Mark Sawicki Economic Development and Housing Manager 600 Elm Street San Carlos, CA 94070 Phone: (650) 802-4263
Project Conditions
Project Conditions
Though submittals need not address each of the following conditions explicitly, the information is provided to ensure firms participating in this RFQ process have the appropriate qualifications and interest in the project. If selected, it shall be the sole responsibility of the development entity to refine its proposal for its unique development through further research and discussions with City staff to ensure full compliance with all applicable State, County, and City Codes, while achieving the highest quality product.
The Site is located one block west of El Camino Real, immediately southwest of the intersection of San Carlos Avenue and Laurel Street. The Site is located directly behind prime retail frontage along Laurel Street and San Carlos Avenue. As shown on Exhibit A, there are several commercial pads surrounding Wheeler Plaza. It should be noted that the Agency-owned retail pad and Wheeler Plaza are within a Redevelopment Project Area, though the Agency-owned apartment building is not.
Parcel #1 Site Address: No Site Address
View From Walnut Street
APN:050 132 260
Acres:1.17
Existing Use: Public Parking Lot
General Plan Designation: Retail Core [1], [2]
Zoning: Central Retail Core [3]
Parcel #2 Site Address:1249 San Carlos Avenue
APN: 050 132 170
Acres: 0.19
1249-1265 San Carlos Ave
Existing Use: Retail store
General Plan Designation: Retail Core
Zoning: Central Retail Core
Parcel #3 Site Address: 657 Walnut Street
APN:050 132 140
Acres: 0.13
Existing Use:Multi-family housing
General Plan Designation: Retail Core
Zoning: Central Retail Core
View From Alley Plaza
Building height at the Site is limited to 50 feet. Citizens have expressed concerns about the height of any new buildings, and the impact of higher density housing on the “village character” of San Carlos. The Agency will encourage creative features on any final
[1] Retail Core is the primary retail commercial area of the City. It is intended for intensive commercial uses with the ground floor limited to retail, personal and other services, food and beverage establishments, entertainment facilities, and financial institutions. Offices, financial services, and hotel uses are allowed on the upper floors. Higher density residential uses may also be appropriate above the ground floor. Please refer to the General Plan for further information.
[2] The West Side Specific Plan goals and policies applicable to the Site additionally encourage: mixed-use developments and exploration of affordable housing development in the vicinity of the Site, limitations of the number and location of personal services and banks, and improvements to Wheeler Plaza including investigating the long term opportunities for deck parking and mixed-use development. Please refer to the West Side Specific Plan for more detailed information.
[3] Central Retail Core zoning allows for a wide variety of commercial uses as well as dwelling units located above the ground floor. Building height is restricted to 50 feet; FAR shall not exceed 3.0;minimum site requirements call for the main building be 5,000 square feet; minimum density requirements are 500 square feet of lot area per dwelling unit. Please see Chapter 18.56 of the Zoning Code for further information.
product such as stepped back design along Walnut Street to make the building appear more integrated into the surroundings.
The City and Agency are interested in the possibility of a larger-scale project, or a phased project on the subject block. The developer, once selected, will be encouraged to make contact with other property owners to determine the feasibility of an expanded project. The Agency is willing to work with the selected developer to facilitate this process. Please note, however, that the Agency does not have eminent domain power.
Exhibit E - Circulation
San Carlos is in need of more public open spaces/gathering spaces and would potentially like to implement these at the Site; however, the Agency understands the opportunity for such an amenity may be based upon the developer’s or Agency’s ability to include more parcels in the project through acquisition or owner participation.
Any new development would need to accommodate the replacement of 187 public parking spaces currently provided at Wheeler Plaza, and provide for convenient access to the surrounding uses. The current circulation pattern is shown above in Exhibit C. It is anticipated that construction of both subterranean and surface level podium parking garages will be required. The water table appears to allow for approximately one parking level below grade.
Any and all housing units developed at the Site will be subject to the City’s inclusionary housing ordinance as well as California Community Redevelopment Law. Generally speaking, at a minimum, 15% of all units must be made available to very low, low, and median income individuals and families.
The San Carlos community is committed to implementing green practices and policies wherever feasible. Additionally, as the new California Uniform Building Code is expected to include mandatory standards equivalent to a LEED Silver certification level beginning in July 2010, firms are strongly encouraged to submit Statements of Qualifications that contain information on the developer’s knowledge of, and experience with, green building practices and materials.
