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Richard Hall
Unlimited High Density Proposed Statewide
Scott Wiener, a state senator representing San Francisco, has introduced a new housing bill SB827 removing all zoning density limits within 1/2 mile of train stations - e.g. Civic Center, downtown San Rafael, downtown Novato, Hamilton - and 1/4 mile from a "high quality transportation corridor" -- essentially the intersection of two or more bus route stops with a peak service interval of 15 minutes or less. This would affect large parts of every city in Marin County along the highway 101 corridor and beyond.
In other words, developers can propose as many units per acre as they choose - high density without limits -- so long as a developer agrees to build a specified percentage of "affordable" units. Such projects would now be called "transit rich" projects.
Additionally, height limits in these areas would be raised to 55 feet (5 stories) from the typical 36 feet (3 stories) zoned in most of suburban Marin. Furthermore, these projects would be exempt from "maximum controls on floor area ratio, minimum automobile parking requirements, and design standards."
If passed, this bill would essentially override all existing city zoning, height and parking regulations in these affected areas.
You can read the full bill text here:
https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=201720180SB827
If this bill passes in Sacramento, there will be nothing city council or planning commissions can do to stop high density (density limits would be removed) or 5 story apartment complexes going up all around SMART stations, highways, and major bus route intersections.
If you object to this please contact:
Marc Levine - our state assemblyman
email:
assemblymember.levine@assembly.ca.gov
Phone: 916.319.2010 (ask to speak to Shannon Flaherty who is Levine's staffer who works on housing policy)
Shannon.Flaherty@asm.ca.gov
Mike McGuire - our state senator
Phone: 916-651-4002
senator.mcguire@senate.ca.gov
The last 15 housing bills removing local control of zoning and adding new fees and costs for residents all passed in Sacramento. Vested interests in Sacramento have been incredibly effective getting these bills through, which have major ramifications, without people being aware, or with the news putting strong pro growth spins behind the legislation.