Essential Info

On January 4, 2024, the city sent the developer a 28-page letter informing them that their development application was incomplete and setting forth the issues that needed to be addressed before the application could move forward.

On January 24, 2024, SDV sent the City a response to their Letter of Incompleteness detailing why the Builder's Remedy does not apply and requesting that the City formally inform the Developer of such. Click here to see the letter sent to the City.

See the Development Plans

Formal Application:

As of December 6, 2023, Dominican Valley LLC has submitted a formal application to the City of San Rafael Planning Division for 50 homes, which includes 27 single family homes, 17 townhomes (14 with junior ADUs) and 6 duplexes:

Link to Planning Submittal

Link to Application

Link to Landscape Plans

Link to Project Description

Link to Response Letter

Link to Incompleteness Letter Issued by City

One-page markup of site from Planning Submittal - click to enlarge.

The city has also updated the project page for the Dominican Valley project, which can be found here: https://www.cityofsanrafael.org/dominican-residential/

Preliminary Application:

As of June 22, 2023, the developer has submitted 5 different pre-applications to the City of San Rafael Planning Division, 4 of which claim eligibility for what is known as the "Builder's Remedy". The proposals range from:

29 Residences Plan - click to enlarge.

See Full Plans for 29 residences

23 two-story single-family homes and 6 townhomes.

36 Residences Plan - Click to enlarge.

See Full Plans for 36 residences

30 two-story single-family homes and 6 three-story townhomes.

54 Residences Plan - click to enlarge

See Full Plans for 54 residences

42 three-story townhomes, 10 two-story single-family homes and 2 duplexes.

75 Residences Plan - click to enlarge

See Full Plans for 75 residences

75 three-story townhomes.

Each pre-application is accompanied by Exhibits. The exhibits are the same for each application, click the links to view.

Other Maps | Deed for Land | LLC Documents | Owner Letter

The developer's pre-applications were submitted to benefit from Senate Bill (SB) 330, known as “Builder's Remedy”. A statewide law, SB 330 expedites building permits by eliminating the need for developers to be compliant with local development standards. It also greatly reduces the number of public meetings required for any project.

Learn about SB 330 and its impact on our communities. Also OurNeighborhoodVoices.com

Developers may apply for SB 330 permits only when a municipality has not adopted a Housing Element Plan that is in substantial compliance with state law.

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The city of San Rafael adopted its 2023-2031 Housing Element Plan, which included state-requested revisions, on June 7, 2023. The city received formal state certification of the plan on June 22, 2023.

Click here to see San Rafael's state-certified 2023-2031 Housing Element Plan.

Status of the Development Plans

On July 28, 2023, the San Rafael Planning Division responded to the development plans with preliminary application letters that grant the applicant “vested rights” to continue with the application process.

Click here to see the city’s response to the plans, located under Preliminary Application Letter or click the links below.

Based on the May 15, 2023, date on which the city adopted its state-compliant 2023-2031 Housing Element Plan, we do not believe the developer's plans qualify for SB 330. Marin County non-profit Community Venture Partners supported this position in a letter sent to the city on August 8, 2023.

Click here to see the letter.

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In a September 8, 2023 letter to the city, coalition members outlined their concerns about inaccuracies in the submitted pre-applications and provided a detailed analysis explaining why the applications do not follow city code, were erroneously approved and should be retracted.

Click here to see the letter sent to the city.