Posts Tagged ‘housing’
Marin IJ Editorial: Tam Valley Housing Proposal’s Scope Clashes With Other County Plans
How much say the board will have is uncertain given the state Legislature’s pro-housing initiative that has effectively undermined local review and control over proposed housing developments. The proposal calls for building a 32-unit affordable apartment complex on a half-acre at 150 Shoreline Highway. The location, in a classified flood zone, runs into the county’s planning focus to limit development in areas that might be threatened by climate change and rising tides.
Read MoreMarin IJ: California Housing Program’s Collateral Beneficiaries: Lobbyists, Lawmakers
“Those profiting from these transactions were unwilling to accept any meaningful accountability requirements, including that rents be discounted meaningfully from general market rents,” said Mark Stivers, director of advocacy for the California Housing Partnership, one of the program’s critics. “Greater accountability to the public is still very much needed.”
Read MoreMarin IJ: A California Insurance Crisis and Which Bay Area Communities Have Lost the Most Coverage, Including Significant Impact on Mill Valley
California’s property insurance market has been reeling after a series of devastating and costly wildfires over the last decade, with estimated losses of more than $35.8 billion. Insurers have argued that outdated voter-approved regulations enacted in the late 1980s aimed at ensuring fairer rates have left them unable to charge enough to reflect rising costs…
Read MoreMarin IJ: Marin City Housing Developer Files Tam Valley Plan to Build 32 Units Instead of County’s Hopes for a Proposal to Split the Housing Between Marin City and Tam Valley
“The designs did not reflect the site constraints,” Kalish told the Marin IJ. “It literally did not look like a design that had been produced for that site.” Kalish said that despite the risk of flooding at the location, the drawings showed windows placed at ground level. “Even the tree selections, when I checked them, none of them could have tolerated living there because their roots wouldn’t tolerate brackish water,” she said.
Read MoreMarin Voice From Ace Thelin, of Forest Knolls: Sadly, Rampant Homelessness a Sign That Capitalism Is Working as Intended
Capitalism is thriving because morality and common decency is absent from the policies imposed by the capitalist class. The way I see it, high demand (lots of people) and low supply (not enough available housing) will always create fierce competition and drive up the cost of rent and mortgage payments. When adequate housing is guaranteed, the rental market will crumble. People will no longer sign a contract in which half or a third of their income goes to rent because they will no longer have the fear of being homeless.
Read MoreDick Spotswood: Here’s Why Traffic Congestion on Marin’s Local Roads is Getting Worse
The post-pandemic trend to work from home has decreased the number of Marin residents commuting to San Francisco. Those new home-based workers patronize local restaurants, retail shops, grocery stores, bars and exercise venues, all by car. That’s why most Marin downtowns are vibrant. Marin’s prosperous residents want their property in top condition. Mill Valley City Manager Todd Cusimano reports that, this past year, 1,272 building permits were issued with a total valuation of $98 million. That means large numbers of contractors, landscapers and tradespeople coming and going.
Read MoreCalifornia Voice From Bob Stonebrook Via CalMatters: The best way to prepare for Trump is by fixing our state government
In 1969, Peter Drucker, the influential management consultant, author and educator, noted in the now-defunct Public Interest journal that the greatest factor in our “disenchantment” with government is that government has not performed. His remedy holds just as true today. Improvement in government requires, “the clear definition of the results a policy is expected to produce, and the ruthless examination of results against these expectations. This, in turn, demands that we spell out in considerable detail what results are expected rather than content ourselves with promises and manifestos.” Overcoming disenchantment requires achieving results.
Read MoreCounty’s Hopes for an Innovative Proposal to Split Marin City Affordable Housing Between 150 Shoreline Hwy. in Tam Junction & 825 Drake Ave. in Marin City Hits Another Significant Snag
Caleb Roope, chief executive officer of the Pacific Companies, the project’s developer. “That isn’t how we see it.” Roope said the bonds were issued long ago and purchased by Citibank. He said the ruling has failed to shake Citibank’s confidence in the project. “Everybody takes for granted that you’re not going to be able to unwind approvals that have already happened,” Roope said. “The ruling doesn’t have an effect on what we’re doing and our ability to proceed.” Roope said his company owns the land in Marin City and has all of the needed approvals.
Read MoreWestminster Presbyterian Church 36th Alternative Christmas Fair – Nov. 10th & 17th, 9:15-10am & 11am-11:30am
For 36 years, Westminster Presbyterian Church has hosted its alternative Christmas Fair in November. The event is open to the public and highlights the essential work of nine local, national, and international nonprofit agencies. Following both morning services on two November Sundays, come meet with charity representatives and make gifts in your own name or to honor a loved one. Each agency has a table to share information and answer questions, with holiday treats available. The event is at the church, 240 Tiburon Blvd. in Tiburon. For more information, contact Judi Sachs at judisachs9@gmail.com or at 415-203-6376.
Read MoreMarin IJ: San Rafael Planners Release Final Mall Redevelopment EIR
Like the draft report, the final EIR, or FEIR, examines three other project alternatives, including a “no-project” option. In conclusion, the report says the “reduced residential alternative” — which proposes 63 fewer homes than what developers are seeking — would be the “environmentally superior alternative.” The option would “slightly reduce” the effects on air quality, emissions, energy, noise and vehicle trip generation, the report says. However, the report maintains that a list of required construction and mitigation measures would need to be followed to minimize disruptions. The report says the reduced residential alternative would meet the stated project objectives just with 63 fewer homes.
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