Regional Land Company

20 Sunnyside A-285

Mill Valley, CA 94941-1928 kjheis@aol.com 415-492-4544

 

April 22, 2001

 

Marge Kolar

U. S. Fish & Wildlife

POB 524

Freemont, CA

 

Re:     Opposition to Baylands Refuge Mapping process

 

Dear Ms. Kolar:

 

As land broker/developers, our organization procures land and develops the communities where we live, work and raise families.  Our group unequivocally supported our nation's current President because we believe that the responsibility for our country's success lies with individuals, not big government.

 

It appears that the Baylands Refuge process has been poorly orchestrated.  First, all landowners are not notified when their properties are tagged for refuge status.  In that step, there is no inquiry as to whether property owners desire to have their land considered for inclusion in a Fish & Wildlife mapping process.  Conveniently, apologies are made to the public and the cities of San Rafael and Novato for failing to notify all of the landowners in a timely manner.  Finally, promises are made to find correct,

up-to-date addresses for the landowners so that proper and timely public hearings can be held.  This is a very inefficient, unfair process.  Worse, it reflects poorly on our republic's bedrock principle of having individuals control their own lands, for which they pay taxes and provide our nations' infrastructure.

 

Affluent Marin has serious housing, traffic, and even revenue generating problems that are of much higher concern than putting a devaluing stamp of 'Baylands Refuge' on a piece of property.  Marin, with 84% of its land in open space, park, and farm land, does not need more open space.  It does not need to have additional problems place on land owners and developers that comes with having to rebut the perception that comes with having their land labeled 'Baylands Refuge.'  It does not need to lose land that could provide jobs and housing.  It does not need to lose the property tax revenue that results from finally placing lands in a refuge or devaluing its property by appraising it as such.

 

To this end, we strongly support the exemption of Canalways, Silveira's and St. Vincent's property and any other landowners who so desire from being included in your mapping process.  Please inform me in writing as to how:

 

You will balance the need for housing and the property owners’ desire to be excluded from your process with the final Baylands Refuge Mapping Boundary?

 

Sincerely,

 

REGIONAL LAND COMPANY, INC

 


K. T   H

Kevin Heisinger

Principal

AAli Moazami

Ali Moazzami

Associate


CC:

Gale Norton, Department of Interior

Mel Martinez, U.S. Department of HUD

Julie Bornstein, California Dept. of Housing

Bill Pavao, California Department of Housing

Mike Spear, Regional Director USF&WS

Dan Ashe, USF&WS , Refuge Director

San Rafael Chamber

San Rafael Dredge Committee       

Congresswoman Woolsey

Senator Boxer

Senator Feinstein

Marin & Sonoma Supervisors

Bay Planning Coalition

Mayor Al Boro & Council Members

San Rafael Planning Department

Assemblyman Joe Nation

North Bay Agricultural Coalition

Kerner Partners

Novato Council