Body of News Release
Marin County, CA – Construction activity is progressing at the 32-unit affordable housing development at 156 Shoreline Highway in unincorporated Mill Valley, with installation of prefabricated modular units expected to begin as early as Monday, August 31, pending resolution of outstanding permitting requirements.
Underground work at the site has been completed. The County previously issued a Stop Work Order after construction proceeded while building permits were still being finalized. The developer and County continue to work through the outstanding permitting requirements necessary for construction to proceed.
The developer brought a large crane to the site the morning of August 25 in preparation for modular installation. Once authorized to proceed, crews will use the crane to place modular sections that will form the five-story apartment building. Modular installation is expected to take up to two weeks, depending on weather, transportation and other logistics. During installation, neighbors and travelers should expect:
- Daytime construction noise as modular units are lifted and secured into place.
- Temporary parking restrictions along the affected portion of Shoreline Highway from 6 AM to 7 PM. Overnight parking will remain available.
- Travel lane modifications and brief traffic holds to allow trucks to safely enter and exit the site. Trucks are expected to arrive or depart approximately every 30 to 60 minutes. Most traffic holds are expected to last about 60 to 90 seconds, although some may take longer. Traffic control measures are planned near the northbound Highway 101 exit and Shoreline Highway to accommodate truck turns as needed.
- Large trucks and equipment, including up to four large transport trucks carrying modular building sections staged along Shoreline Highway at a time.
No weekend work is anticipated. The installation schedule remains subject to change.
Shoreline Highway is a state highway. Caltrans has been notified of the planned construction activity, and the developer has Caltrans permits associated with the work.
About the Project
The five-story development, located near the Manzanita park-and-ride lot and the Highway 101 overpass at Richardson Bay, will include 32 apartments of affordable housing. Units will range from approximately 544-square-foot one-bedroom apartments to 751-square-foot two-bedroom apartments. The installation of modular units is a modern, faster, more efficient approach to housing construction.
The County approved plans for the development in 2025 under SB35, a 2017 state law that allows projects such as this to bypass normally required environmental review, move faster through the review process, and restricts the County rejecting projects if they have minimum affordable housing guarantees.
The Shoreline Highway apartments are connected to an affordable housing development originally proposed at 825 Drake Avenue in Marin City. In 2023, tax-exempt bonds were approved for a 74-unit affordable housing project at that location. The project was later modified to include 42 units at the Drake Avenue site, and 32 units at the separate Shoreline Highway site.
Stay Informed
Weekly updates will be posted on the County project webpage. Questions about construction activity may be directed to the developer by phone at 208-816-863 or via the developer's website.