering, walkability, and meaningful connection.
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Through an inclusive planning process that took place over three years, the City engaged residents, business owners, and stakeholders to uncover a shared vision for the future of Downtown. In addition to City Council and Planning & Transportation Commission meetings, as well as online surveys and community meetings, the City also formed a Downtown Advisory Committee comprised of residents and business owners which met eleven times over three years to give feedback on planning efforts.
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Community members voiced a strong desire for a more walkable, vibrant, and people-centered public realm; one that supports local businesses, fosters social connection, and reflects the unique character of San Carlos. In addition, concerns were raised about trees dripping sticky sap from an aphid infestation along Laurel Street. At the same time, community members wanted to see more trees and shade in the downtown area. The City also heard from residents and downtown businesses alike that public restrooms were a priority for a reimagined downtown.
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As a result of this effort, a conceptual design for Harrington Park was set in place in the Downtown Streetscape Master Plan, adopted by the San Carlos City Council in April 2025 (Resolution No. 2025-031). The Final Design for Harrington Park was later approved by City Council on June 9, 2025 (Resolution No. 2025-054).
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What’s Included in the Redesigned Park?
​Improvements to Harrington Park include a multi-purpose plaza, a multi-purpose building (restrooms, storage, and mechanical room), public seating, and a raingarden with a grove of trees. The existing donor bricks in Harrington Park will be integrated into the redesigned park. The “Balancing Act” (juggling blue man) will be preserved and relocated to the northern end of the 700 block of Laurel Street, near the intersection of Cherry Street. In addition, opportunities for more public art include murals and sculptural play elements. The restroom’s location in Harrington Park was thoughtfully designed to ensure maximum open space in the plaza for families to gather and children to play, including public seating for eating a take-out meal or for watching future concerts from the new performance pavilion planned at the entrance of Harrington Park.
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Site Design: Harrington Park and 700 Block, Laurel Street
As the City redesigns Harrington Park, 10 trees will be removed — but each one will be replaced with a new tree to support long-term growth and sustainability. In their place new trees will be planted, including Engelmann Oaks and Sierra Red Oaks. As the new trees grow, they will provide ample shade for the public.
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When Will Construction Start?
City Council is expected to authorize a bid process on November 10, 2025, when Harrington Park construction drawings will be finalized. Construction is likely to begin in spring 2026.
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Final Design for 700 Block Laurel Street Gets Council Approval
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​​On October 14, 2025, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 2025-115, approving the Final Design for the 700 block of Laurel Street.
The 700 Block of Laurel Street (to be designated as “Centennial Plaza”) will be transformed into a new pedestrian-oriented plaza and include:
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New paving and sidewalk layouts
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Rain gardens and stormwater features
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New trees and landscaping
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Public seating, including custom benches
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Multi-purpose pavilion
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Lighting
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Streetscape amenities such as bicycle parking and drinking fountains
A water feature is also contemplated, and the design of its centerpiece will be finalized through a separate, public engagement process.
What Happens Next?
City staff and consultants will continue their work developing technical construction documents for Centennial Plaza. These documents will provide detailed engineering and construction information that contractors will use to build the project should funding become available and pursuant to City Council direction. The construction schedule for the 700 Block of Laurel Street has not yet been determined.
Comments or questions? Email AdvancePlanning@cityofsancarlos.org.
A good plan involves everyone!
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​City Council adopts the Downtown Streetscape Master Plan
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The City of San Carlos is excited to share that the Council adopted the Downtown Streetscape Master Plan on April 28, 2025. The plan can be accessed here.
The Downtown Streetscape Master Plan is a key component of the broader Downtown Specific Plan project. The Downtown Streetscape Master Plan sets forth new designs for the downtown's entire street network, including new public plazas, and sets the stage for significant transformation of the downtown core. ​​​