Over the decades, Marin’s towns and cities have grown up to replace thousands of acres of grassy former dairy ranches, historic once-tidal marshes, and wooded valleys, primarily in the eastern part of the county.
Linked by a main north-south transportation corridor, the urban settlement pattern is dense but, nonetheless, has left elements of former upland and bayland habitats as well as ridges and greenbelts separating communities. With strategic planning, we have preserved some vestiges of native ecosystems within the urban fabric. At the same time, we must assure a growing population of a healthy environment with clean water, air and green spaces, and equitable access to affordable housing and transportation, education, health and public safety, and household goods and services. Balancing these priorities continues to challenge both the governance and citizens of Marin.
The Land Use, Transportation and Water Committee advocates on a wide range of planning processes:
- MCL regularly contributes to shaping our towns’ and cities’ General Plans to include pro-environment language and policies;
- Participates in meetings on State Route 37 (SR37) and advocates that the SR37 Traffic Congestion Relief Project minimize disturbance to a tidal wetland as it adapts to sea level rise;
- Contributes to the Adapting to Rising Tide’s (ART’s) regional, multi-jurisdictional coordinated planning effort to adapt San Francisco Bay communities to sea level rise; and
- Submits comments on redevelopment Environmental Impact Reports to assure consideration and preservation of environmental resources when possible.