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Fairfax Planning Commission records preliminary score of 83 for Marin Alliance medical cannabis storefront at 61 Bolinas Road
Summary
The commission completed preliminary scoring May 21 for a medical cannabis business permit for Marin Alliance at 61 Bolinas Road and recorded an aggregate score of 83 (30/35 business qualifications; 26/35 operating plan; 27/30 public benefit). Commissioners flagged proximity to youth‑focused locations and parking as local concerns to be addressed by the Town Council.
The Fairfax Planning Commission on May 21 completed preliminary scoring of a commercial medical cannabis business permit application for Marin Alliance, proposed at 61 Bolinas Road, and adopted a resolution recording a Planning Commission recommendation score of 83 out of 100.
Planning staff outlined the limited scope of the commission's role: the Planning Commission provides preliminary scoring to inform a future Town Council decision on waivers and any exemptions for proximity to youth gathering places. Staff noted the site lies within 600 feet of the Fairfax Pavilion (where youth groups operate regularly) and within 300 feet of First Friends Daycare, which creates the need for Council review of distance exemptions.
The applicant and long‑time operator responded to questions and public allegations about past tax filings. The applicant (referred to in the record as Lynette Shaw) said recent tax matters had been placed on a payment plan and described the proposed storefront as medically focused. "I've paid all my taxes to the town... I'm on a payment plan, everything's fine," the applicant said in response to written allegations.
Supporters and opponents both addressed the commission in public comment. Supporters cited the applicant's three‑decade operating history and emphasized a quiet, medically oriented storefront with security and inventory controls. Opponents raised concerns about the site's proximity to places where children gather and the absence of guaranteed on‑site parking. Commissioners discussed how to reflect proximity, parking and operational mitigations in their scoring while recognizing that waiver/exemption questions are reserved for the Town Council.
Commissioners submitted individual scores using the staff scoring worksheet; staff aggregated the results as follows: business qualifications/business plan 30 out of 35; quality of operating plan 26 out of 35; public benefit 27 out of 30; total 83 out of 100. The commission voted unanimously to adopt a resolution recording that score and forward the recommendation to the Town Council for final action on exemptions and permits.
The council will consider parking, sign and proximity exceptions, and staff advised that required permits and documentation (for example, Secretary of State filings and proof of entity formation) should be provided to the town before Council review.
