Marin County planning commissioners send Lucas Valley subdivision to environmental review amid fire, grading and traffic concerns

The Marin County Planning Commission voted unanimously June 23 to send the subdivision application for 1501 Lucas Valley Road to environmental review after staff revised an earlier summary-denial recommendation.

County planning staff told commissioners they changed course after receiving late attorney correspondence from the applicant and are now recommending the project be evaluated through CEQA so the county can analyze revised waiver requests — including newly raised grading waivers — and the project in its entirety. "We are recommending that it goes to environmental review," said Manny Barakat, a county planning staff member, explaining the shift in staff recommendation.

Chief Deputy County Counsel Brandon Halter confirmed the record shows the applicant received notice of grading- and roadway-related noncompliance. "The determination that the application is complete does not represent a decision to approve or deny the project," Halter said, adding that completeness does not negate the county's objections to grading…