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High-Density Housing for San Rafael's Marin Civic Center Debated09-09-13 | News

High-Density Housing for San Rafael's Marin Civic Center Debated

The Marin County Civic Center in San Rafael, Calif., was Frank Lloyd Wright's last commission. The iconic center broke ground in 1960. Putting high-density housing near the center is the crux of a local debate.

San Rafael, Calif. (pop. 57,713), nestled in the hills on the edge of the San Francisco Bay just north of San Francisco, is deliberating whether to approve high-density affordable housing near the Marin Civic Center.

The majority of the San Rafael City Council, reports the local media, is leaning toward voting against the housing, but is still listening to community input. At least one councilperson proffered a compromise"?ua reduction in the number of high-density units allowed.

The county's regional planning and transportation Plan Bay Area draft plan envisioned 30 affordable housing units per acre developed along Marin's Highway 101 corridor. Concerns over approving high-density zoning include lack of ready infrastructure, and the potential detrimental impact on local schools. Some residents simply expressed they don't want greater urbanization in their community.

Up for debate also is a plan for traffic improvements and housing design standards for the area in preparation for a new rail transit station that will accommodate passengers traveling between Marin and Sonoma.