Politics & Government

Is Corte Madera Area Too Crowded?

Would the proposed housing project on the current WinCup property help or harm the town? Town Council to meet tonight on nuisance, parking ordinances.

The plan for the WinCup property seems impressive, but will it hold water?

The Corte Madera Town Council at its last meeting, April 19, moved unanimously to move forward with the rezoning of the property to a Mixed-Use Gateway Overlay Zoning District, which would allow for a new housing project. The proposed project would include a number of affordable housing units.

Despite the motion, there remain some questions about the project's viability and its impact on the community.

Find out what's happening in Larkspur-Corte Maderawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Nearby residents of the 4 1/2-acre Corte Madera manufacturing facility expressed concerns over increased traffic when the project was first presented and those concerns seemingly have not yet been allayed.

"The footprint of Casa Madera is larger than the WinCup area and yet we're talking about tripling the kind of density. I'm very concerned about the traffic issues," said Barbara Becker of Council Crest. "I know that corner very well. Tamal Vista is a bottleneck and will likely have to be widened. Also, we're very concerned with how safe it really is … especially since it is a safe route to schools and there are a lot of students who use that route."

Find out what's happening in Larkspur-Corte Maderawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Town officials have also identified a 1.4-acre Wornum Drive site as a possible location for a 25-unit below market rate development.

Others raised concerns about how affordable the housing would really be, even though plans call for 10 percent of the 180 units to be listed as below market rate housing. Dave Coury of Corte Madera Avenue, encouraged property owner Jim Helfrich to consider making more two-bedroom units affordable to low-income families. Elaine Lyford-Nojima of the Marin Environmental Housing Collaborative echoed the sentiment.

Helfrich maintained that a 10 percent BMR is the maximum viable amount for the site and is consistent with other communities, but that he would work with neighbors and the Town to improve plans.

Susan Smart, representing McPharland Partners, which is in talks to purchase the property, said the company would work with local residents on the project, but that a minimum level of economic return must be maintained.

The Town Council is scheduled tonight to take up a possible amendment to the Christmas Tree Hill parking plan, among other topics. See the agenda.


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