FAIRFAX TOWN COUNCIL MEETING
STAFF REPORT
MEETING DATE March 4, 2026
PREPARED FOR Mayor and Town Council
PREPARED BY Anne Mannes, Recreation and Community Services Manager SUBJECT Adopt a Resolution Authorizing Temporary Road Closures for Various Chamber of Commerce Events Throughout the 2026 Calendar Year and Approving Sponsorship of the Closures.
RECOMMENDATION
Adopt the resolution.
BACKGROUND
In 2023, the Fairfax Chamber of Commerce organized the inaugural Winter Market, which attracted strong attendance from residents and visitors. The event featured local vendors, food, music, and community activities. Due to its success, the Chamber plans to continue the Winter Market as an annual event and proposes holding it again on Saturday, December 12, 2026, with a backup date of Saturday, December 19, 2026, in the event of inclement weather.
In 2025, the Chamber also introduced two new community events: a Taylor Street Block Party and a Town BBQ event. Both events were well attended and served as community-building activities that supported local businesses.
For 2026, the Chamber proposes holding the Taylor Street Block Party on Saturday, May 2, 2026, and the Fall in Love with Fairfax event on Saturday, October 3, 2026. These events are intended to continue fostering community connections and supporting local commerce.
Additionally, a new event that benefits the Chamber and YES Foundation has been requested. The Fitlab 5K is a pilot community run scheduled for May 16, 2026 at 9:00 a.m. A temporary road closure is requested along Broadway & Pacheco and Center Boulevard to the Fairfax town limits from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. to ensure participant safety and reduce vehicle-runner conflict along the route. The active race window is approximately 75 minutes, with the course substantially cleared by 10:15 a.m. The event is designed as a small, first-year pilot with an estimated 150–300 participants and coordinated medical and volunteer support.
DISCUSSION
The Fairfax Chamber of Commerce is requesting temporary street closures to safely conduct four community events in 2026. The proposed closures are intended to support event operations, pedestrian safety, and traffic management.
The street closures requested are as follows:
1. Saturday, May 2, 2026 (12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.) Taylor Street between Sir Francis Drake Boulevard and Rocca Drive. For Taylor Street Block Party.
2. Saturday, May 16, 2026 (7:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.) Broadway & Pacheco Avenue (adjacent to the Fairfax Theatre) to the Fairfax town limits on Center Boulevard for the 5K Community Run.
3. Saturday, October 3, 2026 (4:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.)
Bank Street adjacent to Puruva, the Pavilion Parking Lot, and Bolinas Park for the Fall In Love With Fairfax Event.
4. Saturday, December 12, 2026 (4:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.) Bolinas Road between Broadway and Elsie Lane, with a backup date of December 19, 2026, in the event of inclement weather for the Fairfax Winter Market.
Pursuant to California Vehicle Code Section 21101(e), temporary street closures are permitted for public celebrations when necessary to ensure participant safety. Staff has determined that the proposed closures are appropriate and necessary to provide a safe environment for attendees and to allow for effective traffic control during each event.
Council sponsorship of these events is required to offset costs associated with event setup, monitoring, and cleanup, which will involve Town recreation, public works, and police staff resources.
FISCAL IMPACT
Minimal loss in permit fees; staff time.
ATTACHMENTS
Resolution
Town of Fairfax
Resolution No. 26-XX
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF FAIRFAX
AUTHORIZING TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURES FOR VARIOUS FAIRFAX CHAMBER OF COMMERCE EVENTS DURING THE 2026 CALENDAR YEAR AND APPROVING
SPONSORSHIP OF THESE CLOSURES
WHEREAS, the Fairfax Chamber of Commerce has successfully organized community events, including the Winter Market, and Fall in Love with Fairfax to promote local businesses, enhance community spirit, and provide residents and visitors with cultural, social, and recreational opportunities; and
WHEREAS, the Chamber of Commerce requests authorization for temporary street closures to ensure the safety of event participants and attendees during planned community events for 2026; and
WHEREAS, the scheduled events requiring street closures are as follows:
1. Saturday, May 2, 2026 (12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.) Taylor Street between Sir Francis Drake Boulevard and Rocca Drive for the Taylor Street Block Party.
2. Saturday, May 16, 2026 (7:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.) Broadway & Pacheco Avenue (adjacent to the Fairfax Theatre) to the Fairfax town limits on Center Blvd for the 5K Community Run.
3. Saturday, October 3, 2026 (4:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.)
Bank Street adjacent to Bolinas Road, the Pavilion Parking Lot, and Bolinas Park for the Fall In Love With Fairfax Event.
4. Saturday, December 12, 2026 (4:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.) Bolinas Road between Broadway and Elsie Lane, with a backup date of December 19, 2026, in the event of inclement weather for the Fairfax Winter Market.
WHEREAS, California Vehicle Code Section 21101(e) authorizes local authorities to temporarily close streets for public celebrations when necessary to ensure participant and attendee safety; and
WHEREAS, the Fairfax Town staff has reviewed these requests and determined that the proposed street closures are necessary for the safe and effective management of traffic and public safety during the scheduled events; and
WHEREAS, Town Council sponsorship requires supporting event logistics, including setup, management, cleanup, and the allocation of necessary staff resources from Town recreation, public works, and police departments.
Town of Fairfax
Resolution No. 26-XX
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Town Council of the Town of Fairfax hereby authorizes temporary road closures on the dates, times, and locations listed above, and approves sponsorship by the Town Council, including coverage of associated support costs.
PASSED, APPROVED, AND ADOPTED by the Town Council of the Town of Fairfax on this 4th day of March 2026, by the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSTAIN:
ABSENT:
ATTEST:
______________________________ ________________________________
STEPHANIE HELLMAN CHRISTINE FOSTER
MAYOR DEPUTY TOWN CLERK