Friday, September 18, 2015

[Marin County] Ex-Corte Madera planning director on former ‘WinCup’ site: ‘I did not mislead anybody’


The former Corte Madera planning director who shepherded the Tam Ridge Residences project told the Town Council this week he did not mislead anyone into approving plans.
“So was WinCup embedded in the general plan?” Bob Pendoley said. “Hogwash. That’s a fiction. ... That’s a make-up by the grand jury.”
Pendoley, of San Rafael, defended himself Tuesday night at a Town Council meeting in which the council discussed its response to the civil grand jury report critical of the controversial 180-unit complex on Tamal Vista Boulevard.
In the report, the grand jury indicated some town officials believed they were misled by advisers. Council members deliberated over the topic at a Sept. 1 meeting, attributing the misinformation to Pendoley, the former planning director.
“This is my day in court and I’m going to make the most of it,” Pendoley said. “I did not mislead anybody.”
Councilman Sloan Bailey, who was not on the council when the project was approved, said he was reluctant to use loaded terms such as “mislead” and “orchestrated” in the town’s response to the grand jury.
“I don’t agree that we ought to indicate that it was subterfuge by staff,” he said.
“I think it’s something where you had to be there,” Mayor Carla Condon said. “There was information that was not clearly given. I don’t think there is a council member up here that anticipated the outcome.”
The Tam Ridge Residences, constructed by San Francisco-based developer MacFarlane Partners, has been called a “monstrosity” by some critics. The public has not shied away from criticizing the size and color — among other things — of the six apartment buildings under construction on 4.5 acres at the former WinCup manufacturing plant site.
The jury, in its June report titled “WinCup/Tam Ridge Residences: How Did It Come to Pass?,” judged the approval process, saying that town officials need to “actually and clearly” inform the public on all future planning and development.
Specifically, the report said because the apartment project was embedded in the town’s general plan, it was easily overlooked by community members.
Additionally, the grand jury recommended the town require project-specific environmental impact reports for all development that may have a significant impact on the environment, as well as create a standing Design Review Committee and develop a community plan for the Tamal Vista Corridor.
In response to the report, the council agreed to continue its Tamal Vista Corridor study. A Design Review Committee will not be created; council members said they were concerned it would slow down the process and said the new planning staff, community workshops and Planning Commission could fill the role.
“What you did was create a land use designation ... called the mixed-use gateway district,” Pendoley said. “You did that with my recommendation. ... There is no question, I told you 25 to 40 (units per acre) and you’re going to have room to work here.
“I did it in good faith. That’s the practice. I believe that,” he said.
Councilman Michael Lappert shook Pendoley’s hand after the meeting to thank him for his statements.
Council members had various reactions to Pendoley’s comments, when contacted Wednesday.
“The fog of war gets hazy,” Lappert said. “The central item of this whole thing was that it was embedded in the general plan. He answered the questions on that. I appreciate his comments.”
Vice Mayor Bob Ravasio, who is up for re-election, agreed.
 “I think he helped crystallize how powerful state forces are in this whole process and going forward everyone in Marin County needs to be wary of it,” he said.
The council, however, did not say it was intentional, said Councilwoman Diane Furst.
“I believe the council didn’t get the best advice,” she said Wednesday.
Condon said Pendoley’s account of the history was interesting. “However, I do think (he) may have fallen short of getting the overall picture,” she said.
Bailey, who is also up for re-election, said he was surprised but glad to see Pendoley speak.
 “I think he has been demonized, to some extent,” he said Wednesday. “I greatly respect the opinions of my fellow council members,” he said. However, “I’m never comfortable pointing the finger at staff. It’s a misdirection.”
September 16, 2015
Marin Independent Journal
By Adrian Rodriguez

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