Better Planning for Neighborhood Apartments- November 19, City Hall 6:30 pm.

Better Planning for Neighborhood Apartments- November 19, City Hall 6:30 pm.

Thoughts on Housing issues:

Many of Novato’s neighborhoods already have low-income renters and owners and overload of traffic so they cannot absorb more of the same. On the other hand, some areas have none, but the residents are needed to help solve the dilemma. That problem is: should those areas that have no low income units be forced to include higher density if they have larger lots and parklike areas? I don’t think so.   Any forcing of building massive housing for the sake of a quota is unacceptable.

A better solution might mean, for example in the city and  county, building compatible second units or low income units, which fit or complement existing homes. There is no room in Belvedere or in county parklike areas. Tiburon does have some subsidized apartments that fit into its city. However, all of Marin, especially Novato has the problem of fitting apartment units for low-income renters into any neighborhood and being forced by ABAG quotas and the state’s illogical rulings for density as in a dictatorial society.

 These quotas are supported by political parties, high density developers, unions, and the Chambers of Commerce. These lobbying groups could help Novato do a better job instead of standing by and watching fights by different sections of town over this issue. The City could do a better job by taking more time to solve the problem and use more consideration for the sake of being equitable within the neighborhoods in  preserving our entitled, constitutional democracy.

One way is to direct attention to the way housing and transportation grants are connected. Novato deserves its 65% of its taxes from the transportation grant without connecting it to low-income housing. We have streets that need better paving, which are not near low-income housing or bus stops, see Novato Blvd and Tamalpais/Seventh St. corner. We are in one of the most scenic areas in the state and have wetlands, farms, watersheds and creeks and soft, tree lined hills. Massive high density will destroy the views, add traffic, and increase the need for more resources for a certain number (unknown) low-income people at schools and medical facilities. A certain number of veterans, families, seniors, and disabled and extreme elderly need extra help and resources. Novato will have to provide that as a compassionate city. I am proud that Novato has done that and even more than its share of assisting those in need and in providing housing. Yes, we can handle a certain number of building apartments two – three stories high. The problem is how many and where. ABAG and the state’s quotas do not fit Marin nor does the transportation funding connected to the quotas fit Marin and its cities. The county and cities need to address that problem. In the meantime, Novato’s residents, commissions, and city council need to compromise and come up with creative solutions. Hiring marketers for bio-tech companies to come to Novato and using Measure F funds are the opposite of finding Housing solutions at this time. Priorities need to be addressed. Again, taking time with more thought and creative solutions for what is best for Novato creates more satisfaction than dissension in neighborhoods. Both the county and the city and even the IJ want a lock-step approach instead of a democratic one in finding solutions to mandated quotas. Residents can speak up and write and become more aware of the politics in our small town – this will help bring us better solutions and satisfaction and trust in our city. It is a positive and proactive way to foster collaboration.