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Tiburon panel removes annual review for Blackies Pasture “Chipper Days,” citing safety benefits
Summary
The Planning Commission unanimously adopted an amended resolution on Dec. 9 that ends the yearly review requirement for the Blackies Pasture Chipper Days program, while preserving the commission’s authority to reopen the permit if complaints arise.
The Tiburon Planning Commission unanimously adopted an amended resolution Dec. 9 to remove the requirement for a scheduled annual review of the Blackies Pasture “Chipper Days” conditional use permit, citing steady public support and the event’s role in reducing fire fuel loads.
Neil Toff, the interim planning director, told the commission the program — sponsored by the Tiburon Fire Protection District and supported by the town’s public works staff — runs during the late spring and summer months and has removed “large volumes” of vegetative debris in recent seasons. Toff said staff has not received recent complaints and recommended the commission adopt an amended resolution that ends mandatory yearly reviews but leaves open the option for the commission to call the permit back if issues are reported.
Gary Masante, representing the Tiburon Fire Protection District, thanked the commission and staff and confirmed that haulers generally take material to San Rafael (with overflow to Novato when full). Commissioners acknowledged periodic parking coordination challenges on summer weekends where the event overlaps with sports activities but said those operational issues did not merit undoing the program.
Commissioner Woodward and Commissioner Williams both praised the event’s community benefit, while Vice Chair Amir and Chair DeFeaver said the program aligns with Tiburon’s hazard-reduction and community-safety goals. Commissioner Williams moved to adopt the revised resolution and the motion passed by unanimous roll call.
The commission’s action ends the staff requirement for an annual scheduled review. The Planning Commission retains authority to reopen or amend the conditional use permit if subsequent complaints or operational problems arise.
What’s next: The revised resolution is effective per the planning commission’s action; the fire district and public works staff remain the primary contacts for operational concerns.
