Measure X Sticks Us with The Bill
Measure X puts more buildings on vulnerable waterfront land—and leaves residents with the bill.
The waterfront is at risk. Measure X’s answer is to put big new commercial buildings on it—and repeal the rule that makes developers pay their share of infrastructure.
The owners get the profits; residents get the bill.
Measure X would build more where the risk is greatest.
Sausalito’s shoreline faces sea-level rise, storm surges, groundwater flooding, and sinking ground. Measure X proposes building large new commercial buildings on the most vulnerable land. A more sensible approach would be to avoid adding large new buildings there.
Measure X supporters point to flooded streets, aging infrastructure, and sea-level rise as reasons to approve more development. But Measure X offers no flood control plan. Instead, it repeals the one rule that makes developers pay their share of infrastructure and provides no replacement funding mechanism, according to the City staff report.
More buildings could lock Sausalito into a slow-motion disaster.
Much of Sausalito’s shoreline does not have large fixed buildings today. Measure X would allow much larger buildings on land that already floods and is sinking.
Every major new building would add new private property, utilities, and access needs in a vulnerable area. If those buildings later need protection, the City will face pressure to defend them.
Sea-level rise will unfold slowly. Owners can build, sell, and move on. Sausalito will remain—with the buildings, roads, utilities, and public costs left behind.
The Better Way: Plan before building. Developers pay their share.
Sausalito should finish its shoreline planning and consider a range of better options: raised or floating structures, shoreline protection, open space, habitat restoration, and retreat—not a major new buildout on the most vulnerable shoreline.
Owners of vulnerable waterfront land face real risks from sea-level rise. Those private risks are not currently a public obligation. We should not take action that would turn them into one.
We should protect the public infrastructure and places that matter most. Let developers pay their share. Keep the Marinship adaptable.
Sources
- Sausalito Shoreline Adaptation Plan, pp. 10–17, 32–65, and 118–157
- Measure X — Full Text, Marinship development and shoreline-planning provisions
- City Staff Measure X Report, pp. 4, 9–10, and 14–17
- Independent Measure X Legal and Economic Report, pp. 36–37