Ann Gessert
Ann Gessert's projects
Recent Activity
Supported a comment by Dave Brast on
Coast Guard Neighborhood Renewal
6 days, 1 hour ago
Supported a comment by Eleanore Despina on
Coast Guard Neighborhood Renewal
6 days, 1 hour ago
Eleanore Despina
Community kitchen - certified. Resident veggie garden. Farmers’ cooperative.
Community kitchen - certified. Resident veggie garden. Farmers’ cooperative.
Supported a comment by Mark Switzer on
Coast Guard Neighborhood Renewal
6 days, 1 hour ago
Mark Switzer
After the Community Connection focus group on 7/25 in which I was a note taker some ideas coalesced for me. Using the four areas of discussion prompts: welcoming, amenities, sustainability and resilience, I am better able to evaluate conceptually some of the possibilities that have been offered no and in the past.. I am entering one idea in particular here as a complex, but possibly significant example of what I mean. Building a microgrid system based at the property but extended to the village would serve multiple purposes. The broader community would recognize and value the property as a resource beyond housing. The grid would need storage and maintenance providing employment for residents. The subsidies for installation and the cash flow of operation could help amortize the capital costs of the development. The operation would contribute to the properties sustainability and community resilience. I am suggesting this here as I did not want to offer the idea at the focus group as a note taker. However, listening to the discussion, I was impressed by the collective spirit of the group in thinking holistically. I am going to contact folks in Stinson Beach considering a microgrid and try to understand the possibility and the constraints. I suppose there will be issues of scale, cost effectiveness, financing, regulation and management. It may involve organizational structures in addition to Eden and CLAM, like a utility district or service district.
After the Community Connection focus group on 7/25 in which I was a note taker some ideas coalesced for me. Using the four areas of discussion prompts: welcoming, amenities, sustainability and resilience, I am better able to evaluate conceptually some of the possibilities that have been offered no and in the past.. I am entering one idea in particular here as a complex, but possibly significant example of what I mean. Building a microgrid system based at the property but extended to the village would serve multiple purposes. The broader community would recognize and value the property as a resource beyond housing. The grid would need storage and maintenance providing employment for residents. The subsidies for installation and the cash flow of operation could help amortize the capital costs of the development. The operation would contribute to the properties sustainability and community resilience. I am suggesting this here as I did not want to offer the idea at the focus group as a note taker. However, listening to the discussion, I was impressed by the collective spirit of the group in thinking holistically. I am going to contact folks in Stinson Beach considering a microgrid and try to understand the possibility and the constraints. I suppose there will be issues of scale, cost effectiveness, financing, regulation and management. It may involve organizational structures in addition to Eden and CLAM, like a utility district or service district.
Supported a comment by Sara Nelson on
Coast Guard Neighborhood Renewal
6 days, 1 hour ago
Sara Nelson
I would love to see consultation with the Graton Rancheria, if they are open to it, on a name that foregrounds the Coast Miwok significance of the place.
I would love to see consultation with the Graton Rancheria, if they are open to it, on a name that foregrounds the Coast Miwok significance of the place.
Supported a comment by Sara Nelson on
Coast Guard Neighborhood Renewal
6 days, 1 hour ago
Sara Nelson
It would be wonderful to have a community garden for residents, if possible involving a 'food forest' along permaculture principles. Depending on the terrain/amount of space and potential partners, another option would be a restoration area incorporating traditional ecological knowledge that would also provide a learning corridor for restoration and TEK-informed management.
It would be wonderful to have a community garden for residents, if possible involving a 'food forest' along permaculture principles. Depending on the terrain/amount of space and potential partners, another option would be a restoration area incorporating traditional ecological knowledge that would also provide a learning corridor for restoration and TEK-informed management.
Supported a comment by Cathleen Dorinson on
Coast Guard Neighborhood Renewal
6 days, 1 hour ago
Cathleen Dorinson
Several years ago Occidental Arts and Ecology in Sonoma County did a study with several different models of composting toilets in their new guest accomodation buildings. It was done in conjunction with the County. You should check with Sonoma County and see what the results were. These were systems that were for an entire house, and are probably too large to install in any existing buildings in this development. However if you were to build something for the homeless, as Pamela D. suggested, it might be able to be used there.
Sonoma County has also approved grey water systems, simpler, and thus less expensive, forms of septic leech field systems and more. Why is Marin not working with our neighboring county to implement those items here?
Several years ago Occidental Arts and Ecology in Sonoma County did a study with several different models of composting toilets in their new guest accomodation buildings. It was done in conjunction with the County. You should check with Sonoma County and see what the results were. These were systems that were for an entire house, and are probably too large to install in any existing buildings in this development. However if you were to build something for the homeless, as Pamela D. suggested, it might be able to be used there.
Sonoma County has also approved grey water systems, simpler, and thus less expensive, forms of septic leech field systems and more. Why is Marin not working with our neighboring county to implement those items here?
Supported a comment by Pamela D. on
Coast Guard Neighborhood Renewal
6 days, 1 hour ago
Pamela D.
Add to conversation: WATER. Seems the time has arrived for us to acknowledge that it is simply NUTS to continue to defecate in drinking water! and build costly septic systems. Time to investigate COMPOST TOILETS. Some incinerate the waste. Use solar?West Marin could create a new template for the county and beyond.
Add to conversation: WATER. Seems the time has arrived for us to acknowledge that it is simply NUTS to continue to defecate in drinking water! and build costly septic systems. Time to investigate COMPOST TOILETS. Some incinerate the waste. Use solar?West Marin could create a new template for the county and beyond.
Supported a comment by Catie Clune on
Coast Guard Neighborhood Renewal
6 days, 1 hour ago
Catie Clune
I know a lot of suggestions at the community meeting were about catering to an older demographic, but I would hate to exclude young people from the plans. Our community is at a loss when it does not have the energy and enthusiasm of young people too. What are we doing to build a community that is welcoming and inclusive to both young and old?
I know a lot of suggestions at the community meeting were about catering to an older demographic, but I would hate to exclude young people from the plans. Our community is at a loss when it does not have the energy and enthusiasm of young people too. What are we doing to build a community that is welcoming and inclusive to both young and old?
Supported a comment by Dan Morse on
Coast Guard Neighborhood Renewal
6 days, 1 hour ago
Dan Morse
I would think it would be a good idea to consider rainwater catchment for irrigation of gardens and green areas. With the amount of roof area, rain water collection seems a good solution to future low rain years. 1000-4000 gallon tanks are not that expensive, and pumps to move the water are are very affordable. This is a very exiting project. Dan Morse
I would think it would be a good idea to consider rainwater catchment for irrigation of gardens and green areas. With the amount of roof area, rain water collection seems a good solution to future low rain years. 1000-4000 gallon tanks are not that expensive, and pumps to move the water are are very affordable. This is a very exiting project. Dan Morse
Supported a comment by Pamela D. on
Coast Guard Neighborhood Renewal
6 days, 1 hour ago
Pamela D.
To include the young and the houseless, I'd like to suggest creating pads for Tiny Homes on wheels. The area for these homes could have a common building/ yurt? with 2 showers, 2 toilets and place to share meals if choose, shared garden space. West Marin could create a template for housing the houseless, and create a local industry building tiny homes. Pamela Dake
To include the young and the houseless, I'd like to suggest creating pads for Tiny Homes on wheels. The area for these homes could have a common building/ yurt? with 2 showers, 2 toilets and place to share meals if choose, shared garden space. West Marin could create a template for housing the houseless, and create a local industry building tiny homes. Pamela Dake
Commented on Coast Guard Neighborhood Renewal
6 days, 1 hour ago
I support any community benefits that are not already provided in our WM area. We have an active community center in PRS, open to all, open to new ideas and activities, and to duplicate what is already available would be an unfortunate use of limited resources. Let’s move forward with an eye toward enhancing our community with the offering of new and different services.
Followed Coast Guard Neighborhood Renewal
4 months, 1 week ago
One electric vehicle for every dwelling unit.