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Developer Russell Shaw Hit With CEQU Requirements For Oxford Valley
For a few years now, Russell Shaw has been trying to build about 26 luxury homes on fragile watershed acerage in San Rafael, that contains significant Miwok archeological sites. He recently withdrew his initial plan and submitted a single home construction plan on the Oxford Valley site that many in the neighborhood viewed as an attempt at skirting CEQA requirements.
On February 23, the Marin Community Development Agency sent a notice to developer Russell Shaw, that his attempt to build even one house on the fragile, Miwok Indian archeological site at Oxford Valley required environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). This is a big temporary victory for the actvists trying to protect this land. Shaw had driven a bulldozer around the property a few weeks ago and continues to park it at the entry to the site. The bulldozer was seen driving dangerously close to some of the sacred shell mounds that exist on the property. In today's Marin IJ, Shaw published a giant add warning Marin residents that their property rights were being threatened by Marin's proposed Countywide plan for creek set backs. (see photo scan of Russell Shaw's add here ) Two seasonal creeks run through Oxford valley that convey vital water resources to nearby Gallinas Creek - a know habitat for endangered Clapper Rails and the salt marsh harvest mouse. The creeks run almost the entire length of Oxford Valley and are part of a complex estuary and watershed system. Oxford Valley activists have cited this issue in their objections to Shaw's development.
For information on Oxford Valley and Russell Shaw please visit: http://brightpathvideo.com/oxford/OxfordValley2.html
For information on Oxford Valley and Russell Shaw please visit: http://brightpathvideo.com/oxford/OxfordValley2.html
For more information:
http://brightpathvideo.com/oxford/OxfordVa...
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Just to clarify this passage:
"The Schwartz family that sold Russell Shaw the Oxford Valley site was able to skirt environmental review for a collection of big box homes close by, because one of the family was in county planning..."
The engineer on this project was Irving Schwartz, who has never had a financial interest in this property and has never had a role in the County's planning commission. In fact, if you do your homework you would find that he has at times been at odds with the planning commission. The reason for the lots on Leona being developed is that the County approved these lots back in the 1950s.
"The Schwartz family that sold Russell Shaw the Oxford Valley site was able to skirt environmental review for a collection of big box homes close by, because one of the family was in county planning..."
The engineer on this project was Irving Schwartz, who has never had a financial interest in this property and has never had a role in the County's planning commission. In fact, if you do your homework you would find that he has at times been at odds with the planning commission. The reason for the lots on Leona being developed is that the County approved these lots back in the 1950s.
C'mon guys, isn't there one of you that can fess up to what's really going on? For 25 years you've had a 30 acre backyard to dump your trash and walk your dogs. And now you're not happy that the rightful owner wants to exercise his rights. If you're so concerned about Miwok history, I suggest you do some research closer to home - your own home.
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