Town Manager's Newsletter
Saturday, August 20, 2022David P. Donery, Town Manager
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Housing Element Public WorkshopThursday, August 25, 20226:00pm - 7:30pmZoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89819056711
Webinar ID: 898 1905 6711 What is the Housing Element?San Anselmo is in the process of updating its Housing Element, a chapter of the General Plan that outlines the plans and policies the community has in place to ensure we comply with state statutes. One component of our obligation is determined by the Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA). The RHNA establishes the minimum number of new housing units across various income levels that the Town must encourage the development of in the next 8 years by establishing supporting policy and development regulations.
How can you get involved?
Do you have ideas about where new housing should be located in San Anselmo? Come share them with us! The Public Workshop is your opportunity to provide feedback on preliminary housing opportunity sites identified by the Town and the Housing Element Advisory Committee. Your input is an essential part of this process.
Workshop Focus - Housing Opportunity Sites and Suitability AnalysisThe site suitability analysis helps the Town identify housing opportunity locations to meet the 6th cycle RHNA requirements. These sites are expected to yield the target number of housing units based on four different income levels by the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD).
To facilitate the discussion, a GIS map viewer tool has been developed to identify the potential housing opportunity sites. Each site has also been rated for suitability.
To view the San Anselmo Suitability Viewer Tool, please: CLICK HERE For instructions on using the tool, please: CLICK HERE The site suitability analysis considers the following factors: CLICK HERE
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We Need your Input!Please take the quick: Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) SurveyA key tool in meeting San Anselmo's RHNA will likely be Accessory Dwelling Units and Junior Accessory Dwelling Units. Also referred to as mother-in-law suites, granny flats, second units, and accessory apartments, these small units on single-family lots can help to increase housing options in the community with minimal impact on San Anselmo's character.
Input from the community on current and prospective ADUs is essential in our use of this housing type to meet our RHNA. Thank you for taking the time to answer this brief survey and help plan for the future of our Town.
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Butterfield Road Safety CampaignIn conjunction with the Safe Routes to School Committee and the Butterfield Road Safety Committee, the Town of San Anselmo has been working on a comprehensive safety campaign along Butterfield Road.
These recently completed improvements include: - pavement patching in the bike lane,
- a slurry seal over the whole stretch of Butterfield Road from Sir Francis Drake Boulevard to the County Limit,
- narrowed vehicle lanes/wider bike lanes,
- additional speed limits signs (including 15 MPH speed limit signs within 500 feet of the Brookside Elementary parking lot),
- targeted green bike lane markings at intersections.
The Town will also be installing a Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon (RRFB) at the crosswalk at Woodside Drive, and two radar speed feedback signs, one northbound near the fire station and one southbound north of Bay Tree Lane. The improvements should help reduce vehicle speeds and increase awareness of bicyclists and pedestrians throughout this busy corridor.
The improvements are funded by Measure D local sales tax.
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Elders' Garden work partyMemorial Park - next to Millennium PlaygroundToday! Saturday, August 20, 9:30am Please Join us! There is much to do in the garden to prepare for fall. No previous garden experience is necessary, we all learn from each other in the garden. Volunteering is an opportunity to meet neighbors, make friends, and contribute to the community. Anyone with interest is welcome to email: rohanamc@hotmail.com.
Or simply show up!
In September the volunteers from UC Master Gardeners Native Plant Pruning Guild will do some expert pruning in the Elders Garden. We are thankful for this generous gift.
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Dine. Shop. Stroll. Dance
The Town of San Anselmo and the San Anselmo Chamber of Commerce are pleased to announce that San Anselmo Live On The Avenue is back in full swing this summer through October 15. Live entertainment coincides with a pedestrian thoroughfare straight through the heart of town. Come stroll, shop, dine, and dance on San Anselmo Avenue! Concerts will be at Creek Park and the Town Hall Plaza between 6:00-8:30pm on Fridays and Saturdays. San Anselmo Avenue will be closed to cars from 6:00-10:00pm. Click here for the current line-up of spectacular entertainment.
Music from July – October (yes that’s 32 nights of music!) has been made possible by our gracious sponsor: Eric Gelman of Coldwell Banker.
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Parking for Live on the Avenue Events IMPORTANT INFORMATION - PLEASE READWe have created a pedestrian friendly event area on San Anselmo Avenue between Tunstead Avenue and Tamalpais Avenue. A lot of time and energy goes into preparing and running these popular evening events. In an effort to strike a balance between allowing our small businesses to close out their days while maintaining as much customer parking as possible and providing enough time to allow cars to exit the area before the event begins at 6pm, the event area on San Anselmo Avenue will remain open for parking until 5:30pm each Friday and Saturday night through October 15th. In addition, there will be three 30 minute spaces available for retail customers in three separate convenient locations that are available from 4:30 to 6:00pm throughout the event series.
CLICK HERE for a downtown parking map.
Please do not park in the event area on the Avenue past 5:30pm
It creates a very dangerous situation when a vehicle attempts to exit the event area after the event has started, so please help us keep these events safe by not parking in the event area on San Anselmo Avenue after 5:30pm.
Any vehicles remaining on San Anselmo Avenue (between Tunstead and Tamalpais Avenues) after 5:30pm will be ticketed and not allowed to leave the event area until 10pm. |
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Live on the Avenue:
Friday Night Family Concerts Town Hall Lawnpresented by the San Anselmo Public Library
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San Anselmo Recreation Fall Activity GuideDo you hear that?! Don’t worry it’s just the sound of people stampeding over to ActiveNet to register for new Fall Classes!! Well, furiously clicking and typing but you get the idea. We have Fall classes for people of all ages and we’re even rolling out some new toddler programs! Make sure to check out our new Early Childhood Adventures classes and Young Ones Yoga to get your tots signed up now! On the other end of the spectrum, our adult classes are back! And there are After School classes for children with all sorts of interests! REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN |
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Town Seeking Community Applicants for
Boards, Committees and Commissions
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There are many open seats on the Town's community volunteer Boards, Committees and Commissions. A special edition newsletter was sent out to you on August 18 with details. San Anselmo's Boards,Committees and Commissions provide a vital link between Town government and the community for gathering public input, reviewing projects and making recommendations on key issues.
If you are interested, we encourage you to submit a completed application and you will be scheduled for an interview with Town Council. Positions will remain open until filled by Town Council.To submit an application: Apply Here
For Youth Information & Application: Apply Here
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CLIMATE ACTION UPDATE:New Town Heat Pump Water Heaters InstalledThe Town recently enrolled in Willdan’s heat pump water heater (HPWH) electrification program and replaced its gas water heaters in the Public Works Corp Yard, Fire Station 19 & 20, and the Robson-Harrington House with new HPWHs. Thanks to PG&E and MCE match funding for the program, the Town was able to have this work completed at zero net cost and is expected to reduce electricity usage by 28,490 kWh per year, gas usage by 3,328 therms per year, and lifecycle GHG emissions by 122 metric tons CO2e. The Town will continue to pursue building electrification initiatives for all its facilities to reduce energy usage, utility costs, and emissions.
Single-family households and multifamily property owners can also swap their gas appliances for electric appliances like HPWHs to reduce energy usage, utility costs, and emissions. Heat pumps alone can reduce electricity consumption for heating and cooling by over 60% as they are much more energy efficient than traditional appliances. If you’re an MCE customer, then switching to electric appliances can significantly reduce your household emissions, especially if you enroll in their Deep Green program that sources 100% of the energy from wind and solar. The costs of electric appliances continue to become more affordable and residents can take advantage of several rebates and incentives offered by MCE, Electrify Marin, PG&E, and BayREN to make the upfront cost of these appliances even more affordable.
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Model Green Building Reach Code
The County of Marin in collaboration with local jurisdiction staff have been developing a model green building reach code. It will include additional requirements beyond the State building code for new construction and remodels to accelerate building electrification and energy efficiency, both of which will help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. To learn more about the reach code development process and provide vital input on the proposed requirements:
Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86754763118 Webinar ID 867 5476 3118 The agenda for the meeting with information on how to join will be posted on the Town website: https://sananselmo-ca.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx.
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Michele Harper,
author of The Beauty in BreakingMonday, August 22 at 6pmRegister for this webinar online: Join us for an enlightening discussion with Dr. Michele Harper as she highlights the lessons learned on her inspiring personal journey of discovery and self-reflection as written in her New York Times Best Selling memoir. The Beauty in Breaking tells the story of Dr. Harper, a female, African American, ER physician in an overwhelmingly male and white profession. Brought up in Washington, D.C., in a complicated family, she attended Harvard, where she met her husband. They stayed together through medical school until two months before she was scheduled to join the staff of a hospital in central Philadelphia when he told her he couldn’t move with her. Her marriage at an end, Harper began her new life in a new city, in a new job, as a newly single woman.
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Liz Wiseman,
author of Impact Players: How to Take the Lead, Play Bigger, and Multiply your ImpactJoin us as we sit down in conversation with Liz Wiseman, New York Times Best Selling author, researcher, and executive adviser as she showcases her latest book Impact Players: How to Take the Lead, Play Bigger and Multiply Your Impact and discusses why some people break through and make an impact while others get stuck going through the motions.
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Avoiding Scams, Fraud, and Identity TheftA 2019 study by the University of Southern California asserts that financial elder abuse makes up 55% of all elder abuse. In Marin County alone, financial abuse cases make up 32% of all referrals to Adult Protective Services. Nationwide, it’s estimated that only 1 in 10 cases is reported. Beth Fernbacher from the Marin Financial Abuse Specialist Team (FAST) will enlighten and educate on how to protect older adults against common financial scams.
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Author Event - Library Reading Room
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Meet Local Author Scott FletcherWednesday, August 31 at 6:30pmLibrary Reading RoomTravel through time and Marin history with San Anselmo author Scott Fletcher.
Moments in Marin History is a collection of photographs and accompanying articles that first appeared in the Marin Independent Journal. The photographs, taken from the Marin History Museum’s vast collection, were carefully selected and researched by Scott Fletcher to capture moments in time that tell the story of the people and land of Marin County.
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AUGUST: Water Wise and Fire-smartUC Marin Master GardenersWhen it comes to water, use these important fire-smart landscaping strategies:Utilize compost and the right mulches appropriately to sustain soil moisture and plant health; healthy plants are resilient plants. Select water wise, drought tolerant plants to add to your garden. Avoid adding new plants in times of extreme drought. Learn the water requirements of different plants to water appropriately. Water in the early morning and stagger the schedule to allow roots to absorb the water slowly. Target watering at the base within the plant’s dripline. Consider prioritizing valued plants & trees and decreasing the number of other plants. Remove invasives, weeds, and dead plants (plug irrigation outlet after removal). Minimize fertilizing – rapid plant growth requires more water. Keep irrigation system in good condition. Look into flow meters, soaker hoses, drip irrigation, and irrigation controllers to administer & monitor more effectively. Do not wet down your property on Red Flag warning days. This depletes the water our fire personnel need. Irrigate as normal. At http://firesafemarin.org, watch video entitled: Prioritizing Landscaping During Drought Look for CHIPPER DAYS in late summer/early fall to get rid of garden debris.
FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT:
UC MARIN MASTER GARDENER WEBSITE - Fire-Smart landscaping
UC MARIN MASTER GARDENER WEBSITE - Types of Irrigation Systems
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Ready and Resilient San AnselmoCome meet your neighbors, town leaders and community partners to learn more about preparing for wildfires. August 26th from 12:00pm-1:30pm at Creekside Park in downtown San AnselmoHear from Town Manager, David Donery, and Marin Wildfire Prevention Authority Executive Officer, Mark Brown. There will be representatives from Ross Valley Fire and Central Marin Police too, so this is an excellent opportunity for you to ask any questions you have about wildfire safety
Bring your lunch, enjoy a cupcake from Baked Blooms, and learn from wildfire experts all over Marin County! |
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TOWN BOOKS AUTHOR EVENTNEW DATE: FRIDAY, AUGUST 26, 4:00-6:00PM
We are excited to host our first BOOK RELEASE with local author and historian, SCOTT FLETCHER.
Moments in Marin History Is a collection of articles and accompanying photographs that first appeared in the Marin Independent Journal. All were carefully researched and written to capture moments in time that tell the story of a people and land that have shaped our county’s past, present and future.
Scott has lived and worked in Marin since 1985. He has been a history teacher, librarian, and valued volunteer at the Marin History Museum since 2011. He is also the volunteer curator of our rare book collection here at Town Books.
Scott will give a short talk and sign books. Cash and checks accepted.
Light refreshments will be served.
TOWN BOOKS
411 San Anselmo Avenue, San Anselmo
Wednesday – Saturday, 10:00am to 4:00pm
415.526.3791 • townbooks.orgTown Books is run by the Friends of the San Anselmo Library and all profits are donated to the San Anselmo Library.
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LOCAL VISTASFeatured Artist: BENJAMIN NOAH BENET September & October 2022
TOWN BOOKS is proud to host an exhibit of paintings by Marin artist, Benjamin Noah Benet in his first solo exhibit. Ben was born and raised in Marin and after high school, spent a couple of years in Boston for college. Though he had an interest in creative fields, he didn’t pursue art until his 20s. After a long series of circumstantial events, he enrolled at College of Marin where he studied painting and drawing with very talented teachers and professors.
ARTIST RECEPTION: Friday, September 16, 5:00 - 7:00pm.
TOWN BOOKS
411 San Anselmo Avenue, San Anselmo
HOURS: Tuesday – Saturday, 10am – 4pm
INFO: 415.526.3791 • townbooks.org
Town Books is run by the Friends of the San Anselmo Library and all profits are donated to the San Anselmo Library.
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Delicious Art Exhibition“Delicious”, a juried exhibition presented by Cedars and the San Anselmo Arts Commission, will be showing at the Cedars’ Artist Within Gallery.
Don’t miss the opening reception:
Saturday, September 10, 6-8pm,
with live music, wine and delicious treats!
The show runs September 3 thru November 11, 2022.
For more information and to register please visit: cedarslife.org/delicious
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Stroll Through San Anselmo’s HistoryThe Historical Commission is excited to again sponsor Dick Miner’s popular free walking tour through downtown. Learn about San Anselmo’s historic Hub, the role the railroad played in the development of town and the changing character of the businesses and architecture on San Anselmo Avenue.
The remaining Tour dates for 2022 include: September 10, October 8.
Meet Dick Miner at Creek Park at 9:00 a.m. No reservations are required.
The tour ends at the Historical Museum for refreshments.
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Help Keep the Flower Baskets in
Downtown San AnselmoDonations are being accepted to help
fund this annual community effort
The San Anselmo Beautification Committee has launched its 2022 fundraising campaign to raise funds for the annual hanging flower basket program in the downtown.
There are two ways you can contribute: - Donate by visiting the program’s GO FUND ME PAGE or
- Mail a check to: San Anselmo Chamber of Commerce
PO Box 2844, San Anselmo, CA 94979
(please mark check for “baskets”)
For more information about this project contact:
Nancy Altman at nnaltman@me.com
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