Body of News Release
Marin County, CA – Continuing its public engagement effort, the County of Marin has set up a public video conference for 6 p.m. Wednesday, August 5, during which the community can learn about the Tam Junction Placemaking Study. The study area includes the Tam Junction, Manzanita, and Shoreline areas in unincorporated southern Marin.
Registration is open until the online presentation begins. In addition, an online survey is underway and will be open until noon Monday, August 24.
The webinar will replicate information presented at two April 2026 meetings that introduced the Tam Junction Placemaking Study. A Board of Supervisors hearing is anticipated in late fall to authorize the study’s work plan. Staff from the Marin County Community Development Agency (CDA) is seeking public feedback on issues such as safety, community vitality, access and circulation so it can choose a well-matched consulting agency to conduct the study.
“Once we gather community priorities and know what’s most essential for this project to cover, we’ll be in good shape to draft a thoughtful and thorough request for proposals that we can publicize to qualified consultants,” said CDA Director Sarah Jones. “We have an interdisciplinary project team spearheading early hands-on engagement on this part of the effort. We want to make sure we hear from the residents and business owners in this area before scoping the work, so the final study reflects findings to ensure that any future plans are feasible and support a thriving, vibrant, and sustainable community in that part of Marin.”
Tamalpais Valley includes the unincorporated neighborhoods between Marin City to the south and the City of Mill Valley to the north. It includes Tennessee Valley, Homestead Valley, Tam Junction, Almonte, and streets off Panoramic Highway on the eastern slope of Mount Tamalpais. The key business hub in the area -- the focus of this placemaking study -- includes the Tam Junction, Manzanita, and Shoreline areas.
Community and economic vitality is one of the Marin County Supervisors’ top priorities, and the Tam Junction area has become an important part of Marin’s economy, particularly to the Tamalpais Valley community. For instance, several successful food and drink establishments nearby have drawn new customers in recent years, boosting the economy.
However, that success is adding to congestion and intensifying safety concerns. The area is challenged by difficult navigation on foot or bicycle as well as traffic from delivery vehicles, business patrons, local residents, and visitors traveling through the area to coastal West Marin, Mount Tamalpais State Park, and Muir Woods National Monument. Also, the waterfront areas on the west side of Richardson Bay are often inundated with winter storm surges, king tides, and longer-term sea level rise. Shoreline Highway and adjacent roads can sometimes be impassable.
Feedback from the two public meetings in April 2026 included a range of concerns about safety such as needed improvements to Shoreline Highway, gaps in the pedestrian and bicycle network, and accessibility barriers, insufficient parking, emergency access, and signage and visual clutter. Contributed comments from all meetings and the survey will be used to refine the scope and choose a well-suited consultant team to conduct the study. Once the study is launched in early 2027, engagement on the study itself will begin.
Anyone may sign up to receive emailed updates on the project or send an email to CDA staff.
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For disability accommodations, please phone (415) 473-6290 (voice), CA Relay 711, or e-mail Community Development staff at least five business days in advance of the event. The County will do its best to fulfill requests received with less than five business days’ notice. Copies of documents are available in alternative formats, upon request.