Transit Village Study Session Proves Constructive

The San Carlos Transit Village Project has spurred long hours of argument in meetings past. Monday night's combined City Council and Planning Commission study session was downright civil.

Representatives from the Greater East San Carlos Neighborhood emphasized their concerns in publc statements with representatives from SamTrans and Legacy present.

San Carlos Community Development Director Al Savay delivered an overview emphasizing that recommendations offered Monday night would be included in a final set of recommended Improvement Measures to be addressed in the next phase of review.

"This won't be any kind of one-meeting deal," San Carlos Mayor Bob Grassilli said. "I can guarantee that. We'll be talking about these items a few more times."

Some of the items generated from the study session include:

• The suggestion that Legacy Partners hold town hall type meetings for city residents to comment.
• That all involved familiarize themselves with the San Carlos General Plan
• To further study affects of noise, height and density on the neightborhood
• A commitment to protecting the integrity of Old County Road, a historically important highway.
• To study various parking solutions.
• A call for transparency from all stakeholders.

San Carlos city staff helped develop a mediation process among several interested parties with communications consultant Shawn Spano, a San Jose State professor, leading the way.

Spano reported that communication is going well despite some trust issues.

San Carlos Planning Commision Chair Scot Marsters also stressed that he has yet to see an actual project to discuss.

Additional public hearings will be held by both the Planning Commission and City Council through the spring and summer.

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Transit Village Project Taking Shape