San Carlos planning commission finds midcycle CIP updates consistent with general plan; orders accelerated sewer inspections tied to settlement

The San Carlos Planning and Transportation Commission voted unanimously on June 15 to adopt a resolution finding that proposed midcycle updates to the city’s Capital Improvement Program (CIP) for fiscal 2026–27 conform to the city’s general plan.

Staff presented the CIP changes at a public hearing and described a mix of revised and new requests across multiple funds, including wastewater maintenance and a new manhole and force‑main assessment, a native‑planting pilot for the Pulgus Creek watershed, pedestrian‑safety and green infrastructure upgrades, downtown implementation work (Harrington Park and Centennial Plaza), and a $75,000 line for ground‑floor commercial preservation.

“Staff’s recommendation is that the Planning and Transportation Commission adopt a resolution finding that the capital improvement program updates for fiscal year 2026 to 2027 are in conformance with the city of San Carlos’s general plan,” Laura Richstone, senior planner with current planning, told the commission. She said the hearing’s legal purpose was not to re‑evaluate individual projects but to determine whether the projects align with general‑plan goals, policies and actions.

Commissioners pressed staff on several substantive items. Commissioner Anund asked whether CCTV inspections and a force‑main assessment tied to a Riverwatch settlement — described during the meeting as an unplanned expense of roughly $1.1–$1.15 million — still fall within the general plan’s infrastructure and maintenance objectives; staff responded that both assessments and repairs are consistent with those objectives. Public works staff explained the settlement requires a comprehensive CCTV and condition assessment of the sewer system rather than the prior basin‑by‑basin approach, and that the city plans to accelerate the work and expects to complete the comprehensive assessment in about two years.

Commissioners also discussed downtown policy trade‑offs. The CIP includes $75,000 for a preservation program for ground‑floor retail; staff said the funding supports a capacity analysis, incentives and a proposed downtown prosperity team intended to assist businesses during downtown implementation and construction. "We are looking at how we can incentivize and shift to make sure that there's no net loss and that we are still meeting our numbers," a planning staff member said, noting the northeast area specific plan will add housing capacity.

On the Holly Street/US‑101 interchange and pedestrian overcrossing, Grace Lee, city engineer, told the commission the project is roughly a $113 million effort and that a $7.1 million line item is shown as grant‑funded. Paul Harris, finance manager, clarified that negative entries on the staff spreadsheets indicate grant receipts; he said the council will appropriate the full amount but that the SMCTA grant will cover roughly 90 percent, with a local match shown separately.

The commission’s discussion repeatedly praised staff for securing grants and for the breadth of projects — from major transportation investments to library, youth center and AV upgrades. After commissioner remarks, the commission voted to adopt the staff recommendation. A roll‑call vote was recorded as yes from Commissioner Anund, Commissioner Kennasty, Commissioner Tapias, Vice Chair Bundy and Chair Clemens (5–0).

The City Council is scheduled to consider the mid‑year budget updates and the CIP appropriation on June 22; staff and commissioners noted final funding and any adjustments will be decided by council at that meeting.

The commission closed the public hearing with no members of the public commenting in person or via Zoom.

Next steps: staff will forward the commission’s findings to the City Council as part of the mid‑year budget update, and public works will proceed with planning the Riverwatch‑required CCTV and assessment work.