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Community Corner

Corte Madera Town Council Member Ingores the Resolution of his own Town Council

Today Town Council Member Bob Ravasio and his investor Steven Shaw IGNORED the resolution of the Corte Madera Town council and cut down two redwood trees on an empty lot at 150 Edison Ave.  Even after the Corte Madera Planning Director, Dan Bell visited the site and asked them to stop during the cutting of the first tree-they refused and cut them both down.

Thank you the response, I understand that there are a lot of personal relationships involved in this situation which make it uncomfortable for everyone.  I will address each of your points listed below.

1)  I was not questioning the legality of the tree removal, but the ethics involved.  The resolution No 09/2013 which I was referencing is in regards to the appeal of the Planning Commission’s decision and the subsequent denial of a design review permit for the project at 150 Edison by the Town Council.  This Resolution states that, “The Town Council questioned whether a Tree Permit should have been issued” regarding the two redwood trees in this project.

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2) The same resolution states that the Town Council, “finds that the removal of both the majestic redwoods on the property, in conjunction with the design of the proposed project, will adversely affect the natural beauty of the neighborhood and the Town”.

3) My Fiancé and I do live next door and our appeal is pending and did include the unnecessary removal of both redwood trees.

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4) My fiancé and I knew the lot was going to be developed when we purchased our home from Bob Ravasio and we are not against a house being built on the lot.  We are appealing based on the negative impact this specific design has to our home and the neighborhood.

5) I realize that Bob Ravasio and Steve Shaw were under no legal obligation to comply with Dan Bell.   I am questioning the ethics of removing the trees while in the middle of the appeal process and working to determine a resolution that works for both parties.

Councilmember Bob Ravasio has not recused himself from all Town proceedings related to the development of this property.  He represented this project to the Planning Commission at the initial meeting.  This directly violates the California Fair Political Practices Act which states that,

“a public official may appear before his or her own public agency for the purpose of representing his or her personal interests. (Regulation, § 18702.4, subds. (a)(2) and (b)(1).) The purpose of this exclusion is to allow citizens to exercise their constitutional rights to communicate with their government. However, the exclusion is limited in that it applies to situations in which the decision will solely affect the official’s personal interests (e.g., real property or business solely owned by the official or members of his or her immediate family).  

Councilmember Bob Ravasio only owns 20% of this property.

 

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