Past Events
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Planning and Transportation Commission adopted a Resolution recommending the City Council adopt the Downtown Streetscape Master Plan, April 7, 2025
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​​City Council provided direction on the paving materials, site furnishings, and planting character for improvements to the 700 Block of Laurel Street and Harrington Park, March 10, 2025
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City Council provided direction on the design and layout of key features for improvements to the 700 block of Laurel Street and Harrington Park, February 10, 2025
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​City Council authorized the initiation of design engineering drawings for the entire span of the 700 block of Laurel Street, plus Harrington Park, October 28, 2024
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City Council Endorsed New Street Designs, September 23, 2024
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Downtown Streetscape Character Survey Results, September 23,2024
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All Commission Special Joint Meeting, September 3, 2024
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Downtown Business Stakeholder Meeting, August 28, 2024
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DTAC’s Endorsed Street Designs Presented to the Planning and Transportation Commission and City Council – May, June 2024
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Youth Advisory Committee (YAC) Study Session, March 13, 2024
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Parks, Recreation, and Culture Commission (PRCC) Study Session, February 13, 2024
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Economic Development Advisory Committee (EDAC) Study Session, January 23, 2024
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Ideation Workshop (In-Person), December 9, 2023
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Ideation Workshop (Virtual), December 6, 2023
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Downtown Business Stakeholder Meeting, May 24, 2023
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Downtown Specific Plan – Status Update and Progress Report on 4/17 and 4/24, 2023
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Results from Community Survey 2, March 1, 2023 to April 30, 2023
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Coffee and Comments Open House, March 4, 2023
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Downtown Community Workshop #2, February 15, 2023
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Downtown Community Workshop #1, August 31, 2022
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Results from Community Survey 1, August 8, 2022 to January 15, 2023
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Stakeholder Focus Group Interviews, August 22, 2022
April 7, 2025 - Planning and Transportation Commission adopted a Resolution recommending the City Council adopt the Downtown Streetscape Master Plan
Links to Planning and Transportation Commission Meeting Files:
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March 10, 2025 - City Council provided direction on the paving materials, site furnishings, and planting character for improvements to the 700 Block of Laurel Street and Harrington Park
The evening discussion focused on:
1) Site furnishings – including public seating, custom benches, bollards, newsracks, bicycle racks, and drinking fountains
2) Paving and design materials – for plaza and walkway treatments
3) Special elements – including art pieces, sculptural and interactive elements, and murals
4) Lighting – including pedestrian lighting and specialty lighting
5) Planting palette – ground cover landscaping and trees/tree grates
6) Design choices for the water feature
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Staff also received Council’s input on design choices for the water feature in order for the project team to stay on schedule and break ground on Phase 1A by the end of 2025.
Links to City Council Meeting Files:
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February 10, 2025 – San Carlos City Council received a presentation and provide direction to staff on the design and layout of key features for improvements to the 700 block of Laurel Street and Harrington Park
During previous meetings with the City Council (most recently on September 23, 2024 and June10, 2024), the Council expressed a strong desire to implement and begin construction on a portion of the proposed street redesigns. On October 28, 2024, the Council authorized WRT consultant team to prepare design engineering (i.e. “shovel ready”) drawings for the 700 block of Laurel Street plus Harrington Park, with the direction to begin construction on Harrington Park in 2025.
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Groves of trees for shading
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Public art opportunity for new fountain
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Activated/programming areas
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Bicycle parking
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Public drinking fountain
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Redesign of Harrington Park with multi-purpose stage/pavilion, public restrooms, trees and rain gardens, public seating
Links to City Council Meeting Files:
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October 28, 2024 – City Council authorized the initiation of design engineering drawings for the entire span of the 700 block of Laurel Street, plus Harrington Park.
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Once completed, these design engineering (i.e. "shovel-ready") drawings will allow the City to begin construction when funding becomes available. Please refer to Figure 1 below for Laurel Street 700 Block Initial Phase Implementation)
​The phasing of additional Downtown street segments—including the 1100 and 1200 blocks of San Carlos Avenue and the 600 and 800 blocks of Laurel Street—will be determined by the City Council as future funding is identified. Each segment will also require design engineering drawings, which will be developed based on funding, timing, and Council direction.
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The Downtown Specific Plan and Streetscape Master Plan are targeted for adoption in September 2025.
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Links to City Council Meeting Files:
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September 23, 2024 – City Council gives the go ahead on new street designs for downtown San Carlos
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​​​​On September 23, 2024 the City Council directed City staff and consultant team 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.
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Summary of Street Design Changes:
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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 and El Camino Real)
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Improved outdoor dining space
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Urban greening: i.e. consistent street trees, tree “groves” (for shade) and rain gardens (for stormwater management)
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Other amenities such as outdoor seating, event and festival space accommodations, pavilions, opportunities for public art, drinking fountains, power outlets and charging stations
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Connectivity between Downtown, Caltrain, and East San Carlos for all modes of travel (enhancing the experience pedestrians and bicyclists, and Caltrain riders)
Summary of Outcomes as a Result of Street Design Changes:
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Added downtown vitality, vibrancy
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Improved shopping and dining experience
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Enhanced pedestrian experience
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Safer bike routes
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Increase in visitors
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More space for downtown programming, and activities
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Resulting in people spending more time in downtown San Carlos
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Links to City Council Meeting Files:
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Downtown Streetscape Character Survey Results
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​​​​The online survey for the Downtown Streetscape Character was conducted between August 1 and August 31, 2024. It provided an opportunity for community members and stakeholders to share their input on the look, feel, character of the downtown streets. Thank you for those who participated in the survey. Over 800 individuals shared their feedback. City Staff shared the survey results to the the Council Members on the September 23 City Council Meeting, which they subsequently directed staff to proceed with new street designs for downtown San Carlos
Streetscape Survey Summary can be found here
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All Commissions Special Joint Meeting
Tuesday, September 3, 2024
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City Staff and the consultant team from WRT and W-Trans gave a presentation on the refined street designs, shared the findings from the parking and traffic analyses, and gathered input from the Downtown Advisory Committee, Economic Development & Advisory Commission, Parks, Recreatcion & Culture Commission, Planning and Transportation Commission, and the Youth Advisory Council. The meeting was held in-person at the San Carlos Library, 2nd floor Community Room at 7pm.
All Commissions Special Joint Meeting September 3, 2024 Study Session Materials:
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​Study Session Presentation (Coming soon)
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Video Recording:
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Downtown Business Stakeholder Meeting
Tuesday, August 28, 2024
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The City staff and consulting team from WRT held a Downtown Businesses Stakeholder meeting on August 28th to share the findings from the parking and traffic analyses, to present the refined street designs and to gather input. To invite business owners, managers, and employees to the August 28 Business Stakeholder meeting, City staff went door-to-door to all businesses within the Downtown Specific Plan area. The Downtown Business Stakeholder meeting was hosted by Stamp Bar and Grill with 27 representatives from the business community in attendance.
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Meeting material is provided below.
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DTAC’s Endorsed Street Designs Presented to the Planning and Transportation Commission and City Council – May, June 2024
Monday, May 20, 2024 and June 10, 2024
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On March 19, 2024, the Downtown Advisory Committee (‘DTAC’) endorsed redesigning various streets in San Carlos’ downtown. City staff and the consultant team presented the DTAC’s recommendation to the Planning and Transportation Commission (‘PTC”) on May 20 and City Council on June 10. The San Carlos community was invited to join virtually or in person to express support or share perspectives with City decision makers to advance these ideas.
On May 20, the PTC provided staff with their input and on June 10, the City Council provided comments on the DTAC’s recommended street designs and directed city staff to proceed with parking and traffic analyses and to return to the Council that information.
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Links to files:
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Planning and Transportation Commission May 20, 2024
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City Council June 10, 2024
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Parks, Recreation, and Culture Commission (PRCC) Study Session
Tuesday, February 13, 2024
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City Staff and the consultant team from WRT gave a presentation on the Downtown Specific Plan streetscape design ideas to the PRCC for their input. This study session was held during the PRCC’s special meeting on February 13, 2024 in the Library second floor.
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PRCC February 13, 2024 Study Session Materials:
Youth Advisory Committee (YAC) Study Session
Tuesday, March 13, 2024
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City Staff and the consultant team from WRT gave a presentation on the Downtown Specific Plan streetscape design ideas to the YAC for their input. This study session was held during the YAC’s regular meeting on March 13, 2024 in Youth Center, Dance Studio.
YAC March 13, 2024 Study Session Materials
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Economic Development Advisory Committee (EDAC) Study Session
Tuesday, January 23, 2024
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City Staff and the consultant team from WRT gave a presentation on the Downtown Specific Plan streetscape design ideas to the EDAC for their input. This study session was held during the EDAC’s regular scheduled meeting on January 23, 2024 in the Collaboration Room at City Hall. Members of the EDAC provided input and were asked by staff to submit responses to key questions.
EDAC’s January 23, 2024 study session materials included:
Downtown Specific Plan Ideation Workshop (In-Person)
Saturday, December 9, 2023
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On Saturday, December 9, an estimated 200 community members participated in the all-day City of San Carlos’ Downtown Ideation Workshop that was held at 677 Laurel Street, in the heart of downtown San Carlos. It was a huge step forward in making community connections about the future of downtown San Carlos.
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Downtown Ideation Storefront, 677 Laurel Street, Suite C, December 9, 2023
City staff is extremely appreciative to receive this level of engagement from the community, who commented on:
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Public Space Design (e.g. 600, 700, 800 Laurel, 1100 and 1200 San Carlos Avenue, El Camino Real, plus public plazas at Harrington Park and the temporary parking lot next to Blue Line Pizza and Paris Baguette)
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Program Mix (activation and use of public spaces, amenities, etc.)
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Circulation & Access (how we move about the downtown)
In addition to the exhibit and presentations, a light demonstration of wider sidewalks options for Laurel Street was displayed to help participants visualize what that could look like. This exhibit drew many passersby into the event, where they were greeted by city staff and the consultant team.
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Wider Sidewalks Demonstration, Downtown Ideation Workshop, December 9, 2023
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Participants Reviewing Exhibits, Downtown Ideation Workshop, December 9, 2023
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Workshop Materials
Virtual Ideation Survey Summary
A total of 761 community members shared their reflections on the future of downtown San Carlos. See survey results here.
What’s Next?
The DTAC will meet in March, 2024 to consider endorsing preferred streetscape designs. Following input from the DTAC, city staff and the WRT consultant team will test these streetscape concepts using traffic and parking analyses and then ultimately share the results with the Planning and Transportation Commission and City Council in spring 2024.
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During the remainder of 2024, the Specific Plan and accompanying Streetscape Master Plan will be prepared; with a goal for adoption during the first quarter of 2025. In the meantime, stay tuned for more civic engagement opportunities in the coming year.
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San Carlos Advance Planning Staff & WRT Consultant Team, Downtown Ideation Workshop, December 9, 2023
For questions or to get involved or learn more about the progress of the City of San Carlos Downtown Specific Plan Project, visit www.sancarlosdowntownplan.com or email City staff at AdvancePlanning@cityofsancarlos.org .
A good plan involves everyone!
Downtown Specific Plan Ideation Workshop (Virtual)
Wednesday, December 6, 2023
The City staff and Consultant Team WRT held an Ideation Virtual Workshop on December 6 to discuss and consider new ideas that can transform our downtown. The community shared their inputs on Public Space Design (the future of Laurel Street), Program Mix, and Circulation and Access.
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Meeting material is provided below.
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Recordings
Downtown Business Stakeholder Meeting
Wednesday, May 24, 2023
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The City staff held a Downtown businesses stakeholder meeting on May 24th to have a meaningful dialogue with the downtown business community following the community’s support for, and the Council’s decision, to permanently close the 700 block of Laurel Street. To invite business owners, managers, and employees to the May 24 Business Focus Group meeting, City staff went door-to-door to all 150 businesses within the Downtown Specific Plan area. The Downtown Business Focus Group meeting on May 24th was hosted by Stamp Bar and Grill with 23 representatives from the business community in attendance.
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Meeting material is provided below.
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Downtown Specific Plan – Status Update and Progress Report on 4/17 and 4/24, 2023
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How will downtown transform over the next 20 years?
The public was invited to learn and share comments on important milestones in preparing a community-based vision for the future of downtown San Carlos. Presentations were given to the Planning and Transportation Commission on Monday, April 17 and to the City Council on Monday, April 24. Both meetings started at 7 pm and was held inside City Council Chambers at San Carlos City Hall, located at 600 Elm Street.
The Downtown Specific Plan project kicked off in March 2022. Following two community-wide workshops, an open house, plus multiple meetings with a 18-member citizen-based committee, and gathering community feedback from two surveys, city staff is now ready to share what the community is saying and how they have responded to several foundational urban design concepts for downtown. These concepts include Laurel Street closure, the purpose-function-improvements to alleys, design ideas for Harrington Park, and possibilities to create a new public plaza along the 600 block of Laurel Street.
The Planning and Transportation Commission and City Council provided city staff feedback, guidance, and direction on these fundamental components of the downtown area. Recommendations for additional design concepts for the 600 and 800 blocks of Laurel + roadways design for San Carlos Avenue and other roadways within the downtown area, plus parking strategies, will rely on these foundational concepts for downtown. Additional community workshops and surveys will be offered in the coming months and will address these future items. The Downtown Specific Plan is targeted for completion by March 2024.
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Links to files:
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Planning and Transportation Commission April 17, 2023 Study Session
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City Council April 24, 2023 Study Session​
Community Survey 2
This online survey for the Downtown Specific Plan was conducted between March 1st and April 30, 2023. It provided an opportunity for community members and stakeholders who may have missed the February 15 community workshop and the March 4 Coffee and Comments Open House to provide their feedback to the City. The survey results will help the City staff and consultant team develop placemaking concepts for 700 block of Laurel Street, Harrington Park, alleyways, and a future plaza along the 600 block of Laurel Street.
Survey 2 Summary can be found here
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Coffee and Comments Open House
Saturday, March 4th, 2023
As a follow-up to the community workshop held on February 15, the City of San Carlos held a Coffee and Comments Open House at the San Carlos Library Community Room on Saturday, March 4, 2023. Over 70 community members joined City staff for coffee and pastries and gave their feedback on preliminary concepts for the future of downtown San Carlos.
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​Lisa Porras, Planning Manager for the Advance Planning Division, gave two presentations, one at 10:15am and the second one at 11:15am. The community members had an opportunity to ask staff questions, view the exhibits, share ideas, comments, and feedback on three preliminary concepts for downtown San Carlos. These included improvements to alleyways, the 700 Block of Laurel Street, Harrington Park, and a new plaza off the 600 Block of Laurel Street.
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A summary from the open house is provided below.
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Downtown Community Workshop #2
Wednesday, February 15th, 2023
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The City of San Carlos held its second virtual community workshop on February 15, with a great turnout of approximately 70 community members who shared their ideas, perspectives, and preferences for the 700 block of Laurel Street, possibilities for new and improved plazas, parks and public gathering spaces, and big changes for alleyways.
During the presentation, attendees participated in an interactive exercise using a real-time polling tool called “Sli.do” to respond to a series of questions posed by the project team. The full presentation slide deck, Q&A transcript, meeting recording, and polling results are available below.
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Links to files:​
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Community Workshop #2: Presentation
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Community Workshop #2: Public input received from Zoom and Sli.do
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Community Workshop #2: Interactive Poll Results Summary
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Video Recording:
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Downtown Community Workshop #1
Wednesday, August 31st, 2022
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To those in attendance, thank you for joining the City of San Carlos’ First Community Workshop to discuss the Downtown Specific Plan on August 31, 2022. At this virtual community meeting, we had approximately 150 community members including City staff and consultants in attendance. The meeting began with a welcome from Mayor Sara McDowell and an introduction of the City staff and consulting team working on the Specific Plan project.
The workshop included a brief presentation on what the Downtown Specific Plan will cover, observations & objectives, and existing conditions of the study area. In addition, attendees participated in an interactive exercise using a real-time polling tool called “Sli.do” to provide responses to a series of questions posed by the project team. The meeting ended with optional break-out rooms where participants could share comments and ask questions.
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Links to files:​
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Community Workshop #1: Presentation
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Community Workshop #1: Meeting Chat Transcript
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Community Workshop #1: Interactive Poll #1 Results Summary
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Community Workshop #1: Breakout Room Notes
Video Recording:
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Community Survey 1
An interactive mapping survey was developed and provided to the public from August 8, 2022 to January 15, 2023. There were approximately 470 comments across five subject areas. This included mobility, streetscape, gathering spaces, allowable uses, and other topics.
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Survey 1 Summary can be found here.
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Stakeholder Focus Groups Interviews
The City conducted a series of interviews in August, 2022 to learn about challenges and needs of specific stakeholders. The focus groups included: Infrastructure, Mobility, Seniors-Children-Special Needs, and Downtown Business and Events. For the Infrastructure group, the stakeholders included representatives from RethinkWaste, Cal Water, and Mid-Peninsula Water District. For the Mobility group, the stakeholders included representatives from Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition, SamTrans, Caltrans, San Carlos Bikes, and Healthy Cities Tutoring. For the Senior-Children-Special Needs group, the stakeholders included representatives from Adult Community Center, Arbor Bay School and Art BIAS. For the Downtown Business and Events group, the stakeholders included representatives from City Parks Department and Chamber of Commerce. The City will conduct more focus groups interviews in the future phases of the Downtown Specific Plan project.
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Focus Group Notes can be found here.
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