Marin Voice: Dominican Valley is an open-space treasure in San Rafael

Save Dominican Valley is a San Rafael neighborhood coalition of more than 450 members dedicated to permanently protecting the 21-acre Dominican Valley/Gold Hill Grade property — a rare, pristine open space that has been enjoyed by the Marin community for generations.

For decades, first under the care of the Dominican Sisters and later Dominican University, this steep, forested land was maintained as open space and made accessible to the public. It has long been a vital gateway to nearly 3,000 acres of protected land in Barbier City Park, San Pedro Ridge County Open Space and China Camp State Park.

This property is cherished not only for its beauty and tranquility, but for its function. Hikers, cyclists, birders, students, families and local sports teams rely on it daily. For San Rafael neighbors — and for Marin County at large — it is an irreplaceable connection to nature.

That is why SDV strongly opposes the proposal to transform this 21-acre jewel into a 64-unit residential subdivision, most of which would consist of multi-million-dollar homes. San Rafael already has multiple housing projects underway or planned in areas far better suited for development — closer to public transportation, infrastructure, schools, shopping and major roadways.

SDV acknowledges the need for affordable housing, but for a host of reasons this site is wrong for dense residential development. Indeed, it was excluded from the housing element submitted by city officials to comply with state law. It was left off that list of potential housing sites because of its unsuitability for a high-density housing project. The proposed development would result in severe environmental damage: clear-cutting a mature forest, destroying heavily used trails, fragmenting wildlife habitat and eliminating recreational access. It would also add an estimated 500 car trips per day to already woefully inadequate, often single-lane roads, raising serious fire safety and evacuation concerns.

SDV is not simply saying no. We are offering a better vision.

Our proposal is to purchase the land from the developer and transfer it to a nonprofit organization committed to permanent protection through a conservation easement. Under this plan, the land would be preserved in perpetuity, public access for hiking and cycling would be guaranteed and long-term stewardship and maintenance would be ensured.

This vision is achievable. The Hoffman Institute, which recently acquired the adjacent Santa Sabina Center from the Dominican Sisters, has agreed to take title to the property and serve as its long-term steward, while also contributing financially to the purchase. The Marin Open Space Trust (MOST), a respected local nonprofit, strongly supports this effort and would manage negotiations, fundraising for the acquisition and the establishment of permanent open-space protections.

In effect, the land would return to its historic role as protected open space — this time with ironclad assurances that it can never be developed.

The remaining obstacle is a willing seller.

The developer, Dominican Valley LLC, faces a long, costly and uncertain path if it pursues the 64-unit project — potentially years of review and litigation. City officials have already determined that a full environmental impact report is required, a process expected to take more than 14 months and cost the developer more than $750,000 just to initiate. Over four months after receiving an invoice from the city, we have confirmed that this fee has still not been paid.

MOST has reached out repeatedly to begin purchase discussions. So far, the developer has declined to engage.

We hope that changes. Preserving Dominican Valley as open space is the right outcome — for neighbors, for Marin County and for future generations. This is a rare opportunity for a true win-win: permanent conservation, guaranteed public access and an end to prolonged conflict over one of San Rafael’s treasured landscapes.

Our committee asks for your support to help purchase and permanently preserve this site. We need your involvement to oppose the project.  You can help by contacting the city, encouraging your neighbors to join us, keeping up your yard-signs and banners and by donating to cover legal and consultant costs.

Barbara Laflin Treat, of San Rafael, is a member of the Save Dominican Valley steering committee. Learn more at SaveDominicanValley.com.