Comments on: Can San Carlos handle its own growth?

By: Chuck

Chuck — Sat, 20 Dec 2008 15:42:49 +0000

Kristin,

You bring up a good point, and I’m not sure I made it clear enough in the initial article. In addition to the 1001 Laurel and Wheeler Plaza developments, the City has also scoped out 7 potential sites on the east side of the city that could be used for large-scale retail development (aka a mall) or a hotel. Those sites are identified on the City website at:

http://www.cityofsancarlos.org/ed/programs_and_projects/east_side_economic_development_opportunity_sites_book.asp

With Holly and Brittan already overloaded with traffic, I can only imagine what kind of a burden a development of this scale would do to the traffic situation…

Thanks for your comment, and Happy Holiday!

Chuck

By: Kristin

Kristin — Sat, 20 Dec 2008 08:41:41 +0000

I have been reading and thinking about this issue for the past several months. I think San Carlos is going the wrong direction by adding a lot of new housing- big condo buildings such as the one on Laurel. I agree with Fred. One of the biggest reasons that San Carlos is a wonderful place to live is that it feels like a small town oasis in the midst of a major metro area. The SF bay area is full of urban sprawl- especially to the south. I always feel a bit of a shock, even driving into Redwood City. I shudder to think of San Carlos as another Sunnyvale. The city should continue to explore retail development in the logical location – the industrial corridor near 101.

By: Fred

Fred — Sat, 06 Dec 2008 22:50:25 +0000

I don’t like the idea of building housing at the Transit Village, wedged between El Camino and the Caltrain tracks. It could be hazardous for children living there when they wander onto the tracks or into the road. The area should be used for commercial or retail – perhaps a hotel near the Caltrain station.

Also, has anyone given any thought to the high speed train (bond issue just passed on Nov 4) that will be built someday. The section of tracks between San Jose and San Francisco will be built (I assume) parallel with the existing Caltrain tracks. The high speed train tracks will either be elevated or placed underground to avoid grade crossings. Where will they find the land to build this thing? Will homes and businesses be removed to make way for the tracks?

I have issues with building more housing at break-neck speed. San Carlos is not an infinite population sink. More traffic and crowded schools will result degrading the quality of life in “the city of good living”

By: Chuck

Chuck — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 14:42:21 +0000

Jim, Michael, and Jill,

You might want to email Mark Sawicki (msawicki@cityofsancarlos.org), who appears to be the lead on Wheeler Plaza, to get a position on where things are at and to understand if there will be any public hearings.

The next step is to apply pressure on the City Council. Here are their email addresses — in general I have found them to be pretty responsive, so don’t hesitate to write to any/all of them:

Mayor Brad Lewis: blewis@cityofsancarlos.org
Bob Grassilli: bgrassilli@cityofsancarlos.org
Omar Ahmad: oahmad@cityofsancarlos.org
Matt Grocott: mgrocott@cityofsancarlos.org
Randy Royce: rroyce@cityofsancarlos.org

If you find anything interesting, please let me know and I’ll post it on the site.

Thanks,

Chuck

By: Jill

Jill — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 02:01:45 +0000

Are the plans for Wheeler Plaza anything like 1001 Laurel? It is really big and looks out of place in downtown San Carlos.

Also, I believe the school district has planned to incorporate any new families into the system from 1001 Laurel. But depending on how many families move in, they might not get into their “neighborbood” school. I doubt the school district has plans to accomodate children from the other developments such as Wheeler Plaza or the Transite Station. I agree there will be many families moving the new developments. A friend of mine owns a large apartment complex downtown San Carlos and many of his tenants are families. Families are attracted to San Carlos for many reasons and will continue to move here.

By: Jim

Jim — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 22:15:09 +0000

I completely agree with you Michael. 1001 Laurel Steet is way too big for our city and I can’t believe the city sold the alley to the developer. Somebody had the right connection at the city.

I don’t think Wheeler Plaza is a done deal or at least I hope it isn’t. I believe it is still in the planning stages with room for input from the community. I understand citizens were able to stop the Holly Street mulit use proposal so maybe there will be the same kind of support for stopping Wheeler too.