> Stompyfoot Sausalito resident sues over downtown business approvalPrevious | First | 1 | Last | Next
........................................................................
Phillip_McCavityStompyfoot Sausalito resident sues over downtown business approval
https://www.marinij.com/2025/10/25/saus … otel-plan/
Since there is almost certainly a paywall, the gist of this article is:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sausalito’s decision to repeal an affordable housing law to allow a hotel project amounts to “illegal and unconstitutional spot zoning,” a lawsuit alleges.
The lawsuit aims to block a plan to convert the old Wells Fargo bank into a small inn and restaurant. The plaintiff is Sharon Conn, who lives just uphill from the building in the heart of the tourist hub.
The city “abused its discretion by changing its zoning laws for the benefit of a single development project,” Conn’s lawyer, Elizabeth Brekhus, wrote in the lawsuit.
Mayor Joan Cox declined to comment on the lawsuit, which the City Council discussed in a closed session on Tuesday. Conn also declined to comment Tuesday.
Project developer Kent Ipsen, who owns a similar enterprise in Carmel called Inn the Pocket, did not respond to a request for comment.
Marin County Superior Court has scheduled a case management conference for Dec. 1.
The controversy centers on city-approved plans to convert the former bank into a ground-floor restaurant and second-floor hotel with three guest suites.
The project has been controversial for nearly a year. Nearby residents have opposed the remodel, citing potential noise issues. Downtown business boosters defended it as a welcome addition to the city’s historic center in a prominent vacant building.
The Sausalito Planning Commission approved the project in December. Conn appealed that decision to the City Council, which remanded it to the Planning Commission.
Ipsen scaled back plans for a courtyard behind the bank to include outdoor seating, a viewing deck, hot tub and two fire pits. He agreed to limit the hotel occupancy to 28 people, including overnight guests and their visitors. The Planning Commission and City Council approved the plans over the summer.
........................................................................
Phillip_McCavityRe: Stompyfoot Sausalito resident sues over downtown business approval
Really familiar with that building.
Its not going to be a noise problem. This is typical NIMBY shyt.
I doubt there would ever be 28 people in the hotel, in fact, its probably going to be no more than 10. There might be more families given the configuration.
Now, personally, I don't see how the business as proposed can succeed. But if someone wants to sink a lot of money into restoring an old building, who am I to argue?
........................................................................
Re: Stompyfoot Sausalito resident sues over downtown business approval
Banking infrastructure is expensive and costly to install or remove. The probably want to keep the spot in a state of being able to be used as a bank again. Banks could also be used as strongholds or jails in times of crisis.
or maybe theirs treasure under it?
........................................................................
Phillip_McCavityRe: Stompyfoot Sausalito resident sues over downtown business approval
wrote:
Banking infrastructure is expensive and costly to install or remove. The probably want to keep the spot in a state of being able to be used as a bank again. Banks could also be used as strongholds or jails in times of crisis.
or maybe theirs treasure under it?
Its a really old building, and it has always been a bank. It has a historic plaque on it. So I guess it could have treasure 
........................................................................
Assclown Mini TacosRe: Stompyfoot Sausalito resident sues over downtown business approval
wrote:
Banking infrastructure is expensive and costly to install or remove. The probably want to keep the spot in a state of being able to be used as a bank again. Banks could also be used as strongholds or jails in times of crisis.
or maybe theirs treasure under it?
I used to work for a company that was using an old bank building - the vault was still there because apparently it was the first thing that had been installed when the building was constructed and the only way you could remove it would be to basically destroy the building.
We ended up using it as an RF test lab - it turns out that a room with a steel door and sheet metal over the interior walls is really good at keeping RFI out, especially once you fit mesh gaskets to the door and filters to the electrical supply.
........................................................................
Previous | First | 1 | Last | Next