LARKSPUR 979 new units

APPROVED UNDER NEW LAWS 

Larkspur planning board approves controversial townhome project (marinij.com) 

“The Larkspur Planning Commission has begrudgingly approved a townhome and retail project, saying the city has been handcuffed by state housing laws.

“It seems like the ability for us to do anything about a lot of this is very limited,” Jeffrey Swisher, a member of the commission, said at its meeting on Feb. 28. “But that’s not going to stop me as a citizen of Larkspur and a planning commissioner of saying that this building is too tall,” he said. “This building is not attractive. This building needs a significant redesign to fit into the landscape of Larkspur … 

to make it more acceptable to the city and to the 

members of the community.”

https://www.marinij.com/2023/02/15/larkspur-townhome-project-set-for-planning-board-review/

By adding 20% below market rate units  (two moderate, two low) the project was entitled to approval under a streamlined process, using only objective design standards, and qualifies for bourses under the housing accountability act — concessions and waivers to height, setbacks and parking requirements, and more.

THAT’S WHY IT CAN BE 54’ TALL

150 MAGNOLIA VILLAGE TYPE PROJECTS

WOULD CREATE 3,000 units

• 2400 market rate (375 required) 
•  600  moderate / low (604 required)  including extra low — table below

Above moderate would be satisfied over 700%

Moderate and below moderate barely satisfied

At this rate (80/20) it would take 150 developments like this to satisfy the state requirements

Larkspur’s Mandate: 

375 ABOVE MODERATE 

TOTAL 605 MODERATE AND BELOW 

• 375 above moderate
• 145 moderate 
• 168 low
• 292 very low

Community input and character are irrelevant.

A perfect example: 20% lower income units  allows 80% market rate units with bonuses.

Sixteen large market-rate townhomes: Four below-market homes: one-car garages. 12 retail spaces including the existing Rustic Bakery.