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San Carlos panel approves Harrington Park redesign, allows setbacks and limited tree removals
Summary
The Planning and Transportation Commission voted 4-0 on Oct. 6 to approve design review, a protected tree removal permit for 10 protected trees and a variance allowing a multipurpose building inside standard side and rear setbacks for Frank D. Harrington Park at 759 Laurel Street. Staff said eight replacement trees are shown on-site and two will be provided in Phase 1B.
The San Carlos Planning and Transportation Commission on Oct. 6 approved design review, a protected tree removal permit and a variance for the redevelopment of Frank D. Harrington Park at 759 Laurel Street.
Senior planner Rendell Bustos told the commission the application requests three entitlements: design review, removal of 10 protected trees and a variance to allow a 674-square-foot, roughly 14.5-foot-high multipurpose building within the normally required interior side and rear setbacks. Bustos said the design follows the downtown streetscape master plan and is substantially similar to the version the city council approved in June.
Bustos said the city’s consulting arborist determined the impacted trees could not practically be preserved given the scope of the improvements and that the plans include capacity for eight replacement trees on site. "The plans show capacity for eight new trees," Bustos said; staff and the project team told commissioners the shortfall of two trees would be addressed in the broader Phase 1B streetscape implementation to yield a net tree gain across the 700 block.
Consultant Jim Stickley said the full Phase 1 project—divided into Phase 1A (which includes Harrington Park) and Phase 1B—has been approved by council in concept, but formal authorization to proceed with Phase 1B bid documents had not yet been given. "Considering both of the phases together, there would be a net gain," Stickley said, while noting Phase 1B’s delivery is still pending council direction.
Commissioners asked staff about outreach to adjacent businesses and the practical effects of granting the variance. Staff said no objections had been received from nearby commercial property owners and that placing the small building at the corner allows for larger contiguous open space within the park. Vice Chair Bundy and Commissioner Kenesty said the variance harmonizes the building with adjacent downtown setback patterns.
Commissioner Anand, who described the park as "the living room of San Carlos," voiced support for moving amenities to one side to maximize usable space and to provide restrooms and a future fountain that could encourage more downtown activity.
The commission approved the project in a motion by Commissioner Kenesty, seconded by Commissioner Anand, and passed the motion by roll call vote 4-0; Commissioner Tapia was excused. The approved motion included amended permit conditions reflecting that the two additional replacement trees be provided in Phase 1B. Staff said the action may be appealed to the city council; the appeal deadline is Oct. 16 at 5 p.m.
The commission’s approval also relied on categorical exemptions under the California Environmental Quality Act for small structures and landscaping (CEQA Guidelines sections 15303 and 15304), as noted in the staff report.
Next steps include finalizing the construction documents and coordinating Phase 1B delivery so the tree replacement obligations are satisfied across the full 700-block implementation.
