Hi Neighbors and Friends,<\/p>\n
More public hearings regarding the 2015 to 2023 DRAFT Marin County **Housing Element are rapidly approaching.\u00a0 The next County Planning Commission’s hearing about the Housing Element is on November 17th and the Board of Supervisors will begin their Housing Element hearings in December.\u00a0 Unfortunately, the plan still includes numerous programs that are very concerning.\u00a0\u00a0 These are described below.<\/p>\n
[**The \u201cHousing Element<\/b>\u201d is a state mandated document that plans to meet the existing and projected housing needs of a jurisdiction.]<\/p>\n
Please write to the Marin County Board of Supervisors and copy the Marin County Planning Commission and urge them to revise the DRAFT Marin County Housing Element by reducing the number of sites identified in the Housing Element Site Inventory and by eliminating the deleterious programs described below.<\/p>\n
Contact Information<\/span>: Thank you in advance for taking action!\u00a0 Together we can make a difference!<\/b><\/p>\n Cheers, Sharon Rushton \n CONCERNS REGARDING THE 2015 TO 2023 DRAFT MARIN COUNTY HOUSING ELEMENT<\/b><\/p>\n 1. The DRAFT Marin County Housing Element Identifies Over 200% More Units Than Required By Law: 2. DRAFT Marin County Housing Element Program 1k \u2013 \u201cAdjust Height Limits for Multifamily Residential Buildings\u201d Could Raise Height Limits Up To 45 Feet:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/b> \u00a03. DRAFT Marin County Housing Element Program 1.c \u2013 \u201cStudy Residential Density Equivalents\u201d Changes the Definition of a \u2018Unit\u2019 and Increases Density:<\/b><\/p>\n Program 1.c \u201cStudy Residential Density Equivalents\u201d suggests changing the definition of what a \u201cunit\u201d is by calculating studios and one-bedroom units as fractions of units.\u00a0 This would essentially up-zone parcels zoned for multifamily units by allowing more units per acre than currently allowed.\u00a0 This would also increase potential intensity of development and population growth, thereby increasing the risk of adverse impacts on the environment, public health and safety, traffic congestion, infrastructure, utilities (water supply), public services, and neighborhood character.<\/p>\n 4. DRAFT Marin County Housing Element Programs Reduce Parking Requirements for Housing Developments: 5. DRAFT Marin County Housing Element Programs Promote Streamlined Permit Review and Ministerial \u201cOver-the-Counter\u201d Review of Affordable Housing, Special Needs Housing Projects, and Residential Development Projects in Planned Districts: 6. DRAFT Marin County Housing Element Program 1.q \u2013 Clarify Applicability of State Density Bonus Increases Potential Density At HOD Sites: \n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Hi Neighbors and Friends, More public hearings regarding the 2015 to 2023 DRAFT Marin County **Housing Element are rapidly approaching.\u00a0 The next County Planning Commission’s hearing about the Housing Element is on November 17th and the Board of Supervisors will … Continue reading
\nMarin County Board of Supervisors: <\/b>bos@marincounty.org
\n<\/a><\/b><\/span>Marin County Planning Commission: <\/b>planningcommission@marincounty.org<\/b><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n
\nSharon<\/p>\n
\n<\/b>Chairperson
\nSustainable TamAlmonte<\/b><\/p>\n
\n<\/b>In order to meet the State required Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA), the\u00a0 Marin County DRAFT Housing Element’s Site Inventory only has to include enough sites to accommodate 185 housing units with a small buffer.\u00a0 Instead, the DRAFT Housing Element identifies 10 sites and 502 units, which is over 200% more units than required by law.<\/p>\n
\nProgram 1.k \u201cAdjust Height Limits for Multifamily Residential Buildings\u201d is intended to raise height limits up to 45 feet. Current height limits are restricted to 25, 30 or 35 feet, depending on the zoning.\u00a0\u00a0 Raising heights of Multifamily residential buildings by 10 to 20 feet across hundreds of acres, where Multi-family residential buildings are allowed, could drastically change the architectural landscape of Marin County and have other significant adverse consequences. Increasing height limits could adversely impact neighbors\u2019 views, sunlight, privacy, neighborhood character; augment potential floor-area-ratio and density; and increase the risk of many adverse environmental impacts.<\/p>\n
\n<\/b>A number of the County Housing Element programs reduce parking requirements for various types of housing developments (affordable housing, multi-family, infill, transit-oriented, mixed-use, special needs, senior, group homes, etc.). A reduction in parking spaces does not stop residents from using cars.\u00a0 It simply forces residents to park on the street or in a nearby parking area that is meant for other purposes. Sufficient off-street parking is necessary on narrow streets to allow emergency vehicles to pass.\u00a0 There is often a shortage of parking spaces at Marin County park and ride locations. Retail stores need ample parking to ensure patronage.\u00a0 Public parking is needed for the public and should not be relied on for regular private usage. Rather than reduce parking standards, parking standards should be maintained and enforced.<\/p>\n
\n<\/b>A number of Housing Element Programs promote streamlined permit review and ministerial review of affordable housing, special needs housing projects and residential development projects in planned districts.\u00a0 Such streamlined and \u201cover-the-counter\u201d review would hinder thorough and accurate review, constrain public input on planning decisions, and reduce transparency. Careful and thorough review is necessary to ensure protection of Marin\u2019s environment and public health and safety.\u00a0 For best planning decisions, ample public input should be encouraged, rather than denied.<\/p>\n
\n<\/b>Program 1.q \u2013 \u201cClarify Applicability of State Density Bonus\u201d affects Housing Overlay Designation (HOD) Sites. As originally written in 2007, the Marin Countywide Plan restricts the total number of units allowed on all the Housing Overlay Designation (HOD) sites via a total CAP of 658 units and restricts the number of units allowed in each Traffic Impact Area within the HOD designation with other smaller CAPs.\u00a0 Program 1.q changes this so that the number of dwelling units in specific Traffic Impact Areas could exceed the CAP with Density Bonus Units, provided the total HOD CAP of 658 units is not exceeded.\u00a0 (For example, this program would increase the potential dwelling units at the Marin General Hospital Site, the College of Marin Site and the Toussin Site from 88 housing units to 118 units, when State Density Bonus units are added.)<\/p>\n