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Just one year ago, Responsible Growth in Marin formed as a grassroots group of Terra Linda residents and businesses after Costco Wholesale announced plans to open a new megastore at Northgate Mall. We believed that big-box warehouse development was incompatible with established San Rafael planning guidelines and the vibrant, healthy residential character of our community. In this short time span, much has happened. Back Story When Northgate Mall was purchased in 2017, the mall owner surveyed our community and, based on its findings, envisioned developing the mall into a mixed-use town center that would be a destination where people could shop, work, live, dine, recreate and gather. On August 7, 2019, the mall owner and Costco Wholesale representatives met with members of the community to share their intentions to build a three-story, 142,000 sq. ft. Costco Wholesale megastore, including 30 gas pumps, in the area of the mall currently occupied by Sears. They confirmed that housing would not be included since it was “not economically feasible” and that only large, national chain restaurants and retailers were to be considered. It was clear that their initial design concepts and commitments had radically changed. Concerns in the community immediately ensued about increased traffic, noise, pollution, and other environmental and safety hazards. Neighbors contacted neighbors. The community mobilized, and on August 26, 2019 we held our first group meeting at Quail Hill community center. Responsible Growth in Marin (RGM) was conceived. In the next few months we launched our website and Facebook page; organized work teams and team leaders; began creating a database of supporters (now almost 1000 strong); and filed papers to become a federal tax-exempt 501(c)(3) nonprofit and California benefit corporation. In October 2019 we brought in over 200 supporters to the San Rafael Planning Commission, where Costco Wholesale plans were officially presented. Later we orchestrated about 150 supporters at the Design Review Board meeting, also at City Hall. In part because of RGM’s overwhelming mobilization, the Planning Commission and Design Review Board stated that the gas stations were a non-starter and that the mall owner must develop a proposal for the entire mall, not just the defunct Sears. RGM’s impact at City Hall was clear, and we established credibility both with the city and mall owner. We were growing and gaining recognition as an influential organization with a pulse on the community, providing carefully researched and vetted information. Soon after, RGM sought out other like-minded community organizations to collaborate in support of mutual goals. Strategic Pivot In the new year, and after input from the community and our own strategic planning, RGM pivoted from reactive to proactive. We focused on developing a clear organizational mission and vision: to develop Northgate as a vibrant, sustainable mixed-use town center that will be profitable for all stakeholders—the mall owner, the city and the community, in support of a quality of life that we all value. As malls around the country were dying and retailers were struggling, it became apparent that Northgate needed to be reimagined to survive and thrive. We eschewed easy band-aid fixes like megastores which would bring little to our low-density local neighborhood, except traffic, noise and light pollution. Volunteer architects and an engineer from our community joined RGM to research and formulate creative ideas and craft a preliminary community vision for the mall. This summer, RGM presented San Rafael officials with design concepts for a live-work-play town center, receiving positive feedback and encouragement. Outreach & Organizing All along the way, RGM moved forward, stayed engaged, and influenced policy by participating regularly in San Rafael City Council and other committee meetings (overflow crowds at the Planning Commission and Design Review Board meetings) mobilizing letter-writing campaigns and petitions (over 300 letters to the city plus more than 1000 signed petitions supporting our cause) testifying in support of retaining a previous traffic standard that requires new, large development take into consideration the impact of additional traffic on local congestion and traffic flow researching and later supporting the state’s Priority Development Area (PDA) criteria, which would fund the development for a specific plan for Northgate Mall
What’s Next? Later this year the city will be advised of PDA approval and, if confirmed, funding will be allocated at a future date. At that point, the city will be inviting the community and the mall owner to participate in open sessions to discuss the plan and solicit feedback. RGM will be an essential player in this process. To find out more about our first year successes and strategies for the future, view the minutes from our September 30th online anniversary meeting.)
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