Welcome!
My name is Mark Olbert, and I’m a former member of the San Carlos, California City Council. This was my site for staying in touch with my constituents. My last day on the Council was December 14, 2020.
It’s now a platform I use to address local and regional issues that my neighbors may find interesting.
Here you’ll find my blog, links to articles about municipal issues, and material that will help you understand my Council work and my current views. All these can be accessed through the menu links at the top of every page.
If you’d like to be automatically notified when new content is added to this site just click the Subscribe button at the top of any page. If you’re already a subscriber you can use the Subscribe button to edit your subscription options.
Enjoy! And if you have a moment, drop me a line to let me know what’s on your mind.
Fitting Into a Neighborhood
I occasionally get asked about whether or not the City has rules requiring that new homes, or significant remodels, have to fit into a neighborhood.
Hillside Overlay Districts
Recently, over on a NextDoor thread discussing the expected development of what is commonly called the Black Mountain properties, someone cited a four story home
Calling All Community Volunteers!
Ever thought that San Carlos would benefit from a non-profit organization dedicated to improving our quality of life? Like the San Carlos Education Foundation, but
Deciding on Behalf of the Community
Recently the Council changed the way the Residential Design Review Committee is structured (this is the commission which reviews and approves home remodeling and construction
SHAC: An Interim Perspective
Last year, based on community input, the Council established a Single-family Housing Advisory Commission. The commission’s charter was to review our current zoning rules governing
Bakeries and the Human Condition
Occasionally, I get really interesting emails from people about what appear to be simple topics but are actually related to much broader issues of governance.