[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6109473,"mediaKeyId","2761815-7de34e577a19e44939459289b42701cd","parentId",2761815,"title","Planning commission unanimously recommends Town Council adopt ADU/JADU ordinance updates; reintroduces dark-sky and softens material-match rule","audioSeconds",1663,"startMs",4154000,"endMs",5817000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2761815-7de34e577a19e44939459289b42701cd&start=4154&end=5817","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2761815-7de34e577a19e44939459289b42701cd/thumbnail_4154000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6109473/California/Planning-commission-unanimously-recommends-Town-Council-adopt-ADUJADU-ordinance-updates-reintroduces-dark-sky-and-softens-material-match-rule","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6109473-4c7f152edcb9228d8f9a872973b23f8e/orig.mp4?Expires=1776011990&Signature=H1f7qdLCVH9LTFLAr4DWefCv6QKLq0TdDLNB6P20qSUiF7d-3awPnNIGT-WKgeMIITAMYn8A~-rQRguZDBfFGmbM6cqNsqYQSBggbNEY2iVhjNvCUhQ9d~fyttCDD0qt2~sQ7K75gAXw3mOfCeIBpgCYlH4hETU8a-10aDDhRInWSHljCcKc-CqOOnGdU37YRfVf~egM4FlSZyZ51GlwU32XB0kwLAcuxFcmnjDQBA8TJ6awgrSthB5wLEBtBD1u2dYqy9ieyZzjjd8dQh~uTLuhBkWy0hlaIEOGoDiP97obcwMDXZyLBYFEXnRqGrTLX~gqOIexcUpAYl-tYqEO4Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Town Council of Fairfax CA","date","2025-03-24T19:48:47Z","article","The Fairfax Planning Commission on March 20 voted unanimously to recommend that the Town Council adopt the staff-drafted amendments to the town\u001f's ADU (accessory dwelling unit) and JADU regulations to align local code with recent changes to state law.

Staff summarized revisions made after the commission\u001f's February review: clerical corrections to code cross-references, restoring three deleted definitions, clarifying where ADUs/JADUs are allowed by zoning district, explicitly permitting two-story ADUs where height limits allow, setting a 31-day minimum rental term for ADU and JADU rentals, clarifying enforcement of rent-reporting through the town\u001f's administrative citation process, and retaining provisions addressing legalization of unpermitted ADUs after consultation with the town attorney.

On architectural standards, staff said it restored a requirement that additions\u001f' materials and colors match the primary dwelling; it also added that a second detached ADU should either match the primary dwelling or the other detached ADU on the lot. Commissioners discussed fire-code interactions and whether the ordinance should require exact material matching. The commission settled on amending the language to require materials that are \"similar in appearance to\" the primary dwelling and to specify compatibility \"in compliance with applicable fire codes.\" Commissioners also directed staff to reintroduce a dark-sky lighting provision that had been removed from an earlier draft; planning staff had explained that \"dark sky compliant lighting is not a requirement in any other chapter of the town code\" but agreed to reinsert the provision after commission direction.

Commissioners and staff also removed a set of detailed window-and-door prescriptions and added clarifications about when no setback is required for an ADU reconstructed in the same footprint as an existing structure, consistent with state law. The commission approved Resolution 2025-02 recommending the council adopt the ordinance changes and asked that the resolution explicitly note the commission\u001f's additional edits discussed on March 20.

Chair Pfeffer called the roll for the motion and the commission voted aye unanimously. The commission directed staff to forward the revised ordinance and the recommendation to town council with suggested language changes and a note that the commission\u001f's 03/20/2025 discussion be reflected in the final ordinance text.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Fairfax Planning Commission March 20, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Fairfax Planning Commission on March 20 unanimously recommended that the Town Council adopt a set of amendments to the town\u001f's accessory dwelling unit and junior ADU regulations to align the municipal code with recent state law changes and to clarify local design and enforcement rules.","taxTitle","Fairfax Town, Marin County, California","taxId",72288,"location","California","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6109477,"Planning commission grants variance for second driveway at 26 Scenic Road, conditions approval on ADU construction",2610,1506000,4116000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2761815-7de34e577a19e44939459289b42701cd&start=1506&end=4116","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2761815-7de34e577a19e44939459289b42701cd/thumbnail_1506000.jpg","/articles/6109477/California/Planning-commission-grants-variance-for-second-driveway-at-26-Scenic-Road-conditions-approval-on-ADU-construction","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6109477-bd4fec6ab5de0c9a28c660decce07d47/orig.mp4?Expires=1776011990&Signature=IRMNI~zaeM0yG61C5FlombAAsWbGh1VPmktEMDkc4f0Xo0obJOm9RpVUagcaM3FeygHa1QupmOrmO2gbL015VDxXAQnYOclBuik6B6w94PqZ2LIMS0b1O6-dP1PGH5B7s4lgZNsiyAH-hUJgxte3m81nJ-2v9BFotoL6N~cFiM2Ad~LP7G3vloY53r2jidNcFGZTOGkV4s9UnpmgOW90KYYkfqjM5Hvu70VQS6a3pdZpN3~KFsokfGYupJtO-77Wc8m3IB5XBNZ6uUEjNwaRNX1tkdVQlrbkFS3ZyXm0kOfGwdeQollXwtSrlkN8irzfp3QqCN4knhycgCR08QAszQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Fairfax Planning Commission on March 20 approved a variance allowing a second curb cut and a new off-street parking space at 26 Scenic Road, but tied the approval to the eventual construction of an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) on the lot.

Staff described the proposal as a voluntary second driveway entrance and parking area to serve an ADU the property owners say they would build in the backyard. Scenic Road is roughly 24 feet wide curb to curb in front of the property; staff said the two curb cuts would result in an aggregate driveway width of about 23 feet, exceeding the 20-foot driveway width allowed by town code. The proposed new curb cut would be 12 feet (including flared edges) with an approximately 9-foot clear parking width from the cut to the property edge. The second entrance would be roughly 16 feet from the existing driveway on the same property and about 9 feet from the adjacent property\u001f's driveway at 30 Scenic Road, which triggers a variance because a single-family lot is limited to one driveway per frontage and a separation requirement of 40 feet.

Planning staff said the design conforms to Marin County uniform standards and that neither Ross Valley Fire Department nor Fairfax Police expressed concerns. Staff also noted the property owner proposed to reduce impervious surface from about 44% to roughly 29% of the lot, which would bring the site into compliance with the town\u001f's 35% lot-coverage requirement.

The application prompted extended discussion among commissioners about precedent, safety on the narrow, sloped street, and whether the approval should be conditioned on actual construction of an ADU rather than an applicant\u001f's statement of future intent. Commissioner comments ranged from concerns that the parcel\u001f's circumstances are not demonstrably unique compared with other pre-auto-era lots in the district, to the observation that many older properties face the same parking constraints and that adding an off-street space could reduce on-street pressure.

Neighbors spoke during public comment. Malcolm Fearon, who lives at 30 Scenic Road, asked whether the curb cut would worsen stormwater flows on the downhill slope and whether tree roots for a nearby oak would be affected; staff said public works and the building official review driveway connections and had not flagged drainage problems for this site, and that details would be reviewed at building-permit stage. Applicant Matthew Anderson said the ADU, if built, would be in the backyard near the garage and that the second driveway is needed for a dedicated parking space; he also complimented staff for a transparent process.

Because commissioners expressed concern about approving a curb cut solely on an applicant's intent to build an ADU, the commission added a condition that the variance approval be tied to the construction of an ADU on the property. The motion to approve (Resolution 25-04, application no. 2504) included that condition; the roll call found Newton, Kelly, Petrone, Jansen and Chair Pfeffer voting aye and Commissioner Bayla and Commissioner Bella (recorded as \"Bayla\" in the roll call) voting no. The chair announced the motion carried and noted a 10-day appeal period. The staff file and project plans are posted on the town website as attachments to the staff report.","The Fairfax Planning Commission on March 20 approved a variance to permit a second driveway entrance at 26 Scenic Road to accommodate a dedicated parking space intended for a proposed accessory dwelling unit, but conditioned the approval on construction of the ADU.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6109483,"Planning commission approves design-review permit for Bank of America ATMs at 89 Broadway",1147,348000,1495000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2761815-7de34e577a19e44939459289b42701cd&start=348&end=1495","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2761815-7de34e577a19e44939459289b42701cd/thumbnail_348000.jpg","/articles/6109483/California/Planning-commission-approves-design-review-permit-for-Bank-of-America-ATMs-at-89-Broadway","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6109483-e561526af78f8819be8755ee0ffe2cc3/orig.mp4?Expires=1776011990&Signature=bM4rzL3NEpK~~jx6Nx6-qnyUIzOnRS3PT8yTMkAUlC6LJkolvWGxSKcnTpMxhPsTAWJ9RpquJw3jvWzVQ7iHIXpEt7xq6rCgpF7NJhyhzsvf0sBH9XXR3u7MFmb91WiHyUeYE-QFBNTc52T4vzXfnDEDsCMS1TA5tQJwXu~eVnV0-xJNOSm356m9VeGpd4Y~ex4kZs7lFXRMYYOlsibonHha51KFsUB65wtUMmpBwxgFSecKHdFOomxngF-DKNEOGjkIu97tMUrq5HSKVQlokF9niA~SHjZJ6t1HSXJGjcQBlhXrOBeQ~VcR1wORIexu-Mv2iRqLA36QiOoWJzoYOg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Fairfax Planning Commission on March 20 approved a design-review permit to allow Bank of America to build an interior service room and make limited exterior changes at 89 Broadway so the bank can continue servicing its automatic teller machines at that location.

Planning staff told the commission that Bank of America sold the building but wants to retain the ATMs and needs a secure interior room to reload and service the machines. The work described in staff\u001f's report includes adding a door alongside the ATM machines, installing plywood and a gray screen in the two windows above the ATMs to limit visibility, replacing the concrete pad in front of the ATMs and a small portion of adjacent sidewalk, and adding a parking-lot light. Staff recommended approval after finding the changes comply with the town\u001f's design-review criteria and because the alterations would not significantly change the building\u001f's architecture or clash with surrounding businesses.

Commissioners approved the resolution (Resolution 2025-3; application no. 2503) with several conditions. The permit requires submission of a lighting/photometric plan with the building permit application and calls for dark-sky–compliant fixtures; planning staff said a photometric study is already completed and that the applicant proposes dark-sky bulbs. The commission also added a condition requiring a minimum one-week advance notice to the public if both on-site ATMs must be closed during construction, and the resolution language was edited to reference the plans by the date received on the town file.

Architect Matt Martinez of Little Diversified Architects, representing the applicant online, confirmed the team has completed a photometric study and intends to use dark-sky–compliant bulbs that match existing parking-lot lighting. Derek, the project manager representing the bank, told the commission they will \"do the best we can to try to keep 1 of them open during construction\" and said the applicant routinely posts signs to notify customers in advance if an ATM must be taken out of service.

The plan drew no public opposition at the hearing. After the motion and a second, the commission approved the resolution by roll call: Newton, Swift, Kelly, Bayla, Petrone, Jansen and Chair Pfeffer voted aye. Chair Pfeffer noted a 10-day appeal period and said information on the appeals process is available from the planning department.

The approval applies only to the design changes described in the staff report and the resolution; subsequent exterior alterations such as new signage or major structural changes remain subject to the town\u001f's design-review rules and may return to the commission for review.","On March 20, 2025, the Fairfax Planning Commission approved a design-review permit allowing interior and limited exterior work at 89 Broadway so Bank of America can continue to operate ATMs at the site. The approval carried conditions on lighting, plan documentation and advance notice if both ATMs must be closed during construction.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Planning commission unanimously recommends Town Council adopt ADU/JADU ordinance updates; reintroduces dark-sky and softens material-match rule

Planning commission grants variance for second driveway at 26 Scenic Road, conditions approval on ADU construction

Planning commission approves design-review permit for Bank of America ATMs at 89 Broadway