Category: Community Development

San Rafael Begins Housing Element Update 

The City of San Rafael has initiated an update of its Housing Element.  This important document includes the City’s policies and programs for meeting the housing needs of all San Rafael residents, with a focus on lower income households and persons with special needs.  The Housing Element includes an evaluation of local housing needs, identification of potential … Continued

Upcoming Changes to San Rafael Public Meetings

Since April 2020, City of San Rafael meetings have taken place via video conference on the Zoom platform. As an accommodation during the COVID-19 pandemic, five separate methods of submitting public comment were enabled to allow members of the public various opportunities to participate in City business while this virtual format is in place. As … Continued

San Rafael Planning is hiring a Senior Planner

View the recruitment flyer The Community Development Department is seeking a full-time Senior Planner to join the Planning team. One of the most critical positions to the City’s Planning Division, the Senior Planner oversees the Community Development Department’s Planning program. The position will be overseeing advanced plan review, developing and researching policies and making important decisions … Continued

Draft General Plan 2040/Downtown Precise Plan EIR available for Review

The Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) for General Plan 2040 and the Downtown San Rafael Precise Plan is now available for public review and comment. The City is providing a 62-day comment period on the document, extending from January 7 to March 9, 2021. The Planning Commission will hold a hearing on the DEIR on … Continued

Community Survey about Housing

Inclusionary housing is a requirement that when a new housing development is built, that it includes some units that are considered affordable. Alternatively, the housing developer can pay a fee that goes towards creating affordable housing at another location in the City to meet this requirement. To make San Rafael a more livable and inclusive … Continued

Temporary Outdoor Dining & Retail Permits

We are partnering with the San Rafael Chamber of Commerce and Downtown Business Improvement District to support our incredible business community as best as possible. Starting next week, the latest Marin County Public Health order will allow outdoor dining and retail based on the following guidelines: Guidelines for retail Guidelines for restaurants To facilitate outdoor dining … Continued

Priority Development Areas in San Rafael

Should the City continue to pursue a PDA-designation and funding for a PDA planning process for Northgate and Southeast San Rafael/Canal? As part of the on-going work for San Rafael’s General Plan 2040, City staff has received requests for deeper planning efforts in the Canal neighborhood and around the Northgate Mall area. Planning efforts such as these require grant … Continued

Construction Safety Protocols During COVID-19

To continue to slow the spread of COVID-19, the Marin County Health Officer has issued a new Shelter in Place Order (“Order”) that extends the shelter in place mandate through May 31, 2020 with some modifications. Under this new Order, small construction projects may continue if Construction Safety Protocols per Appendix B-1 of the Order … Continued

New Program Provides Free Restaurant Meals to Older Adults

State’s Great Plates Delivered program goes before Board of Supervisors May 12 San Rafael, CA – In partnership with the local community, the County of Marin plans to start participation in the State of California’s Great Plates Delivered Program, set up to support older adults who are sheltering in place, unable to access meals, and ineligible for … Continued

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