Board approves lease and mitigated-negative declaration for permanent Marin farmers market and Center for Food and Agriculture

The Board of Supervisors on Tuesday approved a long-term lease and adopted a mitigated negative declaration (MND) for a permanent Marin farmers market and the proposed Center for Food and Agriculture on a 3.7-acre parcel of the Civic Center grounds.

County staff described the project and environmental findings and AIM (the Agriculture Institute of Marin) presented site designs and program plans. AIM Chief Executive Andy Najjaris said the project would create a permanent market plaza with canopies, accessible restrooms, seating, drinking water, electric hookups and other infrastructure intended to support year-round activity. A site plan presented to the board shows a phased approach: Phase 1 would build the permanent farmers market and a parking lot with about 250 stalls; Phase 2 would add a food-innovation hub and classroom/visitor space…