Sustainability is a three-legged stool, pointing to the need to address not only the environment, but the economy and social equity as well. The economy is a driver of prosperity and equity in a city and provides the revenue necessary for local government to enact programs that are beneficial to the whole community. California as a whole is a great example of environment and the economy advancing together: State greenhouse gas emissions have declined 9% since 2006, while the economy has grown 16%. These letters weigh in on specific opportunities and the ways to balance environmental responsibility, economic development and equity.
Economic Development Strategic Plan
May 15, 2023
To: San Rafael City Council
From: Sustainable San Rafael
Re: Economic Development Strategic Plan
Sustainable San Rafael supports the Economic Development Plan before the Council and urges the City to support the Sustainability/Climate Change as primary goals for revitalization along with equity, a focus on housing as an ecomic driver, a 'reimagination' of Downtown with innovative retail destinations and building towards a Trasformative Climate Community.
To: San Rafael City Council
From: Sustainable San Rafael
Re: Economic Development Strategic Plan
Sustainable San Rafael supports the Economic Development Plan before the Council and urges the City to support the Sustainability/Climate Change as primary goals for revitalization along with equity, a focus on housing as an ecomic driver, a 'reimagination' of Downtown with innovative retail destinations and building towards a Trasformative Climate Community.
| ssr_letter_on_economic_development_plan-05-15-23.pdf |
LETTER OF INTEREST FOR PRIRORITY DEVELOPMENT AREAS (PDAS) IN THE CANAL AND NORTH SAN RAFAEL / NORTHGATE
June 15, 2020
To: San Rafael City Council
From: Sustainable San Rafael
Re: Letters of Interest for Priority Development Areas (PDAs) in the Canal and North San Rafael/Northgate
Unfounded warnings in years past indicated that designating north San Rafael as a PDA (Priority Development Area) would destroy the community's character. In fact, its commercial area has declined significantly because it lacked the resources a PDA could offer. Similarly, the Canal neighborhood would greatly benefit from a PDA designation. There are a growing number of residents in both communities that see the value of planning for the future and accessing regional resources to make improvement. Both the Canal and Northgate deserve the kind of community-based no-strings-attached, planning that the PDA designation provides. It is time that these two neighborhoods have the same kind of attention and investment that downtown has enjoyed.
To: San Rafael City Council
From: Sustainable San Rafael
Re: Letters of Interest for Priority Development Areas (PDAs) in the Canal and North San Rafael/Northgate
Unfounded warnings in years past indicated that designating north San Rafael as a PDA (Priority Development Area) would destroy the community's character. In fact, its commercial area has declined significantly because it lacked the resources a PDA could offer. Similarly, the Canal neighborhood would greatly benefit from a PDA designation. There are a growing number of residents in both communities that see the value of planning for the future and accessing regional resources to make improvement. Both the Canal and Northgate deserve the kind of community-based no-strings-attached, planning that the PDA designation provides. It is time that these two neighborhoods have the same kind of attention and investment that downtown has enjoyed.
| b_ssr_pda_letter_6_15_2020.pdf |
COVID-19 Economic Recovery Plan
May 18, 2020
To: San Rafael City Council
From: Sustainable San Rafael
Re: COVID-19 Economic Recovery Plan
On the heels of the Covid crisis and with the approach of another summer wildfire season, with its threat of extreme smoke and heat events, we are reminded that Climate Change has placed the city in an ongoing state of emergency. We can recover from the current crisis in part by preparing for the next one. Sustainable San Rafael encourages residents to engage in "Climate-Safe Sheltering Actions" attached to this letter. We encourage the City to join us in promoting household investments in greater livability (and even survivability), which could also help stimulate the economic sector of home improvement construction, appliances, and material. The letter also supports other ways to stimulate the City's economic recovery.
To: San Rafael City Council
From: Sustainable San Rafael
Re: COVID-19 Economic Recovery Plan
On the heels of the Covid crisis and with the approach of another summer wildfire season, with its threat of extreme smoke and heat events, we are reminded that Climate Change has placed the city in an ongoing state of emergency. We can recover from the current crisis in part by preparing for the next one. Sustainable San Rafael encourages residents to engage in "Climate-Safe Sheltering Actions" attached to this letter. We encourage the City to join us in promoting household investments in greater livability (and even survivability), which could also help stimulate the economic sector of home improvement construction, appliances, and material. The letter also supports other ways to stimulate the City's economic recovery.
| covid_19_economic_recovery_plan_ssr.pdf |
Goldstone Exclusive Negotiating Agreement
November 18, 2019
To: San Rafael City Council
From: Sustainable San Rafael
Re: Goldstone Exclusive Negotiating Agreement
Sustainable San Rafael applauds the entrepreneurial spirit of the City in pursuing a public-private partnership with Mr. Goldstone in the development of the 'market hall' and apartments proposed for Fourth Street. This letters recommends that the Exclusive Negotiating Agreement address a number of issues: easy access to and use of the public parking facilities, securing additional affordable housing units, integration of the overall project with public realm improvements.
To: San Rafael City Council
From: Sustainable San Rafael
Re: Goldstone Exclusive Negotiating Agreement
Sustainable San Rafael applauds the entrepreneurial spirit of the City in pursuing a public-private partnership with Mr. Goldstone in the development of the 'market hall' and apartments proposed for Fourth Street. This letters recommends that the Exclusive Negotiating Agreement address a number of issues: easy access to and use of the public parking facilities, securing additional affordable housing units, integration of the overall project with public realm improvements.
| ssr_goldstone_ena_letter.pdf |