Community letters protesting the soccer complex

There are 3 letters shown below:

• NSRCR
• MM/SRPNA
• County Supervisors 

NSRCR emailed a notice to the City of San Rafael noting their concerns on the San Rafael Airport Facility.

MM/SRPNA Board of Directors emailed a notice to the City of San Rafael noting their concerns on the Proposed Airport/Soccer Complex.

From: jhrojas435@comcast.net

To: "Kraig Tambornini" Kraig.Tambornini@cityofsanrafael.org

Sent: Monday, May 7, 2012 2:59:05 PM

Subject: Soccer Facility

Dear Kraig Tambornini,

       The Board of Directors of the Mont Marin/San Rafael Park Neighborhood Association wish to state our opposition to the Proposed Airport/Soccer Complex. We do not believe the location is suitable for this development due to the following reasons:

1.  It would be located too close to the airport presenting a safety hazard for people using this facility

2.  The size is much too large a structure adjacent to a marsh land habitat of endangered species (clapper rails)

3.  The proposed time of operation-seven days a week, until midnight- in this location of residental property is unacceptable because of the bright lights and noise.

4.  The presence of alcohol sales with unaccompanied minors in the area using the soccer fields, skate board park, miniature golf, and golf is asking for trouble.

5.  The traffic along Smith Ranch Road would have a negative impact.

6.  Mc Iinnis Park has two soccer fields that are for public use.  There are other soccer fields in Marin which can be used.  With the number of soccer fields in Marin County for local, public use, this is strictly a for profit operation at the expense of a beautiful and sensitive environment.

Sincerely,

John H. Rojas President

Jim Leonard

Carol Sheerin

Monica Rosenberg

Jill Morrison


Marin County Board of Supervisors sent a notice to the City of San Rafael noting their concerns on the San Rafael Airport Recreational Facility.
 


 

Carolyn Lenert comments on the Sports Facility

Airport Soccer Complex Heads to City Council

Carolyn Lenert, Chair

The North San Rafael Coalition of Residents has a 25-year history of representing residents, neighborhoods and the public good.  Although there are at least 37 homeowner associations in our zip code, ours is an "opt-in" organization and we don't always all agree at all times on all issues.  Sometimes an HOA sends a representative to make a public presentation directly, in support and/or in opposition to a project.  Sometimes, the HOAs rely upon a consensus.  We have a long history of community engagement, collaboration and support for recreational opportunities, among other things.

Now comes the Airport Soccer proposal.  The Coalition appreciates your interest in the proposed development at the Smith Ranch/San Rafael Airport, which bills itself as an industrial park.  www.sanrafaelairport.com (see attachment below). and www.LetMarinPlay.com (see atttachment below) .  Land use decisions are always complex.

The land use that is allowed is recreation (and the definition of that---and the word "group") per the recorded Deed of Restriction that was imposed---in exchange for high density development around Autodesk/Vista Marin/Embassy Suites by the same owner/developer as the Airport---are at issue.

The State Division of Aeronautics notes that the soccer complex is planned for a designated safety zone for aircraft (crashes).  The building proposed is not survivable in the event it is hit since it is essentially a metal shed.

Future use of the building as a SMART train repair/maintenance facility is a concern.  Here's is what is planned for Sonoma...Here is a link to a story about a Sonoma airport and the SMART proposal there:

http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20120318/ARTICLES/120319589  (see attachment below.)

Also Sports Facility Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dL-WPSUpm6s  (see attachment below.)

Below I've included a Patch article/link regarding a soccer complex in Piedmont (very similar to ours, but ours is much worse as it is situated 160' from an active runway and located in a fragile wetlands, home to the endangered Clapper Rail) that was denied approval. 

City Council Formally Drops Blair Park Plan.  
http://piedmont.patch.com/articles/city-council-formally-drops-blair-park-plan (See attachment below).

Next:  the San Rafael City Council will hear the proposal and make the final decision, perhaps as soon as the first week of August.  The Mayor has decided not to recuse himself although he has signed an agreement with the airport operator not to oppose development at the site.

The NSRCR, as always, welcomes your comments, engagement and opinions.  To date, those weighing in have not supported the traffic, elimination of habitat, noise, violation of deed, etc. that the City/consultants have identified to date for this proposal for this location.  Let us hear from you whether your HOA is opting in or presenting directly.  Together we are better!

Respectfully submitted,

Carolyn

Let Marin Play 

Press Democrat Article 

Sports Video 


Piedmont patch Article 

Gallinas Creek Wetlands video

 Video by David Fix

A spectacular video of the varied wildlife in the Gallinas Creek
wetlands that surround the San Rafael Airport.      

Click the link to view the video:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ciKD80WLQCk

Airport Video Simulation

Santa Venetia Neighbor Takes You Inside Airport's Proposed Soccer Facility

One Santa Venetia resident created a simulation video of the proposed soccer facility at the San Rafael Airport.

• By Nicole Ely
• Email the author
• San Rafael Patch
• January 23, 2012

View Simulation Video: Embed

Proposed San Rafael Airport Soccer Faciltiy

This video was not commissioned by the City of San Rafael or Patch. Credit Robert Dobrin

Pdfs

Santa Venetia resident Robert Dobrin created this vitural simulation of the San Rafael Airport project that includes constructing a 85,700-square-foot recreational building at 397 Smith Ranch Road.

The above video was created with Google Earth using the exact measurements that were provided to the San Rafael Design Reivew Board, said Dobrin, who believes that the project's scale and issues with noise, lighting and safety make the sport facility inappropriate for the location.

In 2006, the aiport developer sued Dobrin, as well as another outspoken critic of the project, claiming that Dobrin trespassed on airport property to take photos, and that he owned an illegal boat dock that encroached on airport property, according to the Marin Independent Journal.

The staff report addressing the environmental issues raised in public meetings since the draft environmental impact report in 2009 is available above.

Dobrin hopes to present a longer version of this video to the Planning Commission on Tuesday.

The Planning Commission held a public hearing on this topic on Tuesday, Jan. 24 at 7p.m. at the council chambers on 1400 Fifth Ave.