September 23, 2024 – City Council gives the go ahead on new street designs for downtown San Carlos
On September 23, 2024, the City Council directed staff to proceed with new street designs for downtown San Carlos. These designs will serve as an imprint and will influence the policies, standards, and specifications of the Downtown Specific Plan and Streetscape Master Plan as they continue to evolve. Eventually, they will be released for public review and ultimately considered by the Council for formal adoption in 2025.
Highlights of the street design changes include:
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A new public plaza spanning the entire 700 block of Laurel Street and a new plaza on the 600 block of Laurel Street, between Blue Line Pizza and Paris Baguette
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Significantly widened sidewalks (sidewalks proposed to be 20 feet wide on San Carlos Avenue and Laurel Street)
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Protected bike lanes on San Carlos Avenue, El Camino Real, and Brittan Avenue
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Improved outdoor dining space
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Urban greenery: i.e. new tree lined streets, new tree “groves” (for shade) and rain gardens (for stormwater management)
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Other amenities such as public outdoor seating, event and festival space accommodations, pavilions, opportunities for public art and interactive elements for play, drinking fountains, power outlets and EV car charging stations, bicycle parking, and public restrooms
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Improved connectivity between downtown, the Caltrain station, and East San Carlos for all modes of travel (enhancing the experience of pedestrians and bicyclists, and Caltrain riders)
Rendering of a new public plaza in the 700 block of Laurel Street (between Cherry and Olive Streets)
The outcomes of the street design changes include an enhanced pedestrian experience, safer bike routes, more space for downtown activities, and people spending more time downtown. Although no formal recommendation was made, the Council adopted a resolution to approve the refined street designs for inclusion in the Specific Plan and Streetscape Master Plan, which will be released for public review in 2025.
A good plan involves everyone!
Questions? AdvancePlanning@cityofsancarlos.org
Highlights
San Carlos Downtown Specific Plan + Streetscape Master Plan
In partnership with the San Carlos community, the City is creating a plan for Downtown San Carlos that meets the needs of the community and businesses, now and into the future. The Downtown Specific Plan and Streetscape Master Plan will build upon what’s best and most loved about Downtown San Carlos, and take a close look at what needs updating or changing. The plan's focus is Downtown San Carlos, which is defined as Laurel Street, El Camino Real, and the cross streets from Holly Street to Greenwood Avenue.
The decisions we make collaboratively will shape Downtown San Carlos for years to come. The Downtown Specific Plan and Streetscape Master Plan are targeted for adoption in spring 2025.