OF FAIRFAX. GALAD
TOWN TOWN [OF FAIRFAX
142 BOLINAS ROAD, FAIRFAX, CALIFORNIA 94930
PHONE (415) 453-1584 / FAX (415) 453-1618
ИСОПРОВАТЕ» 105)
April 4, 2024
Ms. Moira McEnespy
San Francisco Bay Area Regional Manager California State Coastal Conservancy 1515 Clay Street, 10th Floor
Oakland, CA 94612-1401
SUBJECT: ACQUISITION - WALL PROPERTY, FAIRFAX
Dear Ms. McEnespy:
I am writing on behalf of the Fairfax Town Council. I know that you and your staff toured the Wall Property on March 28 with Councilmember Cutrano, Marin Open Space Trust (MOST) representatives (Chair Bill Long and Board member Jonathan Braun) and Jack Judkins, Vice Chair of our Fairfax Open Space Committee (FOSC). Unfortunately, I was unable to attend due to prior commitments. We sincerely appreciate you and Project Manager Sara Haugen taking the time to come to Fairfax and visit the site.
As you know, MOST is leading the efforts to purchase the property. The community has long sought to permanently preserve this beautiful, 100-acre undeveloped property in the heart of Fairfax for habitat protection, passive recreation and scenic open space. Until about a year ago, it was planned for development; the owner/developer went into bankruptcy and the property was sold back to the original investors at auction in mid-2023. On November 3, 2023, MOST entered into a sales agreement with the investor group which has an October 28, 2023 as the final purchase completion date. In September 2023, the Fairfax Town Council designated a subcommittee comprised of Councilmember Cutrano and 1, to work with MOST, and Marin County (including the Open Space District and our District 2 Supervisor, Katie Rice) on matters related to the Wall acquisition.
Fundraising began months ago in earnest. Residents of the Town, the Town of Fairfax's Open Space Committee and businesses of our local Chamber of Commerce strongly support MOST's current campaign to purchase the property and donate it to the Town. MOST's Chair Bill Long, with his many years of preserving open space, has stated that he has not seen this level of enthusiasm among a community for open space preservation. Three significant fundraising events have been held, along with MOST collecting checks and website donations. The Town has posted updates about the Wall Property (with links to MOST's donation page) and the fundraisers through our newsletter (with ~ 1800 recipients) and on its website. Despite our many differences, potential acquisition of the Wall has brought our community together with a common goal, to save this "jewel of Fairfax." The Town of Fairfax is actively exploring a cooperative management arrangement for the property with the Marin County Open Space District. The Town Council is committed to intensively pursuing a process of due diligence and identification of necessary restoration/mitigation efforts associated with potential acquisition. I understand that MOST (with assistance from Jack Judkins, acting as an individual as opposed to representing FOSC) has submitted grant application materials to the Coastal Conservancy for your review. On behalf of the Fairfax Town Council, I respectfully request that you consider awarding a grant to MOST for the acquisition of the Wall Property.
Thank you for your consideration. Please contact me if you have questions at [email protected] or by phone at (415) 450-7860.
Sincerely,
BeCa
Barbara Coler, Mayor
Town of Fairfax
cc: Bill Long, MOST
Fairfax Town Council