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After a long and difficult year, we extend our best wishes to all during this holiday season. Despite the unprecedented challenges, 2020 has been an eventful year for RGM and the causes we care about. Firstly, we’d like to recognize and congratulate newly elected San Rafael officials, including Kate Colin, as Mayor; Rachel Kertz, as Council Member, District 4; and Gina Daly, Board of Education Trustee, Area 1. RGM welcomes this new leadership and continues to support city initiatives that maintain the health and wellbeing of our community, and that advocate for responsible growth at Northgate Mall and in all North San Rafael. For more than 30 years our community has been envisioning a unique and vibrant town center at Northgate Mall. It is was featured in the San Rafael 2010 Vision Plan, the 2020 General Plan and, now, the 2040 General Plan. This vision has been in the works for a long time! PRIORITY DEVELOPMENT AREA APPROVED We may be closer to achieving this historic vision. This year, the City of San Rafael designated North San Rafael (including Northgate Mall) as a Priority Development Area, and will facilitate a community-wide planning process in 2021. RGM and the community was successful in lobbying the city to apply for and receive approval for this designation. The state will provide funds next summer for San Rafael, the mall owner, and the community to develop a “specific plan” for North San Rafael. RGM will lobby for a sustainable, mixed-use town center offering a unique live-work-play model of business, retail, entertainment and housing. SAN RAFAEL GENERAL PLAN 2040 CLOSE TO ADOPTION In addition, the state mandates that every twenty years cities and counties in California prepare a General Plan for its future growth and development. The General Plan outlines San Rafael's vision for its future, including policies for growth and conservation of the city. The General Plan 2040 will be the governing model for San Rafael (including Northgate Mall) for the next 20 years. It is imperative that our community stay engaged, as we advocate for a vision aligned with our mission and values. The city encourages community participation and has created a comprehensive portal to inform residents about Draft Plan 2040 before it is
officially adopted. The website includes information about meetings and events, environmental review, and a link to “share your ideas.” VIRTUALLY ATTEND IMPORTANT CITY MEETINGS Tuesday, December 15, 7:00 pm — TONIGHT!
Planning Commission meeting: Agenda includes comments and questions on the San Rafael Draft General Plan 2040 Monday, December 21, 7:00 pm
City Council meeting: Agenda includes inclusionary percentages for affordable housing, hillside exceptions and height bonuses. HOW CAN WE MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN 2021? Last year Costco Wholesale presented a preliminary proposal to turn the old Sears building at Northgate Mall into one of its megastores with a 30-gas pump station. RGM was born as a voice against this proposal, but has evolved from a reactive grass-roots organization to a proactive powerhouse in the community. While neither Costco nor the mall owner has resubmitted a formal proposal to the city, RGM stands firm in its commitment to responsible, sustainable and beautiful development at Northgate Mall and in all of North San Rafael. This is a pivotal time for the future of San Rafael as the various planning initiatives go forward. But we need your support to create that vision for now and the years to come. Stay tuned, engaged and involved. If you haven’t already, you may wish to join us as a volunteer—we are a completely volunteer-based organization. If you are unable to contribute your time, please consider making a donation. Warm and safe holiday greetings to all!
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