City Council
Marin IJ: Marin Transit Adopts Bus Yard Environmental Assessment, Takes a Major Step Forward and Satisfies CEQA Requirements at a Former Auto Dealership at 1075 Francisco Blvd. in San Rafael for a Bus Storage lot for Marin Transit
Marin Transit’s plan to construct an electric bus yard in San Rafael has taken a major step forward. The board governing the agency voted Monday to adopt a study that satisfies requirements set by the California Environmental Quality Act. The adoption was needed for Marin Transit to advance the plan at 1075 Francisco Blvd. East, a 3.5-acre property in the Canal neighborhood. Board member Maribeth Bushey, who sits on the San Rafael City Council, said city officials still have reservations. “The city of San Rafael remains concerned and impacted by the decision to remove this site, this freeway frontage site, from its potential to be a high tax-generating site for the city of San Rafael,” Bushey said. “This has implications for our general plan as well as, most pointedly, for our general fund.”
Read MoreOn January 12, City Council Considers Reapproving Bayfront Terrace Project With a Modified Project Footprint for the Site of 1.60 acres & No Additional Changes to the Design – Hearing is at 5:30pm at City Hall
On January 12, City Council Considers Reapproving Bayfront Terrace Project With a Modified Project Footprint for the Site of 1.60 acres & No Additional Changes to the Design – Hearing is at 5:30pm at City Hall. In a previous post, “We have an opportunity to change the life trajectory of 44 families,” Councilman Urban Carmel added. “Nothing can change your life trajectory more than the place you grew up in. This is really exciting and gratifying – I can’t imagine a better moment.”
Read MoreMarin IJ: Marin Officials Question Projections in Regional Growth Plan – Draft Plan Bay Area 2050+
While the number of Marin households is projected to grow from 108,000 to 131,000 by 2050, the job growth is projected to be stagnant, with a job base remaining at 126,000 over the same time period, the plan says. Across the region, the plan anticipates a population growth of about 7.7 million to 9.6 million, which is nearly four times the forecast provided by the California Department of Finance. Mill Valley Mayor Max Perrey said city officials agree that MTC and ABAG need to revise their projections and develop better mitigations to address impacts to wildfire risk, water supply, emergency services, air quality and flooding, among other issues. “The regional growth forecast the plan relies on differs from the state’s official projections, and it doesn’t take into account the changing economy, both the impact that AI will have on the workforce as well as vacancy rates for commercial space, which continues to persist,” Perrey said. “It also has a large dependence on major future funding streams that have not been secured for projects, which presents funding risks for infrastructure, for services and hazard mitigation measures.”
Read MoreMill Valley Middle School Unveils Environmental Impact Report
“It has taken time and a great deal of careful work to get here, but we are finally nearing key decisions for Mill Valley Middle School,” Sharon Nakatani, president of the district board, said in an email Friday. “The board expects to be in a position this December to certify the Final EIR and select both the interim and permanent campus plans — steps that move us toward delivering the modern middle school this community has asked for and supported from the beginning.”
Read MoreOn the Heels of a Blockbuster 2025 Winterfest, Clifford Waldeck Has a Lot to Be Excited About, Particularly Dec. 14th, Which Will Be the Second Biggest Day of My Life at Episcopal Church of our Savior!
“December 14 at 5pm will be the second biggest day of my life at Episcopal Church of our Savior; the biggest being my wedding 22 years ago” declared Waldeck, who is obviously excited about the churches upcoming concert featuring Lorin Rowan and the Deep Blue Jam playing classic holiday songs reimagined with a fresh, modern twist—blending melodies with contemporary rhythms and warm vibrant textures for a nostalgic yet new seasonal sound. A year ago, Cliff joined the Vestry at COS while the congregation was engaging with several other Bay Area Episcopal churches engaging their respective communities in a program called Vital + Thriving https://www.vitalthriving.org/about/. Cliff, a frequent attendee of musical events at the Sweetwater, the Depot and the Throckmorton suggested “let’s have concert!” and with any volunteer organization, you suggest it, you do it.
Read MoreFrom Pam Keon and All the Amazing People Who Took on the Herculean Task of the 125th Celebration: Join the Dedication of the 125th Time Capsule – Dec. 8th, 5pm at City Hall!
Pam Keon: On Monday, December 8th, I hope you can attend these events at Mill Valley’s City Hall. At 5pm we will dedicate the 2025 Mill Valley Time Capsule. This ceremony marks the celebration of Mill Valley’s 125th anniversary year with the placement of a time capsule capturing daily life in 2025 and documenting the three-day 125th Anniversary Celebration over Labor Day Weekend. The 2025 time capsule will be placed inside the 12+ ton red jasper boulder that sits in front of City Hall, and replaces the 1953 time capsule that was removed from the boulder earlier this year. The new time capsule is to be opened on September 1, 2100 – so mark your calendars, or your children’s or grandchildren’s calendars!
Read MoreSF Chronicle: Here are 15 New Laws that Californians Must Start Following in 2026 – Gov. Gavin Newsom Approved more than 900 New Laws This Year, Lowering Drug Costs, Ban Police and ICE Masks & More
“For the past six years, through boom, bust and pandemic, California’s Legislature has ended each session with a blitz of new laws that aim to make housing more plentiful and affordable. SF Chronicle: Here are 15 New Laws that Californians Must Start Following in 2026 – Gov. Gavin Newsom Approved more than 900 New Laws This Year, Lowering Drug Costs & Much More
Read MoreCity of Mill Valley Launches “Lease to Locals” Pilot Program to Incentivize Workforce Housing and Long-Term Rentals
“Mill Valley is deeply committed to affirmatively furthering fair housing and to enabling our workforce the opportunity to live here,’ said Mill Valley Mayor Stephen Burke. “This includes our ongoing work with Front Porch and its Home Match program, as well as Bayview Terrace, our proposed 45 unit affordable housing project, and now this pilot effort with Placemate. We are also grateful for the partnership and support provided by the Community Housing Foundation of Mill Valley.” The Lease to Locals program is intended to unlock existing housing by providing homeowners a financial incentive to house the local workforce through a long-term rental. The program is launching as a pilot and will be evaluated after six months for longer-term funding opportunities. Placemate Inc., an organization with a proven track record in addressing workforce housing shortages in destination communities, will administer the “Lease to Locals” program.
Read MoreMill Valley, County of Marin Leaders, Marin Residents & People Throughout the Bay Area Are Rallying Around Our Neighbors Facing the Loss of SNAP Benefits, Including Our 94941 Food-Serving Community!
“If you are food insecure, I can help,” said Tony Adams, who owns the Mill Valley Pasta Company in downtown Mill Valley. Early on, Adams posted that he’s offering to help anyone needing food at his stores or pop-ups, no questions asked. We launched something called the Uncle Tony Program. People can come in, mention they’re there to pick up an order for Uncle Tony. It’s coded language for us, that they may be food insecure and need help. Sometimes the biggest barrier to getting help is having to ask for help,” Adams said. Madrona Bakery, Le Marais Bakery, Equator Coffees, Shoreline Coffee Shop, Watershed,
Read MoreMill Valley’s Efforts to Replace the former Whole Foods Market on Miller Ave. Have Stalled Due to Amazon Layoffs – Whole Foods’ Lease Lasts Several More Years. The Mill Valley Market was selected by Amazon’s team – the Layoffs Stalled Those Efforts
Many residents find it hard to believe that Amazon—one of the richest companies in the world—couldn’t afford the necessary building updates. Mill Valley Mayor Stephen Burke sought to squash the idea that the City obstructed seismic retrofits that were necessary, and made it clear in a statement: “The City regrets the potential closure of the Whole Foods, which is an important community resource. The decision to close, if true, is based on business considerations that the City is not privy to. Further, other than issuing a permit for roof repairs, the City has imposed no further requirements or restrictions upon the property. In fact, this year City Council, the Planning Commission, and City Staff have dedicated themselves to updating and modifying parking, commercial codes, and other regulations with the goal of making the opening and operation of vibrant businesses easier.”
Read More