Why I Landed on "NO" for Measure X
I oppose Measure X because I believe Sausalito can support a vibrant, economically healthy Marinship without giving up the safeguards that protect our waterfront and our neighborhoods.
We must maintain views and waterfront access, attributes that make Sausalito special.
Measure X repeals voter protections for ALL commercial districts throughout Sausalito; it is not just focused on the industrial Marinship district. It includes the smaller neighborhood districts at the north end of town where Tommy's Wok is located, the 7-11 district, the Caledonia Street corridor, the Central Commercial district and the Golden Gate Market district in Old Town. All the commercial districts are highlighted on the following geographic maps with the smaller districts circled:
Measure X empowers big developers, does your neighborhood have the funds to fight them? Measure X would immediately:
· substantially increase development capacity by 650% in the Industrial district (tan), and 900% in the waterfront district (blue), allowing taller and larger buildings;
· repeal the Marinship Specific Plan protections on view corridors, environmental reviews and developer contributions for infrastructure;
· shift authority for further zoning changes to the City Council without voter approval.
Shifting authority for zoning changes means a simle majority of just three City Council members would decide on major zoning changes to the smaller neighborhood districts—including Tommy’s Wok to the north, 7-11, Caledonia and Old Town. This could substantially change the nature, height limits and configuration of these resident -serving commercial districts in our walkable community, without voter approval.
These neighborhoods are particularly vulnerable to Council pressures as we move forward on state mandated housing requirements. The only remaining voter protected districts will be portions of the Central Historic District.
These neighborhood commercial districts sit at the foot of hundreds of hillside homes; a yes vote is disenfranchising these residents from voting on changes to their commercial districts that directly affect their homes, views and traffic.
I believe these are significant, permanent changes that deserve more thoughtful, site-specific planning and meaningful community involvement. We need to protect our working waterfront, artists and makers, public access, views, and neighborhood character while also addressing infrastructure, flooding, and economic vitality. None of these issues were part of a community outreach effort for the one-sided Measure X.
I support responsible investment and appropriate development in the Marinship. Development should be guided by a comprehensive plan, be consistent with what our roads and infrastructure can support, address sea-level-rise risks, and ensure that new development pays its fair share of the costs it creates.
We should be talking about a plan now where we can all reach consensus, and what reasonable interpretations are for businesses currently operating in the Marinship.
Finally, according to the City’s impartial independent legal analysis the 266-page measure has multiple internal inconsistencies and legal contradictions. This alone argues against voting for the measure at this time. Let’s fix it and then move forward.
Most importantly, I believe Sausalito voters should retain an important voice in major changes to our commercial zoning. We can renew the Marinship District without surrendering the protections and local decision-making that have helped define the Sausalito we all love. I trust residents and believe they should have a voice in decisions that shape our town.
VOTE NO ON MEASURE X. A no vote keeps our options open. Let’s keep working on a community plan that listens to all of us, not just a one-sided measure that mainly benefits large commercial property owners and pits one side of Sausalito against another.