[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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",[32,75,87,99],{"_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":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6567740,"mediaKeyId","3272700-7724f44e92a84f6536daa63332a8681d","parentId",3272700,"title","Council approves parking-deck variance on Upper Toyon after debate over precedent and emergency access","audioSeconds",1143,"startMs",4718000,"endMs",5861000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3272700-7724f44e92a84f6536daa63332a8681d&start=4718&end=5861","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3272700-7724f44e92a84f6536daa63332a8681d/thumbnail_4718000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6567740/Ross/Marin-County/California/Council-approves-parking-deck-variance-on-Upper-Toyon-after-debate-over-precedent-and-emergency-access","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6567740-a4ff97b4d580b1df50b01201abf4d66a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771182858&Signature=SsE3sYLLfo0meqdDNTVdo7lLwml-EDomMgZTziiL3W46Fa~06KKt1I5zk87HGCpEY-cWLlv~1T8q6O5l5LyTcDxBA2F6IKa44crNp4Ju78ggXHNzlM42yz2CPQfNpqi38ZnX7lp4dDSRDK-u7xtVSqotyI9vWXeUfdH8zrmXFkVDzdlidfe32IgDxUfPzDP1FYOE0ygLpkDiZLfXUSFDfei1y2tEamfS3m9IMZAemiK7wtIg3csHt7McZPXjiWyt4WjyTXkp0-HZGHtMHOPug6pty5DtR0Op-V0rYN8wL2T6-ybEXWpZxiGqx-MfG-YVs4fmY2RDYjdhyIuJ1Ffmbg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Town of Ross","date","2025-05-08T00:00:00Z","article","The Ross Town Council voted 3-2 on May 8 to approve a hillside-lot permit and variance allowing a 493-square-foot parking deck within the side-yard setback at 313 Upper Toyon.

Planning staff told the council the unusual lot geometry, topography and narrow driveway circulation create maneuvering challenges for deliveries and guests; staff said a parking deck would reduce vehicles parked in the turnabout and improve circulation. The Planning Advisory/Design Review (ADR) group supported the design but expressed reservations about making the variance findings; the ADR vote had been 4-to-1 in favor of moving the design forward but not unanimous on the variance findings.

Neighbors and the applicant addressed the council. David Peterson, a neighbor at 307 Upper Toyon, said the existing turnaround is small and delivery vehicles and parked cars can impede emergency vehicle access: \"As the immediate neighbor, the turnaround area is quite small, and when cars are parked there, which they have been regularly, recently, it makes it a little bit difficult for us to get in and out of our property. But, more importantly, ... a fire truck would, if there were a car parked in the open area, the turnaround area outside of where my neighbor parks his cars, there was a single car parked there, a truck, a fire truck almost could not turn around,\" Peterson said.

The applicant and architect described the driveway, easement and turnabout configuration and said the parking deck would move temporary parking inside the gate and off the narrow public road. Council members expressed concern about the structure's mass and piers cantilevered over the hillside, and several said the town has not approved similar parking decks under the Hillside Lot Ordinance and worried about precedent. Others said keeping cars off narrow roads improves safety and favored the approval.

The council adopted Resolution No. 25-18 approving the variance and permit. The vote was 3-2. Conditions and screening were discussed; staff will proceed with permit issuance and standard conditions.

Ending: Staff will issue permits consistent with council conditions and monitor implementation; council members asked staff to consult the fire department and supply any additional safety guidance for similar future proposals.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Town Council Meeting-05/08/2025 - 6:00pm","oneSentenceSummary","The council approved a variance to allow a 493-square-foot parking deck within a side-yard setback at 313 Upper Toyon, a narrow, steep street; the 3-2 vote followed discussion about emergency access, precedent for parking decks on hillsides and neighborhood impacts.","taxTitle","Ross, Marin County, California","taxId",79356,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6567744,"Council splits over liaison assignments after mayor reassigns MCE representative",814,3092000,3906000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3272700-7724f44e92a84f6536daa63332a8681d&start=3092&end=3906","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3272700-7724f44e92a84f6536daa63332a8681d/thumbnail_3092000.jpg","/articles/6567744/Ross/Marin-County/California/Council-splits-over-liaison-assignments-after-mayor-reassigns-MCE-representative","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6567744-a0787c76bae136f10dbef88061257754/orig.mp4?Expires=1771182858&Signature=BoOD9-r6vGmpR2MLefZE~0O2vE4U368ZHtWOIJyE8WEngsAQVs90SHPwJF-nY~ailIal6Yesa8DdCsGu0RwfFVt8HkOr6jApmNSDtlIQHZxonhTqaCLPsHu9sOdZeB0lk316NbJgdocrSnUZtj96FexoV~J-L8YA0E4s2t16M~6~G~5UMXxDIwOwmezD8KBhWKg1UC0bu12w7E~PLwmlRQdicq~eIHtEvzex-nbs7zQXNV~UhRldCBoAD5EGSL5HMQvGGVpV7DiuwwVYTqwxIam8uVLPpcpaf8Fxumbagz2V5PM7f5w7UAWE2JoO9U3QwJbCUWw~WdXrYRpQcQPqbA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A dispute over committee and joint-power authority (JPA) liaison assignments that began behind the scenes became a focal point of the May 8 Ross Town Council meeting, with council members split over whether the mayor acted appropriately in making assignment changes.

Council members said liaison appointments have traditionally been handled collaboratively, with the mayor asking council members which assignments they prefer before forwarding recommendations to the full council. At the meeting a council member (identified in public comment as an affected representative) said the mayor \"unilaterally decided to remove me from the MCE board\" without consulting the member. The council member urged colleagues not to ratify the assignments, calling the change \"a troubling precedent.\" (Transcript: public comment by a council member raising procedure concerns.)

Mayor McMillan told the council she had received multiple complaints from members of the MCE board about the town's representative and recommended that Ross replace the sitting rep with another council member to preserve Ross's ability to influence regional decisions. \"When a positive relationship no longer exists, we must find a new approach with a different person representing the town of Ross,\" Mayor McMillan said. She recommended Council Member Salter serve as alternate on MCE and move another council member onto ABAG.

Council members debated whether the mayor's actions followed the town's procedures manual. Some council members said the manual gives the mayor discretion to appoint liaisons each year; others said decades of practice favored collaborative assignment and that unilateral removals are uncommon and disruptive. One council member said members of the MCE board and several residents had written in supporting the outgoing representative.

After discussion and public comment, a motion to ratify the mayor's liaison and JPA assignments carried on a 3-2 roll call. Mayor McMillan, Council Member Dowling and Council Member Kircher voted yes; Council Member Salter and Mayor Pro Tem Robbins voted no. The council's vote immediately implemented the new assignments.

Ending: The council approved the new liaison assignments by majority vote. Several council members and members of the public asked that future liaison changes be handled more transparently and publicly to avoid similar disputes.","A council dispute over liaison assignments erupted when Mayor McMillan reassigned a Ross representative on the Marin County Energy (MCE) board and recommended other seat swaps; the council ratified the new assignments 3-2 after public debate.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6567750,"Cedars launches 'Choose Kindness' campaign and asks Ross to adopt proclamation",868,559000,1427000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3272700-7724f44e92a84f6536daa63332a8681d&start=559&end=1427","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3272700-7724f44e92a84f6536daa63332a8681d/thumbnail_559000.jpg","/articles/6567750/Ross/Marin-County/California/Cedars-launches-Choose-Kindness-campaign-and-asks-Ross-to-adopt-proclamation","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6567750-7db6a5f5e8e5d1acc6a7f4301fdf35e3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771182858&Signature=OAlQf0nwFCeUS-koUS8elOusH3-FmG-56WgROd~70MXG2ab0XT8hTtq02bm72K5OeGPBnV4kBWNEVCKE372Zhkgg3RN9Yl8XsM8q6rR94qrBm~Pdt5Ols4HIiOhS-hvmtW4G1Xa0-hHuWDT56xKuxmsoVz7t1prgeQUlCIaHN29ItdW~2lQUguojFFOwdNd1Q4ROTM2ZKAYYlW539to9tAYJR7-163heUEzNHKbgmABPGA~W5LERb2q76fm5bls~RvLQn5IAAo~lgZHDhj4qb~J-t0bWKBpiiSMppZA4mvcNFqtvkmSNgzOiJDFNineO1b0hvTi4ncFOLReRyn6i5g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representatives from Cedars, a nonprofit that operates day programs and residences for adults with developmental disabilities, presented the organization's client-driven \"Choose Kindness\" campaign and asked the Ross Town Council to adopt a proclamation recognizing the initiative.

Casey Coco, director of strategic planning for Cedars, told the council the campaign was created by Cedars' client advisory council after members called attention to incidents showing a lack of everyday kindness and inclusion. \"The client advisory council decided they could make a difference, and they came up with this idea,\" Coco said. She described the campaign as an effort to promote inclusion across Marin County and asked Ross to lead the countywide launch by adopting a proclamation and helping spread the message through town communications.

Resident members of Cedars' client advisory council described everyday examples that prompted the campaign. Rose Gordon said the council heard reports of disrespectful retail interactions and other incidents of people with disabilities not being treated with basic courtesy: \"It's just basic, like, treat people like you wanna be treated. We're the same as anyone else,\" Gordon said. Teresa Pardella, a Cedars resident and client advocate, urged the council and residents to acknowledge and greet people with disabilities: \"If you see someone with a disability, make sure that they are seen and greeted, loved and acknowledged,\" she said.

Mayor McMillan thanked the Cedars delegation and council member Terry noted that the town will include a proclamation on the consent calendar and sign and send it to the organization. Council members and staff also discussed using town communications, including the new monthly \"Ross Review\" newsletter, to help publicize the campaign.

Ending: The council indicated support and staff said a proclamation would appear on the consent calendar and be signed. Cedars said it plans to begin outreach to schools, businesses and other community groups and eventually expand the campaign countywide.","Cedars, a Ross-based nonprofit serving adults with developmental disabilities, presented a countywide \"Choose Kindness\" campaign and asked the council to adopt a town proclamation recognizing the initiative.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6567755,"Ross Council reintroduces municipal cleanup ordinance, adopts fire zone map and approves a series of permits and contracts",253,2686000,2939000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3272700-7724f44e92a84f6536daa63332a8681d&start=2686&end=2939","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3272700-7724f44e92a84f6536daa63332a8681d/thumbnail_2686000.jpg","/articles/6567755/Ross/Marin-County/California/Ross-Council-reintroduces-municipal-cleanup-ordinance-adopts-fire-zone-map-and-approves-a-series-of-permits-and-contracts","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6567755-a391b4cc966fd340484b9e1ab5038bd7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771182858&Signature=g~On8xrII7FrjLjI0qCdsQfFR7GPEAUs8cczcyxmh1vaGUcVGFkZzWl2jib3DynL1Q5N5j4BGO2yT6pSKpBnaPNY3AP7h6zpCbAVOEkRFvRc8-drvksnv3MD74KvXtTlWWrrU5ndnkZ9HPsk3~AsYf2gYWRilpGWJTLPa2d4lz~-dbA~p0-EbOoauw9-zmbveu1RIEwLAir2r-ReemyjBzUJG22yzOij7tDWAgrjijOxoqDyXYPfigeHc5WTvD5ExLbuZ9vY~r-Vi7eW83nIctjYJi7GDO7NlVvNXXyZVYl-SGR96q1OlvNwzR8FbxEg0Yb5IEvBHooK~tstTq~72A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Ross Town Council on May 8 reintroduced changes to the Ross Municipal Code, adopted a local fire-hazard severity zone map, approved several planning permits and other routine items, and authorized a cybersecurity services agreement.

The council reintroduced Ordinance No. 728 — housekeeping amendments to the Ross Municipal Code — after staff removed proposed edits to the tree-planting chapter (the so-called \"zone 0\" language) pending final state guidance. Mayor McMillan said staff consulted the town attorney and recommended reintroduction without the zone-0 changes; the council voted 5-0 to reintroduce the ordinance and schedule adoption for a future meeting.

The council also adopted Ordinance No. 729, which designates fire hazard severity zones in the Ross Local Responsibility Area. Rob Bastian of the Ross Valley Fire Department answered questions at the meeting, telling the council that approving the map does not itself impose landscaping or construction restrictions; future implementing guidelines would be considered separately. The ordinance passed 5-0.

Several planning and design-review items were decided: the council adopted Resolution No. 25-17 (51 Loma Linda; design review and demolition permit) by a roll call recorded as 3 yes, 0 no, with two council members recused; Resolution No. 25-18 (313 Upper Toyon; hillside-lot permit and variance for a parking deck) passed 3-2 amid a pointed debate about precedent for parking decks on steep lots; Resolution No. 25-19 (117 Laurel Grove; fence and gate design review) passed 5-0; and Resolution No. 25-21 (78 Shady Lane; landscaping, pool and related variances) passed 4-1 after discussion about lot coverage and ADUs.

The council approved a contract with Marin IT for cybersecurity implementation and related IT services in the amount of $131,000. Town Manager Krista Johnson explained the increase covers higher hourly support, a workstation-replacement project (about $21,000), a password-manager program (about $4,000), and an infrastructure refresh (about $13,600) to improve wired/wireless networking and on-site backup. The motion passed 5-0.

The council added a new town goal to \"provide effective and timely communication with residents,\" and adopted an updated safety element of the general plan with two textual edits requested by council members: two instances of the word \"shall\" were changed to \"should\" and the phrase \"other natural disasters\" was added to clarify post-disaster recovery language. That vote was 5-0.

Council members also ratified committee and JPA liaison assignments after a contentious discussion earlier in the meeting (see separate article). The ratification motion passed 3-2.

Ending note: many of the planning items included design-review recommendations from the town's advisory review group and some votes included recusals where council members lived within the statutory distance of a project.","At its May 8 meeting the Ross Town Council reintroduced ordinance cleanup edits, adopted a local fire hazard severity zone map, approved multiple planning permits and contracts including a $131,000 cybersecurity agreement, and ratified committee appointments after a contentious debate.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council approves parking-deck variance on Upper Toyon after debate over precedent and emergency access

Council splits over liaison assignments after mayor reassigns MCE representative

Cedars launches 'Choose Kindness' campaign and asks Ross to adopt proclamation

Ross Council reintroduces municipal cleanup ordinance, adopts fire zone map and approves a series of permits and contracts