The Project proposes a mixed-use office and R&D/life sciences development. It is composed of a southern structure along Commercial Street that is 90'-6'' at the top of the parapet and 113' at the top of all rooftop equipment, and a northern structure along Bransten that is 74'6'' at the top of the parapet and 90' at the top of all rooftop equipment. The buildings include two levels of belowgrade parking and have a central courtyard between them.
The intent of the courtyard is to serve as outdoor collaboration spaces for the tenants in order to activate the site and ground plane. Primary vehicle access to the Property is from Commercial and Bransten Streets, with a secondary pedestrian entrance at the corner of Old County Road and Commercial Street to activate the street. The project is designed with the flexibility to be built in two phases, with the below grade garage designed as a single building under the Building and Fire Life Safety codes. The architectural design is intended to respect San Carlos' innovation and industrial character, through the use of natural materials including red brick masonry and terracotta. Upper level terraces are incorporated to increase active outdoor spaces that can be used by the tenants and provide architectural relief along public frontages.
East Side District Vision Plan
The Property is within the area of the City governed by the recently adopted East Side Innovation District Vision Plan. The Project has been designed to further the goals of the East Side District Vision Plan by activating Old County Road, transforming it in support of the Plan's objectives for safe, people friendly streets and vibrant neighborhoods. Further, the Project specifically responds to 6 of the Plan's "10 Big Moves" as follows:
• Big Move #2 - Establish an Open Space Network: The project is proposing to provide a connection to the linear park system along Bransten Street and a large public courtyard along Old County Road.
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• Big Move #3: Promote Environmental Stewardship: The project will support this goal through numerous environmental and sustainability aspects, as follows:
o To reduce transportation-related emissions, the Project will be encouraging alternative transportation like walking, bicycles, the use of public transit, and electric cars in lieu of gas-powered automobiles. The project will provide short term and long-term bike racks, outdoor activity spaces and walking paths, in addition to showers for building occupants and visitors.
o To support the city’s goal of transitioning to electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles, the Project will be providing 10% of the project parking with electric vehicle charging stations.
o A primary GHG reduction strategy is energy use reduction. The project is striving for 3.4-7.0% savings over T24 baseline, which will reduce CO2 emissions associated with energy consumption.
o The Project will be an all-electric building with the intent of being powered by zerocarbon electricity like solar and wind power through utility programs and purchasing renewable energy certificates.
o In line with the city’s GHG reduction strategy related to construction waste, the Project has a 85% construction waste diversion target to decrease the burden on landfill. The general contractor will be encouraged to site separate waste streams to the extent possible to reduce contamination of recyclables. o To minimize water demand and increase wastewater reduction, the Project will utilize high efficiency plumbing fixtures and have a water-efficient landscaping favoring native and adapted planting.
o Additionally, on-site renewable energy production is currently being studied and under consideration.
• Big Move #4 - Integrate Recycled Water Infrastructure: The Project will comply with requirements to be purple pipe ready.
• Big Move #5 - Support Distinct District Sub Areas: The Project's design will enhance this district sub-area as being part of the distinct catalyst area by being a building that supports innovation. Further, the ground levels have been designed to enhance the public experience at the corners, including a large public courtyard mid-block along OCR. The character of Old County Road has been significantly enhanced for the pedestrian experience by providing more opportunity for seating, and bike parking. • Big Move #6 - Prioritize Activity Hub: The Project is designed to enhance the activity hub at the corner of Commercial and Old County Road by strengthening the connection to the existing pedestrian/bicycle tunnel across the street linking Old County Road to downtown San Carlos. This is achieved by establishing a mini plaza and building entrance along with approximately 1,500 square feet of retail space to activate this corner, allowing activity to spill out and energize this space.
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• Big Move #8 - Invest in Multimodal Streets: The Project is designed to support this goal by re-organizing the surrounding streets to incorporate new or improved bicycle lanes.
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● Reduced Window-to-Wall ratio by up to 30% to
save energy
● Photovoltaics installed on roof
● All-Electric to comply with Reach Code
● 20% EV + 30% EV-Ready Spaces, per latest
Reach Code
● 133 Short-Term and Long-term Bike Parking
● Showers and changing rooms
● Recycled Water Dual-Pipe Ready
● Drought Tolerant Landscaping
● LEED Gold Equivalent
SUSTAINABILITY MEASURES
841 Old County Road | Planning and Transportation Commission PV Panels
20% EV Stalls
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If you require translation for this notice, please contact the City Clerk’s Office at 650-802-4222.
CITY OF SAN CARLOS
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT the San Carlos City Council will hold a Public Hearing on Monday, August 28, 2023 at 7:00 p.m., for the purpose of hearing and considering all comments of all persons interested in or concerned with the application submitted by The Sobrato Family Foundation for approval of an Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration, Planned Development Zoning and Planned Development Plan and Development Agreement to develop two new life science research and development buildings at 841 Old County Road (APNs 046-133-160, 046-134-050, 046-134-060, 046-135-010, 046-135-020, 046-135-030, 046- 135-040, 046-182-100, 046-182-110, and 046-182-150). The request is pursuant to San Carlos Municipal Code Chapters 18.36, 18.37, 18.35.
Project Description: The applicant proposes two new life science/research and development buildings with a total of 339,170 square feet with surface and underground parking. One building is proposed at 4 stories at a height of 74’-6’ to the roof parapet and 85’ to the top of the mechanical screen and the second building is proposed at five stories at a height of 90’-6” to the top of the roof parapet and 113’ to the top of the mechanical screen.
The Planning and Transportation Commission, at its June 7, 2023 meeting, voted 3-0 to adopt Resolution PTC2023-11, recommending the City Council approve the Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration (MND) and Mitigation Monitoring Program, and voted 3-0 to adopt Resolution PTC2023-12, recommending the City Council rezone the site to Planned Development and approval of a Planned Development Plan and approve the Development Agreement. The Planning and Transportation Commission voted 3-0 to approve the Transportation Demand Management Plan, Design and Grading and Dirt Haul Certificate. The Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration (MND) has been prepared pursuant to the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) for the 841 Old County Road development and was available for public review and comment from January 23, 2023 through February 21, 2023.
Agenda: City Council agenda materials may be viewed online beginning Thursday, August 24, 2023 at www.cityofsancarlos.org/agenda at the City Clerk’s Department in City Hall – 600 Elm Street; and at the San Carlos Library – 610 Elm Street.
Ways to Observe the Meeting: The public will have the options to observe the meeting and address the City Council in–person in City Hall’s Council Chambers or remotely via Zoom. Details and instructions will be available on the meeting agenda.
Questions regarding the project may be directed to Lisa Costa Sanders, Principal Planner at [email protected]. Comments may be sent via email to the City Clerk – [email protected] and the City Council – [email protected]; or mailed to the city Clerk at 600 Elm Street, San Carlos, CA 94070, or made in-person at the public hearing.
All persons interested in the above are hereby invited to attend this public hearing and be heard. If you challenge this proposal in court, you may be limited to raising only those issues you or someone else raised at the public meeting and hearing described in this notice, or in written correspondence delivered to the Planning Department at, or prior to, the public hearing.
Crystal Mui,
City Clerk
Mailing Date: August 17, 2023
Publication Date: August 17, 2023
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May 25, 2023
Chair Jim Iacoponi and Members of the Planning and Transportation Commission City of San Carlos
600 Elm Street
San Carlos, CA 94070
RE: Letter of Support for 803 Old County Road Project
Dear Chair Iacoponi and Members of the Planning and Transportation Commission, For seven decades, the San Mateo County Economic Development Association (SAMCEDA) has been a leading voice for the economic engine that is San Mateo County. SAMCEDA believes in the power of a strong economy driven by an appreciation of what that engine provides to our ecosystem on the Peninsula.
By working with employers of all sizes and industries, engaging with our public sector and our elected leadership, recognizing that we have 21 individual jurisdictions (20 cities and one county) and collaborating and communicating with the Chambers of Commerce, non-profit organizations and our educational institutions, SAMCEDA tackles the most difficult challenges through goal-oriented solutions.
On behalf of SAMCEDA, I am writing to express our Board of Directors support for The Sobrato Organization’s office and research & development project at 803 Old County Road.
This project not only supports our local economy by providing temporary and permanent jobs and ongoing revenues for the city, county and state, but has been thoughtfully curated to be context sensitive to the City of San Carlos. This project supports the East Side Innovation District Visioning Plan (ESIDVP) and addresses the community input obtained throughout that planning process. It is clear that the approved ESIDVP guidelines and community member input were critical in shaping this development proposal.
We encourage the Members of the Planning and Transportation Commission to support the approval of this approximately 339,000 sq. ft. office and research & development project with substantive publicly accessible amenities. The project includes 33,000 sq. ft. of open space, a discovery path connection, a new bike lane, a central courtyard with seating, and retail use to activate the site. We are appreciative of these added community benefits in addition to the $7 million in impact fee revenue required by the City.
Thank you for your consideration in supporting this project.
Sincerely,
Rosanne Foust
President & CEO, SAMCEDA
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255 Shoreline Drive, Suite 150, Redwood City, CA 94065 | T 650-364-1722 | F 650-364-1729 | www.chambersmc.org ELEVATING BUSINESS.
ENGAGING COMMUNITY.
EMPOWERING THE FUTURE.
August 28, 2023
Honorable Mayor Adam Rak
City of San Carlos
600 Elm Street
San Carlos, CA 94070
RE: Letter of Support for 803 Old County Road Project
Dear Mayor Rak, Vice Mayor Dugan and City Council members, On behalf of Chamber San Mateo County, I am writing to express our support for the Office/R&D project at 803 Old County Road Project proposed by The Sobrato Organization.
At the Chamber San Mateo County, May 25th, 2023 Board of Directors meeting, the project received the full project endorsement recommendation from the Chamber San Mateo County’s Economic Development Committee.
Chamber San Mateo County is a dynamic organization that is always looking to the future with over 1,500 members from all industries such as business, government, labor, education and non-profit and serving over 100,000 employees. Our Chamber continues to stay true to our purpose, our promise, and our difference by providing local and regional leadership on critical economic issues, such as education, housing affordability, infrastructure, transportation, economic development, supporting commercial and life science expansion, and government efficiency initiatives.
This project not only supports our local economy by providing temporary and permanent jobs and on-going revenues for the city, county and state, but has been thoughtfully curated to be context sensitive to the City of San Carlos. This project supports the East Side Innovation District Visioning Plan (ESIDVP) and addresses the community input obtained throughout that planning process. It is clear that the approved ESIDVP guidelines and community member input were critical in shaping this development proposal.
We urge the San Carlos City Council to support the approval of this approximately 339,000 sq. ft. Office/R&D project with substantive publicly accessible amenities. The project includes approximately 33,000 sq. ft. of open space, a discovery path connection, new bike lane, central courtyard with seating, and retail use to activate the site. The community benefits value beyond impact fee revenues required by the city is approximately $7 million.
We urge you to approve the project as proposed. Thank you for your consideration.
Warm Regards,
Amy N. Buckmaster
President & CEO
Chamber San Mateo County
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August 15, 2023
Hon. Mayor Adam Rak and Members of the City Council
City of San Carlos
600 Elm Street
San Carlos, CA 94070
RE: Letter of Support for 803 Old County Road Project
Dear Mayor Rak and Members of the City Council,
For seven decades, the San Mateo County Economic Development Association (SAMCEDA) has been a leading voice for the economic engine that is San Mateo County. SAMCEDA believes in the power of a strong economy driven by an appreciation of what that engine provides to our ecosystem on the Peninsula.
By working with employers of all sizes and industries, engaging with our public sector and our elected leadership, recognizing that we have 21 individual jurisdictions (20 cities and one county) and collaborating and communicating with the Chambers of Commerce, non-profit organizations and our educational institutions, SAMCEDA tackles the most difficult challenges through goal-oriented solutions.
On behalf of SAMCEDA, I am writing to express our Board of Directors support for The Sobrato Organization’s office and research & development project at 803 Old County Road.
This project not only supports our local economy by providing temporary and permanent jobs and on-going revenues for the city, county and state, but has been thoughtfully curated to be context sensitive to the City of San Carlos. This project supports the East Side Innovation District Visioning Plan (ESIDVP) and addresses the community input obtained throughout that planning process. It is clear that the approved ESIDVP guidelines and community member input were critical in shaping this development proposal.
We encourage the Members of the City Council to support the approval of this approximately 339,000 sq. ft. office and research & development project with substantive publicly accessible amenities. The project includes 33,000 sq. ft. of open space, a discovery path connection, a new bike lane, a central courtyard with seating, and retail use to activate the site. We are appreciative of these added community benefits in addition to the $7 million in impact fee revenue required by the City.
Thank you for your consideration in supporting this project.
Sincerely,
Rosanne Foust
President & CEO, SAMCEDA
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