Northgate Mall Redevelopment Project Is A Needed Project For San Rafael

The proposed height and density are highly appropriate for the Northgate Mall Redevelopment project. Marin County’s urgent need for both affordable and market rate housing should be met with height and density in order to conserve our environmental resources, to assure cost effective public and private services delivery, and to preserve our open space. Further, the proposed height and density are appropriate with this heavily built up area of San Rafael. Additionally, the residential architecture overall is appropriate and consistent with the immediately adjacent development pattern including Villa Marin and the several multi-story office complexes in the area.

Places for improvement in this project to maximize safety and environmental sustainability include removing excess parking and the proposed dog park. This plan is over-parked, with at least 20% of the proposed retail-serving parking not being necessary and could be put in a landscape reserve. In order to monitor this, there should be an annual report on parking usage, and if justified by the usage trends then portions of the reserve could be converted to parking in Phase 2 of the plan. The dog park proposal is also unnecessary. The dog park could result in issues of safety, noise, and is prioritizing dogs over adequate open green space for individuals utilizing this project whether it be for the commercial or residential aspects. 

This project will create approximately 1,422 residential units and transform the existing mall into new commercial retail spaces. It is a much needed project and MEHC supports it.