Community Corner

Eklund: Abstaining on Plan Bay Area Reflects Marin Majority

Novato mayor explains her decision to abstain from last week's vote to approve controversial roadmap for region's transit, housing

Novato Mayor and Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG) board member Pat Eklund is defending her decision to abstain from Thursday’s vote on Plan Bay Area, saying the move reflects the same position most Marin cities have taken on the controversial regional transportation strategy to marry projected jobs growth with new housing development. 

Plan Bay Area aims to curb greenhouse gas emissions and prevent further sprawl by mandating that counties and local governments meet allocations for new residential development near existing commercial centers and public transportation. Despite being approved by ABAG's board last Thursday, the plan remains deeply unpopular among some Marin residents, many of who say it strips cities of control over land use decisions and puts undue strain on traffic and water.

In Marin, only Novato, San Rafael and Sausalito specifically voted in favor for the plan, while seven cities abstained from taking a position, according to Eklund. Local jurisdictions were not required to vote for or against the plan, but must have a Housing Element, part of a city's General Plan, or constitution, certified by the California Department of Housing & Community Development.

Find out what's happening in Novatowith free, real-time updates from Patch.

“Because a majority of the cities in Marin took no position and because we had no time to work out the many concerns we have about this plan, I felt it my duty to abstain for voting,” Eklund told Patch Monday. “I serve at the pleasure of all 11 cities and since the majority of the cities took a ‘no’ position, I felt it was only appropriate that I do the same.”

Eklund, who has been mayor of Novato five times and is running for re-election this fall, denied that not taking a position on the controversial vote was a political move.

Find out what's happening in Novatowith free, real-time updates from Patch.

“It (Plan Bay Area) does not affect local control at all, but I have many other concerns,” she said. “The projections for job growth and population need to be reevaluated. Also, locating housing near transit has not been proven to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.”

Eklund added that she was also worried about the lack of outreach to residents and what she described as a “top-down approach” to decision-making.

“People haven’t had an opportunity to be engaged in the alternatives, the impacts and the mitigation measures,” she said.

What do you think about Novato Mayor Pat Eklund abstaining from voting on Plan Bay Area?


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