Posts Tagged ‘housing’
Dick Spotswood Via Marin IJ: Marin Voters Would Make Great Protesters Against Trump
It’s time for regular Marin residents who consider themselves patriots to stand up and determine their own destiny. In much of politically “blue” America, protests have spontaneously erupted. No, they aren’t due to paid organizers. They’re just angry Americans. Other than at Corte Madera’s Tesla showroom, it appears to me that local protests have been scarce. Marin should be a shining example to fellow California patriots on how to address their pent-up emotions and exercise their First Amendment rights.
Read MoreFree Westminster Events Hosts an Inspiring, Thought-Provoking Conversation About Aging, One that Challenges Outdated Perceptions & Explores How to Approach Life’s Later Chapters with Grace, Purpose and Resilience – April 27th, 3-5pm
The event features Sonya Dolan, co-founder of Mettle Health—an online platform she created with Mill Valley’s BJ Miller to provide personalized, holistic support for patients and caregivers facing the emotional, practical, and existential challenges of serious illness, death, and grief. Also speaking is Joe O’Hehir, Interim CEO of Vivalon, who brings more than four decades of leadership in healthcare and nonprofit organizations. A longtime advocate for innovative aging services, O’Hehir helped launch Marin’s Aging Action Initiative and led the creation of Vivalon’s new Healthy Aging Campus. Moderating the conversation is Teri Dowling.
Read MoreMarin IJ: Whether It’s Prior Tariffs or the Latest Tax, Marin Is Lagging on Housing Production, and Marin County Is Going to Need to Create Housing at a Faster Pace if it Wants to Meet the State’s Target
“So much of it, particularly in this economic environment, is beyond what the county can control,” Supervisor Brian Colbert said. “So many of these permits are just not going to pan out because of other circumstances.”
Read MoreAfter a Hugely Successful Ballot Measure L in 2024 to Address Massive Infrastructure Needs of $150 Million to $180 Million in the Next 10-15 Years, City Officials Now Look to Implement the 1% Sales Tax Hike, Effective April 1st
Effective April 1, 2025, the sales tax rate for the City of Mill Valley will increase from 8.25% to 9.25% All taxpayers will receive a special notice regarding new sales and use tax rates effective April 1, 2025, 30 days before the new rates start either via e-notice or a letter format that has a “Special Notice” on the top. The California Department of Tax and Fee Administration will post the notice on their Special Notices and Notification Letters website. https://www.cdtfa.ca.gov/news/special-notices-and-notification-letters.htm. Approved by Mill Valley voters with the passage of Measure L in November 2024, this local sales tax increase of 1% is estimated to bring our community an additional $4.2 million in revenue per year. The City will begin receiving funds in June 2025 to directly support community identified priorities such as wildfire prevention, roads, bridges, emergency routes, flood mitigation, hillside stabilization, and repairing City facilities like the Public Safety Building, Community Center, Library, as well as City playgrounds and fields.
Read MorePaula Reynolds, Advocating for Mill Valley, For Decades, Has Been a Force of Nature for Good in Every Aspect Within Her Beloved Mill Valley Community and Beyond, Raising Children, Supporting an Ever-Growing Brood of Grandchildren and Relentlessly Calling for Vitality in the 94941!
Over the past several months, the City of Mill Valley has made a point to highlight some of the legions of local volunteers who have made an ongoing positive impact to the community. That has included longtime Mill Valley resident Joan Murray, multi-faceted arts patron Vera Meislin and the remarkable contributions of Hugh Kuhn. In March, Paula Reynolds is an oh-so-worthy honoree.
Read MoreMt. Tamalpais Methodist Church Hosts Mayor Stephen Burke for an Issues-Driven Meet & Greet – May 4th, 12pm
Mt. Tamalpais United Methodist Church has long been home to a welcoming environment for all. Friends and members of Mt. Tam Church are invited to engage with Mayor Stephen Burke as he shares City Council’s visions and plans for the city in the years ahead. This event takes place at noon in the church sanctuary. Mayor Burke will highlight the city’s next steps, following the passage of the Measure L sales tax, for infrastructure maintenance and enhancements, fiscal sustainability, and emergency preparedness. He will also address land use and affordable housing challenges, business and cultural vitality initiatives, the critical importance of public/private partnerships, community engagement, and Mill Valley’s ongoing commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. A delicious pizza lunch will be provided prior to the meet and greet – suggested donation for lunch but all invited to dine regardless of ability to pay.
Read MoreMercury News: Trump’s Tariffs Would Make Housing More Expensive in the Bay Area. How much? It Depends on What You’re Building — and Where
High interest rates and increasing construction costs had already put a strain on efforts to increase the Bay Area’s inadequate housing supply. Now, as President Donald Trump places sweeping tariffs on imports from China, Canada and Mexico, building costs and home prices are expected to increase even further. Trump’s changing timeline for introducing new tariffs has made it difficult for homebuilders to anticipate what duties will actually go into effect, and when. Here are the tariffs the president has announced so far. Mexico and Canada: On Feb. 1, Trump announced tariffs of 25% on these two major U.S. trading partners that would go into effect in March. Just two days later, he paused the tariffs for 30 days after Mexico and Canada pledged to curb drug flows across their borders. The tariffs went into effect March 4.
Read MoreMarin IJ: Life as a Retired Man in Mill Valley
“Babies are everywhere in Mill Valley. I imagine in my previous work-life schedule I didn’t see them all. Or perhaps there are just more of them? Either way, babies can be seen in carriages pushed by either moms, dads or nannies. The problem is they are pushed in the streets. Sidewalks are not always an option because they’re often blocked and/or difficult to push a carriage on. I missed all the baby action when I worked. Arriving home well past baby bedtimes made certain carriage pushing was not on my radar. So, if you want to see some Mill Valley babies, get out during the day — just be careful driving!”
Read MoreMarin IJ: Longtime Developer Jack Krystal, Who Has Sought to Develop the Area Around Club Evexia, Seaplane Adventures & Terra Outdoor Several Times, Seeks to Leverage a Flurry of State Laws That Have Stripped Local Jurisdictions
Now comes word via the Marin Independent Journal that San Rafael developer Jack Krystal has filed a preliminary application to construct a five-story residential building in unincorporated Mill Valley near Club Evexia, Seaplane Adventures, Terra Outdoor and treasured San Francisco Restaurant Piccino, which hopes to expand to the Presidio first and in Mill Valley in early 2026. The project at 258 and 260 Redwood Highway Frontage Road, which is very close to another project nearby that would would include 43 apartments and a 54-room residential care center. Under state law, the care center would count as a single dwelling because it would have a shared kitchen.
Read MoreDick Spotswood: Would California, Marin be better off without FEMA?
Each party will need to sacrifice elements of control that they relish. Trump and his minions will not be able to dictate how individual states and private enterprise promote diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives or tell California how to disburse its scarce water. Likewise, progressive Democrats will need to forgo forcing politically correct initiatives on “red” states or land management on rural bastions.
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