Novato Design Review Commission to Go Over Hanna Ranch Proposal

A 19-acre commercial/retail complex at the property in Novato will be the topic of discussion at the Novato Design Review Commission meeting Wednesday night at .

The commission will consider making a recommendation to the Novato Planning Commission on the site plan design of the proposed mixed-use project south of the that includes a 116-room hotel, two restaurants of 5,000 square feet each, a single-story 13,571-square-foot retail building and a 42,240-square-foot, two-story office/retail building.

The complex, proposed by Hanna Ranch LLC, would be in a hilly undeveloped area northeast of the junction of highways 101 and 37. The property includes a small pond on the north side, near , and a bowl-shaped area closer to Highway 101 that is popular with illegal off-road motorcyclists.

The draft environmental impact report was considered by the Planning Commission on July 18 and commissioners directed city staff to prepare the final version with comments from the public. Consideration of the final environmental report is expected to take place in October, the city said in its staff report.

At previous meetings, citizens have asked why the plans do not incorporate any affordable housing for employees who would work at the site in various capacities. Novato recently wrapped a year of intense public debate about affordable housing and where future complexes should be located around the city.

The meeting starts at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 17.