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 subject to fundraising.

Key lease and project terms presented to the board include a 40-year lease with two 5-year mutual options, a monthly rent set at $16,875 (to increase 3% annually) that will be abated during the 40-year term while AIM constructs the parking lot, and an AIM obligation to provide a third weekly market day. County staff said the County of Marin would review and approve AIM's construction documents and that the new lot is expected to be completed in time for the 2027 fair season, with AIM aiming for earlier completion if possible.

AIM said its markets generate an estimated $52 million in annual sales for local farmers and food makers; AIM projected an additional $6 million in local sales and about 192 new jobs annually if the permanent market and an extra market day are added. The project team said more than half of market vendors are certified organic or in transition, and described programs to accept CalFresh, WIC and senior nutrition benefits to improve access.

The site is within the boundaries of a 1992 Civic Center Open Space Ordinance that requires voter approval for construction in the Civic Center grounds; AIM and the county previously placed a measure on the ballot in 2014 to allow permanent market infrastructure on the site and the measure passed with approximately 82% of the vote, project staff said. Community Development Agency staff also referenced an initial study and the MND published in November 2023; the MND concluded that with proposed mitigation measures the project would not have significant environmental impacts.

Supervisors asked about timeline and oversight of construction documents, stormwater controls and parking coordination with county events; county staff and AIM said they would meet regularly to coordinate campus parking and event scheduling. A 60-day contingency period for AIM to conduct inspections and cultural-resource evaluations was noted in the finalized lease.

Supervisor Milton Peters moved and Supervisor Rodoni seconded a motion to adopt the mitigated negative declaration and delegate authority to the county executive to execute the lease. The motion carried unanimously.

County and AIM officials said the project will include site features intended to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions (electrification, tree plantings and stormwater controls) and a design approach that references Frank Lloyd Wright heritage on the Civic Center campus. AIM said it will phase in market programs, vendor supports, training for small producers and accessible programming for low-income residents.