State Urges Review of Belvedere Housing Project
A rendering of a housing development proposed for the Mallard Pointe complex in Belvedere.
By GIUSEPPE RICAPITO | gricapito@marinij.com | Marin Independent Journal – October 15, 2023
Belvedere must bring a controversial housing development proposal up for review at a public hearing, according to a recent letter from the state housing agency.
The city received the letter from the Department of Housing and Community Development on Sept. 29. It urged the city to schedule a forum on plans for the Mallard Pointe complex.
“Conversations with the city have not resulted in a credible explanation of the delay in scheduling a public hearing given the project application was deemed complete over a year ago,” the letter said.
The Mallard Pointe neighborhood, built in 1951, includes 22 residences on 2.8 acres. The proposed project would demolish the residences and build 16 detached or duplex homes, three accessory dwelling units and 23 apartments in a roughly 36-foot-tall complex along Community Road.
The project has languished for more than a year since an application that property owners Mallard Pointe 1951 LLC filed with the city was deemed complete on June 23, 2022. A preliminary application was submitted the previous summer.
The state’s letter about Mallard Pointe said the state has had two calls with the city this year to discuss the project, on Feb. 2 and June 23. The state asked the city to respond to its letter within 30 days.
“The approval of this project would help meet this challenge and meaningfully advance the City in its goal to achieve its 6th cycle RHNA targets,” the letter said. “HCD strongly urges the City to schedule a public hearing for review of the Project.”
RHNA refers to the Regional Housing Needs Allocation Plan, which assigns each Bay Area jurisdiction a portion of the state’s mandate for more dwellings. Under the RHNA, Belvedere must allow 160 more homes during the state’s 2023-2031 planning cycle.