Thumbs up to Tina McMillen.

Agreed! We have space elsewhere and we don't need bigger government in Novato. What we need is business that drives revenue. Please back out of this plan to build the offices downtown.

I say they voted to build it Downtown and now do it !! Who do you think you are to try and stop it . Run for the office and you can have a final say. BUILD IT NOW !!!!

Tina- your research and opinions are always spot on. The simple court of pubic opinion has defeated this boondoggle at every turn, but the city council has not changed enough in the last election to turn back the plans. With the paperless future approaching, we could put them back in the old quarters, or stuff them into the Smokehouse. What are they going to do? Complain? These are tough times, and employees need to know it. Only public employees seem to be oblivious to the recession. Tell them to check out the pay at Taco Bell, and get back to you if they still if they still aren't happy. Since the County of Marin pays more to it's retired and off on disability employees than it does to it's working force, tell them that the cost of fancy digs will come out of their retirement pay. (It's coming out of mine-I'm the private citizen that will pay for it). They'll be sharing toilet paper to keep their billion dollar gold watch alive.

Bud, who do you think you are? We have a right and an obligation to voice our opinion about something that will have an impact on all the people of our community. I say hooray for Tina McMillen a voice of common sense for a change.

I have been waiting for someone to write an article that helps me to understand how the RDA decision affects the City's ability to fund the new city offices, because you'd be crazy not to wonder whether the plan should be changed, but this article is not what I was looking for.

I have a BA and a graduate degree, both from top-tier universities, so I can understand something when it is well written and cogent, but this article spends more time insulting others than explaining the issues. When you "demand" that the City Council "listen to the voice of reason," you imply that they have been ignoring that voice of reason until now. You demand respect from them, but you define respect for you in only one way - they must concede you are right and do what you want. When you accuse the City Council members of using city funds as their "personal piggy banks" you go even further and question their honesty. By all this you show it is YOU that has no respect for differing opinions. You simply can't accept the fact that someone who is honest and intelligent could differ with you.

Tina you've squandered an opportunity to reopen the debate and I hope that someone else on your side can write an article that clearly and maturely sets out the issues, and shows the same respect for differing opinions that they demand from others. I've had my debates with Henry but I hope he chimes in.

Thank you ever so much. As my friend Walt said " Guess they have a nip or two before telling us what they think ." I say blow it out your ars as we are building

Tina in two yrs. another council election will take place. Have you thought about it? I hope you do. We need your kind of leadership!

MINUTES
MEASURE F OVERSIGHT/CITIZENS FINANCE COMMITTEE
11/17/11
http://www.cityofnovato.org/Index.aspx?page=1610

The intent was to once again bring to the attention of the council and to Novato residents how money is being misspent. Because the council pushed this decision through without a vote of the residents or serious consideration of the problems associated with continuing the RDA we continue to lose money every day. It is time for a change. A resident should not have to run for city office to be heard.

D – 1: City Offices Discussion
"…The City’s budget is in dire straits. The one-time bond money should be used for fiscal sustainability as opposed to construction of a new City office building…outlining the Marin County office sales from 2005-Present to the Committee. This document outlined various properties throughout Novato and the sales costs associated with each property…there are other, less expensive options than the current downtown proposal…view that a formal letter to Council on the City Office project is within the purview of the Committee’s roles and responsibilities as outlined in the Measure F ordinance....The Measure F Oversight/Citizens Finance Committee requests that the Council stop the current City office project at the downtown site and review other options to determine the best course of action. The Committee believes that the fiscal considerations should be a major consideration as Council is reviewing this decision.”

Yes, "they" voted to build, but that was contrary to what "we" the voting public said in Measure D. I quote from Novato City Ordinance 1165. 2-26.4 Intent. "It is the intent of this ordinance to prohibit the City...and its representatives from incurring, without approval by the vote of the electorate, major, long term obligations for public facilities... It is intended to prohibit the incurring, without voter approval, of such obligations in any form and by whatever name they be called...for the contruction of any new facility or for the alteration or acquisition of any existing facility." This really should be up to the voters, not just the city council. A $14M decision should be made by the citizens and that is what Measure D was all about.

I am taking no side here, but want to ask Tina what equivalent, extant office buildings would serve the same needs at the proposed new building? If you feel so strongly about it, what are the suitable locations available and for how much long term rent?

I'd enjoy more income from any new builkding, but have no attacks for either side. I juist wonder what else is available, and did the council look at them first?
Thank,s,
<L>

Here we go with the garbage comments and all the lies . You can run anyone you want next election as it will change nothing. The chamber runs this town and not your council members. Anyone who ran would only be one vote and can control nothing,. when are you going to wake up and get it ???? Tina will once again have 1/3 of the posts on here and say nothing

Please stop building in the town of Novato. Finish what is started and then end it ! No more water hook-up's. Too many & times when we're put on water shortages.
Glad the the SMART TRAIN is allowed to come through our town. - NEEDED.

Completely agree with Tina. Completely baffled by Bud's hostility.

Stop building the Downtown Offices. Why the Bum Rush ?
The public should be able to vote on this.

In relatively simple terms, the city loaned the RDA funds at high interest rates in the past, and the RDA has now paid back the funds through the issuance of bonds (including those now being used for the new city hall). When RDA was threatened last year with closure, the City opted in keep RDA going, but RDA did not have sufficient funds to do so, so they needed a loan from the General (and other funds). The bonds were repayment of debt and can technically be used for any purpose, but federal tax law requires that debt retirement among commonly controlled entities (city and RDA) be ignored, and requires it be spent on capital expenditures within 3 years, among other things. The transaction appears legal, but one should not confuse legal with prudent. The city has an ongoing structural deficit, and building a new city hall will not alleviate this. The cost of the bonds will be about $42MM over 30 years (think about as a mortgage). An analogy for a private citizen could be you are loaded with credit card debt, and you find a savings account, so you go out and decide to buy a very nice new car. Possible? Sure, Prudent?..not so much. I understand that the City "wants" a nice new building downtown, but the City needs to reconcile its "wants" with it's "needs"...as we all do

Just Curious

It is unclear whether the bonds floated by the RDA in March of 2011 will remain the sole source of money for this project. These bonds were money the RDA owed the city. They totaled somewhere around $20million. If you look at the history of the loans made by the city to the RDA that’s where it starts getting sticky.

Over the years the city gave the RDA money at 10% interest. In years when interest rates went down the loans still stood. In years when the RDA had the money to repay the loans the loans and interest continued. Then, at the beginning of 2011 when the city caught wind that Governor Brown was closing RDA's they had the RDA float bonds to repay the city all the money that was owed.

When this money was paid back it was decided that Measure D, which requires a vote of residents before financing and building capital improvement projects over $1million, did not apply because suddenly the city had upwards of $20million in its general fund. The bonds were issued as non taxable which put restraints on how the money could be used. The city set this up to prevent the money from being used for anything but a capital improvement project such as the downtown civic center. They also include a 3 year requirement where if not used in that time the remaining money disappears.

Just Curious
continued

This whole thing is so convoluted that it can't possibly be ethical, let alone legal, and yet it continues because not enough people are aware of what is happening. Please let folks know about this issue. That was the reason I wrote the OpEd. If we make it public perhaps the pressure will force the council to change course.

Tina, Shut up your ars is going to stop nothing and we are tired oh reading 20 posts a day on the same garbage from you . Run for the office or move on

Tina, I guess you are unaware the there isn't even ONE vote on the City Council to revisit the issue. You are truly flogging a very dead horse.

Way to go Tina! Don't let up on helping keep our citizens informed.

Tina, Thank you for the time an effort that you have put into this. This is an important topic that people should know about and hopefully act on.

I have attached a copy of the letter that the Citizens Finance Committee discussed at the December 15 meeting and voted 4-2 in favor of sending this to the City Council. People should read it.

Members of the Citizens Finance Committee are appointed by the City Council with these responsibilities:

1. Review existing fiscal policies and/or recommend new fiscal policies to the City Council; including guidelines for the use of fund balances, surpluses and other reserves.

2. Review budget assumptions and budget process.

3. Review the City's financial status quarterly.

4. Collaborate with City staff to determine long-term financial needs and obligations.

5. Collaborate with City staff to review all reasonable strategies which either enhance revenues or decrease expenditures as methods for reducing and ultimately eliminating the structural deficit and achieving fiscal sustainability.

6. Collaborate with staff on strategies to encourage public information and communication regarding the City's financial situation and options for improving the City's financial health.

The fate of the bond proceeds the RDA gave the City to build offices is in question due to the RDA being closed. All of the RDA's assets and debts are going to be transferred to a regional agency. Because the promissory notes making the RDA's debt to the City official were issued in February of 2011 (after the Governor announced the plan to close RDAs) it is unclear whether or not the promissory notes will be honored by the State auditors. If they are not, the money goes away. This risk was noted at the March 22 City Council meeting were they decided to sell the bonds regardless.

Since the City doesn't have the money to fund this project if the RDA bond money goes away, simple prudence suggests the project should at least be put on hold until the various questions about the finances can be answered. If it isn't, I don't see how anybody on the City Council or in City management can claim to be fiscally responsible.

Didn't Lucan say he opposed building the new offices?

It seems ludicrous to build a new building where it is planned. With all the vacancies downtown and empty parking lots- why not renovate an existing vacant building? We should keep some green downtown think of the expression 'town green or village green." I also think the new hotel planned for the open space near CostCo be moved to downtown instead. Wouldn't it be a great idea to have a nice hotel downtown--we need more pedestrian traffic to save the downtown. A city office building downtown and a hotel --great additions for good commerce downtown. How long has the old Pini Hardware store been vacant--it has a large parking lot too. Let's build a viable downtown that is pedestrian friendly and not a ghost town with few stores and people. This new building project should be re-evaluated I have not met one person who is happy about it. Maybe we should consider a smart urban planner like Andreas Duany to consult the town council. I would love to see Novato have a vibrant downtown plan.

Between Bud Light & Gail it sure seems like they feel it's their way or the highway. I've got news for you two.....This is a democracy and everyone has a right to their own opinion. Bud light, your comments are insulting, rude and ignorant. You're an embarrassment to this post!

The dithering over city offices has gone on for 30 or more years in Novato. I applaud the city council in showing leadership in moving ahead with the project. It is the right time and the right place. The city council has done thorough searching for offices and relied on expert advice in the use of funding. The Grant Ave. improvements and the new City Hall are the beginning of revitalization of historic Old Town and with the completion of city offices and the restoration of the theater with be the cultural heart of the city.

Revitalization by taking away much needed parking that is already limited? By building an office complex that is going to be closed three days a week?

Joyce, I agree that we need to decide if we want downtown to boom or bust. Moving the SMART station to downtown instead of San Marin would help the downtown grow. Most cities along the train route want a stop in their downtowns. Our City Council was faked out by the now-dead housing project in Fireman's parking lot. Why build another dense housing center on the far north side of Novato (2200 units within a 1/3 miles are required for transportation hubs)?

Tina .................8 pts
Bud ( this ones for you ) 1 pt.
Gail Mayhem ........(0) zero

As usual we the people arent fully or even partially aware of how our " leaders" are affecting our lives until its to late . .We have lived in Novato for the past 41 years.
Our once thriving shopping center on Novato blvd is now a hollowed out shell. The city manager in concert with the city council attempted to shove 2200 low income units down our throats without any imput from the people they are paid to represent ? Every time I drive by the mill works I wonder how many people are actually living there . How long before it becomes a vacant memorial to big developement in a small town? The downtown redevelopement project is note worthy but pini's vacated building looks like something that should be in east LA not downtown Novato. The old denny's building is going to be bigger and better . .What are our leaders doing to us? novato's charm and high standard of living is slowly being hacked away by self interests instead of the peoples interest . To stand still is to fall behind ............but do it with quality of life as its primary criteria . Its ironic that the smart train might actually happen. how can anyone dispute its benefits to our city ? .
A LOT OF THE SILENT MAJORITY WANT NOVATO TO STAY SMALL TOWN COMFORTABLE, SAFE, AND UN-CROWDED .......is anyone listening?
wasnt that the platform used in the last election?? .........

It's always about the money. The council wants to spend our money on new offices for themselves and the city workers, but the cost doesn't justify the benefit. If Novato were run like a business, they city workers would be back in the old building and the community house, and computer systems would assist the paperless office of the future. Look at the offices now. Look at all of the unused floor space, the workers jumping up to help you (meaning they weren't that busy when you walked in), and the plush furnishings. This is all waste in a competitive business world, and government has to learn to balance it's budget just like I do in my business. The gravy train that is government employment with all of it's perks is a thing of the past. Civil servants shouldn't make more than brain surgeons, with better benefits, and a retirement gamed up with vacation, sick, and holiday pay added to the last month to base it up. No more borrowing from our kid's future. No more handing the bill to the taxpayers. That's what got us here.$15.5 million is a lot of money, and our cops and teachers need it more.

I see the cry babies are still talking . We will build it Downtown and then laugh at you fools

The only people I run into who don't care about cost are the people who will not have to pay for it. Shoplifters, thieves, and parasites never look at the price tags.

Build it and build it NOW !!!! The council voted yes !!!!!.
Build it and build it NOW !!!! The council voted yes !!!!!.
Build it and build it NOW !!!! The council voted yes !!!!!.
Build it and build it NOW !!!! The council voted yes !!!!!.

What we really need downtown are more taquerias, Italian restaurants and overpriced boutiques.

I got an email in response to my earlier blog post about overpaid city workers.
"M" wrote
"It is not City employees who are doing this! It is the City management and the Council! You have no idea how employees feel about this issue - many of us are residents of Novato just like you, and may be in agreement about not building this, but we have NO say in the matter. We are not "oblivious" to the recession, our salaries have been on a reduction for quite a few years now and we are just scrapping by. Most of us are NOT highly paid! Please stop dumping on the employees of Novato who work so hard to serve you with such limited resources!"
I apologize to the workers and thank M for her imput. I also realize that nobody has spoken to the workers who will inhabit the new digs. What do they want? What do they really need? How much less space could they work in? How could each department consolidate and economize? I'm sure they're under some pressure to not rock the boat from superiors, but I'd like to see some answers from them in private.
Send them to me or Tina (she's the only honest, fair, competent one that you can trust).
Your name will be withheld.

The City Council cost us $750 per sq. ft. to redo the old City Hall building, including jacking it up and moving it a few feet. Absurd. It could have been done so much cheaper had they saved the tower portion, bulldozed the old structure and built a new one from scratch. Now they want to spend $1000 per sq. ft. (!) to build a new city office building, right where retail development should go. Look up clueless and you'll see a photo of the five CC members who voted for this overpriced, wrong-placed project.

Tina, thank you for taking the time to present facts and your opinion on this very important topic. This "ship" has not sailed until the building is standing. Keep up the informed fight.

I met with the city today and YES WE ARE GOING AHEAD WITH THE PLANS FOR !,000 PER SQUARE FOOT. BUILT IT !!!!!!!!

Sounds like Bug Light forgot to take his meds.

has there been one single argument put forward by the supporters of this city hall project that addresses the $$$$$? or this building taking every single parking space on that lot during the day and night?? i have not yet seen one person on patch, or in the ij, anywhere lay out how this building will revitalize downtown. nothing. you get name calling from bud light who can't spell "arse" and who definitely is drinking on the job and the others who just keep saying "too bad we already voted on it". i'd like to hear those who want this project to put up a well thought out rebuttal to what these other writers up top have put serious and critical thought in to.
also i want to thank you tina for your piece here.

Mark

You're right. The city has not shown how building downtown will create more revenue. The rationale is that the office workers will use the services downtown during their lunch break. The council seems to feel that having an attractive city center will by itself revitalize the downtown. Former council members Stompe and Willhelm have also been instrumental in the change of heart about building in old town rather than purchasing an existing class B building.

This bond money is one time funding that we will never see again. We have a single shot at spending it so that we can cover a lot of ground. Theoretically it could be used to purchase a class B office building outside of old town for around $6 million. The remaining $11 million could be used to rehab the community house, create parking and either rehab or move the other remaining condemned buildings. If the area was used with a private developer there is potential to create retail/commercial/parking. The city has rejected previous offers to do this.

Please tell friends and neighbors if you feel the city has made a mistake. We need letters, phone calls and emails going to the council. novatocouncil@cityofnovato.org
As Worry says, the ship hasn't sailed yet…..

The ship has sailed and Docked, Down town Novato . I say Yes for this great victory. Thank you Council members. Please look forward for this to help all merchants Downtown We need letters, phone calls and emails going to the council. "novatocouncil@cityofnovato.org" saying Thank You so much council members .

Hey Bud Light - I just figured it out - you're really Denise Athas using a pseudonym. Way to go Denise!

Ed, Bud Light may be a lot of things but he/she is not D. Athas. That is insulting and uncalled for. Athas may have voted in favor of building downtown but she is literate, friendly, and not prone to wasting time by insulting people. These are all traits of this Bud Light character you reference. You should remove your post and apologize to Athas.

Bud Light is entitled to his opinion. Obviously he is not alone. Although abrasive, ( I find him fun) his feelings are founded on the idea that sound minds, after looking at all of the facts, decided that this was the best route to take, and we should trust our elected officials to do their job. This was a controversial decision, so there will always be opposing views. The only way to decide this issue is to vote on it. I say we include it in our next election.

Here's how it works: I'm the extremist who makes it easier for more moderate voices to be heard as reasonable. As it is, everyone is so "reasonable" around here that when the Frank and the council just ignore voters and the law, the moderates just say "Oh well" and go away. [Huzzah for a snmall group who refuse to give up.]

Novato would be a better place if the politics didn't involve making sure only "nice" things are said. A little more open honesty would go a long way around here because until recently, and even more now, the Novato city council would make the Tea Party proud, including phony Democrat Madeline Kellner.

Even if you're pro-City Hall you must admit they've handled the issue terribly, as they have every issue for the past few years. It's been a string of whispers from the chamber of commerce getting turned in policy.

(Pro-City Hall people please explain to me how Prop D doesn't fit this situation? And do you really want to be represented by a majority that split hairs to get their way?)

Now with Lucan, and a 4 to 1 conservative bent, I'm sure we'll have even more "freedom" for developers to turn Novato into a crappy little town without any concern shown to the placement, size, or look of developments.

Again and again, I say look to Santa Monica -- they DEMANDED amenities from developers which made the town nicer which increased property values. Novato is simply prostituting itself, and not even getting dinner and a movie out of it.

Edwin, nice to see you back to the Patch. What do you think of Bio-Marin HQ moving from Wood Hollow in Novato to San Rafael with a 10-year lease? Don't you agree the blame for the loss for Novato of those high-paying jobs (and lunch time purchases, etc) rest in part with the City Council's lack of zoning more land for commercial? San Rafael and Petaluma zone double the % of land that Novato does for commercial/business. Council members should meet with Bio-Marin CEO and ask what the city could do to keep Novato as the center for bio-tech growth in the Bay Area, I feel.

Roger

It's worse than double, San Rafael is actually triple - Novato at 5%; Petaluma at 11%; San Rafael at 17% commercial zoned.

The old town property which is the site for the city office building is one of the few remaining areas downtown that could be used for parking and additional retail. There is no monetary benefit to offices that will be closed three days a week and evenings in that location. Our zoning is problematic (look up the rules for putting another mortuary in Novato; it is currently impossible) and we desperately need the general plan updated.

The BioMarin situation is pretty bad, while it sounds like they are going to stay with part of the workforce, management is headed to better quarters in San Rafael. If this came as a surprise to the Chamber/Council, then it is another example of weak governance, as it would seem that trying to keep them in Novato would be a "no brainer". The lack of transparency with regard to the City is not simply isolated in the Council building and skirting of Measure D, it also existed in the untimely formalization of the notes between the City and RDA, and the 13th hour decision to float bonds and then to try keep and RDA going through hostage fees. While city leaders can all pat themselves on the back and pose with a new monument, fiscally they are going to find they will have built a shiny building that won't be supporting many employees because of ongoing deficits, part of which are created by debt service. Poor handling was also exemplified with the AH issue, when decisions were meted out without any transparency or notification, forcing the setup of a group, whose hard work and decisions were largely ignored. While many choose to remain oblivious to issues, when they see the impact of poor decision making maybe they will awaken.

Good Bye Bio-Marin and Hello office complex . I say build it NOW !!!!! Fact !!! They will start in March 2012 come to the party !!!!!!

Bud….
No chance of breaking ground sooner than fall. That has been the plan all along. Sorry to disappoint. Surprised you don't know that. Perhaps you are a just disgruntled fellow with an axe to grind. Either way, the plan is September not March. Good to see you staying on point. I look forward to more belligerent comments as the day goes on.

Like Edwin says- a good nut case with the balls to speak his mind can really get the discussion rolling, so here's my "Bud-Light" rant-
We buy Wyndover from the company that owns it. We use the elimination of all the tax breaks (that Jerome suggested) for them not living up to their contract to keep a good safe environment that doesn't cost the city excess police, ambulance, and fire services to get a better price. We wouldn't lose any tax base, as we don't get much now. We move the city workers in there, giving each worker their own office, private lounge, wet bar, bathroom, and deck, with plenty of parking. We take the money we save and buy out the tenants that live there now, giving them a bus ride home to where they were born and raised. We pay the penalties for lack of affordable housing, tell SMART to roll on past Novato so we don't have to jump through their hoops, and for the three or four people in Wyndover who actually were born and raised in Novato and actually have a job, we take the last of the money and buy them a house.
No more beggars, Octo-BoBs, or police sirens. We'd be set back 50 years, when the air was clean and sex was dirty.
I liked it then.

Thanks for the good chuckle!

The oak tree will be removed from the lot for starters. this will start this Great project March 2012. I also say this great project will be the best Building Novato has ever built !!!! Long Live Novato !!!!!!!! Thank You city Council !1

Bud
Taking out a tree is not quite beginning construction but you are correct this project has yet to put on the brakes despite the impact of the RDA being completely shut down. We have yet to hear from the council following the letter from the Measure F committee. The measure F committee was formed to address the fiscal crisis that compelled the council to ask residents to increase sales tax to cover city services and prevent more layoffs. The same committee has told the council they need to put the brakes on the office project as it is currently conceived. It will be interesting to see their response.

Details showing timeline
http://www.cityofnovato.org/Index.aspx?page=1740
DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION PHASE PROCESS PRESENTATION

Low Bid Estimate
Cost Estimate Based on Schematic Design
'Hard' Costs
Site work ............................................................................................................................. $750,000
Building ......................................................................................................................... $10,550,000
Subtotal .......................................................................................................................... $11,300,000
Construction Contingency (10%) .................................................................................... $! ,100,000
Total Estimated Construction Cost ................................................................................ $12,400,000
'Soft' Costs
Consultants (design, project management, etc.) .............................................................. $1,850,000
Other costs (fees, utilities, furnishings, moving, etc) ...................................................... $1 ,050,000
Total Estimated Soft Cost ................................................................................................ $2,900,000
I Total Project Cost .......................................................................................................... $15,300,000

I'm not an expert on any of this, and am on the fence regarding the development of this project. I believe the City could still compromise and make it smaller. I do believe, according to Michael Frank's Staff Report of 5/10/11, that an enviromental impact report still needs to be completed. And, I believe the public can comment on this report, or at least should be able to. According to Mr. Frank's staff report, the estimated costs for CEQA mitigations could be up to $850,000 (this is separate from the 11+ million building costs). When will the EIR be completed for public comment, and what exactly will be these protential costs for environmental impact mitigation be used for? May 10th Staff Report: http://ci.novato.ca.us/agendas/pdfstaffreports/cc11_094.pdf

Baxter, I'm sorry to sound pessimistic, but after 15+ public speakers spoke out against the EIR for Hanna Ranch and only Coy Smith who is not a Novato resident spoke for it, the Council, minus Pat E., approved it with Lucan saying that the positive merits outweighed the negative. This City Office building will be like MillWorks; wrong location, wrong size!!!!, wrong architecture, wrong cost, wrong materials, wrong everything. The original architectural firm McDonald who has a model of the original project is probably better designed for the entire area.

Most horrible about the Hanna Ranch decision is the giving away of the floating easement. In governance terms this is akin to treason.

One thing I can't understand - and trust me, the list is endless - is why aren't more citizens roiling mad about how this city is governed? I'm not talking about the decisions, although I think they stink and Frank's a manipulative idiot. I mean the backroom dealing, the bad communication with the public, the refusal to ask developers for tit-for-tat amenities or fees, the ignoring of speakers at the council meetings. How is it that the entire town isn't fuming at the way money is being flushed and all Novato is getting is ugly buildings and bad planning?

As for Bio-Marin: How does this happen? If I'm Frank I'm phoning them once a week asking if everything is OK and if there's ANYTHING the city can do for you? I'm not saying we'll roll over and give them whatever they want, BUT the lines of communication need to be kept open so things like this don't come out of the blue. Wait till Fireman's Fund closes shop and the city blames everyone but themselves.

One note: Once read that most Fortune 500 HQs go where the boss like to play (ie: golf, hunt, boat, etc) no matter the logic of the thing. Since BioMarin is moving to class A space in beautiful bldgs, (they really are nice, go take a look) maybe it's more of a commute and access issue than Novato stinks issue. Then again, isn't 75 Rowland going to be empty soon?

ps: Happy New Year all

As for Bio-Marin, I personally think this is purely a business decision on Bio-Marin's part.

The Corporate Center in San Rafael is a relatively new building, designed and built specifically for this kind of purpose - corporate center - I go there at times for business reasons, so I am familiar with those buildings and the surroundings. It's more centralized in Marin and closer to the city (San Francisco), closer to transportation, to different restaurants and shops which means they will be able to attract more talent. Being new, I would think the design and infrastructure are also more geared towards today's business world. From a couple articles i read, it also has a lot more expansion possibilities for Bio-Marin, which means they don't need to move again if they expand in the future. This is looking from the real estate angle.

As much as I wish we have the biotech/high tech center ready in Novato to house all high paying jobs and all the biotech talents and I am still rooting for that. But it will take time with the whole city behind it. Novato chose to be a laid back town and it can't have it both ways. I also seriously doubt city manager or chamber is surprised at the direction Bio-Marin took on this.

All the more reason for the City of Novato NOT to rezone properties that are already zoned for Business Office/Commercial. Petaluma is a "laid back town" and Novato often compares itself with Petaluma, i.e., Novato wishing for the Suburban classification instead of Metropolitan. However, according to Tina (above) Petaluma is at 11% zoned commercial vs. Novato at 5%, with San Rafael at 17% and counting. With the SMART train station back in the works for construction, the City needs to keep Redwood Blvd. north of Fireman's Fund zoned for BO/Commercial and not rezoned for residential/affordable housing. Tenants of housing at this location will not take the train to get around Novato's services, schools, etc. unless they work and enroll at Hamilton because the train does not service all of Novato (not even the downtown!). The City will be making a big mistake if they rezone already commercially zoned property near Fireman's Fund. Keep that area business/corporate so there will actually be a reason to get on and off the train at the Atherton station.

With the RDA closing it will be substantially more difficult to find money to build affordable housing. Novato will still be required to update their housing element to include quotas. I don't know how this will be impacted by MTC (Metropolitan Transportation Commission) but they are the folks that set the numbers related to the SMART train.

Here is a link to a Dick Spotswood column lambasting MTC for purchasing a 1940's office building in SF to rehab. They will be moving out of Oakland and away from where the majority of their employees live. It is an interesting kind of hypocrisy when you say your focus is combining transportation, jobs and housing and yet you move away from that yourself. http://www.marinij.com/opinion/ci_19691993

I think that we need to add more commercial development in Novato to generate revenue to pay for infrastructure. Commercial is not the same as affordable housing. BioMarin was a wonderful business but we just lost them to San Rafael. At the very least we should have zoned 10% commercial. If you read the general plan from 1996 there was a specific shift away from allowing commercial development. It seems to be associated with more traffic congestion and damage to the environment. The problem with this assumption is the lack of balance between housing, jobs and resources. I believe it is time to update the general plan. We need to draw businesses with well paid jobs that will revive our local economy.

O M G They know it all. 76 comments and one person has 23 of them . Think they have a home life or what ?