Marin County, long known for its environmental awareness, is concerned about anything that is "growth inducing", and that certainly includes the new SMART passenger rail system, approved by the voters in November, that will serve Sonoma and Marin.
While transit oriented development is the adopted policy of the region's MPO, the Metropolitan Transportation Commission, many city governments are unwilling to adopt it, even when it comes with carrots such as planning funds.
"With the Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit project set to come online in 2014, cities on the route in Marin are eligible for hundreds of thousands of dollars from MTC's ( station area planning grants program) to help them plan housing around the train stations.
The MTC - which is pushing housing and retail around transit hubs to limit car trips - happily handed out the cash to every city that applied for the dollars in Marin and Sonoma. But in Marin only one of the three eligible cities stepped forward: San Rafael, Novato and Larkspur passed, each saying they were not quite ready to embrace the concept until they know more."
In San Rafael, it appears that housing will not be the major focus for the station area.
"The focus for the downtown San Rafael station will not be housing, but parking and finding ways to accommodate train users without tying up downtown."
Thanks to Marta Lindsey
FULL STORY: Not all on board for high-density housing near rail stations

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program
Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Canada vs. Kamala: Whose Liberal Housing Platform Comes Out on Top?
As Canada votes for a new Prime Minister, what can America learn from the leading liberal candidate of its neighbor to the north?

Washington State’s Parking Reform Law Could Unlock ‘Countless’ Acres for New Housing
A law that limits how much parking cities can require for residential amd commercial developments could lead to a construction boom.

Wildlife Rebounds After the Eaton Fire
Following the devastation of the Eaton Fire, the return of wildlife and the regrowth of native plants are offering powerful signs of resilience and renewal.

LA to Replace Inglewood Light Rail Project With Bus Shuttles
LA Metro says the change is in response to community engagement and that the new design will be ready before the 2028 Olympic Games.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Central Transportation Planning Staff/Boston Region MPO
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions