Supervisors urge planning commission to use October retreat to tackle housing, climate and equity

Supervisor Mary Sackett (District 1), president of the Marin County Board of Supervisors, and County CEO Derek Johnson addressed the Planning Commission to encourage a full-commission retreat on Oct. 14. Sackett said the retreat should help commissioners build trust, clarify expectations between staff, the commission and the board, and prepare the commission to address complex land-use and policy decisions.

Derek Johnson outlined the Board of Supervisors’ priorities—affordable housing and permanent supportive housing, racial equity, climate change and sea level rise, disaster preparedness, county infrastructure, and community and economic vitality—and asked commissioners to keep those priorities in mind when advising the board. Both speakers emphasized the interconnectedness of housing, climate, homelessness and infrastructure and urged commissioners to balance short-term project review with long-range planning.

Staff noted the retreat is scheduled for Oct. 14; Oct. 29 and Nov. 13 meeting dates were tentative or canceled depending on agenda needs. Commissioners were reminded to coordinate with supervisors, attend the retreat and make use of staff support during the county’s rapidly changing policy environment.