Votes at a glance: Ross council adopts zoning cleanup reintroduction, fire-hazard map, planning approvals and safety-element edits

The Ross Town Council took a series of formal actions on May 8, approving code and planning items, authorizing a cybersecurity contract and adopting a town goal on communication. Below is a concise summary of motions and vote outcomes recorded during the meeting.

Votes at a glance

- Consent calendar (items a, b, c, f, g, h): Approved by roll call, 5–0. (No public comment on these items after several items were pulled for separate discussion.)

- Ordinance No. 728 (municipal code cleanup; reintroduced without proposed edits to Chapter 12.24 about "zone 0"): Council reintroduced and waived first reading; motion carried 5–0. Staff said the ordinance will return for final adoption on June 12 after removing proposed changes to the fire-hazard “zone 0” language so the town can await state rulemaking.

- Ordinance No. 729 (designating fire hazard severity zones in the Ross local responsibility area): Adopted by roll call vote, 5–0. Ross Valley Fire Department staff clarified that adoption of the map does not, by itself, mandate specific landscaping or building restrictions; those subject-specific regulations would be considered separately.

- Committee and liaison appointments (agenda item 10.i): Council ratified mayoral appointments by a 3–2 vote (Mayor McMillan, Council Member Dowling and Council Member Kircher — yes; Council Member Salter and Mayor Pro Tem Robbins — no). The council later approved an immediate effective date after a procedural motion to reconsider timing carried.

- Town goal number 8 (provide effective and timely communication with residents): Amended wording to read “with residents” and approved, 5–0.

- Contract with Marin IT for cybersecurity implementation and information-technology services (item 10.k): Authorized at $131,000 (the staff report said the increase was largely for workstation replacement, a password manager, infrastructure refresh and additional hourly support); motion carried 5–0.

Planning and land-use items (public hearings)

- 51 Loma Linda (design review and demolition permit — Resolution No. 25-17): Adopted (vote recorded as 3–0 with two council members recused because of proximity). The council approved design review for a detached garage/guest-house exterior remodel.

- 313 Upper Toyon Road (hillside lot permit and variance — Resolution No. 25-18): Approved by council, motion carried 3–2 after extended discussion focused on hillside bulk/massing, visibility and emergency access. Staff and the applicant cited driveway geometry and existing site topography as factors supporting the variance; several members expressed concern about precedent for parking decks on hillsides.

- 117 Laurel Grove (design review — Resolution No. 25-19): Adopted, 5–0. The applicant revised gate/fence design following ADR recommendations to ensure 50% transparency on the upper portion.

- 78 Shady Lane (design review and variance — Resolution No. 25-21): Adopted, 4–1. The applicant’s proposal included a pool, spa and outdoor kitchen in the rear-yard setback; opponents argued the lot is overbuilt and that additional variances undermine setback rules. The applicant noted therapeutic reasons for the pool and said neighbors had been consulted.

Policy and other items

- Safety-element policy edits (identified as Resolution No. 25-03 in staff materials): Council adopted the updated language with two edits proposed by council (changing two instances of “shall” to “should” to preserve flexibility and adding the words “and other natural disasters” to post-disaster recovery language). Motion carried 5–0. Staff said code changes implementing specific requirements will follow later in the zoning-code update process.

- Appointment process for an appointed town treasurer: The finance subcommittee recommended recruiting an appointed treasurer (resident required) and discussed a longstanding $250/month stipend. Council directed staff to begin a recruitment run by the town clerk without specifying a stipend; the finance subcommittee will vet candidates and bring recommendations to council for appointment.

Motion and vote records (selected)

- Consent items a, b, c, f, g, h: motion to approve (mover/second recorded in minutes); roll call: Mayor McMillan — yes; Council Member Dowling — yes; Council Member Kircher — yes; Council Member Salter — yes; Mayor Pro Tem Robbins — yes. Tally: 5–0.

- Ordinance 728 (reintroduction without zone 0 edits): motion to reintroduce and waive first reading; roll call: 5–0.

- Ordinance 729 (fire hazard zones): motion to adopt ordinance; roll call: 5–0. Ross Valley Fire Department confirmed adoption of the map does not automatically impose immediate landscaping restrictions beyond future code actions.

- Committee appointments (10.i): motion to ratify; roll call: Mayor McMillan — yes; Council Member Dowling — yes; Council Member Kircher — yes; Council Member Salter — no; Mayor Pro Tem Robbins — no. Tally: 3–2. Motion carried. A subsequent motion to reconsider timing passed and council ratified the appointments effective immediately.

- 51 Loma Linda (Res. 25-17): motion to adopt; recorded vote 3–0 with two recusals; motion carried.

- 313 Upper Toyon (Res. 25-18): motion to adopt; motion carried 3–2.

- 117 Laurel Grove (Res. 25-19): motion to adopt; roll call 5–0.

- 78 Shady Lane (Res. 25-21): motion to adopt; roll call 4–1.

- Safety-element edits (Res. 25-03): motion to adopt with edits (two “shall”→“should”; add “and other natural disasters”); roll call 5–0.

What the council asked staff to do next

- Return Ordinance 728 for final adoption on June 12 after state rulemaking on “zone 0” is clearer. - Prepare clarified procedures and recommended public process for liaison appointments per the council’s request following the 10.i debate. - Continue work on objective guidelines for pools and variances in small lots and bring zoning/code changes related to the safety element later this year.

Documents and references: The meeting included staff reports and revised ordinances posted to the town website; several planning resolutions were cited by number in the record (Res. 25-17, 25-18, 25-19, 25-21, 25-03).