POB 1703, Mill Valley, CA 94942
April 13, 2024
Dear Marin County Board of Supervisors:
On
Tuesday when you're meeting about the proposed development code, I'll
be at the Capitol in Sacramento with 22 community leaders and elected
officials from throughout the Bay Area.
We'll
meet with 20+ legislators or their aides to call out that housing
policy forced down the throats of communities--like these proposed
development code changes--is not meeting the stated goal of increasing
affordable housing.
We
will call on legislators to correct the deeply flawed state housing
policy, which is playing out here in Marin and counties all across the
state.
Do
not give in to the schoolyard bully tactics coming out of Sacramento.
The "crisis" is built on a false narrative. The outcome is housing that
is unaffordable, uneconomical, and unsafe (as if fire and flood risks
weren't enough, insurance companies are now refusing policies because of
density). What should we expect from a policy that is based on false
assumptions, flawed RHNA methodology, and inflated RHNA mandates?
I'm attaching two documents we will share with legislators. (The links below take you to the Catalysts Lobby Day page. Scroll down to the tab on the left for the flyer and the tab on the right for the fact sheet.
- A flyer with basic RHNA terms, the inflated quotas between the 5th and 6th Housing Element cycles, what legislators promised and citizens want, and how woefully state policy has missed the targets: 150 bills since 2017 with no positive impact.
- A 10-point fact sheet with evidence to support each claim. If you have time for one link, watch the SANDAG officials who testify before HCD's Deputy Director Megan Kirkeby. With courage and facts, elected officials called out that HCD's pressure to change development codes is damaging jurisdictions.
In San Diego, elected officials are taking the lead. The Marin Board of Supervisors could follow their example. Look again at Sharon Rushton's diligent research and documented findings. Consider the court ruling in favor of Bruce Corcoran's lawsuit. Respect the work and wishes of Lucas Valley for Responsible Growth.
Can
you imagine this? Our groundbreaking work in Sacramento on Tuesday,
along with your vote "NO" on the proposed development code changes in
unincorporated Marin, spark hope, commitment, and action to get housing
policy back on track. Now that would be a beautiful thing . . . and
just in time.
I urge you to vote no on the proposed development code changes.
Best wishes,