NOVATO, CA — The Novato City Council voted 3-1 late July to send a letter urging changes to Marin County's controversial Buck Gulch Falls Creek Restoration and Trail Improvement Project following weeks of neighborhood opposition over wildfire safety, parking and emergency access.
The project, proposed by the Marin County Open Space District, would realign trails, construct two pedestrian bridges and boardwalks, restore sections of Arroyo de San Jose Creek, and create an accessible route to Buck Gulch Falls.
County officials said the improvements are intended to increase visitor safety, reduce erosion, protect sensitive habitat and provide year-round access to the popular waterfall.
Tuesday's vote came after an hours-long meeting marked by passionate public testimony from neighbors who warned the project could worsen traffic, parking shortages and evacuation challenges in the Fairway Drive neighborhood, while others urged the city to support improved accessibility to the preserve.
The city's comment letter focuses on construction impacts, parking, trail surfacing, emergency access, public outreach and technical issues identified during staff's review of the environmental document.
Councilmember Pat Eklund praised staff's work but argued the county's environmental review failed to adequately address neighborhood concerns.
"I believe that the County of Marin and the Open Space District approached this project totally incorrectly," Eklund said. "The project alternatives were never brought into the public, never, and nor were they brought to the city."
Councilmember Tim O'Connor said the city's role was to provide meaningful comments on the environmental review rather than revisit the county's planning process.
"Staff did a wonderful job of reviewing the document and putting together meaningful feedback," O'Connor said. "If you have comments and feedback around the report, I think those are fair and valid."
Mayor Pro Tem Kevin Jacobs also urged the council to focus on the city's role, saying, "We can't rebuild the process the county uses to put out a contract."
The council ultimately approved the staff letter on a 3-1 vote, with Eklund dissenting after unsuccessfully seeking additional revisions. Marin County will consider the city's comments as it continues environmental review of the project.
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