Marin and Beyond
- Most of the residents planned for in the Civic Center Station Area Plan won't use SMART to get around in their everyday trips, but that doesn't mean the housing won't reduce per-capita greenhouse gas emissions; building homes within walking and biking distance to North San Rafael will do that. (IJ, Streetsblog)
- Mill Valley has formally objected to its RHNA number, saying that 129 new housing units too many for the city to zone for. The city stopped far short of following in Corte Madera's decision to leave ABAG, with some councilmembers questioning how that could help. (MV Herald)
- Very small apartments, on the order of 220 square feet, are being considered by a number of cities to attract the kind of young people that are just starting their careers and who view the city, rather than just their apartment, as their living space. (Sustainable Cities)
- Amid opposition to athletic complexes at the San Rafael Airport and Hamilton, it's worth asking - is there actually a dearth of quality athletic facilities in Marin? (IJ)
- If you commute to the South Bay and don't want to drive, it turns out you can transfer from GGT to most of the Silicon Valley shuttles at Lombard & Filmore, at least according to a new map of the services. It might take longer, but at least you can avoid 101 driving, then city driving, then more 101 driving. (Noe Valley SF)
- Traffic congestion isn't everything, and it's important for planners to keep in mind the broader context of transportation costs to ensure dollars are spent for maximum return. Often, that means on something other than congestion relief. (Planetizen)
- And...: San Rafael Target begins construction. (IJ) ... You don't want to drive into the City next week - trust me - but Golden Gate Transit has you covered. (GGT) ... The water taxi has arrived in Marin, offering for-hire services to Tiburon, Sausalito, and points around the San Francisco waterfront. (IJ)
The Toll
Thankfully, only one person was injured on the roads this week.
- Three drivers, including a police officer, were involved in a three-car crash in Santa Rosa on Wednesday. It's unclear who was at fault, and only minor injuries resulted. (PD)
- The woman who was hospitalized after a driver crashed his SUV into a downtown San Rafael restaurant last week is in stable condition. The crash is still under investigation. (IJ)