BY ADRIANA HERNANDEZ
Daily Post Staff Writer
A barbershop, a pet store or gym might be in the future for San Carlos’ Laurel Street if city council members have their way.
But they said Monday they want to make sure the city keeps its small-town feel if it moves forward with allowing chain stores or personal services on Laurel Street.
Council passed a law in 2017 stopping chain stores from opening along the 600 to 800 blocks of Laurel Street.
Planning Manager Lisa Porras suggested council adjust the chain store limitations as the city revamps Laurel Street.
Porras proposed council start allowing stores that provide personal services, grooming, pet stores and services like printing.
Councilman Adam Rak asked Porras if there would be a limit on the number of stores that provide the same services.
“I would want to have some variety. We want to find that balance downtown,” Rak said.
Rak said that he would like to meet the needs of the community, but would like to see a good mix of different kinds of stores and services.
Mayor Sara McDowell said that by losening the regulations, there may be an increase in smoke shops and nail salons that she has seen too many of on El Camino. Councilman Neil Layton was also concerned about having certain spots be taken up by stores or services that would not liven the street. Layton said that a bank could take up space but not attract people in like council wants. Keeping the small village feel was important to councilmen Layton and Rak.
Porras proposed that adjusting the regulation would create diversity, which would bring more liveliness to downtown.
Laurel Street could have the possibility of opening it to mom-and-pop shops and smaller businesses, Porras said.
Porras will come back with further ideas for retail downtown to council.
This discussion is one of many the city has been having about Laurel Street as council has decided to make the 700 block a promenade and to redesign Harrington Park.
The real problem is, is that San Carlos isn’t a “small village” anymore. My wife and her friends love walking to the bank for cash, getting their nails done, and then going for a drink without getting in their cars. Printing and pet stores? Not so much.
Sounds like San Carlos has gone full Socialism. The Council will tell you where and what you can do.
If we’re looking for more liveliness, having good food places could help. Diversifying the range of cuisine would attract diversity. Many who live in San Carlos go elsewhere regularly for dinner, lunch, and brunch.
San carlos has so many restaurants- a few boutiques and then a grocery store, bank, post office- and already has a pet store why would the 4-5 person council dictate what stores to put in a town of thousands? Why not ask what the residents wants so you don’t watch a business go under ?
Spot on! I hope the council reads your post.
I’d like the city to keep in mind that not all residents live in walkable distance to downtown — a sizable number live in the hills approaching 280 — and we still need to do errands such as go to the bank, dry cleaners, etc. I have taken to going to Belmont for groceries, gas etc. because I can’t stand driving near downtown San Carlos unless I’m going out to dinner or a special occasion.