San Rafael planning effort looks to elevate Latino voices
October 18, 2024
By Adrian Rodriguez | arodriguez@marinij.com | Marin Independent Journal
PUBLISHED: October 18, 2024 at 6:11 p.m.
A new initiative is underway that aims to empower east San Rafael’s Latino residents as the city plans for the future of the Canal neighborhood.
The initiative — “Nuestro Canal, Nuestro Futuro,” which translates to “Our Canal, Our Future” — is designed to ensure that residents are part of planning process for projects around transit, sea-level rise, safety, health and housing.
The effort, spearheaded by the nonprofit Canal Alliance, will involve a 20-member “consejo,” or resident advisory committee, that will meet monthly. The group will shape a neighborhood plan that will be presented to city leaders, said Diana Benitez of Canal Alliance.
“It’s an initiative to design the community that we deserve, because we know that here in the Canal we deserve to have a safe, healthy and affordable community,” Benitez said. “Where each family can have their own home, where it’s easy to find parking, where folks feel safe and where our homes and local businesses aren’t at risk of being underwater. And we can achieve it all together.”
The nonprofit is teaming with seven other organizations, including the city, to assist with the initiative. The plan is expected to take two years to complete, Benitez said.
The plan will serve as a guidebook, Benitez said. For example, if there is a proposal for a new development being presented to the Planning Commission or the City Council, Canal Alliance will refer to the guide to provide comments to city officials, Benitez said. That would also involve mobilizing the committee members to provide comments as well.
Cristina Parra, a civic engagement coordinator for Canal Alliance, is also working on the project. Parra said part of her role is helping residents understand why the planning effort matters.
She said the Canal neighborhood has about 10,000 residents, which she said is the most dense neighborhood in the Bay Area after downtown San Francisco. It’s common for two or more families to share an apartment. The neighborhood is below sea level, and “one big storm or earthquake away from being flooded.”
“So it’s really important that residents are aware of that,” Parra said.
Parra emphasized that city projects are often technical and full of jargon that many residents do not understand. This process will empower residents to create a plan in their own words, using a vocabulary they understand.
“Personally, I feel it’s really important because I live here,” Parra said. “I don’t want to lose my neighborhood.”
At the same time, city officials are set to begin work on a “specific plan” for the east San Rafael community. Assistant City Manager John Stefanski said the Nuestro Canal, Nuestro Futuro initiative will serve as a foundation for that city plan.
“Recently, the city and other government agencies have actively engaged with the Canal neighborhood, developing comprehensive plans and recommendations to shape future actions,” Stefanski said. “The Nuestro Canal, Nuestro Futuro planning process offers a unique opportunity for the city to collaborate with Canal Alliance to reconnect with the community and share the progress made over the past five years on these recommendations.”
A launch event is set for noon on Saturday, Oct. 19, at Canal Alliance at 711 Grand Ave. Information is at bit.ly/4h4AWDX.
