Planning Commission Gives OK on Novato Housing Element

The Novato Planning Commission has recommended adoption of a plan that specifies what affordable housing developments can be built at a meeting that drew more than 200 people Monday night.

Novato has identified five properties where it wants to build affordable housing, meaning 20 percent of the available units will be set aside for low-income residents. The rest will be sold as market-rate housing.

They include:

• 1787 Grant and Novato Boulevard

• McClay Rd @ South Novato, currently a senior care facility

The so-called “housing element” is part of Novato’s General Plan and must be approved by the state in order to receive approximately $900,000 in transportation funds.

But many residents oppose the developments, saying they worry about the impacts on crime, traffic and the environment .

About 30 people spoke at Monday’s meeting, many against the plans. Some oppose building any more additional affordable housing, arguing Novato already carries more than its share across Marin.

Others oppose specific developments.

“Housing of any kind does not belong on Redwood Boulevard north of San Marin Drive,” said Roberta Robinson, who lives in Partridge Knolls, a development in North Novato.

“Keep that area for bio-tech and other commercial developments; that’s where the greatest return for the city lies...Over the past decade City Council has destroyed what Novato once was and what we all moved here to live privately and in peace.”

Many spoke about the importance of preserving Novato’s small-town atmosphere and charm they say will be ruined if the housing is built.

Others say some of the sites, like Landing Court, are a mere stone’s throw from Highway 101, exposing residents to exhaust and noise from cars.

“This is a chronic and unavoidable health impact,"  said Emily Larson, another resident. "The California Air Resources Board recommends housing be built at least 500 feet from a freeway...The suggested mitigation is telling residents to ‘Close the windows’ and put parking under the housing structures is moot...Who would in this room would move their families to just 200 feet from Highway 101?”

As part of the recommended housing element update, new zoning will allow for a homeless shelter to be built in the Bel Marin Keys area.

Other speakers at Monday’s meeting were more supportive of the plans.

“This is a win,” said Pam Drew, a member of the Novato Community Alliance, a local group that supports smart growth. “These sites are spread out throughout all of Novato, not Hamilton, which already has a large share of affordable housing. It’s equitable.”