The Corte Madera Planning Commission on Tuesday discussed whether to start meetings earlier but voted to keep the regular 7 p.m. start time after commissioners weighed schedule preferences. Staff also briefed commissioners on fall outreach and code updates including a building‑code update, an ADU workshop and tour, release of a county infill report, and a consultant‑led effort to modernize the town’s commercial code.

Start time discussion
Community Development staff raised the topic of meeting start times, saying an earlier start — for example 6:00 or 6:30 p.m. — could reduce late nights and allow better scheduling. “Starting earlier may mean that we don't go as late,” staff member Amy said at the meeting. Commissioners expressed differing preferences: several favored remaining at 7 p.m.; one said 6:30 would be acceptable. The commission ultimately decided to keep the 7 p.m. start time.

Staff policy and outreach updates
Staff briefed the commission on several near‑term items: a building code update to adopt revised reach codes (first reading expected at the Oct. 7 Town Council meeting and a second reading later in October), an ADU tour and workshop on Saturday, Oct. 4 hosted with the county ADU Center, and a Council on Infill Builders report release and event on Oct. 9 in Novato. The Community Development team also said it will begin a project in the coming months to modernize the town’s commercial code, with outreach and consultant support; the scope includes permitted uses, parking regulations and temporary use rules such as parklets and outdoor gym operations.

Why it matters: The reach‑code and commercial‑code efforts affect permit thresholds, energy requirements and how commercial properties (including restaurants and temporary outdoor operations) are regulated in Corte Madera. The ADU tour is part of countywide efforts to inform homeowners about accessory dwelling units and local permitting resources.

Next steps
Staff said the reach‑code ordinance will go to the Town Council for reading in October and the commission will be engaged for follow‑up work on commercial code updates and outreach as the consultant work begins. The ADU event will include a morning workshop and in‑the‑field ADU tours in Corte Madera on Oct. 4, the staff presenter said.

Ending: Commissioners left the meeting with the status updates and their current schedule unchanged; staff will return with formal proposals and public‑facing events for the commission’s review.