Thursday, November 14, 2019

Marinwood Maintenance Truck destruction of the Nature Trail in Marinwood Park

The Ford F250 and the dump trailer are a combined length of 44 feet.  The Marinwood landscaping crew has no choice but  to turn around 180 degrees in the Marinwood Park Nature meadow 450 feet east of this facility There is no other choice.  The proposed Marinwood facility will be too constrained to turn around any other way.  The only other option is to back up onto Miller Creek avenue. This will require expert skill and attention avoiding walkers, children, dogs and equipment.

The project must be halted IMMEDIATELY until the Marinwood CSD comes up with a solution for material handling and vehicle movement that does not destroy our park. Photos 11/14/2019

Huge piles of landscaping debris/ trash are stored in the open as a part of normal weekly operations
Tire tread is clearly visible in the field


The large 60 foot turnaround is directly behind 515 Quietwood Dr.


The truck is ready to exit the facility after turning around in meadow

The truck will exit the facility several times a day even during rain and muddy conditions. The meadow will be destroyed with deep tire tracks and ruts. Pictured above is a conditions from last winter.

Wednesday, November 13, 2019

Marinwood CSD meeting November 12, 2019

A New Shed Plan is needed ASAP

A New Shed Plan is needed ASAP

Of all the reasons not to approve the current Maintenance facility Hansell design proposal, perhaps the most compelling is how it will make routine operations very difficult. Now that the story poles are erected, you can see what we mean.  Below are three views of the Marinwood maintenance yard and the Ford F250 truck and trailer taken on November 12, 2019.   Note  approximately 400 square feet of landscaping debris is stored temporarily onsite before removal every week.  It is an essential operational necessity.

If this building is constructed according to current design, regular landscaping operations will be extremely difficult and time consuming to perform due to space constraints.



 The Ford F250 and the Trailer are approximately 44 feet long as seen here next to the current maintainance garage.,  The orange fencing is marking the perimeter of the roof line. The area where the truck is now parked will become a grassy area, footpath and a swail for handling water in the Hansell proposal.  All of the landscape debris, material storage and truck parking will occur INSIDE the orange perimeter and a fenced yard (not shown) according to Hansell.



There are many obstructions inside and outside the facility that will make backing up extremely hazardous to pedestrians, workers, and equipment.  The driveway is not straight and backing up a trailer takes skill and practice. Trucks will be moving in and out of this area several times a day.
A Ford F250 truck has a minimum turning radius of 54 feet to turn 180 degrees.  All turns inside the Hansell facility will take careful manuevers to avoid obstructions.  Realistically, the safest option will be to drive through the facility and turn around in the meadow 400 feet to the East.  But this will destroy the meadow and our beautiful nature trail.


This circle shows an approximate size and location of  the truck turnaround in the meadow on the nature path.



The Marinwood nature trail is muddy during rainy season.  We can expect the meadow to have deep ruts from the abuse of vehicle turn arounds.  The trucks must exit the facility EVERY day regardless of weather conditions .

Fortunately, there is a proven solution for narrow lots... a side access garage as is found in EVERY COMMUNITY Maintenance facility in Marin county.  It costs less, provides easy access for vehicles, and vehicles can exit the facility safely without backing up. This is why this practical design is popular.

Here is an example of a 1200 sf garage at McInnis Park.  They have TWICE the number of employees and equipment, manage 450 acres compared to our 14 acres and the building works for them. It was built in 2018.  Why does Marinwood need a custom building TWICE the size?

These types of building are so common that they are available in modular construction for as little as $25k and can be installed on a prepared foundation in a matter of days.

Tuesday, November 12, 2019

This is the Maintenance Garage we need for Appoximately $25k



This is an example of a maintenance garage that can be built in Marinwood Park for about $25k plus foundation work.

The current Hansell design proposal will easily cost TEN TIMES this. Why is Marinwood CSD allowing Bill Hansell, a former CSD Director a BLANK CHECK for his architectural services and building a massive 4400sf facility for our three person crew?

The Sheds Unlimited crew assembed this $25k garage in18 hours of work.

CSD Meeting Agenda November 12, 2019

Sunday, November 10, 2019

THE YOUNG CRAB AND HIS MOTHER

THE YOUNG CRAB AND HIS MOTHER

[13] "WHY in the world do you walk sideways like that?" said a Mother Crab to her son. "You should always walk straight forward with your toes turned out."

"Show me how to walk, mother dear," answered the little Crab obediently, "I want to learn."

So the old Crab tried and tried to walk straight forward. But she could walk sideways only, like her son. And when she wanted to turn her toes out she tripped and fell on her nose.


Do not tell others how to act unless you can set a good example.

[Illustration]