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Letter
to the Marin County Board of Superviors
Dear Members of Board of
Supervisors:
MVAHC
has previously supported Development Code changes
and policies in implementation and clarifying the
Countywide Plan. Although we have not met over
today's proposed amendments, I have no doubt our
committee would fully agree in recommending your
adoption of an ordinance approving these new
clarifying and primarily minor amendments as
proposed by staff and the Planning
Commission.
We
particularly support making it easier and cheaper
to build quality assured affordable housing for
Marin workforce and seniors in mixed locations.
Ministerial planning permits assist this where
assured safe, fair and affordable housing is
consistent with goals, policies, and objectives of
the Countywide Plan. Per capita incomes in Marin
are highest in California and 4th highest in the
nation, but 75% of jobs in Marin according to a
2000 study were held by workers NOT living in
Marin. Orderly planned growth must meet needs of
service employees, which is fastest growing
employment sector of Marin population. While Marin
population grew less than 5% from 1995 to 2005,
according to 2007 Marin profile compiled by Marin
County Economic Commission, total vehicle miles
traveled increased 25%. Dianne Steinhauser of
Transportation Authority of Marin (TAM) reports
traffic on the Richmond Bridge increased five times
between 1995 and 2005. Marin workers live the
farthest from their jobs of any Bay Area workforce,
and most of their trips are made by cars. At The
Redwoods Retirement Center, where I live, 65 of the
145 employees live outside of Marin County, and
primary reason they have given is lack of
affordable housing in Marin.
There
are ample safe location, density and design
protections in Countywide Plan policies and
development requirements along with Design Review
requirements. Tam junction area does allow some
site opportunity in its closed market area and Tam
junction retail. We desperately need at least
minimal growth in support of carefully designed
housing for all members of our
communities.
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