Novato Planning Commission Meeting - February 23, 2026
Novato Planning Commission Meeting - February 23, 2026
The Novato Planning Commission held a regular meeting on February 23, 2026, at 3:00 PM. The meeting opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and roll call, with Commissioners Crockett, Griggy, Stuckenbroker, Tiernan, and Derby present, and Commissioners Curtis Havill and Tim Roche absent. The agenda was approved unanimously. The primary agenda item was the presentation and recommendation of the 2025 Housing Element Annual Progress Report (APR) to the City Council.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Jeff Doherty, developer of the proposed 200 San Marine Residences Project and a Marin County resident, expressed support for the city's housing efforts and looking forward to working with the commission on future housing projects.
- Derek Nell, a Novato resident representing the Novato Unified School District, acknowledged the city's efforts but noted the high cost of housing and financing ("cost of money") as significant barriers. He urged the commission to remain open to creative and flexible solutions, emphasizing the impact on the workforce and local education.
Discussion Items
- 2025 Housing Element Annual Progress Report (APR) – Staff presented the state-required report detailing the city's progress toward its Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) and housing element program implementation. Key statistics for calendar year 2025:
- Four entitlement applications received (three SB9 urban lot splits and one single-family design review).
- 156 units approved for development.
- 15 building permits issued (14 ADUs/JADUs, 1 single-family dwelling).
- 18 certificates of occupancy granted (all ADUs/JADUs).
- Affordability breakdown for permits: 4 very low-income, 4 low-income, 4 moderate-income, 3 above moderate-income (using a 30%-30%-30%-10% allocation for ADUs/JADUs).
- Cumulative building permits for the current housing element cycle: 141 out of a 2,090-unit goal (1,949 remaining).
- Cumulative entitlements for 2024–2025: 961 units (805 in 2024, 156 in 2025).
- Staff highlighted accomplishments: ADU ordinance update, residential care facility ordinance update, a pet-friendly rental survey, and a dangerous buildings ordinance. Upcoming work includes a transfer of development rights ordinance, hillside ordinance revision, streamlined housing process updates, parking standard updates, and a just cause eviction/tenant protection ordinance.
- Commissioner Tiernan asked about mobile home parks and how affordability is counted. Staff explained that existing parks are considered "naturally occurring affordable housing" and are subject to a rent control ordinance limiting increases to 4% or CPI, whichever is lower. New parks would be subject to inclusionary housing requirements.
- Commissioners Crockett, Griggy, and Stuckenbroker commended staff for their compliance work and acknowledged external factors (interest rates, material costs, labor) affecting development. Commissioner Tiernan expressed hope for flexibility when entitled projects seek revisions (e.g., downzoning) due to changed market conditions.
Key Outcomes
- The Planning Commission unanimously (5-0) voted to recommend that the City Council direct staff to file the 2025 Housing Element Annual Progress Report with the California Department of Housing and Community Development and the Governor’s Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation.
- The meeting adjourned without further business.
Meeting Transcript
Of February 23rd. If you will please join me in standing to the pledge allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. And to the Republic Corporations, one nation under God and invisible liberty of justice for all. Okay. I'm going to do a little roll call. Commissioner Crockett. Here. Commissioner Griggy. Here. Commissioner Stuckenbroker. Here. Commissioner Tiernan. Here. Commissioner Derby's here and Commissioner Curtis Havill and Commissioner Tim Roche are not here. Do I have a motion on the agenda? Move to approve the final agenda. Second. Commissioner Crockett. Aye. Commissioner Griggy. Hi. Commissioner Stuckenbroker. Hi. Commissioner Tiernan. Hi. And Commissioner Derby is an aye. Okay. Uh public comment. I'd like to open the public comment for something that is not on the agenda. Not on the agenda. Not on the agenda. Then I will open public comment. Period. Please step forward. Good evening, Commissioners. My name is Jeff Doherty. I'm the developer on the proposed 200 San Marine Residences Project. I'm also a resident of Marine County to live and work here. As we all know, we need housing if our children and neighbors are going to continue living and working here as well. I support all the work and appreciate the work you're doing on the housing element and meeting arena targets. I'll look forward to working with you on 200 Samaran, as well as future housing projects in the bottom. Thank you. Thank you. So is that the one at San Andreas? Correct. Oh, excellent. Good luck. Thank you. Thank you very much.
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