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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