LVE LOCAL NEWS AND NEIGHBORHOOD ANNOUNCEMENTS
New Board Elected: Bruce Carmendelle, Irv Schwartz, Liz Dale, Yoli Hickman, Tom Taylor
Lucas Valley Estates Neighborhood - Local News updates:
PREPARE YOUR HOME TO BE SAFE - UPCOMING HIGH FIRE DANGER SEASON;
Please follow the link to the Marin IJ article- TIPS TO KEEP YOUR HOME FIRE SAFE -- and remember to cut high, dry vegetation near your home to keep your property fire safe for the summer.
The Notice and dates of the final Planning Commission Public Hearing on the draft County Housing Element is now available: Comment Deadline is June 14, 2013. Next Planning Commission Public Hearing scheduled for June 24th, Marin Civic Center
Oral and written comments may be presented to the Planning Commission at the hearing. Written material for the Planning Commissioners should be submitted to the Community Development Agency Public comments may be directed to the Planning Commission, by email to housingelement@marincounty.
Signatures of more than 6000 registered voters of District One would be required to be collected for the Recall to occur; for information about the Recall, visit the website: www.marinrecall.com
For Information from Supervisor Adams, email sadams@marincounty.org . For Questions or information about the sponsors of the recall send email to: marinrecall@yahoo.com.
Latest News on the Housing Element: All Local Area Neighborhoods' Comments and Letters - and Expert Consultant Report on the FSEIR
LVEHOA has been provided with a copy of a letter provided by the Lucas Valley Homeowners Association (link here to LVHA Letter) regarding the proposed changes in zoning for sites in our immediate vicinity under the current draft County Housing Element Report. The LVHA letter has been endorsed by the Mont Marin Neighborhood Association (link here to MMSRPNA Letter), the LVEHOA Letter, and by the Organized Marinwood Citizens, which gained 749 resident signatures of support.
All local neighborhood letters address the proposed changes in zoning from low density rural residential to the higher density zoning of 30 housing units per acre for land sites located along the Lucas Valley Road corridor west of the intersection with Las Gallinas Avenue. This zoning change is contained within the draft County Housing Element Report, subject to final approval by the Board of Supervisors this summer.
Comments on the FSEIR of the Housing Element Report; Local Area Neighborhoods
The LVHA and local area neighborhoods also commented on the Supplemental Environmental Impact Report (FSEIR) of the Housing Element; An expert Team of GECo and Placemakers Consultants performed a technical review of the FSEIR and is available for viewing here along with Comment Letters on the FSEIR: Click on the links here to view pdf of the Lucas Valley Homeowners Assocation (LVHA) Letter and Expert Consultant Report , the LVEHOA, the Mont Marin Association, and Marinwood Resident Comment
MARIN COMMUNITY PLAN - 2013; FINAL REPORT RELEASED;
A County Future Planning Advisory Report authored by distinguished Marin County organizations has been made available, detailing specific advice and recommendations for the County's future environmental, transportation, housing and planning policies. To view or download the 26 page report, please click on the link here: Marin Community 2013
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Marin Draft Housing Element Report- Webcast available of Public Hearings Feb. 11 and March 11th: Next Planning Commission Meeting: June 24, 2013.
County Planning Commission link to webcasts, Staff Reports and Agendas: is provided here;
http://www.marincounty.org/
To view all of the draft Housing Element Reports and past hearing webcasts; visit the County Information site at:
www.marincounty.org/housingelement or http://www.co.marin.ca.us/depts/CD/main/plngcom_video.cfm for information.
CITIZEN GROUPS CRITICIZE THE HOUSING ELEMENT; THE IMPACTS ON DIXIE SCHOOL DISTRICT AND LOCAL TAXPAYER FUNDED SERVICES NOT STUDIED OR CONSIDERED;
Citizens throughout the greater Marinwood, Mont Marin and Lucas Valley Communities have become active in evaluating aspects of the County draft Housing Element Report which may have unstudied impacts on the local Dixie School District and local area services.
LOCAL HOMEOWNER IMPACTS could include; higher local taxpayer costs (or reduced local services) decreased per pupil funding for the local School District and potential consequence to property assessor values within school district; local area 'unavoidable' traffic impacts.
A letter from one resident outlining the Dixie School District points of concern is available here: Impacts on the Dixie School District.
A second letter regarding additional STATE funding cuts to the Dixie School District is available for viewing here State Cuts to Dixie and Sample Letter:
The Staff Report for the March 11 Hearing asserts that impacts on School Districts will NOT be considered by the County, and that the inventory sites to be approved will be assigned 'special district zoning', a new zoning classification which will allow developments to be approved without public hearings (ministerial approval), and allow development up to 30 units per acre.
An on-line petition has been started by these citizen groups to ask for delays in final approval of the housing element. Link to the on-line petition is available here: http://www.change.org/
PLAN ONE BAY AREA: PUBLIC HEARINGS HELD APRIL 16TH AND APRIL 29TH
April 16- Marin County public hearings are scheduled as an opportunity to provide oral comments on the Plan One Bay Area draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR) which can be viewed on the link here: a Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR)
A Comment letter submitted by Marin Conservation League on the Plan One EIR is available here:
MCL Comments:
This Marin Hearing on the EIR will be held April 16th at 10 am at the Embassy Suites Hotel, San Rafael. Written Comments may be sent to:
MTC-ABAG Public Comment
Draft EIR - Plan Bay Area
101 8th Street, Oakland, CA 94607
Or email your comments to: eircomments@mtc.ca.gov
April 29- at 6 pm: Public Presentation and Hearing on the Plan One Bay Area Plan Marin Center, 10 Avenue of the Flags, San Rafael.
County Supervisors decided NOT to Nominate Lucas Valley Road to be designated official Scenic Road; Efforts continue- On-line citizen petition in support of Scenic Preservation Still available!
The beautiful rural scenery enjoyed by motorists and cyclists along Lucas Valley Road would qualify the road to become designated as an official Scenic Road. The designation would NOT increase traffic on the Road. Without the Scenic Road designation, the communities of Lucas Valley will have to pursue more costly Local Planning Updates, Visioning Document and Code Amendments for the same results, WITHOUT the fiscal benefits to the County of enhanced assessor parcel value and revenues. In addition, funding needed for desired Miller Creek Restoration efforts will not benefit from the enhanced Grant Funding opportunities that a Caltrans Scenic Road designation would have provided. Instead, local taxpayers will likely be taxed to fund these efforts.
Information and link to an on-line citizen peition is still available on the website and petition signatures are still welcomed for all who believe the Board of Supervisors should review their decision and re-condier this Nomination of Lucas Valley Road for Scenic Road designation. Visit www.scenic-valley.org or you can access the online petition on the link here petition;
http://www.change.org/petitions/marin-county-supervisors-nominate-lucas-valley-road-for-caltrans-scenic-road-designation
California State Fire Fee-- Estates Homeowners Petitions and Updates
Most Estates Homeowners have filed their individual Peitions last year to Appeal the new California Fire Fee assessed to homeowners here in Lucas Valley Estates late last year, since our neighborhood receives its fire protection services locally from the Marinwood Fire Department.
Unfortunately, most Lucas Valley Estates homeowners have now received denials of their Petitions in the mail. However, this denial does not mean that the fees will not still be successfully removed from home parcels here in the Estates. There are additional efforts underway which may result in the repeal and refund of the State Fire Fees assessed to homeowners here in the Estates; On October 3rd, the Howard Jarvis Taxpayer Association (HJTA) filed a class action lawsuit against the Fire Fee. On December 5, 2012 a legislative bill was introduced to repeal the Fire Fees. For more information on these efforts visit the websites www.hjta.org and www.fireprotest.org
For Copy of Marinwood Fire Chief Tom Roach letter confirming that Lucas Valley Estates receives fire protection services from the Marinwod Fire Department CSD. Click on links here to Marinwood Fire Department Letter and the LVEHOA Fire Fee Letter
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NEW COUNTY DESIGN STANDARDS; For Design Guidelines affecting Building Height, etc. in our County Unincorporated Area:
County Hearing held April 22, 1pm, Marin Civic Center:
The minutes of the regular meeting of the Marin County Planning Commission on Monday, April 22, 2013, have been posted online. Please follow the link below:
Proposed Marinwood Village Development website available:
Affordable housing development proposed for the land adjacent to the Marinwood Shopping center off Miller Creek Road. Detailed information about the development can now be viewed on website www.marinwoodvillage.com.
New Marinwood CSD Budget Released: Next Meeting Tuesday May 14, 7:30 pm. Audit Report Released Dec 2012
The Audit Report and Management Recommendations for the Marinwood CSD has just been made available. To view these most recent financial statements, please click here: Audit Report, and the audit Management Report
If you have questions, commentions or concerns, please email the CSD Board c/o Tom Horne at email thorne@marinwood.org or attend the monthly CSD meetings, when Open Public Comments are allowed at the commencement of each meeting.
Possible Miller Creek Watershed Restoration project in 2013
Very preliminary study is now underway for the needed funding and initation of a County Restoration project for the Miller Creek Watershed. The goals of the program would be to reduce or repair areas of excessive bank erosion, which in some areas is impacting private home properties the Estate’s and neighboring communities. The effort would also undertake measures to restore and maintain the health of the watershed itself to ensure it provides a safe and clean habitat for the native specieis that rely on it.. This effort would involve work for removal of non-native plant species, appropriate watershed area maintenance and flood control. Contact us at lve.lvehoa@gmail.com if you have a special interest or expertise to share.
New CSD Ordinance; Billing Insurance for Emergency Response Calls
A new Marinwood CSD Ordinance will allow emergency fire and paramendic services to bill individual homeowner’s insurance for any emergency response calls to their home address. Please be aware that if you call for emergency assistance, your insurance company will be billed. according to the new ordinance, if payment is denied by insurers, or if residents do not have health insurance, there wil be no final bill collection from individual homeowners. Click on the link to view The Ordinance.
New Stream Ordinance to be approved by Marin County
The Marin County Community Development Agency is developing new Stream Ordinance regulations for developments adjacent to watershed and stream areas in unincorporated Marin County. The video webcast of the Marin County Planning Commission meeting on Monday, May 13, 2013, on the Stream Conservation Area Ordinance is available online at: http://www.marincounty.org/
Learn to Be Emergency Prepared – CERT Makes us all Safer!
CERT educates people about disaster preparedness for hazards that may impact their area and trains them in basic disaster response skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue and disaster medical operations. The key to the success of this program is for as many neighbors as possible to become CERT trained. If you are interested in becoming CERT trained, email us at lve.lvehoa@gmail.com.
Do you know what to do in a medical emergency?
See the American Heart Association interative training video on the link below to learn how to respond to medical emergency situation! www.heartrescuenow.com
The Marinwood Community Service District: Past Audit Reports and 2012 Marin County Civil Grand Jury Recommendations:
A Marin Civil Grand Jury has recently issued a report regarding the numerous County service districts, how they are operated, their oversight and made recommendations for greater fiscal transparency and for practical solutions to the risks of double taxation for services of some county taxpayers. The report and recommendations which apply to the Marinwood CSD is now available:
2012 Civil Grand Jury Report
The 2011 Marinwood CSD Audit revealed a $774,481 decrease in net assets in 2011 from the previous year 2010. This Audit Report does not address the estimated $1 million in immediate future capital replacement needs. The Audit reports for prior years are also posted below. All CSD taxpayers are encouraged to learn more and to attend the monthly CSD Board Meetings held at the Marinwood Community Center. For schedule, agenda and additional information, visit the CSD website at www.marinwood.org
CSD Budget 2011-2012
Maher Audit report
Audit Report 2009-10
Audit Report 2008-09
Audit Report 2007-08
CSD Long Term Financial Detail
CSD Empolyee Pension Medical Benefit Cost Analysis
Board of Supervisors Consider Streamlining Development Applications
Special Committe appointed and to compose Recommendations
Last year the Board of Supervisors determined to conduct a review of County Development applications to find ways to streamline the process for developers. A special advisory committe was established to consider "Regulatory Improvements to Development Review Process" for streamlining (expediting) CEQA, permit reviews, and development consistent with the Countywide Plan. The proposal also suggested reducing fees for development that reflects public policy goals and certain targeted industries. The Director of the Community Development Agency assisted with the formation of a special review board to study these issues. The appointed board includes members of the community as well as planning professionals. The First Public Workshop was held on March 7, 2013;
Our LVE Neighborhood Watch Program
If you want to volunteer to help keep an eye out in the neighborhood and keep The Lucas Valley Estates safe from crime, then you can sign up to join and support the Estates’ Neighborhood Watch Program. Please let us know if you are willing to serve as a block captain by emailing us at lve.lvehoa@gmail.com. You can also contact the Terra Linda & Marinwood Neighborhood Watch Program directly, at email info@tlmw-watch.org or visit the website www.tlmw-watch.org
Pension Reform for Marin County:
There is an established group of Marin citizens who are actively concerned with the the long term fiscal outlook for Marin County, which faces large and growing liabilities to fund its Pension Plan obligations. For more information, visit the website of Citizens for Sustainable Pension Plans at www.marincountypensions.com
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For more of our neighborhood news, see "Events" on this website.
You can also be sure to subscribe by email for your copy of The Estates Edition , the Lucas Valley Estates regular eNewsletter. Email lve.lvehoa@gmail.com to receive our next issuses and stay informed of our community news!
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Archived News and reference links from 2012 available Below
ROCKING H-2
There has been a pre-application filed last year for a "270 acre residential development," on hllside property known as "H2", owned by Metallica musician James Hetfield. The proposed location is on Lucas Valley Road, directly across from Lucas Valley Estates extending from Bridgegate Drive and westward to the Westgate Drive and Lucas Valley Road intersections. The pre-application proposed 27 houses of 3,100 -4,900 sq. ft. and 7 units of affordable housing. At the highest point, the homes will be well above the water tower currently visible from the Estates.
The Marin Conservation League " is concerned about the rich biological resources of the area, as encountered in environmental review of the 680 Trail". (http://www.conservationleague.org/about-mcl/296-rocking-h2.html)
Rocking H2 master plan (showing area to be developed.)
ROCKING H-2 UPDATE: The LVEHOA has joined with multiple other local neighborhood associations to endorse and support Marin Open Space Trust in efforts for providing all options for the future use of this property.
LVEHOA Letter to MOST
GRADY RANCH- Application withdrawn
Reference documents available here:
Click here to view August 2012 pdf of Marinscope Article
On Tuesday April 10, Skywalker Properties announced its decision to cancel its application for the project. AP news of Project Cancellation
To review an informative summary of the Grady Ranch decision, view the Marin Conservation League article and website www.marinconservationleague.org/advocacy/200-grady-ranch.html
On April 20, 2012 the Joint agency permit application was withdrawn by the Applicant:
JAPRA Withdrawl Letter
On July 31, 2012, a Marin IJ article summarized the response to the permit application withdrawl:
State Official Says Lucasfilm shares Blame
On May 25, 2012 the County issued the formal Notice of Withdrawl of the application.
Notice of Withdrawl
Marin Independent Journal, Guest column by environmental expert Nona Dennis:
"Lucas Neighbors Played by the Rules"
Marin Independent Journal: May 20, 2012: Marin Audobon Society President commentary
"Plan Ignored Concerns" Marin Audobon Society article
Link to April 12, 2012 LVEHOA Letter Requesting Accuracy in County statements:
April 12 Letter to Board to Board of Supervisors: Request for Accuracy
August 2012, Marin IJ article describes affordable housing and newly proposed revisions to County Housing Element report Marin IJ Article on Grady Ranch
ROCKING H1:
There is a proposal to "construct a 14,400 square foot single-family home and related accessory improvements. . . [and] a 3,300 foot long access driveway" at 3001 Lucas Valley Road, otherwise known as Rocking H1. There were a total of 6 parcels proposed. The one listed above, contains 4 each with a maximum house size of 5,980 and a "Car Barn" at maximum square footage of 6,300. We have been told that this project is, at the moment, on hold by the applicant. Some construction has been completed. For information, contact Planner Ben Berto at bberto@marincounty.org
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For more of our neighborhood news, see "Events" on this website.
You can also be sure to subscribe by email for your copy of The Estates Edition , the Lucas Valley Estates regular eNewsletter. Email lve.lvehoa@gmail.com to receive our next issuses and stay informed of our community news!