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HomeMy WebLinkAboutABAG; J. SchmidtP.O. Box 150266 San Rafael, CA TO: Mayor Phillips cc: SR City Councilmembers cc: Federation of San Rafael Neighborhoods FOR THE PUBLIC RECORD We saw your column in yesterday's Ij regarding the City Council taking another look at the PDA near the Civic Center SMART station in San Rafael. Our concern is that your remarks in the Ij never mentioned the other PDA in "downtown" (that is in quotes because we have been unable to find out what that term means to ABAG, except for some vague references to anything within a half mile of the proposed SMART station, which would encompass much of our neighborhood). The folks who live in our neighborhood are not given to shouting or being rude at meetings. However, that does not mean that our neighborhood is not very concerned /upset to suddenly hear about this PDA, which was evidently approved by the SR City Council in 2008 without any public discussion or input. One of the MARA Board members did try to attend the meeting you had on June 26thto express the concerns of our neighborhood, but when he got there on time he was unable to even get into the room. That is why we are sending you this letter. We participated in several public meetings regarding the Downtown San Rafael Station Area Plan, which was adopted in 2012. We do not agree with the extent of the development it proposes. However, we were able to provide our input, and amendments to the draft Plan were actually made to lessen its possible impact on the part of our neighborhood which is nearest to the SMART station, which is full of latel9thcentury and early 20thcentury historic homes, along with many multi- family apartment and condo buildin•gs. Our neighborhood is quite diverse, very dense, and is thriving. Almost • all of the old historic homes have been restored in the past 10 years, the apartment and condo buildings are being kept in good repair, and younger families with children, from all income levels and backgrounds, have been moving in in increasing numbers. Since its inception over 100 years ago, residents of our neighborhood have enjoyed its proximity to transit, shopping, and downtown. Walking to shop, use transit, or eat out is something our residents have been doing since our neighborhood was established in the 1880s. We have evidence that some residents of our neighborhood commuted daily to San Francisco on the train over 100 years ago. Interestingly, over the months and months of public meetina and discussion about the Downtown Station Area Plan/Vision, no information was ever provided by the City regarding the fact that the CC had already agreed to this PDA in 20 08, which is astounding and very troubling. The zoning and other terms of this PDA (such as n* property taxes being payable for 50 years!) are completely in conflict with the Downtown Station Area Plan. We are very concerned that San Rafael's successful history of community governance appears to have been completely jettisoned in this instance. The Downtown Station Area Plan went through numerous public meetings, public outreach, and serious requests for input from stakeholders. What was the point of all of that, if the City had already agreed to this ABAG imposed PDA, which conflicts wildly with the Station Area Plan.? We hope that the City Council will take this issue seriously, and investigate and re- consider this PDA, along with the one near the Civic Center SMART station. There is so much fear and yes, aner about this issue that we are serio gusly concerned that if both PDAs are not removed, the passage of any renewal or increase of the Measure S tax might be seriously jeopardized this November, as voters may took for anv wav to say "NO" to the City. W W Vickie Hatos Sid Waxman Jackie Schmidt Constanza Perr Bryn Deamer Sherna Deamer Kay Corlett Scott Kaplan