[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6088435,"mediaKeyId","2880409-429043e8bf154885e73d5e3cc4861506","parentId",2880409,"title","Town council OKs $36,312 contract for town facilities condition assessment after debate over consultants vs. in‑house work","audioSeconds",3409,"startMs",8799000,"endMs",12208000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2880409-429043e8bf154885e73d5e3cc4861506&start=8799&end=12208","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2880409-429043e8bf154885e73d5e3cc4861506/thumbnail_8799000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6088435/California/Town-council-OKs-36312-contract-for-town-facilities-condition-assessment-after-debate-over-consultants-vs-inhouse-work","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6088435-692fb28465f02c7103c2dba1d8d3e7f4/orig.mp4?Expires=1770430658&Signature=HO7w2NFUTVvAMVU1~blVoBUQckovdNE7QMK~06olyRzhsLC8xqsV201wqnGy7KcWzw1ps-R6rjbyRhFJzO8tn39N7e-7I3jKsR62Ncynasf8Tyb4cI4cyctamy0JuCjSBiUya6VCrPgN0qr9FbTWWxo0mr3DxXj0RfqZxm8xVUQQi~A4vPuGSTDp8wlqs9h89R5bqsUIrZSn4uvFmxd4z6T0sUi31qsIaAk8JNlUHJhaNKfYl48CnEFrisnca3-j~2FL2MLTCf3zkj7GYNx8Xyvwobj7ryVkrMrrR1SS-FM9AZX6rcI9o5Dpu4Nyidxfj-TA36e7GbauabzjeA7VBA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Town Council of Fairfax CA","date","2025-04-05T05:08:58.787Z","article","The Fairfax Town Council on April 2 authorized the town manager to execute a professional services agreement with Bureau Veritas for a facilities condition and needs assessment, not to exceed $36,312, a project staff said will produce a roughly 20‑year plan and cost estimates for town buildings.

Planning Director Jeff Beisswanger summarized the proposal: the consultant will review town‑owned buildings (town hall and police department, the community center, the women’s club and pavilion, the corporation yard, and ball‑field structures), assess immediate and longer‑term maintenance and capital needs, and produce cost estimates and a plan useful for capital budgeting and grant applications. Beisswanger said the consultant’s work is expected to take about three to six months.

Why it matters: council members and staff said an up‑to‑date, systematized facilities assessment helps the town plan capital needs, prioritize repairs and make stronger grant applications, including FEMA or other funding streams that favor ‘shovel‑ready’ projects. Opponents urged caution because the town is carrying an operating deficit; some public commenters and a councilmember argued the work could be done in‑house using town staff and local contractors.

Public comment and debate: members of the public and several council members questioned hiring an outside firm rather than relying on public‑works staff, and flagged the town’s fiscal position and recent consultant spending. Supporters — including Councilmember Kohler and Town Manager Heather Abrams — said staff lacks the bandwidth and specialized software to perform a timely, credible assessment and noted the fee was modest compared with potential future capital‑planning costs. The firm was selected through an RFQ process; staff said four firms responded and two were interviewed.

Council action: the council adopted a resolution authorizing the town manager to execute the professional services agreement with Bureau Veritas for an amount not to exceed $36,312. The motion passed; Councilmember Guirangalli recorded a dissenting vote citing concerns over consultant spending and local capacity.

Scope and timetable: staff described the scope as a comprehensive condition assessment, with prioritized short‑ and long‑term needs and cost estimates intended to feed future capital budgeting and grant applications. Staff said the assessment will lean on existing knowledge from in‑house staff and recently completed design work where applicable (for example, the fire station remodel designs), and that the contractor will provide software access for tracking needs.

Ending: the contract aims to give the town a prioritized, costed plan to reduce surprise emergency repairs and to support grant and budget planning; the council approved the expenditure despite public concern about consultant costs and the town’s broader fiscal position.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Fairfax Town Council April 2, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The council authorized the town manager to sign a $36,312 professional services agreement with Bureau Veritas to assess town facilities, a 3–6 month project. Public speakers questioned consultant spending given the town’s financial pressures; the measure passed with one council no vote.","taxTitle","Fairfax Town, Marin County, California","taxId",72288,"location","California","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6088440,"Council introduces ordinance designating new fire hazard severity zones; schedules May 7 public hearing",890,6088000,6978000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2880409-429043e8bf154885e73d5e3cc4861506&start=6088&end=6978","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2880409-429043e8bf154885e73d5e3cc4861506/thumbnail_6088000.jpg","/articles/6088440/California/Council-introduces-ordinance-designating-new-fire-hazard-severity-zones-schedules-May-7-public-hearing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6088440-bf75faf89b77bff8998880cf53db0935/orig.mp4?Expires=1770430658&Signature=dk6JzIgpENkiNqJSjdVfkmij~61zE9y-08ONwKqI2eOLh6GcTT1zAcJd4tANr8eTSKts6oFJUKK2mjEDNEJZNgaAWVO1LLw1lwXDs0tyoiy2cVC6YONXAm9FI87eFx8oVqtyevQ6XeuXfAjPF13Nc4mDUbIizAArrQzf4-3SWb1ZGg31ZPGNrS26lRpHun89utvvsdILkiW6K-MOMS5lsO4VwubjTauZyVWkR8cX~Sk3g8IyX7dnUc1YVjrVOUVZAVjtV-PM~nWXLURIF5jiN2Ytp7JscuWR72ZUs1ZqLvZRmeCCWAJ5IEYhIdzp8tTTitHPwwiJqpu5jbxQwWSZGw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Fairfax Town Council on April 2 introduced an ordinance to designate fire hazard severity zones in local responsibility areas and adopted a resolution scheduling a public hearing for May 7, following a staff presentation on state maps prepared by CAL FIRE.

Planning and fire staff — assisted by Ross Valley Fire District senior inspector Rob Bastian and Fire Chief Mahoney — told the council the California Government Code requires local agencies to adopt moderate, high, and very‑high fire severity designations based on state recommendations. Inspector Bastian said the town received the state recommendations on Feb. 24, 2025, and must act within a 120‑day window.

Why it matters: the new maps change where state and local building and vegetation requirements and resale disclosures apply. Staff emphasized the maps are driven by modeled fire probability, vegetation and terrain, not by local development patterns. The presentation included a caution from the state insurance commissioner that CAL FIRE maps are intended to drive planning — not insurance underwriting — and that insurers already use broader risk tools.

Key facts: staff showed differences between Fairfax’s 2007 Wildland‑Urban Interface maps and the new maps; some areas such as portions of Sir Francis Drake Boulevard were newly mapped as high hazard, while parts of the Taylor/Roca area are no longer on the state’s hazard maps but remain subject to the town’s WUI rules. Staff said Fairfax has moderate and high zones but no areas designated very high on the state maps.

Council action: the council voted to introduce the ordinance and schedule a public hearing on May 7. The motion passed unanimously among councilmembers on the dais. Councilmembers and members of the public asked detailed questions about how the map was generated, whether existing local WUI regulations would continue to apply where the state map differs, and whether insurers would use the maps to cancel or raise homeowner policies.

Public comment and concerns: speakers asked whether the new designations would worsen insurance availability and cost, and several urged the council to coordinate evacuation planning and to involve the fire district in evaluating impacts to evacuation routes. Speakers also asked for clearer outreach to neighborhoods that find themselves newly classified as higher hazard.

What’s next: because the council introduced the ordinance, staff will publish materials and hold a public hearing on May 7 to take formal testimony and consider final adoption. Staff recommended outreach to property owners about defensible‑space best practices in the near term and said some state regulations on requirements close to structures are still under development.

Ending: The council’s action starts a formal local process to adopt the state’s recommended hazard designations while preserving the town’s existing WUI rules where applicable; residents were advised to review defensible‑space guidance and to attend the May 7 hearing for formal comment.","Fairfax moved to adopt updated fire hazard severity zones based on state mapping, introduced an ordinance and scheduled a May 7 public hearing. Staff and residents debated map differences, insurance implications and defensible‑space requirements.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6088443,"Fairfax council introduces ADU ordinance to align local rules with new state law, adds temporary amnesty and anonymous rent reporting",603,2991000,3594000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2880409-429043e8bf154885e73d5e3cc4861506&start=2991&end=3594","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2880409-429043e8bf154885e73d5e3cc4861506/thumbnail_2991000.jpg","/articles/6088443/California/Fairfax-council-introduces-ADU-ordinance-to-align-local-rules-with-new-state-law-adds-temporary-amnesty-and-anonymous-rent-reporting","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6088443-09ca7511d54f26bd70a01c7eb4c5ecec/orig.mp4?Expires=1770430658&Signature=Vas8Dwk7bzRi3j39DVBadox~EkvsP6DdnB0L78UjSV8c8wCIhEpOt3TXxYAqHMb8Fei1CkHd8AxefM2WIIAwA~tJveSy4oE5DRjRgMOW459roI7J~dPl7eenJ5LqcWB8YIGu81ajBg2tbKF7Jeb4ngAyA5p1VljFvOFD43nPoQwkRyvjex0JUkaAZFmNSvOmuozDJuIsyli5UtCWpOeDKd-MSY4OERBADfJi2Bk747sw7tB9etALyQk8Xf~cmelDBqNKytrcMXobW9FSzLChrwzXY0G1IE-HAGlVi6lqGJPlgHVrmVXBvXriUdbJsFI3QE~p0C4ohijkYHCnGLHc8g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Fairfax Town Council on April 2 held a public hearing on proposed changes to local rules for accessory dwelling units and junior ADUs required by new state laws AB 2533 and SB 1211, and the council voted to waive first reading and introduce a local ordinance with two amendments.

The staff report, presented by Planning Director Jeff Beisswanger, said the state bills became effective Jan. 1, 2025, and “expand amnesty for unpermitted ADUs” and limit local review to health-and-safety standards for older, unpermitted units. Beisswanger told the council the state law also removes some local design and parking requirements and increases the number of ADUs allowed on multifamily sites, and that Fairfax may adopt limited objective design standards where state law permits.

Why it matters: the changes affect how homeowners and multifamily property owners may add units, how the town enforces unpermitted conversions, and what the town may require about replacement parking and design. Supporters at the hearing urged the council to preserve flexibility for homeowners; opponents and some residents raised concerns about parking, fire safety and how legalizing previously unpermitted units could affect the town’s housing numbers.

Key facts: staff said AB 2533 broadens amnesty for ADUs built before Jan. 1, 2020 (previously the town’s amnesty covered earlier years), requires a checklist of substandard building conditions and generally limits reviews to health-and-safety issues with a five‑year compliance window. SB 1211 clarified that local agencies cannot require replacement for uncovered off‑street parking lost to an ADU, expanded the number of detached ADUs allowed on multifamily parcels (with a cap of eight units and not to exceed the number of existing units) and constrained objective design standards that local governments may apply.

Council action: Councilmember Kohler moved — and the council seconded — to waive first reading and introduce the ordinance as recommended by staff with two amendments taken from a supplementary staff memo: (1) extend the ADU amnesty incentive program to expire Jan. 1, 2045 (rather than the earlier date in the draft), and (2) require that rent‑reporting data collected to support ADU policy be reported anonymously. Councilmember Guirangalli registered a “no” vote in debate, citing broader concerns about state mandates; the motion passed and the ordinance was introduced for further hearings and formal adoption.

Public comment and council discussion: Public commenters included homeowners, renters and parents who described local housing pressures, teacher pay concerns tied to school parcel taxes and privacy worries about rent data reporting. Several speakers asked whether ADUs legalized through amnesty would count toward the town’s RHNA (Regional Housing Needs Allocation) totals; staff said legalized ADUs can count toward housing production totals. Staff also clarified that owner‑occupancy is required for a junior ADU but not for most ADUs and that multifamily properties are subject to the new multifamily ADU rules.

What’s next: because the council introduced the ordinance, the item will return for further reading and formal adoption at a later meeting. Staff and council members noted follow‑up steps to finalize implementing details, including the town’s amnesty period language, objective standards for new detached ADUs and procedures for collecting rent data anonymously.

Ending: The council balanced implementing mandatory state changes with local safeguards — extending the amnesty period and anonymizing rent data — and scheduled the required follow‑up steps to bring the ordinance back for formal adoption.

","The Fairfax Town Council held a public hearing on accessory dwelling unit (ADU) rule changes required by new state law, then voted to waive first reading and introduce a local ordinance with two council amendments: extending amnesty for unpermitted ADUs and making rent‑reporting data anonymous.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Town council OKs $36,312 contract for town facilities condition assessment after debate over consultants vs. in‑house work

Council introduces ordinance designating new fire hazard severity zones; schedules May 7 public hearing

Fairfax council introduces ADU ordinance to align local rules with new state law, adds temporary amnesty and anonymous rent reporting