Support of Tiburon’s Housing Element, Including Paradise Drive

We have observed opposition to Site H in the town of Tiburon, which is proposing 90 units on a 9 acre site. Although nearby residents are skeptical, we believe that it is likely that the site is developable for the number of units submitted. We consider this an important site for Tiburon, both due to the number of potential units and for the potential of affordable units. Given the challenges with permitting in Tiburon, we believe that the project is likely to include affordable units in order to take advantage of permitting streamlining. There is an enormous need for affordable units in the Tiburon area, and a large parcel with an interested owner should not be excluded. 

The density proposed for this parcel is quite low – only 10 units per acre. By comparison, there are sites in Sausalito developed at well over 100 units/acre. If even 10% of the site is developable, the owner should be able to create a plan for 90 units. 

The concerns raised for Site H are the same complaints raised for any buildable parcel in Marin – concerns about fire, traffic, environment. This is not a high fire risk area. There are no additional traffic issues with building on this site, as opposed to any other Tiburon site. Wherever these units are located, it will be another 90 housing units needing to use the roads. 

The primary difference between Site H and the alternatives the opponents have proposed is that (1) Site H has an owner interested in developing it, and (2) Site H is currently on the site inventory. If HCD presses Tiburon to replace Site H, the new site will likely receive just as much opposition, and it is far less likely to have an owner that has done legwork on the feasibility of development. As such, if Site H is removed from the inventory, there will likely be less housing built in Tiburon this Housing Cycle. Site J has just as many issues as Site H, and would have to be annexed as well.

There are many residents who are advocating that Site H be removed and replaced with ADUs. As pointed out in earlier comments on the Housing Element, the 72 units that Tiburon is proposing is already an aggressive number. It will be a stretch for Tiburon to reach this number. This number should not be increased. 

Site H has an owner interested in development, who has done the research to understand what is feasible. This is a site that clearly meets the criteria “substantially likely to be redeveloped” and it should be included.