San Rafael Tree Advisory Committee
For interested parties and tree advocates, there are 4 at-large postions open for the San Rafael Tree Advisory Committee. To learn more - www.cityofsanrafael.org/news_section/tree_advisory_committee_announcement.htm
Hiway 101 Project
The widening project is moving along and, while disruptive to the neighborhood, the problems have been kept to a minimum. The Association is tracking the following items.
Landscaping - Some trees were removed as part of the project and the freeway noise increased substantially. Final landscaping plans have not been completed. We want to make sure that the trees are replaced.
Freeway exit - Landscaping also has not been completed for the Lincoln interchange. This will be the gateway to the city and our neighborhood. it needs to be attractively landscaped with signage announcing our neighborhood.
Park - A 600 x 70 parcel of land owned by CalTrans will be surplus. We would like to have the land ceded to the city for a future park for our neighborhood's children to play.
Current Projects
1867 Lincoln - condo development sent back for design changes by the Design review board. No action at this time.
The Mews - work procedes
Lincoln and Mission - Project is stalled, no action at this time
The Villa - Project in conceptual stages for expansion and redesing of the Villa Motel. The Association has seen and commented on teh early conceptual design.
Elk's Club Condos - 52 unit condo complex on the rear parking lot of the Elk's Club. The Association has responded to developers concept, showing concern for pedestrian traffic, access to adjacent parks and related parking and the need for sensitive design for this fragile site.
Lincoln Avenue Parking Strips
Discussions are underway with Public Works regarding devising a recommended standard for the much neglected parking strips along Lincoln. We are asking the city to make recommendations for proper plants and have contacted Sloat Garden suppy to offer discounts for property owners.
About the "San Rafael Heart"
The heart was inspiration of Heidi Kuhn (the Roots of Peace lady) about 5 or 6 years ago. She brought together dozens of volunteers, including many members of the LSRHNA, and hundreds of donated daffodil bulbs. These were planted in the shape of a heart on Martin Luther King Day. The following year, the rocks were added to better outline the shape. Narcissus and more daffodils were planted by volunteers, many of them children. More bulbs were planted and the rocks were white-washed the following year, on Martin Luther King Day. As the site, accessible from Robert Dollar Drive, gets many visitors, Ms. Kuhn has been regularly maintaining the grounds. The thanks belong to her and to the many volunteers who have and continue to work on this project.