TAMALPAIS DESIGN REVIEW BOARD

Meetings

The board meets on the first and third Wednesday of the month when projects are scheduled for review.  Please see current agenda for the next scheduled meeting.  Meetings are held at the "Log Cabin" at 60 Tennessee Valley Road, near Highway 1.

 The meetings are usually informal unless a large turnout demands a more formal structure to insure that all voices are heard.  A copy of the plans submitted to the Community Development Agency will be available at the meeting.  Applicants and/or their design professionals are strongly urged to attend the meeting.  Please bring any additional items such as photos, color and material samples, and maps or diagrams which might help clarify both the existing and proposed  conditions.

About TDRB

The Tamalpais Design Review Board (TDRB) serves the unincorporated portion of Marin County immediately south and west of Mill Vallley.  We are a group of local citizens and professionals appointed by the Marin County Board of Supervisors to review certain applications for Design Review, Variance, Lot Line Adjustment, and Use Permit as specified in the Development Code or required by current policy of the Community Development Agency.  The board is advisory to the planning staff and does not make the final decision on a project.  Formal design review decisions are made at the Civic Center by planning staff, a zoning administrator, or the Planning Commission.  A public hearing before the TDRB is often the first step in the application process.

Open to the Public

All meetings are open to the public.  Anyone interested in a project is welcome to address the board and offer their input.  Anyone witshing to address the board on any topic may do so at the designated time prior to the discussion of agenda items.  All County Boards and Commissions are required to comply with the Brown Act to provide a properly noticed agenda and open meetings.  The agenda is generally finalized one week before the scheduled meeting and is subject to deletions or postponement at the time of the meeting.

Jurisdiction

The TDRB serves the areas included in the Tamalpais Area Community Plan ("Tam Plan").  This consists of Tam Valley, Manzanita, Almonte, Homestead Valley, and Muir Woods Park.  Note that the Tam Plan often contains provisions which are more detailed than the Development Code.  See the reference tab for links to the plan and a map of the area.  References can also be found there to relevant sections of the Development Code and lists of the mandatory findings for various types of applications.