Creeks are dwindling, reservoirs are draining, and water suppliers are sounding the alarm.
Marin declared a drought emergency this week, the latest step in a crisis that will only deepen into the summer. Water providers large and small are conserving and creating backup plans, and they are searching for new sources of water. Prospects of outside help are diminishing, so suppliers are turning to their customers to save them from running dry.
“You only have to drive by Nicasio Dam or Stafford Lake to see the dire conditions we are facing,” Supervisor Dennis Rodoni said. “Drought conditions are the worst we have seen in over 140 years in Marin. Please take this drought and recommendations from the water agencies seriously. While we have plenty of water for health and safety of our families, it is important that we do not waste any water.”
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By 04/28/2021
A neighbor appealed the Bolinas Community Land Trust’s downtown affordable housing project last week, citing concerns with the buildings’ impact on his property. The land trust is digging in its heels ahead of a Board of Supervisors hearing anticipated in early June, and said the appeal would delay the project by several months.
The proposed eight-unit complex at 31 Wharf Road is large for Bolinas, but so is the need. The town is suffering from an affordable housing crisis, as teachers, firefighters, servers and other workers are pushed out by high rents. The Marin County Planning Commission approved the project’s design review, use permit and coastal permit by a 5-1 vote on April 12 after hearing from more than 150 members of the public. Most commenters voiced the need for affordable housing, but some argued against the size and design, including Roland Crotts, who owns the home next door. Mr. Crotts said the buildings would loom
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By 04/14/2021
An eight-unit affordable housing complex planned for downtown Bolinas has received permits from the Marin County Planning Commission, which issued the approval despite pushback from community members primarily concerned with the project’s size.
In a 5:1 vote, commissioners on Monday approved the coastal permit, use permit and design review requested by Bolinas Community Land Trust. The proposed development at 31 Wharf Road includes two complexes comprised of four 1,350-square-foot, three-bedroom units, four 945-square-foot, two-bedroom units and two commercial spaces at street level. The housing will be dedicated to those who qualify as low and very low-income. Although some public commenters expressed discontent with the design, the majority voiced the strong need for affordable housing in Bolinas.