Guide Dogs on Tonight's City Council Agenda

San Rafael City Council will hold a public hearing tonight on a proposed loan of $12.5 million by California Statewide Communities Development Authority to Guide Dogs for the Blind, Inc. for renovations of the dormitory at 350 Los Ranchitos Road.

The 350 Los Ranchitos property is currently used as a training facility for guide dogs that assist visually impaired individuals. The 124,258 square-foot area includes an administration building, a residence hall for students, a maintenance building, a volunteer center, a breeding area and several kennels and areas for the dogs to socialize.

The planning project for the renovation of the site includes the demolition of four of the buildings, as well as adding a “Welcome Center” to the administration building and more parking spaces, according to the report to the Planning Commission (available on the right).

Other agenda items include an update on the preliminary budget for 2011-2012 fiscal year and a resolution authorizing the city manager to submit an application for a zero waste grant to the Marin County Hazardous and Solid Waste Joint Powers Authority.

The meeting regarding the community impact report on Target will be held on April 21, at 6 p.m.

Tonight's meeting will begin at 8 p.m. at City Hall, located at 1400 Fifth Street.

The full agenda is available on the right.