Trees are members of our community that deserve respect and protection. Increasing tree cover in San Rafael increases carbon sequestration, cools neighborhoods, and improves air quality, which are all critical responses to the climate emergency. San Rafael's Climate Change Action Plan (CCAP) and General Plan pledge a number of steps to expand the "urban forest" by planting more trees on public land and requiring developments to preserve and increase trees and other native vegetation. In addition, the City is committed to educating community members and encourage them to plant and maintain trees on private land. These letters concern specific ways trees can be preserved in ongoing projects.
TREE INVENTORY IN FY23-24 BUDGET OBJECTIVES
June 5, 2023
To: San Rafael City Council
From: Sustainable San Rafael
Re: Tree Inventory in FY23-24 Budget Objectives
Sustainable San Rafael welcomes the inclusion of a tree inventory in the Council's budget objectives for the coming fiscal year. We look forward to an inventory that includes sufficient data to support the remaining tree-related programs in General Plan 2040.
Proceeding with a comprehensive approach to caring for our trees is key to achieving San Rafael's climate goals. Trees cool our communities, reducing the impact of more severe heat waves. Trees sequester greenhouse gases, reducing the root cause of climate change as Marin moves towards zero net GHG
emissions by 2045. And trees create a walkable environment, reducing driving, our single largest emitter of GHG.
As the letter discusses, an inventory is the first critical step in achieving five of the City's programs and objectives (enumerated in the letter) in a comprehensive, cost-efficient, and timely manner.
To: San Rafael City Council
From: Sustainable San Rafael
Re: Tree Inventory in FY23-24 Budget Objectives
Sustainable San Rafael welcomes the inclusion of a tree inventory in the Council's budget objectives for the coming fiscal year. We look forward to an inventory that includes sufficient data to support the remaining tree-related programs in General Plan 2040.
Proceeding with a comprehensive approach to caring for our trees is key to achieving San Rafael's climate goals. Trees cool our communities, reducing the impact of more severe heat waves. Trees sequester greenhouse gases, reducing the root cause of climate change as Marin moves towards zero net GHG
emissions by 2045. And trees create a walkable environment, reducing driving, our single largest emitter of GHG.
As the letter discusses, an inventory is the first critical step in achieving five of the City's programs and objectives (enumerated in the letter) in a comprehensive, cost-efficient, and timely manner.
| tree_inventory_in_fy23-23_budget_goals.pdf |
2ND/3RD STREET IMPROVEMENTS
January 7, 2022
To: San Rafael City Council
From: Sustainable San Rafael
Re: 2nd/3rd Street Improvements
This letter explores ways to save the valuable London Plane tree in the 2nd Street median, which greets those entering San Rafael from the west. Key to such a solution is balancing multiple civic values-those of drivers, cyclists, pedestrians, parkers, neighborhoods, and of course, the contributions full grown trees make to the character and environmental health of Marin. Such trees are valuable members of our community.
The letter proposes reducing the speed limit for two blocks, creating more safety for drivers, cyclists and pedestrians. The reduction in speed translates into an increased drive time of merely 9 seconds and allows for a design that will preserve this 50-year-old tree. In our opinion it is worth a few parking spaces (2-4) that can be made up for in parking strategies already in the Downtown Parking Study.
To: San Rafael City Council
From: Sustainable San Rafael
Re: 2nd/3rd Street Improvements
This letter explores ways to save the valuable London Plane tree in the 2nd Street median, which greets those entering San Rafael from the west. Key to such a solution is balancing multiple civic values-those of drivers, cyclists, pedestrians, parkers, neighborhoods, and of course, the contributions full grown trees make to the character and environmental health of Marin. Such trees are valuable members of our community.
The letter proposes reducing the speed limit for two blocks, creating more safety for drivers, cyclists and pedestrians. The reduction in speed translates into an increased drive time of merely 9 seconds and allows for a design that will preserve this 50-year-old tree. In our opinion it is worth a few parking spaces (2-4) that can be made up for in parking strategies already in the Downtown Parking Study.
| 2nd_st_tree_ssr_to_dpw_1_4_2022-new.pdf |
52-54 FREMONT/MARQUARD REVIEW
November 15, 2021
To: San Rafael Design Review Board (DRB)
From: Sustainable San Rafael
Re: 52-54 Fremont/Marquard Review
We are blessed that redwoods are an original part of our community. The size and longevity of redwoods make them one of our premier sequesters of carbon, with each 50-year old tree absorbing an estimated 1,402 pounds of greenhouse gas every year, while storing a total of over 15 metric tons (per the ‘itree’ website). This is a substantial contribution to San Rafael’s goal of ‘drawing down’ atmospheric carbon below greenhouse gas
emission levels by 2045.
This letter concerns the redwoods on two non-conforming lots that were created over a century ago. San Rafael's General Plan 2040 has incorporated the considerations of greenhouse gas reduction into all decision making. This letter goes into detail explaining how the redwoods on these lots can be preserved while adjusting the design of the proposed structure.
To: San Rafael Design Review Board (DRB)
From: Sustainable San Rafael
Re: 52-54 Fremont/Marquard Review
We are blessed that redwoods are an original part of our community. The size and longevity of redwoods make them one of our premier sequesters of carbon, with each 50-year old tree absorbing an estimated 1,402 pounds of greenhouse gas every year, while storing a total of over 15 metric tons (per the ‘itree’ website). This is a substantial contribution to San Rafael’s goal of ‘drawing down’ atmospheric carbon below greenhouse gas
emission levels by 2045.
This letter concerns the redwoods on two non-conforming lots that were created over a century ago. San Rafael's General Plan 2040 has incorporated the considerations of greenhouse gas reduction into all decision making. This letter goes into detail explaining how the redwoods on these lots can be preserved while adjusting the design of the proposed structure.
| drb_52-54_fremont_ssr_letter_11_14_21.pdf |
3RD STREET TREE CUTTING
May 3, 2021
To: San Rafael City Council
From: Sustainable San Rafael
Re: 3rd Street Tree Cutting
Since the Council last viewed the 3rd Street project in November, another mature median tree has been added to the three previously slated to be cut. This magnificent London Plane is the western gateway to San Rafael. It is estimated to sequester about a ton of CO2 pollution every three years, an amount that will grow with the tree. We need every sizable tree we have and more to counter the pollution of gasoline cars and to do their part for healthy streets and a stable climate. We urge the city to sacrifice two parking spaces in order to preserve a beautiful member of our natural community.
To: San Rafael City Council
From: Sustainable San Rafael
Re: 3rd Street Tree Cutting
Since the Council last viewed the 3rd Street project in November, another mature median tree has been added to the three previously slated to be cut. This magnificent London Plane is the western gateway to San Rafael. It is estimated to sequester about a ton of CO2 pollution every three years, an amount that will grow with the tree. We need every sizable tree we have and more to counter the pollution of gasoline cars and to do their part for healthy streets and a stable climate. We urge the city to sacrifice two parking spaces in order to preserve a beautiful member of our natural community.
| 1ssr_2nd_st_entry_tree_5_3_21.pdf |
THIRD STREET REHABILITATION
November 2, 2020
To: San Rafael City Council
From: Sustainable San Rafael
Re: Third Street Rehabilitation
This letter expresses concern over the loss of this project's most appealing element: the gracious widening of the south side sidewalk between Miramar and East Street into a multi-use path providing safe and pleasant passage for pedestrians and cyclists. The new scheme also sacrifices three large trees (plus an additional 2 between East Street and West Street) for a wider bicycle facility. These trees are reaching their prime after a century of growth in front of them. Between them they will capture 40 tons of GHG by 2050.
These trees can be saved by giving up five parking spaces and returning to an earlier design of a multi-use pathway. A stretch of roadway where nature, in the form of our iconic hillsides, expresses itself, should be celebrated with a different design approach.
To: San Rafael City Council
From: Sustainable San Rafael
Re: Third Street Rehabilitation
This letter expresses concern over the loss of this project's most appealing element: the gracious widening of the south side sidewalk between Miramar and East Street into a multi-use path providing safe and pleasant passage for pedestrians and cyclists. The new scheme also sacrifices three large trees (plus an additional 2 between East Street and West Street) for a wider bicycle facility. These trees are reaching their prime after a century of growth in front of them. Between them they will capture 40 tons of GHG by 2050.
These trees can be saved by giving up five parking spaces and returning to an earlier design of a multi-use pathway. A stretch of roadway where nature, in the form of our iconic hillsides, expresses itself, should be celebrated with a different design approach.
| 11_2_20_ssr_2nd_street_letter.pdf |