In Your Town for Jan. 21, 2026
NOVATO
Fire in kitchen
damages home
A kitchen fire damaged a residence in Novato on Monday night.
The fire happened at about 7:30 p.m. at 36 Burning Tree Drive near the Ignacio Valley Preserve. The flames traveled through the stove ventilation fan and reached the roof, said Battalion Chief Barrett Smith of the Novato Fire Protection District.
Residents extinguished most of the fire before firefighters arrived, and the rest was under control in about 30 minutes, Smith said. Firefighters from San Rafael and Marinwood provided assistance.
No injuries were reported.
FAIRFAX
Town rescinds
business permit
The town has revoked a conditional use permit for a collective of art studios and design businesses at 10 Olema Road.
The Planning Commission granted the permit in June on the condition that the proprietors file building plans for unauthorized work and address fire safety deficiencies, among other requirements. The town planning office said the collective, known as the Ranch, did not meet the conditions.
The commission held a hearing on the permit on Thursday.
“The Planning Commission had no choice but to rescind their approval,” said Linda Neal, a town planner.
A co-owner of the property has told the town he plans to vacate and sell it, possibly for affordable housing.
CORTE MADERA
Survey launched
for zoning review
The town is seeking public comments for its effort to update commercial zoning regulations.
“This effort focuses on refining permitted and conditionally permitted uses to better align with today’s business types,” the town said in a statement. “The goal of the project is to create a more effective, flexible and user-friendly regulatory framework that streamlines administration while supporting economic development.”
The town has launched an online survey to collect opinions on issues such as parking, noise, traffic and food trucks. The survey is at surveymonkey.com/r/L5B6FZ3 and will be open through Feb. 15.
More details on the zoning project are online at shorturl.at/Ons2B.
NOVATO
Forum planned on
housing proposal
The city is planning a community meeting about a proposed eight-residence development at 200 San Marin Drive.
The attached residences would have three or four bedrooms, and one residence would be deed-restricted as “affordable,” according to the city. The buildings would be up to 41 feet, 11 inches high.
The meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. Jan. 29 at the Hill Community Room at 1560 Hill Road. Project details are online at shorturl.at/JP86H.