Northeast Area Development Moratorium
See the map below for the moratorium boundaries.
Why a Moratorium?
The City anticipates that the Northeast Area will have significant changes over the next several years, as stated in the City of San Carlos’ 2022 Strategic Goals. To guide new development in this area, the City Council has asked City staff to prepare a specific plan, called the Northeast Area Specific Plan. The Northeast Area Specific Plan, and any associated general plan and zoning amendments, will be prepared with in-depth community and stakeholder input. The City began the specific plan process in the fall of 2022, and the plan will take about two years to complete. Click here to learn more about the Northeast Area Specific Plan.
The specific plan will consider the area’s land uses, including the exploration of introducing housing and affordable housing which are currently not allowed. The plan will also address aging infrastructure, transportation, environmental stewardship, urban design, and recreation and open spaces.
The adoption of Ordinance No. 1581 and 1582 to establish a moratorium for the Northeast Area is necessary to protect public health, safety, and welfare by prohibiting the approval and development of uses that may conflict with or otherwise constrain or limit the introduction of uses contemplated in the Northeast Area Specific Plan, including housing.
Moratorium Boundaries
For purposes of the development moratorium, the “Northeast Area” is all the land or sites within the area outlined in blue, as shown in the map.
Moratorium Details
The moratorium prohibits the approval of the following applications:
The moratorium does not apply to:
How long will the moratorium last?
The moratorium went into effect immediately when the City Council adopted Ordinance No. 1581 on April 25, 2022, and was initially effective for 45 days. On May 23, 2022, the City Council extended the moratorium for an additional 22 months and 15 days, per Ordinance No. 1582. The development moratorium is in effect until April 2024.
Moratorium Documents
If you have questions, please contact Sajuti Haque, Senior Management Analyst, Community Development Department, at shaque@cityofsancarlos.org or advanceplanning@cityofsancarlos.org.
The moratorium prohibits the approval of the following applications:
- A lot line adjustment and the subdivision of land within the Northeast Area in accordance with the City's Subdivision Regulations and the Subdivision Map Act
- Design review, use permit, temporary use permit, planned development, zoning amendment, waiver, variance, general plan amendment, development agreement, or any other discretionary approval from the City of San Carlos necessary for the development of a site within the Northeast Area in accordance with the San Carlos Zoning Ordinance, or
- A building permit required for construction and/or additions on property within the Northeast Area in accordance with the San Carlos Municipal Code.
The moratorium does not apply to:
- An application for a planning permit that has been approved as complete or deemed complete prior to April 25, 2022.
- An application for a sign permit necessary for the approval of a sign in accordance with Chapter 18.22 of the San Carlos Zoning Ordinance and building permit as required to construct the approved sign.
- An application for a planning permit necessary for the approval of a solar photovoltaic system in accordance with the San Carlos Zoning Ordinance and building permit as required to construct the approved solar photovoltaic system.
- An application for building permits for the construction of interior improvements to space within an existing building occupied by uses permitted within the applicable zoning district under the San Carlos Zoning Ordinance.
- An application for planning permits and/or building permits necessary for the approval and construction of improvements required for the ordinary maintenance and repair of building components, such as roofs and windows, for the preservation of public health and safety or for building accessibility.
- An application for a change of use within space of an existing building and any associated interior improvements, provided the new use is permitted as of right pursuant to the applicable zoning district under the San Carlos Zoning Ordinance.
- An application for a tree removal permit necessary for the removal of a protected tree in accordance with Chapter 18.18 of the San Carlos Zoning Ordinance and grading permit or encroachment permit as required to remove the protected tree approved for removal.
- An application for a conditional use permit necessary for the approval of shared parking or reduction of required parking pursuant to Sections 18.20.050.D and 18.20.050.F of the San Carlos Zoning Ordinance, respectively.
- An application for minor modification to the conditions of an existing conditional use permit, such as the hours of operation, provided the use is remaining in its existing space, there is no increase in floor area devoted to such use and the modification does not otherwise result in an intensification or expansion of the use.
- The planning permits sought by Pacific Gas & Electric Company pursuant to planning application number PLN2021-00200, as said planning application exists as of April 25, 2022, and building permit(s) as required to construct the improvements authorized pursuant to the planning permits, if approved.
How long will the moratorium last?
The moratorium went into effect immediately when the City Council adopted Ordinance No. 1581 on April 25, 2022, and was initially effective for 45 days. On May 23, 2022, the City Council extended the moratorium for an additional 22 months and 15 days, per Ordinance No. 1582. The development moratorium is in effect until April 2024.
Moratorium Documents
- Ordinance No. 1581 adopted on April 25, 2022 to enact the moratorium
- Ordinance No. 1582 adopted on May 23, 2022 to extend and modify the moratorium
- May 11, 2022 Public Meeting - City staff held a public meeting to gather stakeholder input on the development moratorium and to respond to questions.
- Click here for the meeting presentation (PDF).
- Click here for the recording of the meeting. You will need to enter this passcode to watch the recording: 24cM+VIj
If you have questions, please contact Sajuti Haque, Senior Management Analyst, Community Development Department, at shaque@cityofsancarlos.org or advanceplanning@cityofsancarlos.org.