Appendix G
Housing Precedents
Town of Fairfax | Housing Element Update 2023 - 2031
Town of Fairfax 2023-2031 Housing Element Update
Table of Contents
Table G-1: High-Density Housing in Marin County..............................................................................................G-1 Representative Project Profiles.................................................................................................................................G-2 Table G-2: Zoning Parameters ............................................................................................................................... G-24 Table G-3: Reference Projects Environmental Constraints Summary .......................................................... G-25 Existing Conditions Descriptions........................................................................................................................... G-26 School Street Plaza Letter of Interest................................................................................................................... G-42 615 Oak Manor Letter of Interest......................................................................................................................... G-43 Location Fairfax Corte Madera San Rafael San Anselmo Novato Sausalito San Anselmo Novato Sausalito San Quentin Name Victory
Village Bell Mt. Tam Second & B Street
18-20
Mariposa Ave Verandah 676-686 Bridgeway
Ross Avenue
Homes
First and
Grant
Bridgeway
Commons
Oak Hill
Apartments
Address
2626
Sir Francis
Drake Blvd
195
Tamal Vista
Blvd
815 B Street 18-20
Mariposa Ave
7711
Redwood
Blvd
676-686
Bridgeway
45 Ross
Avenue
1107 Grant
Ave
1755
Bridgeway
East Sir
Francis Drake
Blvd
Status Built Built Built Built Built Built Built Approved Under Review Under Review Existing/Prior Use1
Community
Facility (Church
& School)
Industrial Facility
(Factory)
Commercial &
Residential Residential Vacant Commercial & Residential Residential
& Industrial
(warehouse)
Industrial
Facility Residential Vacant (nontaxable)
Zoning
Residential
(UR7: Upland
R)
Mixed-Use (M) Mixed-Use Commercial
(C-3)
Planned
District/
Affordable
Housing
Overlay
Commercial
(CC)/
Downtown
Historic
District
Overlay
Specific
Planned
Development
(SPD) over R-3
Residential
Downtown
Core Retail
(CDR)
Residential N/A Average
Density (du/ac) 27 40 40 22.2 20 20 18.4 37.6 27 37.3 28.95 Land Value (prior)2 $155,201.00 $15,344,540.00 $2,607,671.00 $600,000.00 $2,900,040.00 $3,346,500.00 $682,834.00 $3,599,999.00 $2,385,551.00 N/A Improvement Value
(prior)2 $286,583.00 $3,200,000.00 $230,448.00 $350,000.00 $- $2,576,400.00 $299,781.00 $1.00 $227,633.00 N/A Prior AV Ratio 1.85 0.21 0.09 0.58 N/A 0.77 0.44 0.00 0.10 N/A 0.50 Site Area (SF) 87,120 196,000 23,614 8,000 174,240 6,602 16,500 37,153 25,461 291,852 Prior Building Area
(SF) 49,986 91,340 8,117 1,458 N/A 8,351 5,719 22,754 6,421 N/A Redeveloped Buliding Area (SF) 51,000 273,526 68,774 7,973 124,184 8,351 14,375 77,399 18,814 1,775,000 Prior FAR 0.574 0.466 0.344 0.182 N/A 1.265 0.347 0.612 0.252 N/A 0.51 Year Built 2020 2017 2021 2019 2023 2018 2022 N/A N/A N/A Year Built Prior3 1961 1969 1890 1926 Vacant 1913 1938 1947 1900/1917 N/A 1935 Table G-1: Representative Mutifamily Projects from Marin County Jurisdictions 1 Existing or prior use before redevelopment
2 As of tax roll year 2015 or 2022; Source: County Of Marin Assessor Recorder County Clerk 3 Built year of existing structure prior to redevelopment Fairfax Housing Element
Precedents: High Density Housing Projects in Marin County
APPENDIX
High Density Housing Projects in Marin County
Summary Table
Name Location Zoning Status Density (du/ac)
Victory Village Fairfax Residential / Planned Dev. District Built 27 Bell Mt. Tam Corte Madera Mixed-Use Built 40
Second & B Street San Rafael Mixed-Use Built 40
18 Mariposa Ave San Anselmo Commercial Built 22.2
Verandah Novato Residential Built 20
676-686 Bridgeway Sausalito Mixed-Use Built 20
Ross Avenue Homes San Anselmo Residential Built 18.4
First and Grant Novato Downtown Approved 37.6
Bridgeway Commons Sausalito Residential Under Review 27 Oak Hill Apartments San Quentin N/A Under Review 37.3
Average Density 28.95
Fairfax
Address: 2626 Sir Francis Drake Blvd
Prior Use: Community Facility (church)
Units Developed (affordable): 54 *
Status: Built
Site Area (Acres) 2 acre (87,120 SF)
Height of Buildings: 32’–10” to 40’–10” (2-3 stories)
Zone: UR-7 (Upland Residential) **
Project Density: 27 du/ac
Open Space: Approx. 18 acres ***
On-site Parking: 43
Project Description: An affordable senior rental community, completed in the summer of 2020. The building is 2-3 stories on 2-acre land and is terraced with grade and has drought-tolerant landscaping.
Onsite Amenities: Two outdoor courtyards with garden beds, on-site resident services, property management offices, community room with kitchen, and on-site laundry
Site Location Site Plan
*All affordable units; 5 units are restricted to household experiencing homelessness and 6 units to households that are homeless and have serious mental disorders ** Site is currently zoned UR-7 but Fairfax’s general plan designates the 2-acre land as Planned Development District (PDD) to accommodate affordable housing *** Remaining open space may be divided into two new, 9-acre parcels for trail easement; currently exploring options
COMPLETE
Fairfax (continued)
Building Amenity: Courtyard and Garden Open Space and Amenities View of Existing Building from Street Existing Building Corte Madera
Address: 195 Tamal Vista Blvd.
Prior Use: Industrial
Units Developed: 180
Affordable 18
Market Rate 162
Status: Built
Site Area (Acres) 4.5 acre (196,000 SF)
Height of Buildings: 42’ – 6” (4 stories)
Zone: MUGD (mixed-use)
Maximum Permitted Density: 25.1 – 40 du/ac
Project Density: 40 du/ac
Open Space: Approx. 23,000 SF
Parking: 295
Project Description: Mixed-use, multifamily residential community with 3,100 SF of retail space completed in 2017. Location offers primary commute corridor and is close to bus and ferry services.
Onsite Amenities: Outdoor courtyard, pool, barbecue grills, gym facility, common space, leasing office, laundry room
Site Location Initial Project Rendering
COMPLETE
Corte Madera (continued)
Existing Building Open Space and Amenities
Streetscape Bird’s Eye View of Building
San Rafael
Address: 815 B Street
Prior Use: Commercial & Residential
Units Developed: 41
Affordable 6
Market Rate 35
Status: Built
Site Area (Acres) 0.54 acre (23,614 SF)
Height of Buildings: 42’ (4 stories)
Zone: 2/3 MU (mixed-use)
Maximum Permitted Density: 30 du/ac
Project Density: 40 du/ac *
Open Space: 6,879 SF
Parking: 48
Project Description: A 4-story, mixed use building with 41 residential units above 1,939 commercial space. It demolished three existing structures including a single story commercial building and two, 2-story residences.
Onsite Amenities: Outdoor patio, barbecue area, resident lounge, secure package lockers, bike racks, rooftop lounge, and on-site management Site Location Site Plan
* Project includes 35% density bonus
COMPLETE
San Rafael (continued)
Site Context Street Condition
Existing Building Facade On-Site Amenities
San Anselmo
Address: 18-20 Mariposa Ave.
Prior Use: Residential
Units Developed: 4
Status: Built
Site Area (Acres) 0.18 acre (8,000 SF)
Height of Buildings: 28’-3” (2 stories)
Zone: C-3 (commercial)
Project Density: 22.2 du/ac
Project Description: Development of 4 attached, two story townhouses by demolishing existing single family structure and accessory garage. The project was completed in 2019.
Site Location Site Plan
Parking: 8 (2 spaces per dwelling)
COMPLETE
San Anselmo (continued)
Proposal Rendering Newly Built Building
Project Elevation
Novato
Address: 7711 Redwood Blvd
Prior Use: Vacant
Units Developed: 80
Affordable 16
Market Rate 64
Status: Built
Site Area (Acres) 4.0 acre (174,240 SF)
Height of Buildings: 43’ (3 stories)
Zone: Residential w/ Affordable Housing Overlay
Project Density: 20 du/ac
Project Description: A newly built development of a 4.0 acre site with 80 forsale residential townhomes. The project is required to set aside 16 units (8 low and 8 very low income) to satisfy the affordable housing requirements. The proposed residences are three stories with a roof deck for each unit.
Site Location Site Plan
Parking: 179
Garage Parking 150
Surface Parking 29
COMPLETE
Novato (continued)
Project Rendering
Proposal Rendering: Street Scene
Built Project Exterior Built Project Exterior
Sausalito
Address: 676-686 Bridgeway
Prior Use: Mixed-Use
Units Developed: 3
Status: Built
Site Area (Acres) 0.15 acre (6,602 SF)
Height of Buildings: 27’-4” (2 stories)
Zone: Commercial + Downtown Historic
Overlay
Project Density: 20 du/ac
Project Description: An addition and alteration project that remodeled a historic structure and converted three existing storefronts into two stores. A remodel of second-level residential was also proposed and converted two units into three residential units.
The building is located in a downtown historic district and the footprint of the previous mixed-use structure covered nearly the entire lot except for an interior courtyard area to the rear.
Site Location Site Plan
COMPLETE
Sausalito (continued)
Façade: After Renovation
Current Built Conditions after Renovation
Façade: Before Renovation
Rear Deck Rendering
San Anselmo
Address: 45 Ross Avenue
Prior Use: Industrial
Units Developed: 7
Status: Built
Site Area (Acres) 0.38 acre (16,500 SF)
Height of Buildings: 28’-0” (2 stories)
Zone: SPD (Specific Planned Development) over
R-3 (Residential)
Project Density: 18.4 du/ac
Project Description: 7 new single-family condominium units with 14 parking spaces but the town permits street parking in front of the site (3 available). The project demolished existing buildings including single-family dwelling, garage and warehouse structures.
The landscape plan includes a small fenced yard area for each of the 4 units adjacent to Ross avenue and each rear unit has a small fenced back yard area.
Site Location Site Plan
Parking: 14 (2 stacked spaces per unit)
COMPLETE
San Anselmo (continued)
Rendering at Time of Proposal Backyards of Built Property Newly Built Building Garage Entrance
Novato
Address: 1107 Grant Ave
Prior Use: Industrial
Units Developed: 32
Status: Approved
Site Area (Acres) 0.85 acre (37,153 SF)
Height of Buildings: 40’-6” (3 stories)
Zone: Downtown Core (CDR)
Project Density: 37.6 du/ac
Open Space: Approx. 8,000 SF
Parking: 52
Under Podium 47
Off-Street 5
Project Description: The proposed mixed-use project redevelops a former Pini Hardware site. It is located in downtown Novato and includes 13,317 SF of ground floor commercial space and two stories of residential living units.
Onsite Amenities: Outdoor courtyard, architectural plantings, gym, outdoor barbecue area, covered parking, lobby, bicycle parking and storage Site Location Site Plan
APPROVED
Novato (continued)
Project Rendering: Streetscape Project Rendering: Entrance Project South Elevation
Sausalito
Address: 1755 Bridgeway
Prior Use: Residential
Units Developed: 16
Status: Under Review
Site Area (Acres) 0.58 acre (25,461 SF)
Height of Buildings: 32’ to 50’
Zone: R-3 (Multifamily Residential)
Project Density: 27.58 du/ac Open Space: Approx. 7,386 SF Parking: 32
Project Description: A residential condominium project that proposes a redevelopment of two parcels with two multi-level buildings containing 16 units..
Onsite Amenities: Outdoor planters, bridgeway easement, planted terraces, on-site parking, resident gardens and patios, shared terrace, lobby, storage lockers, bike storage and community room
Site Location Site Plan
UNDER REVIEW
Sausalito (continued)
Project Rendering: From Bridgeway Building Materials and Colors Rendering View over Project after Construction Illustrative Sections of Proposed Project San Quentin
Address: East Sir Francis Drake Blvd
Prior Use: State-owned (gun range)
Units Developed (affordable): 250
Low to Moderate 135
Extremely Low to Low 115
Status: Under Review
Site Area (Acres) 6.7 acre (291,852 SF)
Height of Buildings: 30’ – 60’ (3-5 stories)
Zone* N/A
Project Density: 37.3 du/ac
Open Space: Approx. 35,000 SF
Parking: 350
Project Description: The project site sits on land owned by CA State and is proposed to develop a 100% affordable apartment that contains two buildings.
Onsite Amenities: Around 35,000 SF outdoor amenity space including community terrace, play area, dog area, gardens, fitness center, business room, computer lab, etc.
Site Location Site Plan
* As the site is owned by the State of California, it is not subject to local zoning and is not required to conform to existing local and land use regulation
UNDER REVIEW
San Quentin (continued)
Rendering of the Project Rendering of the Project
Rendering of the Project Architectural Massing
Location Name Address Zoning
Underlying Zoning Parameters
Density Height Parking Open Space
Corte Madera Bell Mt. Tam 195 Tamal
Vista Blvd
Mixed Use Gateway
District (MUGD)1 40 du/acre 38 ft. along street frontage; 48 ft. on inner portions of lot 1 per unit for studio and 1
bedroom; 1.5 per unit for 2
bedrooms; 2 per unit for 3+
bedrooms; 1 guest parking
space per 10 units
50 sq. ft./du
San Rafael Second & B Street 815 B Street 2nd/3rd Mixed-use West (2/3 MUW) 30 du/ac4 42’-0”
1 per unit for studio and 1
bedroom; 1.5 per unit for 2+
bedrooms
100 sq.ft. of common or
private open spaces per du
San Anselmo 18-20 Mariposa 18-20
Mariposa Ave Commercial (C-3) 20 du/ac 2 stories
1 per unit for studio and 1
bedroom; 1.5 per unit for 2
bedrooms; 2 per unit for 3+
bedrooms
-
Novato Verandah
7711
Redwood
Blvd
Business and Professional
Office (BPO)/Affordable
housing overlay
20-23 du/ac 35’-0”
1.2 per unit for studio; 1.5 for
1 bedroom; 2 per unit for 2
bedrooms; 2.2 per unit for 3+
bedrooms; 1 guest parking
space per 3 units
150 sq.ft. of common or
private open spaces per du
Sausalito 676 Bridgeway 676-686
Bridgeway
Commercial (CC)/
Downtown Historic
District Overlay
29 du/ac 32’-0” 1.5 per unit -
San Anselmo Ross Avenue
Homes
45 Ross
Avenue
Specific Planned
Development (SPD) over
R-3 Residential
13-20 du/ac 2 stories / 30’-0” 1.5 per unit for 2 bedrooms; 2 per unit for 3+ bedrooms -
Novato First and Grant 1107 Grant
Ave
Downtown Core Retail
(CDR)/Downtown
Overlay
FAR 2.05 5 stories / 35’-0”
1 per unit for 1 bedroom; 1.5
per unit for 2+ bedrooms;
1 guest parking space per 4
units
150 sq.ft. of common or
private open spaces per du
Sausalito Bridgeway
Commons
1755
Bridgeway
Multifamily Residential
(R-3) 29 du/ac 32’-0” 1.5 per unit Zoning limits coverage on site by impervious surfaces to 75% Fairfax Workforce Housing Overlay (WHO)
WHO-A 40 du/acre2 3 stories (max. 35 ft)3
1 per unit for studio; 1.5 per
unit for 1 bedroom units; 2 per
unit for 2+ bedroom units
150 sq.ft. of common or
private open spaces per du (at
least 36 sq.ft. must be private
for individual du and 60 sq.ft.
for ground level units)
WHO-B 20 du/acre2 2 stories (max. 28.5 ft)3
200 sq.ft. of common or
private open spaces per du (at
least 48 sq.ft. must be private
for individual du and 60 sq.ft.
for ground level units)
Table G-2: Zoning Standards on Representative Multifamily Projects from Marin County Jurisdiction Note:
1. Requires 10% affordable housing
2. Allows 10 percent increase in the percentage of for-sale units affordable to moderate income households and a similar increase in the percentage of rental units for low income households. With this increase, WHO-A allows up to 60 du/acre and WHO-B, 40 du/acre.
3. Additional height and an additional story area allowed up to 45 feet and four stories in the WHO-A zone and 35 feet and three stories in the WHO-B zone for lots with at least 100 feet of primary street frontage to accommodate affordable for-sale or rental housing for lower-income renters and enable provision of sloped roofs and common open space for recreational facilities. The stories above 30 feet shall be setback back from the front property line a minimum of 20 feet from the front property line
4. For projects with more than 20 units, the City requires that 20% of units to be “below market rates”; this particular project provided certain levels of affordability and was entitled to a State Density Bonus of 35%, providing 11 additional market rate units for a project total of 41 units
5. Residential density (units per acre) is not a development intensity metric applied to the CD designated properties Location Name Address Zoning
Underlying Zoning Parameters
Liquefaction Fire Flood Other
Fairfax Victory Village 2626 Sir Francis
Drake Blvd Built - High Risk - -
Corte Madera Bell Mt. Tam 195 Tamal Vista
Blvd Built High Risk - - -
San Rafael Second & B
Street 815 B Street Built Medium Risk - 100-year zone “Very Strong” shaking area San Anselmo 18-20 Mariposa 18-20 Mariposa Ave Built High Risk - 1% annual chance of flood area -
Novato Verandah 7711 Redwood
Blvd Built High Risk High Risk -
Low risk land slide
potential area; mod- erate soil erosion
hazard
Sausalito 676 Bridgeway 676-686 Bridge- way Built High Risk - - - San Anselmo Ross Avenue
Homes 45 Ross Avenue Built High Risk - 1% annual
chance of flood
area -
Novato First and Grant 1107 Grant Ave Approved High Risk - - Dam inundation area Sausalito Bridgeway Commons 1755 Bridgeway Under Review Very High Risk - - Strongest shaking
soil type and hazard
soil type
Table G-3: Environmental Constraints on Representative Multifamily Projects from Marin County Jurisdictions Appendix G | Existing Conditions Descriptions
2 As detailed in Chapter 3, the inventory of sites available for housing has identified 17 underutilized sites as candidates for redevelopment with high density
housing over the planning period. These sites are
centrally located along Sir Francis Drake Boulevard
and Broadway, two of the Town’s primary commercial
corridors. These sites all provide convenient access to transit and the local transportation network. Most of
the sites are also within the Town Center area, which
includes downtown Fairfax, and as such provide easy
walking access to shops, services, employment, and
parks. Some of the sites have businesses that have
closed in recent years, such as the former Pancho
Villa restaurant or the Bank of America building
on Broadway, which no longer offers walk-in client
services and is currently for sale. These sites would be rezoned to facilitate redevelopment with multifamily
housing with implementation of Programs 2-A and 2-B
in the Housing Action Plan (Chapter 4). The following
provides a description of existing conditions and uses
on each of the underutilized properties.
Workforce Housing Overlay
(WHO)
The Town of Fairfax will adopt Zoning Code amendments
in the form of a Workforce Housing Overlay (WHO)
District to implement streamlined ministerial approval
pathway for multifamily projects on commercially zoned
land and provide an alternative to California Assembly
Bill AB2011. This overlay district is a means of promoting the construction of housing for teachers, restaurant and service workers, firefighters, police officers, and other employed in Fairfax and Marin County. The overlay will
apply to properties shown on Map 3-5 in the CL, CH, and CC zones, providing property owners with the option to
redevelop their land with housing or mixed use projects should they elect to do so. Two subzones of the WHO
are envisioned: one for high density workforce housing
in the downtown area (WHO-A), and another for medium
density workforce housing along Sir Francis Drake Boulevard (WHO-B).
WHO overlay will promote mixed use developments with
a residential component in Downtown Fairfax to provide
workforce housing and locate higher density residential development in proximity to employment, shopping,
transit, recreation, and other services. Its policy goals are as follows:
█ Allow for mixed use development and 100 percent
residential buildings on commercial properties within
in the overlay, with at least 50 percent of the floor
area in a mixed use development required to be for
residential uses;
█ Establish an “by right” maximum base density with a
minimum percentage of affordable housing (40 units
per acre in downtown and 20 dwelling units per acre
along Sir Francis Drake Boulevard);
█ Permit additional density above the maximum base
on larger sites that provide additional on-site amenities and designs with transitions to adjacent lower density uses;
█ Create a sliding scale that provides bonus density in exchange for a greater commitment to affordability;
█ Incorporate objective design and development standards to accommodate higher density development and ensure appropriate buffering of adjacent residential land uses.
Additionally, as part of these zoning amendments, the
Town will amend the base zoning for overlay sites to
establish a minimum density of 20 dwelling units per acre when residential uses are proposed.
UNDERUTILIZED SITES
Description of Existing Conditions
2023-31 Housing Element | Town of Fairfax
3 WHO A Sites: Downtown
1. 2090, 2086, 2082 Sir Francis Drake Blvd
(APN: 001-183-12, 14, 15)
This cluster of sites, collectively occupying 0.55 acres, is located within an older, low slung strip mall, which includes a thrift store, nail salon, design studio, and a law office with surface parking in the front. Current zoning is CH (Highway Commercial), and the existing 1-sory buildings were constructed between 1955 and 1960. Two of the three parcels (2086 and 2082 Sir Francis Drake Blvd) are adjacent and under common ownership, which will
facilitate redevelopment. The sites are located along
the Town’s major transit route, a short walk from the
intersection of Bolinas and Broadway, at the heart of
Downtown Fairfax.
Appendix G | Existing Conditions Descriptions
4 2. No Address (APN: 001-183-10)
Adjacent to the previously mentioned sites is vacant
parcel with an earthen berm from grading of an adjacent site. This parcel is 0.41 acres in size and the owner has communicated interest to Town staff in developing
housing on the site, although no formal application has been submitted. The site is immediately north of the
Fairfax Market multifamily pipeline project, and there is existing multifamily housing adjacent to the southeast, as shown in the photo on the bottom of the page.
2023-31 Housing Element | Town of Fairfax
5 3. 6 School Street Plaza (002-112-13)
Located near the heart of the Town Center area, a short walk to the shops, services, and recreational amenities in Downtown Fairfax, the School Street Plaza site is one of the largest underutilized properties on the inventory, at 1.92 acres. As detailed further in the letter of interest from the property owner included in this appendix, the
site has drawn interest from various entities given its generally flat configuration, walkability, access to transit, and proximity to the downtown core. The site was
formerly a school and now houses various businesses,
including a hair salon, tax office, children’s programs and camps, fitness center, sound studio, hot tub spa, medical practice, yoga studio, a cannabis dispensary, and eight live-work units. Several of the commercial units on the site are currently vacant and other uses are set to close.
Existing 1-story buildings were constructed in 1983 and oriented are oriented around a large surface parking lot.
Appendix G | Existing Conditions Descriptions
6 4. 89 Broadway (APN: 002-113-08)
Adjacent to the School Street site is a 0.35-acre property that was formerly a Bank of America branch building,
that closed several years ago. The existing structure
dates from 1960 and currently provides automated
teller services only. Approximately half of the site area is surface parking. The site is located on Broadway in
Downtown Fairfax.
2023-31 Housing Element | Town of Fairfax
7 5. 2000 Sir Francis Drake Blvd
(001-183-17)
This 0.51-acre site is located on the east side of Sir
Francis Drake across from the Bank of America site in the Town Center area. It currently houses a van conversion
shop specializing in off-roading and camping vehicles.
As shown in the photos below, a significant portion of
the land is dedicated to on-surface parking for vans and oversized vehicles and the as built floor area ratio is only
0.06. The existing 1,200 square foot structure was built in 1956 and the property owner has expressed interest
in redeveloping with housing.
Appendix G | Existing Conditions Descriptions
8 6. 1810-1812 Sir Francis Drake Blvd
(001-225-53)
This 0.33-acre site is centrally located on the north side Sir Francis Drake, across from the Fairfax Theater. The existing single story structure is about 10,950 square
feet in size and made of corrugated metal. It currently houses an auto repair shop and some smaller retail shops. 2023-31 Housing Element | Town of Fairfax
9 WHO B Sites: Corridor
WHO-B sites are anticipated for workforce housing in commercial areas along Sir Francis Drake Boulevard, generally about one third of a mile (1,750 feet) from the downtown core. The following summary is a list of WHO-B sites and their existing conditions.
1. 2600 Sir Francis Drake Blvd (APN:
174-070-05)
This 6.22-acre site on Sir Francis Drake next door to
Victory Village and across from three apartment complexes is occupied by the Jehovah’s Witness Kingdom Hall. Originally built in 1973, the 3,600 for structure is currently unoccupied and unused. In communications
with Town staff, the property has expressed interest in redevelopment with housing. A 1-acre portion of the site fronting Sir Francis Drake Boulevard has relatively flat terrain, which could be redeveloped with multifamily
housing. The site is located approximately 1-mile northwest of downtown Fairfax on the town’s major transit corridor.
Appendix G | Existing Conditions Descriptions
10 2. Portion of Parcel 174-070-71 (615 Oak
Manor Drive)
This site is immediately adjacent to the Jehovah’s
Witness Kingdom Hall. Part of a larger property with a
total area of nearly 40 acres, the property owner has
submitted a letter of interest indicating the desire to subdivide the property and develop a 1-acre portion fronting Sir Francis Drake with multifamily housing, including an affordable component. Working with an architect, the
property owner has prepared an initial development
concept for this vacant portion of the property.
3. 10 Olema Road (APN: 002-204-12)
Located at the intersection of Olema Road and Sir Francis Drake Boulevard, this 1.21-acre site is approximately one third of a mile from Downtown Fairfax, along the town’s major transportation and transit corridor. There is an
artist studio and an existing single family home on the property, which formerly housed a restaurant. Existing
structures occupy a small portion of the site, which has an as built FAR of 0.12 and large areas of paved open
space. The existing single-family home was built in
1903, but has not been designated as a local landmark
or historic resource. The property is for sale and several potential buyers have expressed interest in acquiring it to redevelop with multifamily housing if adequate zoning to support that concept is put in place.
2023-31 Housing Element | Town of Fairfax
11 Appendix G | Existing Conditions Descriptions
12 The following WHO-B
sites are a total of nine,
relatively smaller lots
that sit adjacent to each
other along Sir Francis
Drake Boulevard.
4. 1625 Sir Francis Drake Blvd (APN:
002-211-21)
Located at the intersection of Sir Francis Drake Boulevard and Pastori Avenue, this 0.26-acre property was formerly the home of the Pancho Villa restaurant. The
restaurant is now closed and the building has been unoccupied for several years. The site is across the street from the Good Earth supermarket at the eastern gateway to
the town. Existing multifamily apartments are located
across Sir Francis Drake to the north. The property
owner has expressed strong interest in redeveloping the site housing and is also interested in acquiring adjacent properties to consolidate and redevelop together with
the Pancho Villa site.
2023-31 Housing Element | Town of Fairfax
13 5. 1607 Sir Francis Drake Blvd (APN:
002-211-05)
This 0.11-acre site contains a single story commercial
building with an existing business, a commercial vacancy and three apartment units. The existing building was constructed in 1930, but has not been designated as a local landmark or historic resource. The site is a candidate for shop keeper housing or live-work units that can provide housing opportunities for moderate income households,
including local entrepreneurs and artisans. The property owner has expressed interest in redeveloping with additional housing.
Appendix G | Existing Conditions Descriptions
14 6. 1601 Sir Francis Drake Blvd
(002-211-20)
This 0.18-acre site presently accommodates both a dry
cleaner’s establishment and a take-out Italian restaurant.
Existing buildings are single-story and total 2,150 square feet. There is a large surface parking lot that occupies the majority of the site. It is a located on the south side of Sir Francis Drake at the eastern gateway to Fairfax, within easy walking distance to the Good Earth supermarket. Like 1607 Sir Francis Drake, it is a candidate for shop keeper housing or live-work units that can provide housing opportunities for moderate income households
within the Town Center area.
2023-31 Housing Element | Town of Fairfax
15 7. Multiple Properties on Sir Francis Drake Blvd
This series of adjacent properties are candidates for shop keeper housing or live-work units that can provide housing opportunities for moderate income households within the Town Center area. 1589 Sir Francis Drake Blvd (002-213-05)
Also located within this cluster of small, underutilized commercial properties at the eastern gateway to Fairfax, this 0.05-acre site contains a food and liquor market.
The existing single story building is aging and in need of repair. The owner has expressed interest in redevelopment with housing. 1591 Sir Francis Drake Blvd (002-213-04)
This 0.09-acre site contains a Second Hand Shop with
an apartment above and surface parking. The buildings
are aging and in need of repair. The owner has expressed strong interest in redevelopment and is looking to
acquire or sell to adjacent property owners in order to consolidate and redevelop multiple adjacent sites with
housing. Like 1607 Sir Francis Drake, it is a candidate for shop keeper housing or live-work units that can provide housing opportunities for moderate income households
within the Town Center area.
Appendix G | Existing Conditions Descriptions
16 1585-7 Sir Francis Drake Blvd (002-213-06)
This 0.1-acre site contains an art studio and vacant restaurant building fronting Sir Francis Drake, with three apartments in the rear. The single-story structures total 1,420 square feet. The owner has expressed interest in redevelopment with housing.
1583 Sir Francis Drake Blvd
(002-213-07)
This 0.08-acre site contains a clothing alteration and
sales shop. The aging single-story structures total 3,500 square feet. The owner has expressed interest in redevelopment with housing. 2023-31 Housing Element | Town of Fairfax
17 1581 Sir Francis Drake Blvd (002-213-25)
This 0.25-acre site is currently occupied by a car wash. Existing structures on the site total 1,200 square feet and as built FAR is just 011. The owner has expressed interest in redevelopment with housing. 1573 Sir Francis Drake Blvd (002-213-10)
Adjacent to the car wash, this 0.20-acre site is currently occupied by a restaurant. Existing structures on the site total 1,320 square feet and there is a large unpaved
parking area in the rear. The owner has expressed
interest in redevelopment with housing.
Robert Schwartz
615 Oak Manor Drive, Fairfax, CA 94930
(510) 495-7511 / [email protected]
May 8, 2023
Ms. Heather Abrams
Town Manager
Town of Fairfax
142 Bolinas Rd.,
Fairfax, California 94930
RE: LETTER OF INTENT TO SUBMIT APPLICATIONS FOR REZONING & SUBDIVIDING PORTIONS OF 615 OAK MANOR DRIVE, FAIRFAX, CA. (APN 174-070-71)
Dear Ms. Abrams,
As the owner of the 45 acre property known as 615 Oak Manor Drive in Fairfax which is currently zoned RS-6 with a minimum entitled lot size of 6 acres, I am pleased that at your last Town Council meeting on May 3, 2023 the Town Council voted to give direction to staff and the Town housing element consultant to change the Draft Housing Element Appendix A Fairfax Sites Inventory and to include my property as a “pipeline project” as follows:
(1) Include a proposed 1 acre “flat” lot that fronts Sir Francis Drake Blvd for 20 units of low and very low income multi-family residential “for sale” or rental units; where ample sewer, water and utilities are located; adjacent to and across the road from several rental apartments; fronting a public transit stop and is less than ¼ mile to shopping, schools etc. Please note:
Site development and building design plans will be submitted with the rezoning and subdivision applications; as was similarly done after the Town’s last Cycle 5 Housing Element on the successful “Victory Village” project next door - that targeted 2 acres out of a 20 acre site for 40 units of infill and has resulted in 54 units of multi-family housing units being constructed - that are all affordable to those at or below 50% of the area median income.
(2) Include 6 clustered lots for single family “above moderate income” detached homes with accessory dwellings “uphill”, as shown in the previously provided preliminary map and called for in “Program 2D”; with two half-acre lots, and 4 quarter acre lots in two separate areas. In total, 6 new infill lots would be created that front Oak Manor Drive; where ample sewer, water, and utilities exist on the road. Each of the 6 new lots will be sited for 6 new single family detached homes and 6 new ADUs for a total of 12 new dwelling units. These single family detached homes with accessory dwellings on infill lots will generally be consistent in size and shape to those existing developed lots that front Oak Manor Drive.
In furtherance of the above, I have engaged design professionals to site plan & design 20 units of multi-family high density low-income residential units on the flat 1-acre portion of the site that fronts Sir Francis Drake (e.g., @ 20 units to the acre minimum); and, site plan for 6 clustered housing lots in specific locations as shown in the preliminary parcel map previously provided.
I acknowledge that the 1-acre portion of land fronting Sir Francis Drake Boulevard will require subdivision and rezoning of that portion of the property to permit high density residential uses.
The purpose of this letter is to confirm my commitment to doing the above and (a) providing affordable housing development on the lower portion of my property fronting Sir Francis Drake Boulevard and (b), to provide market-rate clustered development on the remainder of my property in order to protect as much open space as possible – as proposed in Program 2D.
With regards to the proposed 1-acre affordable housing site fronting Sir Francis Drake Boulevard, my development team is currently exploring a public non-profit development or a public/private partnership to lead the multi-family residential housing project. The objective is to prepare the project for shovel ready “Tier II” financing eligibility: It is important to note that in May 2022 the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) announced the availability of 1.6 billion dollars in CA Housing Accelerator (CHA) funds for the purposes of supporting shovel ready projects. HCD has developed a list of projects eligible for the CHA funding. This project may be eligible for funding through the “Infill Infrastructure Grant Program”; the “Multifamily Housing Program”; “Transit-Oriented Development Implementation Program” and/or several other programs listed with HCD.
In summary: I am committed to seeing this large 45 acre piece of land, largely vacant with the exception of my newly built home and ADU, as an opportunity for the Town to address the affordable housing crisis. I have taken the next steps to demonstrate conceptually that this property has the potential to provide a mix of housing unit types including at least 20 units of multi-family residential attached low-income ‘for sale condos’ or rental apartments on a flat one acre site; and, an additional 6 units of above moderate income single family residences “uphill” with an additional 6 ADU’s (which are presumably more affordable by size) in clustered developments. Likewise, I provided a land planning analysis in the letter and conceptual plan to the Town dated April 24, 2023 to demonstrate that the subject property provides the Town with an excellent opportunity for additional housing to address the needs of the community, region and state while at the same time accommodating the Town of Fairfax General Plan open space and hillside development policies.
Accordingly, once the Town’s housing element is certified by California Department of Housing and Community Development, the Town adopts the new Housing Element and Certifies the EIR, I will file a formal property rezoning & subdivision application within three months. Therefore, I look forward to the Town’s hopeful completion of the housing element update process by mid to late summer and providing our applications by the end of this year.
Thank you again for all your hard work on these matters - and for the Town Council’s decision to include my property in the 6th cycle Housing Element update process as described above.
Sincerely,
Robert Schwartz
CC: Andrew Hill, Dyett & Bhatia