Point Reyes Light - November 14, 2002
Valley planning board survives challenge
By Ivan Gale
Despite the circulation of a letter urging members to "make the change" and vote in newcomers to oversee the San Geronimo Valley Planning Group, an annual vote on Monday secured victories for the incumbents.
New terms
More than 100 voters ushered in new terms for chairman Ken Naffziger, vice-chairman Brent Harris, and secretary Ann Jones. Kathleen Lowenthal, formerly Woodacre’s at-large representative, ran unopposed for treasurer.
Four new representatives however, were also elected to the steering committee. Buck Parle was elected representative for Forest Knolls, and three at-large slots were taken by Jesse Wernick, Fred Mundy, and David Cook.
Naffziger said contrary to statements written in a "stealth" letter circulated amongst residents that his record has been "anything but dismal." In the last four years he said members of the group have quadrupled to 138 members.
Jean Berensmeier, a co-founder of the group and member since the 1970s who served on the planning group until 1996, circulated a letter proposing some "alternative" candidates. Many of whom won the at-large seats.
The candidates were supported by a bloc of voters, more than 30 strong who arrived at the meeting late and consistently voted against the incumbents. One voter described a "big political divide" between the upstart group and the existing officers.
Berensmeier, as head of the group, called the performance of current officers unsatisfactory and said the group needed to be revitalized.
Baggage from past
"[Tonight’s challengers] carry no baggage of French Ranch, they carry no baggage of personalities, and they have families with children who are genuinely concerned about the Valley and the environment," she said referring to the bitterly fought plans to build the French Ranch subdivision waged in the late 1980’s and continuing through the 1990’s.
Fallout from the French Ranch battle still dominates Valley politics.
Berensmeier also criticized the poor turnout at some meetings and said at one meeting only two of the nine steering committee members were present, despite planning group bylaws that require at least five to be onhand at each meeting.
"I have a list of design reviews they haven’t dealt with at all. [The current group] lacks depth," she said.
Brian Staley, who has worked with Berensmeier on Valley development issues, added that group chair Naffziger was often involved in "major conflicts of interest."
Suing the group
Naffziger and business partner Steve Evans sued the planning group over control of an unclaimed piece of property adjacent to their architectural wood-turning shop, Pagliacco Turning and Milling.
The owners of the woodshop use the vacant lot for the unloading and loading of supplies.
The planning group claimed ownership of the lot after the Lagunitas Land Company sold any and all remaining rights in the Valley to the group for $1.
Once both parties expressed their desire to own the lot, a quiet title action was entered into to help determine ownership. Naffziger said a settlement agreement has been in place for several years, and any outstanding legal work is "just a matter of wrapping things up."
The lot use has nothing to do with his post at the head of the group, Naffziger maintains.
"I honestly feel [the land dispute] hasn’t had an impact on my ability to function as chairman," he said, noting he never sat in on planning group discussions on this articular issue.
Controversies aside, Naffziger said he’s "really excited about working with the new steering committee. They seem like nice, energetic people."