What We Fear Most in Marinwood-Lucas Valley.

"Please don't make me bust your kneecaps"-Kathy Bates in the movie "Misery"

In her March 15th Marin Voice Column entitled "Dispeling Fears about Affordable Housing" , our neighbor and Supervisor, Susan Adams repeated stereotypes about Marinwood-Lucas Valley that neither informs or enlightens the public about the true nature of the affordable housing debate.

The good news for affordable housing advocates is that there is generally acceptance of a proportional share of affordable housing in the Marinwood-Lucas Valley community when it respects wise land use, it is financially sound, is healthy for families, densities fitting for the neighborhood and integrates diversity in our community.

The county housing element and the proposed Marinwood Village complex in particular follow none of these simple principles.   Politicians and Planners have placed over 71% of all affordable housing in our 5.78 square miles.  No provision for school funding for Dixie Schools will be considered to provide for the hundreds of new students that may be coming to town.  Currently we spend approximately $10,000 per student.  The Marinwood Village complex is expected to bring up to 150 students or more requiring funding of $1,500,000 per year.  We will likely need 5 portable classrooms at $150,000 each,  teachers, aides, administrators, books, computers, etc. The bill for outfitting our classrooms alone could reach $2,000,000.  That's pretty scary.

We are afraid that our Dixie School District will no longer have adequate funding to provide the quality education for our children.

The conversion of Marinwood Plaza will remove Marinwood's only potential commercial center that can make us a truly, walkable, bikeable community.  While we recognize the center has had difficulty in the past because it is invisible from Highway 101, we know that it's location is a big asset especially for a regional business. Many of us envision an indoor Marin Farm to Table Market that will provide a gateway to West Marin farms and serve the region. We hope our friends at Marinwood Market will be it's operator and enjoy great success. The community and especially seniors and mobility impaired citizens should have a place for food essentials that don't require a long trip by car or bus. Under the Marinwood Village plan, the market will have less parking,  less visibility and will be located behind a 14 foot sound wall. It is paying below market rents now and is under no obligation to stay. We worry for it's long term survival.  That's pretty scary.

We fear the loss of Marinwood Market and commercial center forever.

 We know that more people brings more urban problems of pollution, parking, congestion, crime and stresses our local services. We will undoubtedly will have a greater need for government services.  More services will have to be paid for by the remaining local taxpayers, increasing our tax burden. Some advocates want to eliminate Proposition 13 which provides relief for our long term residents. A sudden increase in taxes can force many of us out of our homes.  Non profit development's pay virtually no taxes compared to the tax burden they create.  Our taxes will definitely rise. That's pretty scary.

We fear the massive increase in our property taxes.

We fear that the toxic waste at Prosperity Cleaners will not be fully cleaned up.  We fear that "streamlined" development rules for  non profit developers will ignore the health concerns of the community and our new residents.  Susan Adams states the toxic waste has been cleaned. State regulators says the spill still needs massive mitigation. That's pretty scary.

We fear for the health of our new neighbors and the community.

Some of us worked very hard to buy in one of the last affordable communities in Marin that has great schools and open space. Our life savings is invested in our homes and many of us are working two or more jobs to keep it.  Since the real estate crash of 2008, home values have not fully recovered.  If the Dixie School district becomes substandard due to a lack of funding,  the tree lined streets make way for apartment buildings, the appeal of the community will suffer.  The high taxes will make it even less affordable.  That is pretty scary.

We fear the loss of the quality of life and the affordability of our community.

The planning process for Marinwood-Lucas Valley has largely been hidden from public view for years. Only a few political insiders know to this day what is planned for the "Marinwood Priority Development area for Urbanization.  We have studied Smart Growth principles and can surmise that it is "compaction" and "densification" of neighborhoods. These urban style neighborhoods are what we moved away from.  Why do planners and politicians ignore the clear will of it's residents? That's scary.

We fear the loss of the Democratic process. We fear you are ignoring us.

The way to dispel fears is through openness and understanding. We believe in the democratic process and hope you'll hear us. We hope you will bring people together and promote understanding. We hope you will listen to our common voice.  After all, you are one of us.