Housing nonprofit accuses town of obstructing nine-unit proposal at Point Tiburon

A pro-housing legal nonprofit is alleging the town of Tiburon is intentionally delaying a nine-unit project in the Point Tiburon Plaza parking lot — even threatening to sue the town into compliance if it “continues to create new obstacles and move the goalposts” for a project eligible to receive staff-level approval.

YIMBY Law Executive Director Sonja Trauss wrote a May 5 letter ahead of an informational hearing at the Town Council’s May 6 meeting on the proposed townhome project at 1801 Tiburon Blvd.

The letter alleges that Tiburon “is obstructing a lawful application” from Berkeley-based developer Black Oak Ventures “in a way that violates its affirmative obligations under state housing law.” It cites two specific obstacles: the town’s reference to a Precise Development Plan the town has not produced in complete form and that the letter argues should not apply, and parking requirements the letter argues state law prohibits for qualifying projects.

Tiburon Community Development Director Shari Meads said in a May 7 email that the town was processing Black Oak Ventures’ application “in accordance with all applicable law.” She added that the town was consulting with the state Department of Housing and Community Development for technical assistance on whether the project qualifies for parking exemptions.

The letter and the town’s response came as Black Oak developer Michael Yarne, applying through BOV 1801 Tiburon LLC, told The Ark in a May 8 email that he planned to submit a third application within days.

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