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MAGIC seeks major renovation in Ross, including 7‑ft fencing and new monument sign
Summary
The Marin Art and Garden Center (MAGIC) presented a multi‑part renovation including Livermore Pavilion upgrades, relocation of the rose garden, a master sign program with an 8‑ft monument sign, 7‑ft perimeter fencing, and a plan to reduce impervious surfaces by 16,862 sq ft; ADR members raised questions about sign height, material, and lighting.
The Marin Art and Garden Center (MAGIC) asked the Town of Ross Advisory Design Review group for a recommendation to the town council on a suite of site improvements that include renovations to the Livermore Pavilion, replacement and relocation of storage structures, a new master sign program and perimeter fencing, and substantial landscape and paving work.
Staff described the application as proposing replacement of an existing 275‑square‑foot storage structure with a new 375‑square‑foot structure screened by redwood walls and trellis; an approximately 27‑square‑foot addition to the Livermore Pavilion; replacement of decking and guardrails; and about 3,000 square feet of pervious driveway/parking pavement. The applicant’s materials also state an overall decrease of 16,862 square feet in impervious surface across the site.
Executive director Iris Wax (Marin Art and Garden Center) said the nonprofit depends on donations and framed the project as important to the center’s public mission. Architect Jessica Fairchild and landscape architect Kathy Garrett described three project areas (entry, access to the barn, and the Celebration Area). Garrett explained a fencing strategy with multiple fence types—an artful serpentine steel 'art fence,' a wood ‘good neighbor’ fence, and a transparent wire fence—generally at 7 feet to protect plantings from deer while maintaining public friendliness.
ADR members focused considerable attention on the proposed monument sign along Sir Francis Drake Boulevard. Multiple members said the proposed 8‑foot sign is larger than most nearby signs and urged the applicant to increase type size and reduce prominence of the graphic logo to improve legibility from the road. The design team said the sign material is intended to be metal, not internally lit, and emphasized the need for legible type for drivers. Members recommended exploring lighting options and a more horizontal design as alternatives, and also asked for clarification on wayfinding and the internal map text size.
Members and several commenters expressed broad support for repairing the Livermore Pavilion, improving accessibility to the barn (including rebuilt stair access and better connection to disabled parking), and reducing impervious area. Staff asked ADR to discuss the merits of the project and forward a recommendation and vote count to the town council.
