The following article looks at the Mill Valley City Council’s recent decision to reapprove a controversial affordable housing development at the edge of Hauke Park. After hours of public testimony and legal arguments, the council backed a 45-unit project aimed at low-income families, sparking more debate across Marin County about housing, environmental protection, and equity.
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Mill Valley Reaffirms Affordable Housing Plan
In a unanimous vote, the Mill Valley City Council reapproved plans for a four-story, 45-apartment affordable housing complex called Bayfront Terrace at 1 Hamilton Drive. The project sits on city-owned land next to Hauke Park, a location that’s drawn both praise and sharp criticism from residents in Mill Valley, Strawberry, and Tiburon.
The decision followed more than two hours of staff presentations, public comment, and rebuttals. Earlier in the week, opponents tried but failed to persuade Marin County Superior Court to issue a temporary restraining order that would have blocked the council from acting.
Legal Context and CEQA Questions
Critics say the city’s recent move—trimming a narrow strip of seasonal wetland—shrunk the project footprint from 1.75 acres to 1.5 acres. That change let the development qualify for a California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) exemption created by new 2025 state housing legislation.
City Attorney Inder Khalsa pushed back, arguing the court can’t interfere with what he called a lawful legislative land-use decision. Council members agreed, saying the reapproval was a procedural step required by state law changes.
Concerns From the Community
Friends of Hauke Park, a local advocacy group with residents from Mill Valley, Corte Madera, and Larkspur, has led the opposition. They argue the development threatens both the environmental integrity and the recreational value of Hauke Park.
Environmental and Equity Arguments
Opponents describe the site as a biological hotspot and warn that even limited wetland impacts could hurt local wildlife. Others claim concentrating low-income housing in eastern Mill Valley deepens patterns of segregation already seen across Marin County, from Sausalito to Novato.
Some residents from Belvedere and Kentfield worry the project sets a precedent for building dense housing near sensitive parkland, instead of spreading affordable units more evenly throughout the city.
City’s Defense of the Project
City officials defended the location and scale of the development. They pointed out the Hamilton Drive parcel was the best choice among four city-owned sites studied.
Because the land is publicly owned, construction costs drop, which means rents can actually stay affordable.
The design includes:
Mitigation and Housing Needs
Council members said they’ll implement all mitigation measures identified in the environmental review. They also mentioned the project includes a buffer zone to the seasonal wetland that goes beyond Marin County requirements.
Officials noted that under state density bonus laws, Mill Valley could have approved up to 80 units on the site but intentionally limited the project to 45. The location’s proximity to schools, transit, and services in Tamalpais Valley and central Mill Valley was described as a major plus.
What Happens Next
The council’s vote lets the project move forward. Still, the controversy isn’t going anywhere soon.
A court hearing on the lawsuit challenging the development is set for March. Residents all over Marin County are watching closely.
Communities from San Rafael to Fairfax are struggling with the tricky balance between housing affordability and protecting the environment. The Hauke Park debate really highlights the tensions shaping land-use decisions in the region.
Here is the source article for this story: Mill Valley reapproves city-led affordable housing project
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