San Anselmo council approves lease to reopen downtown plaza pending safety review

The San Anselmo Town Council on Feb. 24 approved a three-year lease with the Marin County Flood Control and Water Conservation District to allow public use of the concrete platform popularly called BB2, while the district's larger flood-risk project remains delayed.

Council members and staff said the agreement responds to updated strain-gauge monitoring showing no new movement in the structure and reflects an effort to restore a pandemic-era public space that has become a downtown gathering spot.

Town staff presented the lease as a temporary measure that would let the town use the platform for outdoor dining and recreation until the district's planned construction proceeds. The lease requires a structural engineering firm to confirm the platform can safely support public use before reopening, obliges the town to perform monthly visual inspections and monitoring of strain gauges, and sets a maximum occupancy of 250 people.

"This is such an unmitigated win for the town," one council member said during the debate, praising collaboration with the county. Council members who spoke in favor noted the plaza's value for merchants and gatherings and thanked staff for negotiating the amendment.

The council approved an amendment that removed a rent-escalation clause in section 24 of the draft lease; council member Eileen moved the amendment and a colleague seconded it. The measure was carried unanimously.

Council members and staff discussed enforcement of the 250-person limit for large events, with staff noting capacity will be managed through visual monitoring and event controls such as removing tables or limiting use for large performances. Staff also confirmed the lease includes mutual indemnities and that the county approved the modified agreement earlier in the day.

The council framed the vote as a way to restore downtown public life while preserving the district's ability to carry out a future flood-risk project. The council directed staff to implement the lease terms, require the engineer's safety confirmation before any public use, and conduct the required monthly monitoring and maintenance.

The council did not take votes on changes to the district's broader flood project schedule; those would be driven by the district and federal FEMA mitigation work.

The council moved on to its next agenda items after the unanimous approval.