Posts Tagged ‘Downtown Mill Valley’
Marin IJ: Marin County Executive Derek Johnson is Proposing the County Create a New Strategic Plan, Its First Since 2001
When asked an open-ended question regarding the most serious issue facing Marin residents that county government could address, 31% cited housing, 17% homelessness, 11% traffic/congestion, 10% infrastructure/roads/street maintenance, 9% cost of living/inflation and 8% growth/development/overpopulation. “A notable share of respondents raised concerns about growth and overdevelopment, and I think this highlights an ongoing tension in Marin, strong concern about housing affordability, alongside a concern about how growth is managed,” said Linn Walsh, a deputy county executive. County supervisors’ current top six priorities are addressing affordable housing/homelessness, disaster preparedness, county infrastructure, advancing race equity, climate resiliency and community/economic vitality.
Read MorePlanting the Future: The Outdoor Art Club Gets Ready for Its Next Century
If you’ve walked past the shingled building tucked behind the wisteria-covered gate at 1 West Blithedale Avenue lately, you may have noticed something: the Outdoor Art Club has been busy. In fact, over the past three years, the Club — one of the Mill Valley Chamber of Commerce’s longtime members — has quietly undertaken a once-in-a-century effort to preserve and renew one of downtown’s architectural gems. The club has hosted generations of civic gatherings, performances, celebrations, and community conversations – but few people remember that in the 1930s it narrowly escaped demolition when the City proposed turning the site into a parking lot. Now, the Club’s members have once again rolled up their sleeves to care for this landmark — this time by ensuring it meets modern safety and health standards while preserving its historic character.
Read MoreOn the Heels of Multiple Planning Commission Study Sessions, City Council Will Dictate the Road Ahead for Loosening the Rules on Land Use
In prior hearings, food and beverage service remained focused on the possibility of Food Trucks. The updated code provides specific regulations that would apply to all food and beverage service businesses, even those without a use permit. These regulations codify the “good neighbor policy” that is often required as a CUP condition of approval for restaurants. By codifying these regulations, the intention is to reduce the need for CUPs and also provide clear guidance to businesses and staff. City Staff recommended 5,000 square-foot threshold for larger spaces like the former Rite Aid space, but not setting it too high. The Planning Commission felt that the size threshold should be 3,000 in downtown downtown commercial districts. Mill Valley Chamber: “There remains interest in and discussion of food trucks, though none more than Zorba’s at Goodman’s. Mill Valley currently has two very large, very empty historic restaurants, and maybe there is a business that might be interested in giving a food truck a shot and potentially eyeing it for a future brick & mortar business. Maybe that’s backwards thinking…but we should be thoughtful and not restrictive and keep our options open.”
Read MoreCouncilmembers, Planning Commissioners, Staff and Residents Continue Their Efforts to Dive Deeply Into a Reconsidering of Up Dated Parking Regulations – MV Will Eliminate Parking Requirements for New Businesses Downtown
Councilmember Joachim mentioned possible underutilized parking lots, particularly the private lot adjacent to the Depot Plaza. “Requires a willing property owner,” she noted. “We do have these private lots that are underutilized. The discussion concluded until later in the fall, but teased the possibility of dealing with formula businesses by identifying businesses above the 5,000 foot threshold, which applies to the larger buildings that are part of the downtown core area – not Miller, not Safeway. You could apply for a conditional use permit to have no parking if you are doing a non-expansion renovation or change of use to a building that was more than 5000 sq feet.
Read MoreOne Year After Its Mill Valley Comeback, The Hivery Thrives as a Women-Fueled Hub for Community, Creativity, and Growth!
“This space is our comeback kid and a testament to the resilience of women-owned business. We fought for years to bring this concept back into a brick-and-mortar offering, and it took tenacity and courage to make that happen. We did this because of our belief in the impact of women supporting women and spaces that celebrate women’s brilliance,” says Grace Kraaijvanger, Founder of The Hivery. The light-filled space includes open coworking and inspiration areas, private nooks, dedicated event space, and a sunlit backyard lounge. Built largely with upcycled and curated materials, the design reflects The Hivery’s commitment to sustainability and intentional beauty. Over the past twelve months, The Hivery has welcomed hundreds of women from across Marin, San Francisco, and the greater Bay Area for weekly community lunch and discussion gatherings, creativity sessions, professional development workshops, restorative retreats, mentorship circles, networking events, coworking, and its signature 12-week Incubator Program.
Read MoreFree Westminster Events & Outdoor Art Club Host a Thought-Provoking Conversation About the Future of Public Health With Marin County Health Officer Lisa Santora & Ross Town Councilmember Teri Dowling – March 8th, 3-5pm
Free Westminster Events & Outdoor Art Club Host a Thought-Provoking Conversation About the Future of Public Health With Marin County Health Officer Lisa Santora & Ross Town Councilmember Teri Dowling – March 8th, 3-5pm.
Read MoreCity Hall Has Nearly 60 Projects It Wants to Accomplish – Vitality, Branding Mill Valley as a Destination, Signage, Farmers Market… Councilmember Urban Carmel: “It’s More Like a 5-Year Plan.”
In the latter part of 2025, the Mill Valley City Council, led by then-incoming Mayor Max Perrey, made it clear that the intentions for the City of Mill Valley were bold. That has become increasingly clear in 2026, with Perrey and the rest of the City Council unveiling a Work Plan that spans nearly 60 projects it seeks to accomplish or launch over the next two years. The to-do list includes building a public works complex and multimillion-dollar renovations at the golf course clubhouse and library. It includes creating a recurring “Miller Nights” event series where streets would be closed for music, dining and kids’ activities. The list also includes extending local taxes and raising new revenues, developing affordable housing, updating traffic signals and transit options, making progress on sea-level rise and wildfire protection, further streamlining the permit process and expanding neighborhood and community-wide events.
Read MoreThe Mercury News: Are California Businesses Overregulated? This Researcher Compared Requirements Across States
For decades, business leaders have complained that California’s regulatory climate has overburdened companies across the state, blaming a morass of rules, permits and paperwork for pushing businesses and jobs out of state and holding back economic growth. To help measure the impact of the regulations, the Public Policy Institute of California, a nonprofit, nonpartisan think tank, sought to compare the number of business requirements in the state with those in other parts of the country. In a new report, researchers with the PPIC found that while California is not an outlier nationwide when it comes to state and local business regulations, it has by far the most specific constraints on businesses — defined as regulations containing the words “shall,” “must,” “may not,” “required” and “prohibited.” Researchers found states with more of these types of strict regulations — ranging from environmental standards to consumer safety protections — tend to see fewer new businesses forming, though the report stopped short of establishing a definitive causal relationship.
Read MoreThe Episcopal Church of Our Saviour in Mill Valley & Blue Muse Sound Healing Hosts a Sound Bath Experience: Jan. 30, Doors at 5:30pm, Sound Healing 6pm-7pm, 10 Old Mill Street, Mill Valley, Tix: $33.95, advance, $40 at Door
We are delighted to welcome Blue Muse Sound Healing back to the Church of Our Saviour for an evening of deep relaxation, renewal, and gentle transformation. Join us for a soothing sound journey designed to help you release stress, reset your nervous system, and reconnect with a sense of calm and balance through Blue Muse’s beautiful and intuitive musical gifts. Whether you are seeking rest, rejuvenation, or simply a peaceful pause from daily life, this immersive sound healing experience offers a nourishing space to unwind and restore. Event Details: January 30, doors open at 5:30pm, sound healing is 6pm-7pm, 10 Old Mill Street, Mill Valley, CA 94941. Tickets: $33.95 in advance. $40 at the door.
Read MoreMarin 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.”
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