Outlook
Public Comment for Monday Meeting on Public Hearing 5A – General Plan & Urban Tree Canopy From Ben Snyder
Date Fri 3/14/2025 3:00 PM
To Distrib- City Clerk <[email protected]> Dear San Rafael City Council,
I am writing to share my thoughts on Public Hearing 5A regarding the General Plan, specifically with respect to developer waivers for bike parking and electrification near 4th Street, as well as the Community Design & Preservation (CDP) Program CDP-3.5C and its implications for our urban canopy.
🚲 Protecting Bike Parking & Electrification Requirements I am concerned about the waivers requested by developers to eliminate bike parking and electrification requirements for high-rises near 4th Street. These requirements are not just regulations —they are critical investments in a sustainable and livable city. 🔹 Biking Infrastructure Encourages Low-Carbon Transit – San Rafael is actively working to reduce transportation emissions, and eliminating bike parking in high-density developments contradicts this goal. The more we prioritize cycling infrastructure, the more we reduce traffic congestion and pollution.
🔹 Building Electrification Reduces Long-Term Costs & Emissions – Waiving electrification requirements means locking in fossil fuel infrastructure for decades, when we should be accelerating the transition to clean energy. Electrified buildings are healthier, safer, and more resilient, especially as state policies continue shifting toward renewable energy. 🔹 Developers Must Contribute to a Sustainable Future – These policies were included in the General Plan for a reason—to ensure that new developments support the city’s climate and mobility goals. Granting waivers undermines long-term sustainability and creates an uneven playing field.
I urge the council to reject these waiver requests and maintain the bike parking and electrification requirements.
🌳 Advancing Urban Tree Canopy & CDP-3.5C
The recent LIDAR tree inventory is an exciting first step in understanding the value of our urban canopy. However, the study has limitations—it was conducted during a time of year when many trees had shed leaves, meaning the data may be incomplete.
To ensure we make the most of this effort, I encourage the city to:
3/14/25, 3:07 PM Mail - Lindsay Lara - Outlook
https://outlook.office365.com/mail/inbox/id/AAMkAGE4NDc2ZDVlLWQxMTYtNDBiOC04NTI0LTRjYTQzNTJlMTJkMQBGAAAAAAAyY1qsYIBjQ6ajfUyz… 1/2 ✅ Invest in validating and refining the LIDAR data to ensure accuracy. ✅ Allocate specific funding to study irrigation potential and long-term tree health. ✅ Identify and prioritize existing tree wells for new plantings to expand our canopy efficiently.
A strong urban tree canopy is crucial for mitigating heat, improving air quality, and enhancing community resilience. I urge the council to dedicate the necessary resources to strengthen and expand this effort.
Thank you for your time and consideration. I appreciate your commitment to making San Rafael a healthier, more sustainable city.
Best regards,
Ben Snyder
Terra Linda, District 1
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Ben Snyder
outlook.office365.com/mail/inbox/id/AAMkAGE4NDc2ZDVlLWQxMTYtNDBiOC04NTI0LTRjYTQzNTJlMTJkMQBGAAAAAAAyY1qsYIBjQ6ajfUyz… 2/2