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Fairfax planning commission approves conditional use, design and tree permits for corner‑lot house at 40 Olema Road
Summary
The Fairfax Planning Commission on May 21 approved Application 2607 to build a two‑story, three‑bedroom house with an attached garage on a legally nonconforming corner lot at Olema and Manor roads. Staff recommended corrections to typographical errors and required frontage improvements, and the commission added clarified conditions before a unanimous vote.
The Fairfax Planning Commission voted May 21 to approve Application 2607, clearing the way for construction of a two‑story single‑family house with an attached 420‑square‑foot garage at the corner of Olema and Manor roads.
Bryn McKillop, senior planner, told the commission the proposal meets development standards for the RD 5.57 zone and must satisfy findings in Town Code section 17.032.060 A–E. "The project consists of new construction of a two story single family house with an attached garage," McKillop said, and staff reported a living area of 2,221 square feet, a total of 2,641 square feet including the garage and a floor‑area ratio of 0.39.
The applicant's designer, Amon Red Pakti Dam Rungrid, described steps taken to reduce massing and protect neighbor privacy, saying the "two story elements have been set back even farther away from our neighbors" and that second‑story windows were eliminated where necessary to minimize impacts.
Commissioners and staff identified several typographical errors in the staff report and draft resolution — including inconsistent square‑foot numbers and a mistaken street name — and agreed corrections to the resolution before finalizing the recommendation. Staff also recommended, and the commission included as conditions, frontage improvements requested by Public Works: construction of a new sidewalk, curb and gutter on all frontage sides and an ADA‑compliant curb ramp at the Manor/Olema intersection. The Tree Committee's recommendation that replacement trees be selected by the town arborist and Public Works director was retained, while a town staff clarification removed a Marin County Environmental Health sewage permit requirement where Ross Valley Sanitary District service applies.
Commissioners asked for a drainage/filtration calculation for pervious areas if required by Marin Municipal Water District standards, but agreed MMWD and building‑permit review would address final stormwater compliance. After a roll‑call vote, the motion to adopt the corrected resolution passed unanimously. The commission noted a 10‑day appeal period and directed staff on next steps for permit and building‑department reviews.
The resolution approves the design review, conditional use and tree removal permits; building permits and agency reviews (fire, public works, MMWD) remain required before construction begins.
