Hugs from supporters mixed with tears of joy and relief Monday night after Dominican Sisters of San Rafael’s housing use permit amendment won a 5-0 favorable vote from the San Rafael City Council.
“It’s been so long,” said Sister Patricia Simpson of a nine-month-long approval process that included three appeals from next-door neighbor Christopher Dolan, an attorney.
“I’m so very happy,” she added. Simpson is director of Our Lady of Lourdes Convent at 77 Locust Ave., where the sisters now have a green light to renovate a space to house two single moms and their children for a two-year transitional period. While living at the convent, which is adjacent to Dominican University, the families will receive counseling, training and other services from Homeward Bound of Marin.
Dolan, who had hinted in recent days that he might file a lawsuit if his third appeal was denied — as it was — left the matter open Monday.
“I don’t know if further action (will happen),” he said after the decision. “I have great empathy for the women (who will stay at the convent).
“I also have great concern about the sale of the property in the future, and the effect (of the project) on the future,” he said. “That’s an issue I don’t think we can ignore.”
Monday’s vote denied Dolan’s appeal of the two-year use permit amendment submitted by the nuns.
“This community is special in a lot of ways,” said Mayor Gary Phillips, addressing the packed meeting room. “One of those ways is that you’re a compassionate community — you folks expressed that tonight.”
Close to 20 residents spoke during public comment Monday. Most of those urged the council to deny the appeal as a way to offer some relief in the housing crisis faced by many in Marin.
“This addresses a larger concern for people who are struggling to make it,” said Mary K. Sweeney, executive director of Homeward Bound. She noted that the minor renovation of a so-called “yellow hallway” in the convent to accommodate a kitchen and living space for the two families was a “modest” first step to address an imbalance of resources among Marin families.
“Indeed, there needs to be 100 ‘yellow hallway’ projects in Marin,” she said.
Those who spoke against the project agreed with Dolan that future changes in the neighborhood could result by opening the door even just a crack in that direction.
“I have a suspicion that this will have unintended consequences,” said a man who said he lived on the same street as the convent. “It will be letting the horse out of the barn.”
City officials rejected that argument, saying they could only look at the plan in front of them. Any future projects will need the same type of close scrutiny, they said.
“I’m a single mother,” said Councilwoman Maribeth Bushey. “The only way I’ve been able to stay in Marin is through the help of others in the community and here on council.
“When I hear talk about ‘them’ (homeless people), I take it personally,” she said.
Council members, in denying the appeal, upheld two previous decisions: one by the Planning Commission in March; and, before that, by the city’s Community Development Director Paul Jensen, acting in the capacity of zoning administrator, in January. Both the prior decisions were appealed by Dolan, and both of those appeals were denied.
“There was some mention (by Dolan) of a pre-existing bias,” said Councilwoman Kate Colin. “No bias exists — this application meets all the requirements of our General Plan and its elements.”
Two clergymen who said they are members of Marin Interfaith Council said they were there to counter what they believed was a NIMBY — Not in My Backyard — sentiment they perceived in the appeals.
“Everyone here who wants to say, ‘Yes, in my backyard,’ please stand up,” one of the men said, after which about a third of the audience stood up.
Sister Maureen McInerney of the Dominican Sisters said she was “very grateful” for the decision and “very appreciative” of the City Council’s actions.
“And we certainly are appreciative of all the people who turned out for the meeting,” she said.
