Plan is not a fit for Novato’s downtown

It wasn’t that long ago that Novato city leaders were talking about putting a two-story limit along Grant Avenue in order to preserve downtown’s rural-suburban character.

Taller office buildings had been built nearby, but the council wanted to keep downtown’s architecture lower in height.

Thanks to the state Legislature, such local control is being eroded.

Now a developer is pushing ahead with a six-story 227unit apartment and retail complex near the corner of Grant and Fourth Street. He’s seeking fast-tracked approval under a new state law that limits the time and extent of City Hall and public review.

The city’s rules that limited Grant Avenue buildings to two stories were shortsighted. Such additions could have provided opportunities to build apartments above the groundfloor retail businesses that line Grant.

But six stories is an eyeopener. It would be the tallest building in the city, sort of Novato’s version of the Salesforce Tower.

It is also an example of state lawmakers imposing one-sizefits-all laws on communities, opening the doors wider to projects that those legislators not only may never see, but they won’t have to live near.

Following the criteria of Senate Bill 35, the project can sidestep normal planning and design review processes. There will be limited public hearings, but the review has to be conducted within 180 days and limited to whether the project meets local zoning rules.

That’s good news for Marin developers, who too often have faced dragged-out public reviews, including numerous costly studies, revisions and requirements — all with the financial risk of finally being denied.

That process could be characterized as restrictive, but to many, it’s exclusive — which has helped make Marin a political target for Sacramento lawmakers seeking to lower local political hurdles for building housing — not just affordable housing.

This may be Marin’s first test of SB 35, passed by the Legislature in response to the state’s housing shortage.

There should be no debate that every community should provide its fair share in meeting the regional need for housing. Those communities that over the last 30 to 40 years have approved more tax-generating commercial growth than adding homes need to strike a balance of the two.

But with good planning, that residential growth can be located in the right location and of a size and design that fits into the community, not looms over its neighbors.

The developer AMG & Associates LLC of Encino says the project will help fill Marin’s need for affordable housing. It’s also close enough to bus stops and the downtown SMART train station to encourage residents to use public transit.

It’s also downtown, within walking distance of stores, restaurants and other businesses.

But downtown Novato is not downtown Sacramento, San Francisco, Walnut Creek, Oakland or even San Rafael.

A six-story building is not going to blend in with downtown Novato. It would be a significant change to the local landscape.

It is no wonder that local critics of Novato’s recent growth are upset. City Hall’s recent approvals look pretty moderate compared to AMG’s proposal.

AMG’s plans not only call for the city’s tallest building, but it only provides 51 parking spaces. The city’s rules would require 314.

There’s no question that Marin needs more affordable housing. There also no question that building it closer to transit stops, shopping and jobs makes a lot more sense than California’s long-favored sprawl.

Besides, Novato has not been one of Marin’s foot-dragging cities when it comes to meeting state housing quotas, including building affordable housing.

Building a housing/retail development at that location would make sense if it is designed to fit in.

The developer says it is ready and willing to revise its proposed design “to fit within the community.”

At six stories, AMG may have some work to do.