Marinwood lawsuit is a big disappointment

Speaking as a longtime Marinwood resident and as a retired city planner, I am embarrassed by the recent lawsuit filed regarding Marin County’s action to approve the nearby affordable housing project (“Marinwood lawsuit alleges ‘segregation’ in affordable housing plan,” Jan. 12).

To claim that this 100% affordable housing project promotes segregation in a community that I consider to be an example of segregation already is outright insulting and lacks common sense. To the contrary, the project helps to diffuse the segregation that is already prevalent.

The lawsuit claims the project violates the county’s long-standing inclusionary housing requirement, which mandates that a developer set aside 20% of the total units within the project for qualifying affordable households.

This requirement applies (and has always applied) to market-rate housing development projects, not 100% affordable housing projects.

To challenge the rare opportunity to build a housing project that provides all of its units for qualifying affordable households; is proposed on a flat, developed site; and is near public transit and Highway 101 is laughable. If not here, then where?

During my years as a city planner, I have seen numerous lawsuits by “concerned neighbors.” They usually attack issues such as inadequate environmental review. Some had merit, but many were intended to delay or kill a project.

In this case, I think attorney Riley Hurd is spot-on by stating that the rationale for the suit is a “red herring.” This project should be embraced and applauded for bringing affordable housing to an unaffordable neighborhood. Hopefully, the judge will see right through this senseless lawsuit.

— Paul Jensen, San Rafael

Residents should be able to leave cars on the street

San Rafael has a policy of disallowing vehicles from parking on neighborhood streets beyond seven days.

The city also refuses to implement a residential permit program, instead opting to give tickets.

As a resident who has received several such citations, I consider this process to be discriminatory against San Rafael residents who can’t afford to live in places with access to a garage or driveway. The city doesn’t even appear to care if you park your car in front of your own residence before leaving town. Me and my neighbors feel victimized.

I think this process effectively forces residents to pay a “poor tax” if they are away and unable to move their vehicle. San Rafael needs to stop this inappropriate and discriminatory process immediately and, instead, create a parking permit program.

— Lisa Morrison, Gerstle Park

More people need to be tuned to climate crisis

I am writing in response to the article published Nov. 20 with the headline “Marin environmental leaders brace for Trump restoration.”

It was disappointing that Jack Wilkinson, the Marin Republican Committee chair, is quoted in the story downplaying the climate crisis. He seems more interested in the national debt.

But, if your house was burning, would you pay all of your bills before calling the fire department?

Science proves that the more fossil fuels we burn, the hotter the planet. Last year was the hottest year ever recorded. The situation is dire.

Melting permafrost has caused rivers in remote areas of Alaska to turn orange, which will eventually lead to an unstoppable “feedback loop.” People are losing their lives and homes to unprecedented and extreme wildfires, flooding and storms. Recently, in Spain, it rained 30 inches in one hour.

The climate crisis is here and it is not going away on its own. We can’t ignore it.

We have made some progress as a nation in reducing our carbon footprint, but fossil-fuel production remains at an all-time high. President Donald Trump appears to deny the crisis. He supports those who chant “drill, baby, drill.” We need to better manage and reduce our fossil-fuel use, not increase it.

In the next four years, I suspect Trump will enable damage to the climate that will last for hundreds of years. I think everyone who voted for him should compose an apology letter to their grandchildren. Maybe someday they will forgive us for destroying their planet.

— Eric Morey, Woodacre