In Fairfax, just days before voters head to the polls to decide whether to recall both the town’s mayor and vice mayor, a heated dispute over a proposed 243‑unit apartment project at 95 Broadway has deepened divisions in the community.
The conflict pits local leaders against developer Mill Creek Residential, with both sides invoking state housing laws and local land use rules.
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What started as a disagreement over deadlines has turned into a high‑stakes political flashpoint involving housing, state mandates, and the future of this small Marin County town.
State Housing Laws vs. Fairfax’s Local Authority
Mill Creek Residential claims its project already earned automatic approval under California’s Permit Streamlining Act.
The developer says Fairfax missed a critical 60‑day window after receiving its application on August 18, so the proposal became “approved by operation of law” when October 17 passed without an official decision.
If that interpretation stands, it could let the project skip the town’s normal review process entirely.
Town Officials Push Back
Mayor Lisel Blash and Vice Mayor Stephanie Hellman, both facing the recall vote in less than two weeks, flatly reject the developer’s claims.
They argue the application is still incomplete, pointing to 25 separate deficiencies that fall short of Fairfax’s environmental, safety, and community design standards.
These include impacts on traffic congestion, emergency access, and green space — issues that have sparked debate for years in Marin towns like San Anselmo, Mill Valley, and Corte Madera.
A Political Conflict with Local Consequences
Blash has accused the developer of trying to “bully” Fairfax into skipping its public process.
Hellman stresses the town’s commitment to responsible, sustainable housing that works for current residents and future generations.
The controversy really highlights a broader tension across Marin County, where places like Novato and Larkspur are wrestling with state mandates to increase housing density.
The Recall Election Looms
The recall question on the upcoming Fairfax ballot already shows just how divided things have become.
Ironically, the officials now fighting Mill Creek Residential are the same ones targeted for removal by residents who think they’ve been too friendly to development.
It’s a strange twist: leaders criticized for supporting growth now find themselves at odds with a major housing project.
What’s at Stake for Fairfax Residents
As Election Day nears, people in Fairfax — and in nearby towns like Ross, San Rafael, and Tiburon — are watching closely.
This dispute isn’t just about one apartment complex; it’s about how small towns can keep control over their planning decisions when state laws and developer pressures collide.
- Local Review Standards: Fairfax says all projects must meet strict safety, environmental, and design guidelines.
- State Mandates: California’s housing laws aim to speed approvals and boost supply, sometimes clashing with local preferences.
- Community Impact: Concerns about traffic, school capacity, and neighborhood character weigh heavily in public opinion.
Housing Policy Divisions in Marin County
Similar debates are happening in towns like Belvedere and Sausalito, where folks weigh the benefits of more housing against fears of losing that small‑town feel.
Fairfax’s fight over 95 Broadway has turned into a microcosm of the bigger policy struggle between local control and statewide housing goals.
Looking Ahead: November 17 and Beyond
The recall vote wraps up soon, but the development dispute follows its own path. Town officials say Mill Creek Residential has until November 17 to fix 25 listed deficiencies.
What happens after that? It could decide if the apartment project moves forward, or just ends up as another stalled proposal in Marin’s long history of messy development fights.
Fairfax residents know the outcome will shape the town’s look and politics for years. For all of Marin County, it feels like proof that housing policy and local politics are only getting trickier—and honestly, more heated.
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Here is the source article for this story: Marin County town officials renew fight over proposed housing, even as a recall election looms
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