From the Desk of Susan Adams October 2012 newsletter

Civic Center is celebrating the 50th year anniversary.  What will Marinwood-Lucas Valley look like in 50 years?

Note: This is the cover story of Susan Adams October 2012 Newsletter reprinted in its entirety.  It is also available on her site.

Our office has received a number of queries on land use issues in the district. These range from sites listed in the Housing Element which is undergoing environmental re-view, to the hearing coming up on October 16 on the application to rezone and develop 14 acres at 650 North San Pedro Road. The Supplemental Environmental Impact Report for the Housing Element is evaluating a number of sites that may be suitable for multi-family and affordable housing units. These include: Marinwood Plaza, 85 units St Vincent’s and Silveira, 221 units Grady Ranch (Lucas Valley), 240 units Big Rock Deli (Lucas Valley), 80 units Rotary Field (Lucas Valley), 60 units
As of this date there has been no development application to the County for either St. Vincent's or Silveira Ranch where the maximum units were set at 121 units (down from the 500 - 2000 units and 300-500 thousand square feet of commercial space that was proposed 12 years ago). An extra 100 units could be allowed but only if they are all affordable, for a possible total of 221. Units would be clustered on not more than 5% of the lands beyond the already developed areas. There has been extensive public hearings on these properties spanning almost 2 decades. The information is available in the Marin County General Plan which was approved in 2007 and is available on the county website.
Marinwood Village redevelopment is on the near horizon. The Marin County General Plan allows for up to 100 units of housing and mixed use retail in a walkable/bikeable community serving center with a plaza gathering space and green building practices incorporated. The community generally expressed support for housing as part of the redevelopment once a full service grocery was in place. As many of you know, the Marinwood Farmer’s Market and the Marinwood Market are both open and operating (Phase 1) and have added a new vibrancy to the community. Future redevelopment of the failed commercial strip mall with new retail and housing was one of the attrac-tions that brought the Marinwood Market owners to the site. Phase 2 is in the early stages of discussion with about 15 members from the Marinwood community leadership including members of the Marinwood CSD, Lucas Valley HOA, Casa Marinwood, Dixie School District, who have met with BRIDGE Housing three times to discuss the points that have consistently been important to the community about traffic, density, aesthetics, community serving retail, community gathering space and green, and energy efficient building.
While no application has yet been submitted, BRIDGE will be reaching out to the broader community soon with an open house to introduce themselves and hear input from the community. They believe that the community input will be important before submitting an application to the county. I agree. Once the date has been set, we will send out an email to our newsletter subscription list.

Regarding the other sites listed in the housing element, these are simply locations that were identified as possibilities for development in the distant future and will be evaluated in order to comply with State Law on the Housing Element. Areas like Grady Ranch and Big Rock Deli are, on the face of it, challenging due to a number of issues including distance from transit and community services, sewer and water issues, etc.
Oakview, which includes the hill between Highway 101, Lucas Valley Road and Las Gallinas Avenue has a master plan entitlement which allows 28 units of single-family housing on the Lucas Valley/Las Gallinas portion of the hill with 6 of those units being affordable and up to 150 units of senior living ½ independent and ½ assisted living along the Highway 101 side of the hill and across the creek from the Marinwood Plaza. There was a 2 decade process for the entitlement and to date, there has been no application received by the county for the development.
Finally, 650 North San Pedro is slated for a hearing October 16th in the Board of Supervisor’s Chambers in the afternoon. The agenda will be posted.