realestate

Marin County Accused of Racial Bias in Red Tape Obstacles

County official allegedly targeted man by changing permitting requirements, making it costly to relocate houseboats.

B
urks, a developer of floating homes, had to provide extensive documentation about the history and origin of his relocated homes. He also needed a licensed marine surveyor or civil engineer to verify the home's dimensions before it could be approved by the Board of Supervisors.

    However, Burks claims that these rules were not consistently enforced. On his own projects, he said he had to jump through hoops to get permits, while others who purchased and relocated floating homes themselves faced much less scrutiny. "They were permitted in a fraction of the time I got my permit," he said, adding that some of the larger homes were approved without having to meet the same requirements as his.

    The delays in permitting allegedly added significant costs for Burks, forcing him to sell some of his floating homes at below-market rates. His lawyer, Andanté Pointer, expects a preliminary hearing within 90 days and views the situation as an example of NIMBYism with racial undertones.

Marin County officials face allegations of racial bias in bureaucratic hurdles.