3. Update on Economic Development Plan Process and Economic Development Survey Results
Frank Spevacek and Alexa Smittle from the Rosenow Spevacek Group (RSG) presented the Economic Development Plan Draft created for the City of San Carlos. Part of the review included discussing the Economic Development survey results from San Carlos residents, businesses and visitors.
The discussion suggested that Downtown should be considered a gathering place and not necessarily a revenue generator. Interest was expressed in pursuing a wine bar or brew pub for the Downtown area as a "good first step". There was discussion about the type of retail that could be supported around the Railroad Station as part of the SamTrans development with Legacy Partners. Ideas included upscale restaurants, Crate and Barrel, a Gap Kids store and a brew pub (if not located in the Downtown).
EDAC Commissioners felt that the East Side is where potential revenue lies. Mark Luckenbach commented that he had attended the recent City Council Budget Study Session and was concerned about further cuts to the City Budget. Hal Schuette indicated that he had concerns about additional budget cuts, particularly in the Police Department.
Commissioners also expressed interest in several recommendations in the report including development of a Hotel at the Landmark Site at Highway 101 at Holly and Industrial, development of the Bell Market and Wheeler Plaza sites, the concept of rezoning the area along Industrial Road for Mid and Large Plate retail uses, the concept of linking development at the Railroad Site, Wheeler Plaza and Bell Market, more discussions with the Harbor Industrial Association regarding development options in that area and encouraging Green businesses. Frank Spevacek of RSG noted that more mainstream companies are building green stores with a recent Target in Southern California obtaining LEED certification. Upgrading the appearance of El Camino Real was also mentioned.
Discussion of potential hotel development in San Carlos centered on whether there might be one larger hotel of 300 rooms or two smaller 150-175 room hotels. Frank Spevacek thought that a Courtyard by Marriott would be a hotel product that could be attracted to San Carlos in the short term along with a "green" Target store.
City Staff plans to take EDAC’s priorities and then prepare a report along with EDAC’s comments for the City Council’s review in June. This timeline will hopefully allow for the plan elements to be put into the upcoming City budget process so that potential improvement suggestions can be funded.
Mark Green suggested that EDAC come up with specific goals for the City of San Carlos. Mark Green also suggested that we come up with a weighted measure to help understand what the EDAC top five goals shall be. Gary Wiessinger suggested each EDAC commissioner submit a list of the top five goals to focus on for Economic Development. Scot Marsters suggested that each Commissioner submit the top five goals and any Economic Development Plan comments to Brian Moura prior to the May 16 meeting so that RSG can prepare for our discussion. The EDAC Commissioners will send a Top 5 list and their comments on the Economic Development Plan to Brian Moura prior to next week’s meeting.
4. Discussion of Draft Economic Development Grid (Cross Impact Matrix) and City Wide Economic Development Priorities, Strategies and Principles
Mark Green discussed the draft version of the Cross Impact Matrix that he has developed. The EDAC Commissioners deferred action and further discussion of this item until a future meeting so that it could be reviewed with the EDAC Liaison Sub Committee and the Chamber of Commerce Economic Development Sub Committee.
5. Report on Liaison with Chamber of Commerce Economic Development Sub Committee
A meeting with the Chamber Sub Committee, the EDAC Liaison Sub Committee and Chamber and City Staff has been set for Thursday, May 17th. This item will be placed on the June EDAC meeting to report on the May 17th meeting and work of the two groups.
6. Updates from Staff
Brian Moura provided EDAC with an update on economic development projects and items of interest.
a) San Carlos Marketplace (former Breuners site) – The developer has announced that Pet Smart, TJ Maxx Apparel, Home Goods and Bassett Furniture are the selected businesses for the four main buildings on the site. The developer has an aggressive schedule that could lead to the San Carlos Marketplace being opened as early as October, 2007.
b) Kroeger Lease (former Bell Market Site) on Laurel Street – The lessee (Kroeger) and the property owners of the property are negotiating over the terms of the lease. This may take 90 days or more which will delay activity on the site. The City continues to get inquiries about the site, including interest by three different Grocery Stores, a potential mixed use development and other uses.
c) Levitz Furniture Site – The former Levitz Furniture store has been leased to a major furniture retailer. The new retailer plans to contact the City soon to begin the process of re-opening the store according to representative of the owner of the site.
d) Palo Alto Medical Foundation Proposal – The Final Environmental Impact Report for the Palo Alto Medical Foundation proposed Medical Center, Clinic and Hospital in San Carlos was certified by the City Council at their last meeting in April. The next step in the process is for PAMF to submit their development plans and drawings to the City. The submittal will be reviewed by the City Staff, Consultants and an Architect to be retained by the City. Once this review and the Development Agreement is complete, a second round of hearing on the project (“merits phase”) will begin later this year.
e) Redevelopment and Housing Manager – 28 applications were received for this position. The City is screening the applications now and plans to interview the top candidates for the position in the near future. There is hope that a quality candidate will be found in this recruitment round.
f) Climate Change – Brian Moura reported that there will be a report on City Climate Change activities and Green initiatives at the May 13th City Council Meeting. It will include an update on San Carlos Green, a community based group focusing on Green Projects, the Green Business Program, a way for current San Carlos Businesses to be certified as Green and listed in a Bay Area wide directory of over 900 such businesses, a discount solar program for San Carlos residents through Solar City and a regional Climate Change project sponsored by Joint Venture: Silicon Valley.
Alex Phillips of San Carlos said that he was concerned about the budget cuts made by the City Council at their Budget Study Session on Monday. He said that the City needs to get back to a place where it has a growing economy that will allow it to provide the level of services that San Carlos residents expect. He believes that EDAC’s work in setting and pursuing Economic Development opportunities is very important to make this happen.
Marilyn Moon of San Carlos said that she would shop at the Bell Market site if another grocery store was developed there. She says the site is centrally located and will attract residents to both the Bell Market site and the downtown in general. She believes that reopening the Bell Market site is the key to attracting shoppers to the Downtown area.
8. Adjournment
The EDAC meeting was adjourned at 5:50 p.m.
The next EDAC meeting is scheduled for May 16 from 4:00 until 6:00.
