Frequently Asked Questions
The team has completed and continues to undertake multiple studies of all aspects of the project to ensure any issues or opportunities are proactively identified and addressed in the project plans. A summary of key items are below. Please let us know if you have additional questions via email at 808alameda@veev.com.
Natural Environment
What studies have you done or plan to do on the environmental impact of the project?
The City of San Carlos has selected an independent consultant to conduct a full environmental impact report (EIR). The draft EIR will be available for public review and comment when completed, which we expect to be in the first half of 2020. We have also conducted our own due diligence with site studies on soils & geological, environmental, biological, trees, natural spring and tunnel, cultural resources, and transportation and parking. These studies informed the proposed development plan.
What are the open space and landscaping plans?
More than half of the property is planned as open space. The landscaping incorporates nature trails, bio-retention areas, planted drainage channels, overlooks and recreation areas. The goal is to create an open and natural landscape for the benefit of residents and visitors - both people and animals.
What is the plan for the trees?
Our plan is to retain the bulk of the existing tree groves and to add new trees, bushes and grasses. We are also considering options for managing the eucalyptus trees to reduce potential hazards while maintaining habitat benefits. Our goal is to retain as many heritage trees as possible given the requirements and constraints of the site (e.g., mandatory road widths, utility access easements).
What is the plan for the natural spring?
We are exploring options for capture and reuse of the spring water for landscape irrigation and toilet flushing. There is an existing tunnel and underground infrastructure related to the spring, which we plan to reinforce for safety.
Are there any endangered species on the property?
A specialist consultant found that no threatened or endangered wildlife species were observed on‐site or have the potential to occur on‐site.
What is the stormwater management plan?
The site is divided into four separate drainage management areas. There are multiple elements planned including pervious surfaces, bio-retention areas, vegetated swales, green roofs, rainwater harvesting and trees.
Built Environment
What public infrastructure improvements are planned as part of the development?
We have proposed a new crosswalk with a flashing-light beacon system across Alameda de las Pulgas at the entrance to the neighborhood. This is both for the safety of pedestrians and to encourage foot and bike traffic between the property and the downtown corridor, which is about a mile away.
What public amenities are planned as part of this development?
The current plans include a community hub building at the entrance off of Alameda de las Pulgas. This would include a community room available for rent to the public, as well as public bike parking and a self-service bike repair station, in addition to an accessible car parking space at the entrance.
What are you doing for fire safety?
There are significant fire safety measures incorporated throughout the property both required by code and voluntary. These will significantly enhance fire safety from the current state of the property and include building construction type and layout; road layout; fire hydrants; landscape irrigation and maintenance; and possibly an emergency access gate to the proposed future development along Coronado Avenue and Vista del Grande.
What is the plan to ensure there is enough school capacity to accommodate new school-age children?
We expect that the homes will appeal to families with children of a variety of ages, given the quality of schools in San Carlos. We also expect the homes to appeal to a wide variety of people in various stages of life.
Will the development connect to the surrounding neighborhoods?
Overall, the intention is to encourage easy access to the broader community through walking, biking and public transit. To this end, we have proposed a new bus stop and crosswalk at the entrance to the neighborhood, and the addition of shared-lane markings (sharrows) to connect the existing bike lane from Alameda de las Pulgas to the bike lane on San Carlos Avenue.
Will there be trails or paths that the public can access?
Will this development include affordable housing?
We are currently exploring options for a separate mixed-income project at a transit-oriented location to fulfill the affordable housing requirements of San Carlos.
Transportation
What is the traffic management plan?
We have designed the development to encourage alternate modes of transit including walking, biking, public transportation or any new mode of transit that reduces single occupancy car travel (e.g., carpool, ride share, electric scooters/bikes/skateboards). The plan includes amenities for public bus, pedestrian safety, bikes and easier connections to surrounding neighborhoods as well as subsidized transit passes and on-site transit amenities.
Will there be guest parking?
Will residents have access to public transit?
We are planning to create two new bus stops for SAMTrans Route 61 near the entrance to the property on Alameda de las Pulgas. Currently, Route 61 runs between the San Carlos Caltrain Station and Carlmont High School on school days only, running northbound during the morning and southbound during the afternoon. Additionally, Route 295 stops on both sides of San Carlos Avenue at its intersection with Phelps Road, which is less than a mile from the property. This route operates northbound and southbound three times between 7:00-9:00 a.m. and three times between 5:00-7:00 p.m. The Caltrain station is less than a mile-and-a-half away.
Will you be providing a private commuter shuttle?
We are not currently planning to provide a dedicated commuter shuttle for this development solely. We are interested in exploring a shared commuter shuttle in partnership with neighbors and/or the City if this would be a highly utilized service.
Will the street be public or private?
Public Services
What public infrastructure improvements are planned as part of the development?
We have proposed a new crosswalk with a flashing-light beacon system across Alameda de las Pulgas at the entrance to the neighborhood. This is both for the safety of pedestrians and to encourage foot and bike traffic between the property and the downtown corridor, which is about a mile away.
What public amenities are planned as part of this development?
The current plans include a community hub building at the entrance off of Alameda de las Pulgas. This would include a community room available for rent to the public, as well as public bike parking and a self-service bike repair station, in addition to an accessible car parking space at the entrance.
What are you doing for fire safety?
There are significant fire safety measures incorporated throughout the property both required by code and voluntary. These will significantly enhance fire safety from the current state of the property and include building construction type and layout; road layout; fire hydrants; landscape irrigation and maintenance; and possibly an emergency access gate to the proposed future development along Coronado Avenue and Vista del Grande.
What is the plan to ensure there is enough school capacity to accommodate new school-age children?
We expect that the homes will appeal to families with children of a variety of ages, given the quality of schools in San Carlos. We also expect the homes to appeal to a wide variety of people in various stages of life.
Will the development connect to the surrounding neighborhoods?
Overall, the intention is to encourage easy access to the broader community through walking, biking and public transit. To this end, we have proposed a new bus stop and crosswalk at the entrance to the neighborhood, and the addition of shared-lane markings (sharrows) to connect the existing bike lane from Alameda de las Pulgas to the bike lane on San Carlos Avenue.
Will there be trails or paths that the public can access?
Will this development include affordable housing?
We are currently exploring options for a separate mixed-income project at a transit-oriented location to fulfill the affordable housing requirements of San Carlos.