Novato housing proposal sent back for more work

A proposed eight-residence development in Novato is on hold after the city deemed the developer’s application incomplete.

Uplight Partners LLC of Mill Valley filed an application with the city in June to develop a vacant lot at 200 San Marin Drive. The property is about half an acre.

The original application called for 13 residences, but the developer could not meet site access requirements for a development of that scale. Jeff Dougherty, the founder of the company, submitted a second application in December to build eight dwellings.

If approved, the project would consist of four buildings each split into two residences. The residences would have three or four bedrooms. One residence would be restricted as affordable housing.

The development application describes the project as a grouping of attached “duets,” which would be “consistent with the surrounding neighborhood character, including the configuration of the adjacent multifamily property.”

The developer received a letter from the city on Jan. 6. It said there are several additional steps that require resubmitting the application and holding a community meeting to gather comments on the project.

The meeting is set for 6 p.m. Thursday in the Hill Community Room at the Hill Recreation Center at 1560 Hill Road. The developer will display illustrations of the project and take questions, and city planning staff will be available to discuss the entitlement process, said city spokesperson Sherin Olivero.

“It is an opportunity for the public to gather information on the project and for the applicant to be made aware of any possible concerns that the public may have regarding the project,” she said.

Dougherty said he is “open to feedback.”

“This is a longtime underutilized site,” he said. “We’re hoping we can utilize the site for housing and meet the city’s goals.”

Dougherty is seeking a California Environmental Quality Act exemption under Senate Bill 10. SB 10 allows municipalities to zone for smaller, more affordable housing projects with 10 dwellings or fewer without having to undergo CEQA review.

The application, resubmitted and deemed complete, would require hearings before the Design Review Commission, the Planning Commission and the City Council.