Neighbor Urges Corte Madera to Set Objective Timelines After Decade-long Construction Disturbance

A Corte Madera resident told the Town Council on May 6 that a long-delayed house rebuild has left neighbors dealing with noise, mud, crews and safety concerns for nearly a decade, and urged the town to adopt objective timelines for permit use.

Margaret Bridal, who identified herself as a resident of 180 Prince Royal Drive, said the homeowner at 159 Prince Royal Drive received approvals for a three-story, 3,371-square-foot tear-down and rebuild in May 2017 but did not build, allowed permit extensions and the site has remained an active construction nuisance since 2016.

Bridal told the council: “My neighbors and I have had to look at this building site and have been subjected to the turmoil, excavation, cranes, trucks, noise, parking, mud, and mess, deliveries, and more now for more than 5 years.” She said the permit lapsed twice and that a third, subjective extension was granted by the planning director in July 2020.

Bridal said she has repeatedly asked the town to draft objective rules that limit how long an approved project can remain active without completion and urged the council to prioritize neighborhood impacts as well as applicant rights. “After 10 years, the time has come for this to be a priority,” she said.

Town staff did not take action at the meeting; the comment came during the public-comment portion of the agenda. Mayor Avasio and council members acknowledged Bridal’s remarks and said staff would likely respond outside the meeting.

The council did not vote or direct staff to draft new permit-time limits during the May 6 meeting; Bridal’s remarks were recorded as public comment only.