Belmont will announce Monday, plans to scuttle the downtown redevelopment referred to as the Belmont Specific Plan, in favor of more cost-effective measures, a high ranking official said speaking on the condition of anonymity, and not wanting to spoil the surprise.

He went on to say, “Belmont has always been seen as the red headed step-child to its prodigal son to the south, San Carlos. In our redevelopment analysis, we found that housing prices have been held artificially low, and the quality of life lacking due to the absence of a vibrant downtown. That was the genesis of the Belmont Specific Plan, but opposition has been mounting and with cost overruns in sight, we have found a more cost-effective alternative”.

Called a bold and unprecedented move, in a closed door session Tuesday, Belmont brokered a deal to combine the cities of Belmont and San Carlos into one new enclave which will be called BelCarlos.

He went on to say, “This actually solves all of our problems, at a fraction of the cost, and can be implemented by the end of 2018. Look, people have been driving to San Carlos and dining out there for years, it’s not like they won’t let us in, but combining the two cities into one, means nobody can claim we don’t have a downtown anymore.

Initial cost estimates associated with this boundary line adjustment would be about $300,000 for Belmont, and $500,000 for San Carlos, because they have prettier signs he said.

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