Outlook
New cannabis dispensary "la Flor"
From BlakeMackey <[email protected]>
Date Wed 9/3/2025 10:38 AM
To Fairfax Town Council <[email protected]> I am writing to show my support for allowing this new cannabis business.
I know Mr. Kaufman personally, as I grew up with him here in Fairfax. He is trustworthy and caring. If I were to want anyone to open a new cannabis shop/delivery in Fairfax, it would be him.
Thanks,
Blake
--------------------
Outlook
TLC is separate from rentals same location
From Bonnie Zaleski <[email protected]>
Date Wed 9/3/2025 2:29 PM
To Fairfax Town Council <[email protected]> Hi all,
To clarify, TLC Tutoring is in a separate location than the residential rentals (30 day plus/long term) at the same location.
Wanted to clarify!
Thanks,
Bonnie
Bonnie Zaleski
cell: 415-713-8858
Outlook
For Sep 3 meeting: Regarding TLC and buffer zone/cannabis storefronts From Bonnie Zaleski <[email protected]>
Date Wed 9/3/2025 2:42 PM
To Fairfax Town Council <[email protected]> Dear Fairfax Town Council Members,
I am writing as the owner of TLC Tutoring and Learning Center to request your support in maintaining the 300-foot buffer zone around schools, preschools, and tutoring centers that was established in 2019.
About TLC and Our Community Connection
TLC has served the Fairfax community for nearly three decades. As both a business owner and longtime resident who raised four daughters here—all of whom attended Manor, White Hill, and Archie Williams—I understand our community's needs intimately. Many of our students face not only academic challenges but also personal circumstances that affect their school performance.
As a family, we have lived upstairs from TLC over the years and now that they have grown, there is a 30 day plus (long term) rental space there along with another one downstairs. To be clear, TLC Tutoring is in another space in the building, un-related to these rental spaces.
Our location was specifically chosen for its proximity to local schools:
• 9-minute walk from Archie Williams High School
• Near the White Hill School bus stop
• Short walk from Brookside Elementary
The Importance of Maintaining the Buffer Zone
The 300-foot buffer zone was implemented after extensive community input and years of deliberation. I strongly urge you to keep this protection in place.
With two proposed cannabis businesses and a liquor store within a 9-minute walk of Archie Williams, students would be required to pass these establishments regularly. This creates an inappropriate environment for the youth we serve.
Business Stability, Privacy Concerns and Documentation Requests TLC has been a consistent resource for Fairfax families. Removing the buffer zone would fundamentally change the nature of our location and compromise our ability to serve students.
I have serious concerns about recent requests for student information. The town has asked for:
• Student records with names "blackened out" (later deemed unacceptable) • First names and first initial of last names
• Parent contact information
• Documentation that would become part of "public record” These requests raise significant privacy concerns. Just as doctors and psychologists operate under HIPAA protections, our students and families deserve privacy protection. TLC cannot comfortably provide this sensitive information without proper safeguards.
For transparency: we served students for 44 weeks last year (exceeding the 37-week requirement). I provided a sample from September 2024 with redacted names, but this was subsequently rejected despite initially being requested in this format.
Business License Issue
I want to address the business license matter that was discussed publicly. Due to my former business partner's health crisis (he suffered a severe heart attack), some administrative duties were overlooked, including license fee payments. I was unaware of these unpaid fees and never received notice from the town. Upon learning of this issue, I immediately paid all outstanding fees plus the 10% late penalty, and TLC is now current and up-to-date.
I am concerned that discussing this matter publicly may have created the false impression that TLC is not operational, potentially harming our reputation and future business.
Request for Support
TLC operates as a hybrid business, serving students both online and in-person, allowing us to adapt to changing needs as we did during COVID-19. We have been Fairfax's stable tutoring resource for three decades and wish to continue serving this community.
I am currently seeking legal advice regarding student privacy protection and will have more information available after September 10th. In the meantime, I respectfully request that you:
1. Maintain the buffer zone that protects our youth and learning environment
2. Provide clear, consistent guidance on any documentation requirements
3. Consider the privacy rights of students and families we serve Conclusion
I understand you are working to balance various community interests, and I appreciate the challenging decisions you face. However, I ask that you prioritize the protection of our students and preserve the educational environment that has served Fairfax families for nearly 30 years. TLC has consistently stood up for children, youth, and at-risk teenagers throughout our history, and we intend to continue doing so—provided the buffer zone remains in place to maintain an appropriate learning environment.
Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to working with you to find a solution that protects our students while serving the broader community's needs.
Respectfully,
--
Bonnie Zaleski
Outlook
Sep 3 I will use zoom
From Bonnie Zaleski <[email protected]>
Date Wed 9/3/2025 2:51 PM
To Fairfax Town Council <[email protected]> I wanted to let you know that unfortunately I cannot be at the meeting tonight due to my 90 year old father’s health situation. I will log into zoom and participate in the public comments.
Thank you for all your hard work and consideration with this very important issue.
Bonnie Zaleski
Bonnie Zaleski
cell: 415-713-8858
Outlook
TLC thoughts…
From Bonnie Zaleski <[email protected]>
Date Mon 9/1/2025 8:17 PM
To Fairfax Town Council <[email protected]>; Linda Neal <[email protected]> Hi all,
Just a reminder that TLC Tutoring IS Fairfax… and has been for going on 3 decades. I know the community, and I intimately know the needs of these students, many of them struggling not just with their grades other “life” factors that can play a role in them doing well in school.
In addition to owning and running TLC, I raised 4 daughters in Fairfax, who all went to Manor, White Hill and Archie Williams…
This feels personal snd also unprofessional.
This new demand for information from TLC I feel could be a breach, just like a doctor or psychologist has HIPPA law protection, I feel like these students and families need protection too.
Tutoring can involve some shame by the student or parent of the poor grades, or private matters are goin on with these families,
Divorce,
Parent has died,
Mental illness,
Cutting,
Suicide attempts,
Bullying
Or average A/B student getting yheir first D in math
TLC has helping these kids boost up their grades, and therefore confidence and help keep them on track for a bright future TLC has been there picking up these kids, helping them with hardship We help top of the class, bottom of the class, all the gray area between— everyone Here’s the situation:
Inconsistency
Planning dept is changing the request every few days over the past few weeks or so.., First certified mail asking for all kinds of private student and business info I want to comply but cannot breach privacy and told Linda so She said “private” that I could show the police officer or town lawyer, then she emailed me that after speaking with her supervisor, changing the process…stating that whatever I provide would become part of the public record, but that I could blacken out student names. Now the town lawyer sent me an email saying not to blacking out names, asking for first name and last initial of students, plus parent phone numbers and addresses so she can contact them.
What?
I’m seeking advice but not avail til after Sep 10 So TLC needs needs the town support, keep the buffer zone in place,
Hybrid…we work with kids both on site and online…and we can bring back students anytime to in person, But with 2 cannabis business (and liquor store) in the 9 min walk from Archie Williams, bus stop from White Hill stops right there, TLC does not feel comfortable with cannabis businesses so close….60 feet etc
Buffer zone created for a reason
We chose this location specifically: Close Walker bus stop from the following schools: Archie White Hill Brookside
Rock and a hard place TLC has been the “rock” For 30 years And needs support and buffer zone kept in place I’m asking of you what does fairfax want? TLC has been a stable business helping of fairfax families and their children and neighboring towns for three decades.
We went to hybrid meaning in person and online and we have done both successfully.
My last account we worked with students for 44 weeks last year more than the 37 weeks “required” I sent in a sample from the first month of last school year September 2024 with blackened out student names and the town lawyer came back and said this is unacceptable even though that was asked of me…
Again. Consistency and clarity needed, and more time. I’m seeking out information to understand how I can protect the rights of students and my business.
Also, I am concerned about negative publicity for my business, mostly coming from the planning department in a public venue like the town meeting and also via the Marin IJ I’m not sure if you were in the loop, but I found out that TLC‘s business license hadn’t been paid for a few years and that was the job of the ex partner of TLC (he had a severe heart attack and fortunately recovered), but these fees went unpaid and I was unaware that these were unpaid. I have since pay them all including 10% late fee and TLC is current up-to-date. I would like you to think about this… Are there any other businesses that haven’t paid their license fees and were they shamed during a town council meeting? For the public to hear it made it look like we are not in business but we are.
This is terrible for a business in general and I feel this was wrong to do this out loud in front of the public.
TLC never received any notice of any delinquent bill or past due anything. I pay every bill on time I certainly would’ve paid them again. This was my ex business partner‘s job and I didn’t know but the town also didn’t alert me of anything due. I’m also concerned how this hearsay and incorrect information potentially could harm my business currently and future business people may think I’m not in business and choose another tutoring center. think about that So I feel that all of this is harming TLC and that is why I’m seeking advice on this. I also need to protect students rights.
Yes, TLC has been in business since the day it opened almost 30 years ago… We have reacted to all the changes over the years, including Covid like I mentioned above, offering an online version as well as on site.
Thank you for your consideration and time on this. I really appreciate it. Please support TLC staying in fairfax and helping the kids here. I do understand that even if the cannabis shops are allowed in that the town is fine with my tutoring center same in place and doing business as usual, but it’s not business as usual. The students will have to walk past two cannabis shops and a liquor store and their nine minute walk from Archie Williams . I own the building and the tutoring center, and I chose it because of the location and if the town makes these choices to waive the buffer zone, the location is not ideal for students anymore. I understand we’re all human and you guys are doing your best to figure this out. I’m sure there’s other things that play here that I’m unaware of, but all I know is I have consistently been standing up for children, youth, teenagers, and at-risk teenagers all these years, and I intend to continue to do so, as long as the buffer zone stays in place.
Bonnie Zaleski
cell: 415-713-8858
Outlook
Weed Shop at Mauro’s pizza
From Brian Boise <[email protected]>
Date Wed 9/3/2025 1:41 PM
To Fairfax Town Council <[email protected]> Hello,
I am opposed to the weed shop at Mauro’s pizza. The main reason is the proximity to the local high school.
Thanks,
Brian
Outlook
Pot Dispensary (s) on Sir Francis Drake/Kent Avenue
From Daniel C. Eckhard <[email protected]>
Date Wed 9/3/2025 1:13 PM
To Fairfax Town Council <[email protected]> Cc Daniel C. Eckhard <[email protected]>
Dear Council Members,
I am writing to you in opposition of the location of one, possibly two marijuana dispensaries, on Sir Francis Drake and Kent Avenues. There is an active tutoring center within 60 feet of one of the proposed locations and a day care center within 300 feet of the other location being considered. Both of these proposed locations violate your own laws regarding dispensary locations, so neither should even be considered. There is additionally a quiet neighborhood immediately across Sir Francis Drake, with many children and adults walking the streets, frequently heading toward Fairfax and crossing Sir Francis Drake at Suffield/Kent, and there would now be a dispensary on either or both sides of them. I have attended 2 of your meetings regarding this issue, and have not been impressed with your comments regarding these facilities. There seems to be confusion regarding the application status of one proposed dispensary, and glowing reviews of the application for the other dispensary, as if comments regarding the quality of the application has anything to do with the legality or logic of having a dispensary in the proposed location.
I have mentioned previously that as a former Berkeley resident, and observer of the area around the existing Berkeley dispensaries, these stores are targets for robberies and don’t attract the “best and brightest” to their doors. Crime in the immediate area of dispensaries does go up, and most of the East Bay dispensaries have been robbed, not just those in Berkeley, or those hidden away from easy law enforcement view.
I urge you all to reconsider the 2 current locations being proposed and seek a more reasonable, legal alternative.
Thank you,
Dan Eckhard
Outlook
Cannabis business at 1601 SFD Blvd
From David Wallerich <[email protected]>
Date Tue 9/2/2025 9:49 PM
To Fairfax Town Council <[email protected]> Hi,
As a local resident, I want to express my opposition to the proposed dispensary location at 1601 SFD Blvd. It is located directly adjacent to a highly utilized school bus stop and within a block of a preschool. We do not need to expose kids to this business.
Thanks,
David
Outlook
September 3 Town Council meeting re financial reporting From DEBORAH BENSON <[email protected]>
Date Wed 9/3/2025 12:02 PM
To Christine Foster <[email protected]>
Hello Christine,
Please include my email to the Town Council sent yesterday as well as the following email conversation in tonight's packet so that itis a matter of public record. Thank you.
Deborah Benson
Cascade Drive
Hello Heather,
Thank you for the response. Standard accounting practice calls for reporting for a time period to include expense incurred during that period whether cash or accrual based. In accrual reporting, it's when the expense occurs, not when the liability is satisfied. Therefore I concur that the reporting we are seeing in this month's packet is, at best, incomplete and if the actual credit card charges are not imbedded in the reporting in some way, it is also inaccurate.
I know we are all very busy, Michael Vivrette is I am sure. However the goal is to offer complete and accurate financial reporting to the Town Council and to members of the public. I think we can meet that goal if we try a little harder. Again thank you for your response and I will request that this conversation be made a part of the record for tonight's meeting.
Deborah
On 09/03/2025 11:28 AM PDT Heather Abrams <[email protected]> wrote:
Hi Deb,
A Council Member asked me to respond to your email. Thank you for noticing that we did not include any credit card bills in the September 3, 2025 agenda packet. We included both the May and June credit card statement in the August 6 th meeting: Item-6.a.-Financials-June-2025.pdf. We paid the July statement in August, so we will include the statement in the October packet. As Finance Director Michael Vivrette has explained previously, our agenda packet materials are finalized a couple of weeks before the meeting , and our meetings are typically the first week of the month, therefore, you can expect to see credit card statements for July (paid in August) in the October packet.
Regards,
Heather Abrams
Town of Fairfax | Town Manager
www.townoffairfax.org
Outlook
Consent Calendar Financial Statements
From DEBORAH BENSON <[email protected]>
Date Tue 9/2/2025 9:39 PM
To Fairfax Town Council <[email protected]> Town Council Members,
I am requesting once again that credit card expenditures be made public by including them in the monthly financial reporting presented at the Council meetings.
They are not included in the financial reporting for July 2025 that is presented in the packet for the September 3, 2025 Town Council meeting. How can the reporting be complete without including these expenditures? Or were the credit cards not used for purchases during the month of July? Please clarify and please include my email in the correspondence made public at the meeting. Thank you.
Deborah Benson
Cascade Drive
Outlook
1601 SFD cannabis dispensary
From Eric Maas <[email protected]>
Date Wed 9/3/2025 11:33 AM
To Fairfax Town Council <[email protected]>; Lisel Blash <[email protected]> Cc [email protected] <[email protected]>
Dear Mayor Blash and Members of the Town Council,
I am writing as a San Anselmo resident living within 300 feet of the proposed dispensary site at 1601 Sir Francis Drake. The letter I received yesterday from the TLC Tutoring center makes it sounds like the town of Fairfax is shaking down a tutoring center while allowing pot shops to operate in flagrant violation of laws and zoning.
TLC Tutoring has served families in Fairfax and neighboring towns for nearly 30 years. Instead of recognizing that contribution, the letter is claiming that the town is demanding burdensome proof of its operations, even requesting confidential student names and contact information. All of this is to make way for a cannabis storefront where zoning has already prohibited it. Targeting a youth-serving tutoring center in this manner undermines ethics, privacy rights of minors, and the original intent of the 300-foot buffer zone.
As an outsider directly affected by your actions, I am hoping this is just a misunderstanding, and not the far overreaching buffoonery that it appears to be from the outside.
Selective Enforcement for Cannabis Businesses
Meanwhile, cannabis operators in Fairfax have been allowed to stretch or ignore the rules with little accountability.
The ordinance (Ord. #835) clearly restricts storefronts to medical-only sales, yet existing businesses have openly run recreational retail operations without meaningful enforcement. The applicant at 1601 Sir Francis Drake even describes his plan as a “boutique cannabis retail store,” which contradicts the ordinance’s intent.
If Fairfax cannot enforce the most basic policies in its ordinance, like the prohibition on recreational retail store fronts, how can residents trust that new operators at 1601 Sir Francis Drake will follow the rules? Furthermore, we have seen ZERO enforcement from the town of Fairfax of its own cannabis rules on the former operation on School Street.
1. The town of Fairfax has repeatedly failed to enforce the operation on School Street delivering cannabis to an adjacent room. Effectively this business openly ran a recreational retail operation in violation of both state and local requirements.
2. Lack of enforcement of medical marijuana only sales through the School Street storefront location.
3. The Town of Fairfax has refused to acknowledge evidenced claims that the owner of the School St operation was behind on both federal and state taxes. Which if true is a violation of local and state laws for operating a cannabis business, let alone the federal issues.
4. Fairfax failed to enforce recent advertisements for an unpermitted delivery service in local media and on social platforms.
5. A lack of enforcement on recent advertising showing the School Street business having moved to an address where only a proposal has been submitted to move the location. Let alone that location is a residential address.
6. Zero enforcement of the School St. location operation beyond and in violation of its lease.
7. No enforcement when the business failed to disclose ownership stakes of investors or partners, which again violates state and local laws.
8. No enforcement or acknowledgement when the school street location was alleged to be 7 months behind in rent, maybe more, who knows?
9. Now we have the 1601 Sir Francis Drake location advertising on their website as a future retail site.
This persistent noncompliance, paired with a glaring lack of oversight. At previous hearings, countless claims were made about the School Street business having a spotless record. It's now clear this isn't due to adherence, but rather ZERO enforcement. This is not just negligence; it's gross negligence on the part of the Town of Fairfax. Where is the enforcement action plan, or is there even one?
Allowing this application to proceed without addressing past violations brazenly signals to the community that enforcement is optional and ordinances are meaningless. What protections and recourse remains for the neighborhood when rules and laws are openly defied? What exactly will Fairfax do? What triggers exist for recourse from the blatant violation of the policies already in place? What resources does Fairfax have to enforce its existing policies?
Direct Community Impact
There are issues beyond the town's gross mishandling of this. The placement of a cannabis storefront here would worsen traffic, strain parking, and increase safety concerns. These are important issues that are being diluted by the neglect, and a lack of responsible governance that failing to follow through with any enforcement has shown.
Fairfax should hold all businesses to the same fair standard and prioritize businesses who promote the well-being of children and families who live and learn here. At the same time, the town of Fairfax needs to answer questions about enforcement to the community. Or perhaps, the town simply doesn't care about the precedent it's setting, allowing some businesses to operate with impunity while others are held to a higher standard.
Thank you,
Eric Maas
Outlook
Proposed 1601 SFD cannabis dispensary
From Gabe Robinson <[email protected]>
Date Wed 9/3/2025 9:34 AM
To Fairfax Town Council <[email protected]> Members of the Town council,
I was unfortunately out of town and unable to attend both the Planning Commission and recent Town Council meetings regarding the proposed dispensary at 1601 Sir Francis Drake and haven't had the ability to express my concerns on how this proposal would affect my family and neighbors.
I have spoken with many of our neighbors, and there is strong opposition to permitting any cannabis dispensary in this location. The concerns are directly aligned with those outlined in the Town ordinance regulating cannabis businesses and are consistent with our opposition to the 1591 Sir Francis Drake location.
One of the main concerns is the lack of accountability and enforcement the Town has shown towards cannabis businesses. As we have seen with Ms. Shaw’s operation on School Street, Fairfax has routinely failed to enforce the town rules regarding cannabis businesses. By delivering cannabis to an adjacent room, Ms. Shaw has openly run a recreational retail operation in violation of both state and local requirements. This pattern of noncompliance—with no meaningful oversight—raises serious concerns about approving any new dispensary in Fairfax. It certainly does for the neighborhood I live in, and that will be most affected by this lack of accountability.
To Mr. Kaufman's credit, he made some effort to communicate with the people in the neighborhood, yet I remain skeptical. While he has provided a packet of information intended to address neighborhood concerns, it appears his true goal is to establish a retail storefront rather than a strictly medical dispensary with recreational delivery.
This is evident from his offered materials and the business description on Google, which both plainly state: “La Flōr is applying to open a small, boutique-style cannabis retail store in Fairfax.” The offered Traffic studies assessing the traffic impact from a medical only dispensary (a moribund business model) are pointless if the goal is really on-site recreational sales.
Fairfax’s ordinance was developed with significant input from the community and is clear. The rules were designed to protect residents and businesses from negative impacts, including:
Increased traffic and parking congestion
Youth exposure and normalization
Higher risk of theft or crime
Nuisance issues
Increased DUI incidents
(Fairfax Ord. #835)
The proposed location is only 60 feet from the (open and active!) TLC tutoring center, well within the 300 feet of buffer the town requires. The mandates asked of TLC to "prove" they are an operating business are in no way rooted in the town ordinance and are unfair. 1601 Sir Francis Drake also is immediately adjacent to bus stops for kids going to and from White Hill Middle School and trying to safely cross Sir Francis Drake going to and from the elementary schools on Butterfield. Hardly an ideal location if the town council honors the ordinance and wants to prevent youth exposure and normalization.
Finally, the specific proposed locations are not appropriate for such businesses. The area already experiences heavy traffic, parking shortages, and pedestrian safety risks. Adding dispensaries at 1601 or 1591 Sir Francis Drake would only worsen these issues for residents, families, and visitors.
Thank you again for your attention to this matter and for considering the significant concerns of the neighborhood.
Sincerely,
Gabe Robinson
Outlook
Concerns about potential Cannabis dispensaries in our neighborhood From Judy Berger <[email protected]>
Date Tue 9/2/2025 4:15 PM
To Lisel Blash <[email protected]>
Cc Gabe and Maime Robinson <[email protected]>; Zev Rattet <[email protected]>; Joanna & Rob Short <[email protected]>; Stephanie Hellman <[email protected]>; Barbara Coler <[email protected]>; Frank Egger <[email protected]>; Michael Ghiringhelli <[email protected]>; Fairfax Town Council <[email protected]>; Heather Abrams <[email protected]>
Hello Mayor Blash and Town Council,
I understand that approval of the proposed La Flor cannbis dispensary and delivery business will be discussed at the Wednesday Town Council Meeting.
As some of you know, I live just a short block from the proposed location. I have met and have had correspondence with the owner, Martin Kaufman. He has reached out to the neighbors and knows our concerns about traffic, parking, noise, exposure to children, and security. He certainly seems more willing to attempt to address our concerns than the Marin Alliance. However, like my neighbor Gabe Robinson, who so well articulated his and the neighborhood’s concerns in his August 18th letter to some of you, I have remaining concerns that need to be addressed before potential approval:
1. Days and hours of business. The proposed every day, 9am-9pm hours feel excessive and give the neighborhood little break from business activity. Traffic noise from Sir Francis Drake Blvd. already impacts our peace and quiet, and more intense business activity will make it worse.
2. Pick-up vs. delivery. My original understanding was that only medicinal use cannabis would be available for pick-up; all recreational use would be by delivery. Is that what is currently discussed, or will recreational use product also be available for pick-up, now or in the near future? Is there a plan to change the local ordinance which prohibits recreational pot pick-up, even though it has not been routinely enforced for Marin Alliance? This is important, because it impacts the volume and intensity of traffic in and out of the building.
3. Security. Mr. Kaufman indicated that he was taking many security measures, with extensive cameras inside the building. However, what concrete steps will be taken to ensure that there is no loitering around the outside of the building by people smoking joints and potentially offering product to teenagers waiting for bus or carpool rides or coming home from school?
4. Children playing in the neighborhood and using it as a hub for carpooling to school and events. This happens all the time and needs to be factored in to safety concerns.
5. Charity plans: I defer to Gabe Robinson’s research on this. Mr. Kaufman needs to find out which kids education groups want the endorsement of cannabis businesses before proudly announcing his public affiliation and support.
6. Latest research into negative impacts of long-term cannabis use: As the town builds a reputation as being cannabis-friendly, staff and elected officials would be wise to track the latest research into the negative health impacts of long-term cannabis use. New studies are showing negative health outcomes, especially by heavy users. Like with alcohol, cannabis is a drug that works well for some people in moderation, but it can become addictive and have significant unintended consequences. As Fairfax strives to be a healthy, kid-friendly community, drug use isn’t something to celebrate as part of the town’s identity, though it may be very useful and enjoyable for some folks, myself included, under certain circumstances.
In summary, I am asking for a considered approach to cannabis sale in Fairfax, including in my neighborhood near the San Anselmo border.
Beyond the approval of this particular business is the prospect of the less-neighborhood-friendly Marin Alliance taking over the nearby Curiosity Shop, turning my neighborhood into the center of cannabis activity in Fairfax. Many of the neighbors are very unhappy about this prospect, and we hope that you and others will take this into account when looking at other proposals for use of the Curiosity Shop location.
Thank you for your consideration and leadership.
Sincerely, Judy Berger
1 Hill Avenue, Fairfax, CA 94930
415-272-1150
Outlook
La Flor Fairfax
From [email protected] <[email protected]>
Date Tue 9/2/2025 11:06 PM
To Fairfax Town Council <[email protected]> A few points in opposition to the proposed storefront at 1601 Sir Francis Drake.
1. Unavoidable location.
a. This location is on the main traffic thoroughfare between elementary, middle and high school locations. b. You cannot travel between home and multiple school locations without passing this storefront. c. Children walking, biking, driving will be exposed to this location. d. This location is an example of prominence/exposure being more detrimental to public health than simple proximity to the school.
2. Neighborhood Impacts.
a. This location is next door to many young families.
b. At least one residential home looks directly onto the parking lot. c. A marijuana dispensary is likely to depress neighborhood property values and rents. i. Housing values are influenced by their proximity to desirable or undesirable land uses. ii. Considering how close the homes are behind the proposed location; there is a concern for loss in property valuations.
iii. Long term tax revenue impacts of lower home values should be reviewed as a counterbalance to proposed sales tax revenue.
d. If a security presence is required by law, the optics are terrible from SFD traffic and local community walking by. Will a guard be standing outside? Will they be armed?
2. A lack of market need.
a. I know Fairfax approved up to two locations years ago, but that doesn’t require you to fill the permits. b. Why do we need a physical location in Fairfax? What is the compelling case? c. A simple Yelp search shows over a dozen well-rated companies in Marin/Sonoma/San Francisco counties that deliver to San Anselmo/Fairfax.
i. Marin Gardens, Moonflower, Ona Life, Firefly, Nice Guys, Bay leaves, Velvet Fog, Rocket Girl, Down Under, Farmhouse.
ii. Above doesn’t include the various options in San Francisco. d. With discreet medical/recreational delivery to the consumer’s door readily available, there is no clear value add for the community of this business at this location.
I appreciate your time and consideration to my points on why this business is neither needed nor desired in our small community.
Keith Dricken
650.400.4637
Outlook
9/3/25 Agenda Item #1
From Kelsey Fernandez <[email protected]>
Date Tue 9/2/2025 9:24 AM
To Fairfax Town Council <[email protected]> Dear Mayor, Vice Mayor and Town Council Members,
Please do not rush to a decision that will potentially harm a long-standing Fairfax youth-serving business. Despite recent setbacks and challenges, TLC has been clear that they are operational and can provide documentation if there are assurances of confidentiality for their underage clients.
There are very valid reasons that the Town decided on a 300 foot buffer zone after much deliberation. Please don't dismiss that regulation without due process.
Thank you for your service.
Best,
Kelsey Fernandez
Outlook
New marijuana location at mauro’s
From Kevin B <[email protected]>
Date Wed 9/3/2025 11:34 AM
To Fairfax Town Council <[email protected]> I saw a post about concerns of the new dispensary location for LaFlor at the old Mauro’s location being close to a tutoring center. I don’t think I have ever seen any activity or tutoring happening at that location.
I am very much in favor of the new dispensary being located there. I have two children who go to Brookside and I live within walking distance of that location.
The owner of LaFlor dropped off a very thoughtful letter to me and my neighbors, attesting to his professionalism and experience in the industry. They will not let minors into the store, meanwhile a liquor store is just a few storefronts down and they do not require ID to enter. I think it would be great for our residents to be able to choose between two dispensaries if they need to procure cannabis.
Best
Kevin Burke
Outlook
Maintain 300-ft buffer around TLC
From [email protected] <[email protected]>
Date Tue 9/2/2025 11:19 AM
To Fairfax Town Council <[email protected]> Dear Town Council members:
I am writing to urge you to maintain the 300-ft buffer zone around the tutoring center as originally established between the town council and community input.
Fairfax can do better than opening a cannabis shop located in front of a frequented spot by children.
Consider options that enhance our youth or at minimum, do not send the wrong message. Please do the right thing and maintain the 300-foot buffer.
Kim
Outlook
NO marijuana dispensary at 1601 Sir Francis Drake Blvd! From Laura Phillips <[email protected]>
Date Wed 9/3/2025 12:54 PM
To Fairfax Town Council <[email protected]> I am writing to express, once again, my STRONG OPPOSITION to allowing a Cannabis dispensary at 1601 Sir Francis Drake Blvd. I realize that I am completely wasting my time, because I’ve attended every meeting so far regarding this issue, and you as a town council seem obsessed with breaking your own very modestly protective rules about disallowing a cannabis dispensary within 300 ft of a tutoring or daycare center. I have been appalled as I watch all of you lavish praise on how thorough the application for this location is- REALLY????? It’s an application- get over it.
By your own rules, that your own constituents voted for, there should be NO MARIJUANA DISPENSARIES ALLOWED WITHIN 300 FT OF A DAYCARE OR TUTORING CENTER- PERIOD! Seriously- what is wrong with all of you? This is a very, very, mimimal rule that you seem fine with breaking. I don’t know why you are all so intent on having 2 marijuana dispensaries basically next door to each other, flanked by a daycare center and a tutoring center. It’s absolutely appalling to me that you would even be considering this. There are so many other locations that are not RIGHT NEXT TO and within your own established buffer zone! Why does TLC have to fight for their rights, when they’ve been in the same location and in business for over 30 years? Why are you putting them through this? We certainly need tutoring more than another pot dispensary- I would hope you would all feel the same way. You will put them out of business.
Do you honestly want to be the ONLY place in all of Marin, with 2 pot dispensaries basically next door to each other? Do you realize that these dispensaries are completely surrounded by a NEIGHBORHOOD? This is NOT “downtown”. Do you realize that all the traffic assessments are simply made up- that Mauro’s Pizza never drew any traffic, so any comparisons that say a Pot dispensary won’t draw more traffic on an already far too congested Sir Francis Drake Blvd is simply fantasy? Shame on all of you! Protect the daycare, protect the tutoring center, protect a local neighborhood! Do the right thing!!!
Laura Phillips
Outlook
La Flōr Follow-Up Before Tomorrow’s Council Meeting
From Martin Kaufman <[email protected]>
Date Tue 9/2/2025 3:21 PM
To Fairfax Town Council <[email protected]>; Town Clerk's Office <[email protected]>
Dear Members of the Town Council,
I’m looking forward to seeing you all again tomorrow. In advance of tomorrow’s meeting, I wanted to briefly follow up with some clarifications that I felt weren’t fully addressed.
I’d like to touch on a concern raised last time by Councilmember Egger, who suggested that this may be a formula retail business or part of a franchise. I’m an admittedly anxious public speaker, and I’m sorry if my words came across unclearly. To clarify unequivocally: this is not a franchise, and there are no other locations or participants involved. I chose the name La Flōr and it is my sole, standalone project, created from the ground up specifically for our town. It is not affiliated with any chain or existing business entities or investors. La Flōr is my only venture and I believe it will reflect my proven high standards. I wrote every word of my application and designed the logo myself as well as the facility layout and proposed changes to the property.
I put great time and care into preparing my permit application for Fairfax because I genuinely meant to convey my respect for the process and for our community. My goal was to demonstrate, to the best of my ability, that I had addressed every nuance of the overlapping state regulations, local ordinances, and our community’s priorities. While application writing has never been my profession, I’ve taken pride in this effort. I do want to be clear though, that my professional strength lies in the design, development and most importantly the ongoing operations of clean, compliant cannabis businesses appropriate for our community, not in ‘slick’ application writing. I remain confident that 1601 Sir Francis Drake is a great fit here, functionally, compliantly, and aesthetically.
As Councilmember Gherenghelli suggested in jest, if I were to open another Italian restaurant in town, it would be because I believed I could offer a distinctive dining experience for our community, not out of some implied spite for existing establishments. That remains the case here with respect to my proposal and MAMM’s ongoing plans.
Thank you again for all your time, thoughtful questions, and continued engagement on this matter. I remain committed to building something that Fairfax will be proud of, and I look forward to addressing any lingering questions or concerns tomorrow evening.
Very respectfully,
-Martin Kaufman
Outlook
Cannabis Business Permit for 1601 Sir Francis Drake Boulevard From Matthew Muldoon <[email protected]>
Date Wed 9/3/2025 9:11 AM
To Fairfax Town Council <[email protected]> Hello,
I have recently learned of the plans to allow a Cannabis storefront at 1601 Sir Francis Drake Boulevard. Why would we allow this in our family community? This location is a central thoroughfare for students, children, bus routes, etc. If adults want access to Cannabis there are plenty of options without putting it on display for children, teenagers and minors to constantly be exposed to. There is also a tutoring business 50ft. away, let's make businesses like that our priority.
Thank you for your consideration.
Concerned neighbor,
Matt Muldoon
Outlook
Fairfax Town Council Meeting - September 3, 2025
From Melissa Wahlstrom <[email protected]>
Date Tue 9/2/2025 12:34 PM
To Fairfax Town Council <[email protected]> Dear Fairfax Town Council,
I understand that Fairfax is currently considering an application for a medical marijuana storefront and non-medical delivery. I am writing as a San Anselmo resident who lives close to this area and has children who walk past this particular site daily.
This decision carries significant consequences for the health and safety of our community, especially our youth. It is absolutely critical that the town uphold its ordinance requiring strong buffer zones around schools, parks, and other youth spaces—without exception. Any weakening of these protections risks exposing young people to greater harm.
The dangers associated with retail cannabis products are clearly documented in the state-mandated consumer warnings (SB 540). These are not abstract concerns—they represent real, measurable risks.
I strongly urge Fairfax to adopt the strongest possible safeguards, drawing from the Public Health Institute’s Getting It Right from the Start cannabis report cards. Specifically, Fairfax must do more to protect youth by:
Placing strict limits on high-potency products, which are linked to greater risks of addiction and mental health issues.
Prohibiting flavored combustible or inhaled products, which are proven to attract youth.
This is a pivotal moment for Fairfax. The choices made now will directly impact the health and wellbeing of our children and community for years to come. I ask you to put public health and youth safety first by enforcing and strengthening protections without compromise.
Regards,
Melissa Wahlstrom
Outlook
Recreational Cannabis by TLC Tutoring
From scott tithof <[email protected]>
Date Wed 9/3/2025 9:23 AM
To Fairfax Town Council <[email protected]> I am a 20+ year Fairfax resident. I strongly disapprove of the proposed cannabis storefront (recreational or otherwise) at the old Mauro’s pizza location. It is way to close to a tutoring storefront, way too close to a school bus stop and for many more reasons simply not needed in Fairfax. There are many legal means by which cannabis users can obtain product. Having a store at this location is bad for kids in our community. Just say NO!! Scott Tithof
60 Belle Avenue
Outlook
Cannabis Storefront Retailer versus TLC buffer
From Foose, Tracy <[email protected]>
Date Tue 9/2/2025 12:50 PM
To Fairfax Town Council <[email protected]> The relentless push for a storefront retailer in Fairfax has me confused. Why is a tutoring center being asked to violate student privacy in order to accommodate a business that would be on the to/from route for all kids walking/biking to White Hill - including my 11-year-old? I have nothing against the legalization of cannabis or it's recreational use for adults. However, access to cannabis is not a hardship in Marin, nor in Fairfax. And yet the push remains, even to the extent that we're asking established services for kids to prove they're providing services for kids - What?!
As a psychiatrist, I worry about kids' exposure for two reasons.
1.) The evidence indicates exposure increases underage use. Here's a big study from the NIH from 2023. In short, findings indicate that the prevalence of using edibles was 45% higher and dabbing and smoking cannabis were 43% higher among students who attended a school within 1 mile from a cannabis retailer. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9189000/#:~:text=Associations%20for%2011th%20grade%20students&text =Specifically%2C%20the%20prevalence%20of%20using,mile%20from%20a%20cannabis%20retailer.
Retail cannabis environment and adolescent use:
the role of advertising and retailers near home
and school - PMC
Youth cannabis use is influenced by overlapping environmental contexts. We examined the associations between proximity to cannabis retailers and seeing cannabis advertisements and cannabis use behaviors in Oregon, a state with adult cannabis ...
pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
2.) Studies have shown that adolescent marijuana use is not only a risk factor for the later development of primary psychotic disorders but is also a risk factor for an EARLIER onset of those disorders. Here's a great read from Scientific American.
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-link-between-cannabis-and-psychosis-in-teens-is-real/ This is not the cannabis our generation grew up with. Back when I was a kid in the 90s, we already knew that frequent use of cannabis increased the risk of psychosis by two to three times (200-300% risk increase!), and with the high-potency cannabis our kids are exposed to, risk of psychosis is increased up to five times (500%)! Marin psychiatric ERs and other services are already seeing the impact of this. And sadly, my 3 daughters see kids who are high at school, daily—I don't mean they see a high kid daily—I mean they see multiple kids who come to school high every single day.
Increased exposure leads to increased rates of use leads to increased risk of psychosis. And that's not even taking into account dependency, addiction, and other risks of cannabis. I'm focusing on the big, life-changing risk that you don't get to come back from.
Please think of our communities kids when assessing the validity of a buffer for TLC tutoring.
Tracy Foose, MD
Anxiety Specialist
Associate Professor
UCSF School of Medicine
email: [email protected]
phone: 415.888.3467
website: www.drfoose.com
Outlook
Proposed Weed Shop at Mauros
From vito c <[email protected]>
Date Tue 9/2/2025 11:34 PM
To Fairfax Town Council <[email protected]> To: Town Council
This sounds like a terrible idea. There is an elementary school down the street. Not to mention all of the High School and Middle School aged children who will be taking the bus through that area. Weed can be bought discreetly online and delivered there is no reason for a local dispensary to be put in that area.
I have also heard that there was a lapse in TLC's license. The business owner needs to be able to explain if they were operating a business with a lapsed license. It seems negligent to be allowing someone to run a recreational drug facility in our community who can not even maintain a license. -Vito