Proposed 64-home development on a 19-acre parcel adjacent to Dominican University of California, consisting of 27 single-family houses, 17 townhomes, 6 duplex dwellings, and 14 junior accessory dwelling units deed-restricted for low-income households. The property was purchased from Dominican University. The developer is using the state Builder's Remedy provision, qualifying via the 14 deed-restricted ADUs satisfying the 20% affordability requirement.
| Date | Event | What the record shows |
|---|---|---|
| October 8, 2024 | Application Filed | Developer Dominican Valley LLC submitted application for 64-home mixed residential project to the City of San Rafael. (Date inferred from "30 days before Nov 7, 2024" — verify against city records.) Press Democrat / Marin Independent Journal, May 17, 2026: https://www.pressdemocrat.com/2026/05/17/san-rafael-housing-developer-pressures-city-for-approval/ |
| November 7, 2024 | Deemed Consistent | Project automatically deemed legally consistent with city standards, 30 days after the city determined the application was complete. Triggered by operation of state housing law. Press Democrat / Marin Independent Journal, May 17, 2026: https://www.pressdemocrat.com/2026/05/17/san-rafael-housing-developer-pressures-city-for-approval/ |
| July 2, 2025 | City Reverses Position | City of San Rafael issued an inconsistency determination, reversing its earlier acknowledgment that the project was deemed consistent. Cited inconsistency with general plan height/density standards and hillside development standards. Press Democrat / Marin Independent Journal, May 17, 2026: https://www.pressdemocrat.com/2026/05/17/san-rafael-housing-developer-pressures-city-for-approval/ |
| September 15, 2025 | EIR Demanded | City directed Dominican Valley LLC to pay more than $742,000 in advance to cover the cost of an Environmental Impact Report to be conducted by Environmental Science Associates. Developer has not paid. Press Democrat / Marin Independent Journal, May 17, 2026: https://www.pressdemocrat.com/2026/05/17/san-rafael-housing-developer-pressures-city-for-approval/ |
| April 15, 2026 | Demand Letter | Developer's attorney Brian O'Neill sent an 11-page letter to the city demanding immediate ministerial approval and threatening legal action. Letter cited nearly $1 million in delay fees caused by city's actions. Press Democrat / Marin Independent Journal, May 17, 2026: https://www.pressdemocrat.com/2026/05/17/san-rafael-housing-developer-pressures-city-for-approval/ |
| May 17, 2026 | Press Coverage | Press Democrat publishes detailed account of the standoff, raising public visibility of the dispute. Status as of publication: unresolved, with developer threatening litigation. Press Democrat / Marin Independent Journal: https://www.pressdemocrat.com/2026/05/17/san-rafael-housing-developer-pressures-city-for-approval/ |
Rating 2 of 5. Two sources; some dates or figures remain unconfirmed. Corrections: https://whokilledthebuilding.com/corrections.