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Town of Fairfax
Redevelopment Zones-- Here’s what’s in store for Fairfax.
Here’s what’s in store for Fairfax
- Will we witness the end of Fairfax as we know it?
- Is Fairfax destined to become a mini Walnut Creek?
- Fairfax today is what Mill Valley was 50 years ago.
- How will gentrification of downtown Fairfax affect small businesses?
The first of three public hearings to redevelop Fairfax will be held at the Women’s Club on Park Road on Tuesday, June 14, 2016 at 6:30 pm. The Town plans include:
- Re-zoning downtown & Sir Francis Drake corridor properties and setting densities "by right;"
- Bike and transit access to replace downtown parking requirements for new downtown residential development above commercial;
- Creating a "downtown pedestrian mall" on Bolinas Road;
- Diverting Bolinas Road traffic to Elsie and Dominga;
- Amending plans to grant density bonuses for developers (the 40 unit senior project on SF Drake is now 54 units).State Density Bonus laws will override of Fairfax's building height limits;
- Reducing driving lanes to 11-feet on Broadway to accommodate bike lanes;
- Eliminating the left turn on Bolinas from Broadway;
- Eliminating delivery truck parking on Broadway from Bolinas Road to 19 Broadway;
- Closing Sherman Avenue to daylight Fairfax Creek from Bolinas Rd to Dominga Ave. (enlarging & daylighting culvert will reduce downtown flooding).
Effects of New State Law on Fairfax
The state government in Sacramento is close to passing a law that will give developers “density by right” and take away local control once the Town rezones for Redevelopment. This law will also gut CEQA (California Environmental Quality Act).
That means that School Street Plaza could be rezoned and subdivided with 9 units in the rear and second story units along the Broadway frontage, becoming the 58 units the developer has wanted all along.
What will happen to all of the small businesses at School Street Plaza?
The new state Density Bonus laws will override Fairfax's 28½-foot height limits for residential units and 30-foot height limits for commercial buildings in downtown Fairfax and the Sir Francis Drake corridor.Four stories may become the norm for those areas.
From the Fairfax Staff Report
Policy TC-3.2.5:
Bolinas Road should be evaluated as a pedestrian-only area from Broadway to Elsie Lane.
Policy H-3.1.2:
Transit-Oriented Development. The Town will establish land use arrangements that facilitate energy-efficient public transit systems, and provide parking incentives for developments convenient to transit.
Policy C-1.6: Preserve Center Boulevard and the Parkade for future use as a light rail corridor with bicycle and pedestrian paths.
Policy TC-3.2.11: Daylighting and creation of a buffer around the Town’s creeks shall be considered.
Some Concerns
- In 2014, the Marin Supervisors Rezoned the Oak Manor 7-Eleven store site for 30 units per acre.With bonuses, this will be 40 units. However, this is not counted in the quota for Fairfax housing required by ABAG.Why not?
- Is a trolley from Fairfax to San Rafael realistic? Who will fund it?
- Will Sherman Ave be closed to vehicle traffic between Bolinas Road and Dominga Avenue when the Fairfax Creek diversion is day lighted?
- What is behind the recent evictions of local businesses like the Sleeping Lady and Casa Manana? Gentrification of our downtown is coming. Watch downtown rents double and triple.
Transit Oriented Development Now Underway in San Anselmo!
San Anselmo's first Transit Oriented Development (TOD), 16 small units with 2 affordable units, just west of the Red Hill Hub gas station (story poles/flags now in place) is an example of what developers have in store for Fairfax.
Fairfax Today A Special Town Meeting on Redevelopment Tomorrow Night, 6:30 p.m. Fairfax Women’s Club
Further Information About the June 14, 2016 Meeting
Go to the Town of Fairfax, CA website
http://www.town-of-fairfax.org/
- Point to the Government bar
- Scroll down to Town Council and click
- On the left of the screen Under “TOWN COUNCIL, click on “Agenda and Packet.”