PETITION IN OPPOSITION TO LOCATING A PROPOSED NORTH MARIN WATER DISTRICT PUMP STATION TO BE CONSTRUCTED SOUTH-EAST OF THE INTERSECTION OF IGNACIO BOULEVARD AND PALMER DRIVE, NOVATO, CALIFORNIA

June 8, 2024

TO:                 North Marin Water District, Board of Directors,

                       The City of Novato, City Council

FROM:           The Residents and Homeowners in the Pointe Marin                               Community and City of Novato Community Facilities                             District No. 2002-1 (Pointe Marin)

FACTS:

The North Marin Water District (NMWD) is considering construction of a Pump Station south-east of the intersection of Ignacio Boulevard and Palmer Drive.  NMWD calls this SITE 2 that is part of four of their five Alternatives (Alternatives B, C, D, and E).  They have identified a site that is located on designated Open Space property that is owned, managed, and maintained by the City of Novato.  The site is presently a linear creek side park.  The cost of maintaining this Open Space Park is paid for by a Special Tax assessed on the property of homeowners residing in the Pointe Marin development.  The proposed Pump Station is a concrete block (CMU) structure, approximately 42 feet by 27 feet in plan dimensions, estimated to be fifteen feet in height above adjacent grade, with an underground level (located below grade).  The building would be sited along/adjacent to the south curb of Ignacio Boulevard.  

[The site is also formally described as Parcel M as shown on the Map of Pointe Marin, Phase One, A subdivision of the Lands of Novato Community Partnership LLC, Sheet 6 of 13, dated August 2001, prepared by CSW/Stuber-Stroeh Engineering Group, Inc.]

STATEMENT OF POSITION:

The undersigned are absolutely opposed to the construction of the proposed NMWD Pump Station at the above-described location.  We are stunned to learn of this proposal to locate an industrial type structure (1) adjacent to residential areas, (2) on City-designated Open Space for Public Use, (3) in close proximity to the Arroyo San Jose Creek, (4) in the heart of Planned District (PD), (5) in a linear park which is a recreational asset, (6) on a scenic Boulevard, and where it would remain for decades as a perpetual eyesore.  

REQUEST TO THE NORTH MARIN WATER DISTRICT:

That the NMWD immediately withdraw the above-described Site from consideration as a location for a new Pump Station.

REQUEST TO THE CITY OF NOVATO:

That the City of Novato take prompt and immediate action to advise the NMWD that the above-described property will not be made available to NMWD by any type of voluntary action of the City, and that the City would oppose any action of the NMWD to proceed by eminent domain.