Sustainable
SUSTAINABLESanRafael.org March 17, 2025
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Annika Osborn, President
William Carney, Vice President San Rafael City Council
Miles Smith, Secretary 1400 5th Avenue
Greg Brockbank
Kay Karchevski San Rafael, CA 94901
Kiki La Porta
Rina Lopez RE: Marin Transit & Canal Active Transportation items Phil Muller
Marisa Nordstrom Honorable Mayor and Council Members,
Stuart Siegel
Ben Snyder Sustainable San Rafael is pleased to see the City proceeding with a Collaboration Agreement with Marin Transit to
415.302.0110
facilitate public involvement pursing community benefits in conjunction with the new Electric Bus Charging Facility on East Francisco Bouevard. See our attached October 18, 2024 letter to Marin Transit supporting this important step. the neighborhood overall, as climate change increases
ambient heat to sometimes dangerous levels. At the same time, trees help clean the air and absorb the carbon emissions (often from automobiles) that are driving climate change.
The Canal Active Transportation Plan also calls for wider sidewalks and more trees. We urge the consultants that you are considering retaining tonight to include these vital improvements in their work as they begin implementation of the Plan. The LIDAR inventory of street trees mentioned in the General Plan 2040 update they you are hearing this
evening provides an initial basis for that work.
Thank you for your ongoing coordination of the many factors needed to create a sustainable city.
Sincerely,
Annika Osborn,
President
Sustainable
RAFAE
SUSTAINABLESanRafael.org
October 18, 2024
Brian Colbert
President
Marin Transit Board of Directors
711 Grand Avenue, Suite 110
San Rafael, CA 94901
Dear Mr. Colbert,
Sustainable San Rafael supports Marin Transit's acquisition of 1075 E. Francisco Blvd. in San Rafael for a potential electric bus charging and maintenance facility.
We were excited to learn of Marin Transit's $31.5 million federal grant for this project. As a nonprofit dedicated to promoting sustainability and curbing climate change, Sustainable San Rafael views this facility as a crucial step toward converting public transportation to zero-emission vehicles, significantly benefiting the health of residents in the San Rafael Canal area.
Establishing a permanent facility will not only stabilize transit services across Marin County but also reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve air quality by lowering pollutants like nitrogen oxides (NOx) and particulate matter.
This centralized location will enhance service planning and allow for innovative solutions, such as mobile solar arrays and battery storage for emergency power. We also encourage Marin Transit's efforts to create a Community Benefits Agreement that clearly outlines the environmental, workforce, and transit service advantages for San Rafael and the Canal neighborhood.
We are pleased with Marin Transit's progress on this important project and look forward to its positive impacts.
Sincerely,
Annika Osborn and
Howard Schwartz
Co-Presidents