Op-Ed: City Offices Need Design Review's General Plan Assessment

After the decision to deny a liquor license was celebrated and folks began leaving Novato's Planning Commission meeting on March 5th, a discussion among the commissioners began that the public should be aware of.         

One commissioner noted that no meetings were scheduled for the rest of the year and asked staff when the new City Offices plan would be coming to the commission for a General Plan Assessment. The response given was no.       

The commissioners noted that when they approved the capital improvements budget in June 2011, which included the City Offices project, they were told that pursuant to Cal Gov Code 65402, once the project had passed the design phase, it would come to them for general plan consistency. The commission chair noted that he had emailed the City Manager about this a few weeks ago but hadn't heard back.       

City Manager and Attorney who were absent were not able to field Staff's questions. The commissioners moved and voted 4-2 in favor of making the City Offices General Plan Consistency Report an agenda item on a meeting to be scheduled.The General Plan consistency assessment is required by state statute. The commission was to discuss it after it passed design review. Side stepping section 65402 is not in the best interest of the public.      

If you agree with the Planning Commission please write or call the City asking to schedule this meeting. Let's keep our government transparent.

Trish Boorstein