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San Carlos adopts 2026 strategic plan, prioritizing downtown work and mobility projects
Summary
The San Carlos City Council adopted Resolution 2026-40 on April 13, approving a 2026 Strategic Plan that prioritizes downtown construction sequencing, mobility and a community risk assessment; council asked staff for clearer work-plan metrics and a downtown cost breakdown as designs finalize.
San Carlos — The City Council voted unanimously among members present on April 13 to adopt the City of San Carlos 2026 Strategic Plan, a multi-year work program that lists six goals and a detailed work plan for implementation.
Interim City Manager Nyall Blackburn presented the plan and supporting work plan (Exhibit B), telling the council there was “strong consensus” that downtown revitalization should be prioritized this year. "The downtown goal is really a priority for this council this year," Blackburn said.
The plan keeps six strategic goals — downtown, climate mitigation and resilience, housing, mobility and transportation, the northeast area specific plan, and recreation services — and includes several new objectives. Staff highlighted downtown sequencing, with completion of Harrington Park construction and initiation of Centennial Plaza construction in 2027; a new objective to preserve ground-floor commercial uses in mixed-use zones; and an SB79-related zoning action the council adopted earlier in the meeting to exclude certain sites near Caltrain from state development standards.
On climate and public safety, the plan adds a community risk assessment led by the fire department and a required update to the local hazard mitigation plan in coordination with other San Mateo County jurisdictions. Mobility objectives include adoption of a citywide transportation demand management and parking reform plan, continued implementation of the bike-and-ped master plan, and a new east-side integrated transportation and streetscape master plan.
Councilmembers asked staff for clarifications and additions to the work plan before and after the vote: adding a county-proposed F Street housing project to the housing actions, expanding the Crest View Drive pilot to show its full scope (buffered bike lanes, crosswalk improvements and rapid-flashing beacons), and more specific, measurable targets for e-bike safety education at local schools. Councilmembers also discussed which items are ongoing operational tasks versus strategic, time-limited initiatives.
A motion to adopt Resolution 2026-40 passed on roll call. Councilmembers Leighton and McDow voted yes; Vice Mayor Rack and Councilmember Dugan were absent; Mayor Pito Venitesh voted yes. Staff said the work plan will be updated twice annually, tied to the June budget process, and staff will provide follow-up details on the items council members flagged.
What’s next: Staff will update the work plan to reflect council direction and return with more detailed, itemized cost estimates for downtown Phase 1B when construction documents are finalized.
