On October 27, the Novato City Council received a presentation from Marin County staff regarding their intent to purchase Inn Marin located at 250 Entrada Drive, Novato (APN: 160-161-21) to potentially house local unsheltered residents through the State of California’s Homekey Program.

The purpose of this presentation was to inform our community and Council about this project and allow an opportunity for the community to share input to County staff. Council received over 300 written and verbal comments from community members on this proposed County project. Additionally, the Council members provided their individual comments to County staff.

While the County’s application process did not include the City’s vetting of this project and the Novato City Council does not have the authority to vet it through the City’s normal land use process, the City Council is committed to hearing from the community on this potential program and has agendized discussions about the pending project at the following meetings in anticipation of the County’s continued negotiation with the property owner:

• City Council Special Meeting - Closed Session on Friday, November 6 at 3pm
• City Council Meeting - Open Session on Tuesday, November 10 at 6pm (Please note that the Inn Marin item will be heard no earlier than 7:30pm.)
• City Council Meeting - Closed Session on Tuesday, November 10 upon adjournment of the open session

Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9, the City Council will discuss potential initiation of litigation in closed session. During their open session meeting, the Council will review and consider options on whether to take a formal position on behalf of the City about this item. At this time, no determination on what action, if any, the Council may take, has been decided as the Council has not yet determined next steps. If at any point, the City learns from the County that the proposed project has been permanently withdrawn from consideration, then subsequent Council agenda items relating to the project will not occur. 

As always, the community is welcome to submit public comment. Instructions on how to provide public comment to the City Council are available at novato.org/agendas.

To watch Marin County’s presentation to the Novato City Council from the October 27, 2020 meeting, please visit novato.org/watchmeetings.

For information on upcoming Marin County Board of Supervisors’ meetings, visit marincounty.org/bos.