Centennial Merchandise

In the spirit of 100 years of community, we are offering residents the opportunity to purchase exclusive Ross merchandise and wine. We are offering a number of collectible items including tote bags, tumbler glasses, adult and children’s hats, blankets, wine glasses, backpack patches for your children, Preston Ranch Chardonnay from the Russian River, Pinot Noir from the Russian River, and a Cabernet Sauvignon from the Sonoma Coast. The items will be available for purchase September 19th and 20th. Or, if you like, you may purchase them sooner by downloading the following forms and faxing them to Nicole Duncan, Centennial Merchandise Chair, at 415-258-0548.

Enjoy and thank you for all of your support.

Merchandise Order Form

Wine Order Form

Contact information for Ross School alumni:

rossschool100@gmail.com
415-482-7983 x401

UNDER CONSTRUCTION.

The Honorary Committee is comprised of Ross residents who have lived in Ross 50+ years and former Mayors and Council members who have served the Town since 1962. This is a most distinguished group and we hope you will join us for the Centennial as our special guests. Please send in your response cards early to be seated at the Centennial Dinner. You can check in early at 4:00 p.m. for the dinner. On September 20th, if you would like to ride in the parade in a vintage car or watch the parade from the Viewing Platform reserved for Honorary and former Mayors and Council members (this will be located across from the post office and will have room for about 100 seats), please contact us at ross.events@gmail.com or call 415-453-1453 x176. You must reserve these seats in advance.

Color P Car_1.jpg Former Mayors, Council members and Honorary Committee members received a commemorative Centennial gift for their service and leadership in shaping the Town of Ross. If you did not receive your gift at the Spring Cocktail Party, please contact Anne Flemming at anneflemming@comcast.net (for former Mayors and Council) or Cindy Livermore at cslivermore@aol.com (for Honorary committee).

Through Their Eyes
The 50-Year Residents Memory Book

Through Their Eyes introduces our 50 year residents to the Ross community. The narratives, woven from their own words, give us a tiny glimpse into the past, and illustrate the simple, uncomplicated existence that was “early Ross.” They tell the “human interest story” of our town that must not be forgotten or lost to future generations.

Available for $15 (this is a placeholder until we get the final cost) in September with Centennial merchandise. You can email a request for the book to ross.events@gmail.com.

UNDER CONSTRUCTION.

The Ross movie will be shown at the Centennial dinner on Friday, September 19th beginning at 7:30 p.m. Click here for a preview of the Ross Movie.

For inquiries regarding the Centennial please contact:

ross.events@gmail.com
415-453-1453 x176
P. O. Box 616
Ross, CA 94957

If you live out of the area and would like to receive a Centennial invitation, please send your address information to Linda Lopez via email or by phone to 415-453-1453 x105.

Friday, September 19th

     6:00 p.m.     Centennial Dinner on the Ross Common
                        (check-in begins at 5 p.m., early check-in for seniors and special needs at 4 p.m.)
     7:30 p.m.     Ross Movie
     8:00 p.m.     “RossField Follies” show

Saturday, September 20th

     9:00 a.m.     Shuttle service begins at College of Marin and Marin Art & Garden Center
     10:00 a.m.   Parade begins at Shady Lane and Fernhill
     12:00 noon   Picnic begins
     2:30 p.m.     Cake cutting and “Happy Birthday” by Branson a cappella group
     4:00 p.m.     Picnic ends

Please refer to other Centennial pages for important details on each event.

101p_02.thumbnail_1_.jpg Ross, California: the People, the Places, the History

May 2, 2008, marked the release of the new book Ross, California: the People, the Places, the History by the Moya Library/Ross Historical Society to commemorate the Centennial. The book is available for $40 by contacting the Moya Library/Ross Historical Society at 258-9595. For further information on the Moya Library/Ross Historical Society events, please go to http://www.moya-rhs.org/.

Through Their Eyes
The 50-Year Residents Memory Book

Available for $15 (this is a placeholder until we get the final cost) in September with Centennial merchandise. You can email a request for the book to ross.events@gmail.com.

The Ross Semperviren Centennial Newsletter offers a brief and informative look at Ross history. See a copy of Volume 1, Volume 2, or Volume 3.

Parking and Shuttle Services for September 20

There will be no parking near Ross Common or along the parade route (Shady Lane at Fernhill to Lagunitas).

If you must drive, please park at the College of Marin lot #15 on Kent Avenue. Shuttles will run from the College of Marin to Sylvan Lane at Lagunitas from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. throughout the day. The only shuttle stop will be located at the corner of Lagunitas and Sylvan Lane, directly across from the Ross Alumni tent.

Better yet, if you’re able, please walk, ride your bike, or hitch a ride on one of the circulating hay wagons. More bike racks will be added where Ross School bike racks are currently located.

Handicap/special needs parking will be available at the Marin Art & Garden Center (MAGC). A Whistlestop shuttle will run from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. between MAGC and Sylvan Lane at Lagunitas.

Tickets

Avoid the lines! Books of 10 tickets are $20 each. Buy four or more books in advance and save 10% ($18 each). Tickets are good for lunch, refreshments and rides. You can buy tickets with the response card enclosed in your invitation, or at the post office or Ross School in September. You can email a request for tickets to ross.events@gmail.com.

Parade

The “Ross Through the Decades” parade begins at 10:00 a.m. at Shady Lane and Fernhill Avenue and ends at Ross Common. The parade will showcase music, period costumes, collectible cars, and neighborhood groups.

Picnic

Following the parade, celebrate with a picnic on Ross Common. The picnic is from noon to 4:00 p.m. Purchase tickets for a delicious barbeque lunch from Union Street Catering or bring your own picnic. Gourmet hot dogs, ice cream, cotton candy and popcorn will be available. There is no admission fee - the tickets are for food, rides, drinks and snacks.

Ross Town Fair

The Town fair features lots of old-fashioned fun, with contests, exhibits and games. Cultivate your blue-ribbon produce and garden items for the Town fair, which will feature a competition for the best tomoatoes, pumpkins, and flowers grown by Ross residents. Get ready for baking contests, too. Residents will also have the opportunity to create and exhibit art projects about what Ross means to them.

Cake

There will be a cake-cutting ceremony at 2:30 p.m. on Ross Common.

Children’s Activities

The children’s activities will include watermelon eating, sack race and cakewalk. Rides include a Ferris wheel, children’s train, and horse & buggy hayrides.

Celebrate with an adults-only Centennial Town dinner Friday, September 19

There will be a Town dinner at 6:00 p.m. followed by lively “RossField Follies” entertainment starting at 7:30 p.m. on Ross Common. When you receive your invitation, please send your response card in early to reserve your space, as we will not be able to accommodate those who are late in replying.

Reservations REQUIRED by September 12th (seats will sell out EARLY!).
Adults only (no one under 21 please. Centennial wine will be available).
Space is very limited — 1 person can reserve a maximum of 10 seats only.
Reserve a table of 10, reserve up to 10 seats at a community table, or reserve up to 10 spots for bleacher or lawn seating.
There is a $20 charge per seat for the show, $10 for bleacher and lawn seating.
Reservations for you and your guests will be confirmed by phone or email.
Check-in begins at 5:00 p.m. Early check-in at 4:00 p.m. for those over 65 years of age. Please, no check-in before 4:00 p.m.
Bring your own picnic dinner.
No parking available near Ross Common. Handicap/special needs parking will be available starting at 3:30 p.m. behind the post office, with extra parking available at the Marin Art & Garden Center. Additional parking available at Marin Art & Garden Center.

ROSS DOWNTOWN PLAN

Objectives

1. Improve safety for pedestrians and bikers.
2. Improve circulation around school, post office and retail areas. Eliminate conditions for illegal u-turns.
3. Enhance vitality of downtown retail area, both during the day and at night.
4. Increase number of parking spaces in downtown and amount of available parking close to retail area.
5. Provide outdoor gathering/eating areas and small “pocket” parks throughout the downtown.
6. Enhance downtown landscaping; provide green buffers and more street trees.
7. Create visual gateways for the downtown area and the Common.
8. Improve design of built structures while preserving historic references.

Design Ideas

Explore installation of roundabouts at Lagunitas Road and Redwood Drive intersections (and Willow Avenue/Lagunitas Road). Ensure safe passage for pedestrians and consider operational controls for crosswalks.
Create a drop-off lane for Ross School traffic along Ross Common.
Enlarge parking lot north of the post office so it accommodates two rows of diagonal parking, encroaching into Post Office Park if necessary. Encourage this lot to be used for longer-term parking.
Enlarge parking lot south of post office so it accommodates two rows of diagonal parking. The roadway width can be reduced to increase the size of the lot. Make short-term parking through signs or meters.
Improve parking lot circulation through redesign of traffic direction flows and parking lot entrances and exits.
Plant green buffers and trees between parking lots and the street. Create an allée of trees along Ross Common and the appearance of green parks flanking the post office.
Increase sidewalk widths along Ross Common. Provide improved sidewalk and planting from commercial area to post office.
Provide sidewalk extensions on both sides of Ross Common at Marmalades to create space for outdoor seating and slow traffic approaching downtown intersection.
Provide for a gathering/eating area between post office and retail area. Use landscaping and hardscape to define this area.
Consider additional retail or town office space in area south of post office.
Encourage farmer’s market or other evening activity in area between post office and retail shops. Provide music and food.
Intensify parking near retail shops by creating perpendicular parking on Redwood Drive on south side of the Common and diagonal parking along southeast side.
Create a continuous bike lane at exit from Allen Park onto Ross Common and up to Lagunitas Road.
Consider creating a small skateboard park in Allen Park.
Create visual entryways into the Common at the southeast corner and across from the post office. Replace trellis across from the Post Office and consider providing a buffer between play areas and the park entrance. Better integrate pathways.
Install more street lights in downtown area.
Improve downtown plantings.
Consider design guidelines for signs, awnings, light fixtures, colors and materials for exteriors of downtown buildings.
Design Lagunitas Bridge to provide a single, separated and multi-use walkway along the southern side of the bridge (8 foot width). Connect walkway to park and creek. Strive to preserve historical design and scale of the bridge.
Improve bus stop shelter design at Sir Francis Drake and Lagunitas Road.

Downtown Ross
The hub of Ross is its downtown, nestled against the Ross Common, Fred Allen Park and Corte Madera Creek, and offering views of the surrounding hillsides and Bald Hill. Located just west of Sir Francis Drake Blvd., you can access the downtown area by turning onto Lagunitas Road or from Poplar Avenue in Kentfield.

Ross merchants provide a variety of products and services in a relaxed, small-town atmosphere. Save gas, save driving and enjoy the free parking and shop and dine away from the hustle and bustle of crowded malls!

Atelier Emi
Classic, contemporary and high fashion hair cuts for men and women. The salon uses European hair colors and provides color corrections, highlights, and lowlights.
27 Ross Common, Suite 1B
(415) 925-9565

Breaking Away Bicycles
Bicycle sales, service and rentals. Mountain bikes, hybrids, cruisers, and kids’ bikes. Custom orders. Large selection of men’s and women’s clothing. Discounts offered to NorCal high school teams. Open every day.
7 Ross Common
(415) 461-2959

Café Marmalade
Coffee and fresh-baked pastries. Sandwiches, salads, and homemade soups for lunch or take-out. Outdoor seating available.
22 Ross Common
(415) 461-2205

Descom Studios
Graphic design and marketing communications agency specializing in branding, advertising, marketing collaterals, packaging, and full-service web development including multimedia and sound.
20 Ross Common
(415) 461-667
http://www.descomstudios.com/

Gala
Contemporary women’s boutique specializing in comfortable, fashionable and quality clothing.
3 Ross Common
(415) 464-0110

Marche aux Fleurs
Contemporary French food. Dine indoors in the rustic dining room or outside on the leafy patio. Dinner Tuesday through Saturday.
23 Ross Common
(415) 925-9200

Michael B. Yandle Landscape Architecture
13 Ross Common
(415) 464-0763

Morgan Lane Real Estate
Boutique residential real estate company. Co-owner Tracy McLaughlin has eleven years of real estate experience.
23 Ross Common
(415) 464-8686
http://www.marinfinehomes.com/

mp2a Architecture
Architecture firm with a wide range of experience in residential and small scale commercial projects. Mp2a creates functional and aesthetically unique designs.
23 Ross Common
(415) 464-1231
http://www.mp2ainc.com/

No5.0001.JPG No. 5
High-end women’s handbags. Featuring Barbara Bui, Anya Hindemarch, and other luxury designers.
5 Ross Common
(415) 925-9555

Personalized Training Center
Fitness coach Billy Markaris offers private training sessions at the facility, home gym designs and custom gym equipment sales.
23 Ross Common
(415) 461-6066

Ross Family Dentistry
Dr. Little provides dentistry for children and adults. Evening and some Saturday appointments available.
7 Redwood Drive
(415) 925-2545 Emergency: (415) 987-2545

Ross Grocery
Deli sandwiches, prepared salads, and hot meals available for take-out.
16 Ross Common
(415) 461-9343

Ross Nail Spa
Manicures, pedicures and hand and foot massages available. Walk-ins welcome.
32 Ross Common #100
(415) 461-3400

Sam the Butcher Contemporary Art
Non-profit organization which assists emerging artists by putting on exhibitions, publishing print and online catalogs, and helping artists with publicity. The art gallery shares its space with Kabouter Management, which invests in foreign equity markets.
9 Ross Common
(415) 902-1019
http://www.samthebutcherart.org/

Silhouette Hair Studio
Expert cut and color services, blow-dry and up-dos. Children welcome.
30 Ross Common
(415) 461-8808

Tizka Salon Spa
Hair and skin care services featuring Aveda products. Hair cuts, color and styling. Facials, waxing and tinting.
23 Ross Common
(415) 461-5515
http://www.tizkaspasalon.com/

Touch of Class
European dry cleaning, on-site alterations and tailoring, and French laundry featuring tablecloth and bed linen service.
32 Ross Common
(415) 461-3743

Trattoria Fresco
Italian food in a homey atmosphere.
13 Ross Common
(415) 464-0915

Wendy McPhee Design & Marketing
Specializing in intelligent branding, website design, packaging, signage and strategic marketing.
27 Ross Common, 3rd floor
(415) 461-0761
http://www.wedes.com/

Zoltan Furniture Restoration
Quality repair and restoration of antiques and fine furniture.
26 Ross Common
(415) 461-6659

If you’d like your downtown business to be included in this list, contact Linda Lopez in the Town Administration office.

For a copy of the Advisory Design Review Group Meeting Agenda on June 26, 2008 in PDF format, click here.

AGENDA
REGULAR MEETING of the ROSS ADVISORY
DESIGN REVIEW GROUP
THURSDAY, JUNE 26, 2008

1. 5:00 P.M. Commencement.

2. Posting of Agenda.

3. Approval of Minutes of April 24, 2008 and May 22, 2008.

4. Open Time for Public Expression.

5. 21 Fernhill Avenue/ Brian and Rachel Wells, A.P. No. 073-091-37, (R-1:B-20)

Review of plans for new pedestrian and driveway gates, up to 6 feet tall, between new stone columns.

6. 3 Upper Ames Avenue/Lionel Conacher and Joan Dea, A.P. No. 073-201-02, (R-1:B-A)

A significant remodel of the existing residence, designed by Bay Area architect Joseph Esherick in 1957-1958. Based on the draft plans, the project would require approval of a demolition permit and design review for the following: 1.) addition of 2,362 square feet of floor area on the first and second story of the residence; 2.) landscape improvements that include construction of a new pool, 860 square foot pool house, and pool patio area at the southwest corner of the site; and 3.) steel, lattice design, driveway gates up to 6 feet in height between new stucco columns. Approval of side setback variances would be necessary in order to locate portions of two parking/turnaround areas within the west and south side setback areas. Otherwise, all improvements would comply with required setbacks and no variances would be requested.

Lot area                              96,407 square feet
Existing Floor Area Ratio    6.1%
Proposed Floor Area Ratio  9.5%  (15% permitted)
Existing Lot Coverage         6.1%
Proposed Lot Coverage       8.7%  (15% permitted)

7. 54 Baywood Avenue/Ross and Ligia Parmenter, A.P. Nos. 72-072-29 and 72-072-30, (R-1:B-20)

Plans for the construction of a 1,198 square foot two-story residence with a 2-car, attached, garage (242 square feet of floor area), a one-car driveway, and expanded road shoulder that provides parking for one additional car. As designed, the project would require Town Council approval of a variance, design review, hillside lot/ hazard zone 3 use permit, and tree removal application. A variance is necessary to locate the expanded road shoulder, elevated driveway and pedestrian walkway within the front yard setback (25 feet required, 0 feet proposed).   The applicant also proposes to re-grade the roadway so that runoff is directed towards the inside curb, install new concrete curbs along the outside edge of Baywood Avenue along the frontage of the site, and construct one additional parking space within the right-of-way. A tree removal permit would be necessary to allow the removal of a 14” bay tree in the area of the proposed driveway.

Lot area                              20,971 square feet
Present Floor Area Ratio     0%
Proposed Floor Area Ratio  6.8% (15% permitted*)
Present Lot Coverage          0%
Proposed Lot Coverage       10.4% (15% permitted)

(*The slope of this lot is 53%. The hillside lot ordinance would recommend a maximum floor area of 840 square feet.)

8. Discussion of group review procedures.

9. Adjournment.

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you need special assistance to participate in this meeting, please contact the Town Manager at (415) 453-1453, extension 107 or (415) 453-1950 (Fax). Notification at least 48 hours prior to the meeting will enable the town to make reasonable accommodation to help insure accessibility to this meeting.

Join us for the celebration of the century!

We have a rare and wonderful opportunity to honor our community’s roots and welcome its future. Please join us for the Town of Ross Centennial celebrations on Friday, September 19 and Saturday, September 20.

Look for your Centennial invitation in the mail this summer and be sure to respond early to reserve your space at the adults-only dinner Friday, September 19 with lively entertainment featuring the “RossField Follies.” (Please click here for important details about reserving your space at the dinner.)

There’s a town-wide parade, picnic, and fair Saturday, September 20 with fun for all ages and free admission. Pre-purchase lunch and ride tickets and save! Please note that streets around the parade route and Ross Common will be closed and plan to make alternate transportation arrangements. (Please click here for important details regarding parking and shuttle services that day.)

For a schedule of events, click here.

For more information, call 415-453-1453 x176 or email ross.events@gmail.com.
Ross School alumni please contact 415-482-7983 x401 or rossschool100@gmail.com.

To order Centennial merchandise click here.

If you have not yet signed up on the Town’s email list, please join the list so you can stay in the Centennial loop and receive an invitation. The invitation will be mailed to everyone listed in the Ross Telephone Directory. If you are not listed in the directory or live out of the area, please send your address information to Linda Lopez via email or phone to 415-453-1453 x105, so you can receive an invitation.

See a copy of Volume 1, Volume 2, or Volume 3 of The Ross Semperviren, the Town’s Centennial newsletter.

Please also check the bulletin board at the post office for Centennial news throughout the year for information about the parade, picnic and fair.

(Photos courtesy of Ken Fineman, Ross Historical Society, and private collections)

Get Ready Program

The Get Ready Program is a disaster preparedness program designed to educate residents with basic skills to survive a disaster. The format is designed to be taught in only two hours to groups of any size with minimal preparation. The Town of Ross will be sponsoring classes to train interested residents to be Get Ready instructors. Once trained, the instructors can then hold their own Get Ready training sessions in their homes, businesses, schools, church or social groups.

Look for more of our Get Ready class dates coming soon.

What’s in Your Kit?
Having an emergency kit is an important part of being prepared. The nice thing about having your own kit is that you can put anything you want in it. Depending upon the size of your family, dietary and health needs, the variety is limitless. Many commercially made kits are available, but often the contents are less than appetizing and the supplies can be sparse.

If you don’t yet have a kit, consider our checklist on the Get Ready Marin website:

http://www.getreadymarin.org/resources.html (click on the Home Supply Checklist)
Or take a look at what San Francisco residents are doing at http://www.72hours.org/build_kit.html, or what the Federal Government recommends at http://www.ready.gov/america/getakit/index.html.

Building a kit is easy to do when you don’t need it, but difficult when you do. Find a spot in your garage or in your closet and pick a day to get prepared. Here’s an example of a well equipped kit from a Ross resident:

can opener
canned foods
water
hand crank radio/flashlight
wrench to turn off gas meter
First aid information from telephone book
goggles
work gloves
vinyl gloves
scissors
face masks
First Aid emergency kit which includes:
First Aid booklet
water packets
food brick
flashlight
batteries
duct tape
utility knife
candles
waterproof matches
gloves
hand warmer packets
emergency survival blankets
emergency ponchos
antiseptic ointment
antiseptic wipes
instant cold packs
bandages
gauze
adhesive tape
tissues
sanitary pads

For more Get Ready information go to www.getreadymarin.org.

Those who appreciate the Get Ready concept may also want to take Community Emergency Response Training (CERT) offered locally through the Corte Madera Fire Department. This 12-hour class is taught over two days and expands the student’s skills so they can assist other residents as part of a neighborhood team. For more CERT information see below.

Download the Ross Disaster Plan Worksheet here.

CERT Training Schedule

The Community Emergency Response Training (CERT) is a program designed to provide hands-on training to citizens to become self-sufficient for at least 72 hours following a disaster. Please click on the attached Class Schedule for the 2008 CERT classes.

DISASTER AWARENESS INFORMATION

Prepare for 72 Hours

Many people assume that emergency services will be readily available following a major disaster. In truth, our emergency workers are subject to the same perils and may not be able to help you for quite some time. Also, the scope of any major disaster will initially overwhelm local rescuers and help coming from outside the disaster area will take time to reach you. Stocking up on supplies to be self-sufficient for seventy-two hours is the best way to prepare yourself and your family. Drinking water should be first on your list, plan on one gallon per person per day, at the minimum. Your home water heater will contain several gallons of clean water. Food is the second concern. Many types of dehydrated, dried or canned food is commercially available for storage. First aid supplies and medications should also be stored, along with some basic tools, a fire extinguisher, flashlights, an AM radio with batteries and sanitation needs.

Turning Off Your Utilities

If there has been structural damage to your home, turn off the natural gas supply at the meter to reduce the risk of fire or explosion from a leak. Once the gas is turned off, never turn it back on yourself, wait for PG&E to do that.

Turning off the water supply to your house may prevent trapped water from leaking out, conserving a water source for your use.

Electricity should be turned off at the main breaker panel. Always shut off all the individual circuits before shutting off the main circuit breaker.

Community Emergency Response Training

The Loma Prieta earthquake on October 17, 1989 and the aftermath demonstrated the importance of civilian volunteers during a disaster. In a large-scale disaster, individual self-reliance and the response of trained community volunteers will be critical. With this in mind, the Ross Fire Department has partnered with neighboring fire agencies and the Corte Madera Fire Department to offer a program of Community Emergency Response Training (CERT) for civilians. The intent of this ten-hour training program is to give participants the skills necessary to take responsibility for their own safety and survival, as well as their families, for at least 72 hours. CERT training provides the skills and confidence for people to organize and participate in neighborhood or community response teams. Register for classes by calling 927-5077.

Flooding

Floods are the most common and widespread of all natural disasters–except fire. Most communities in the United States can experience some kind of flooding during and after winter storms. Floods can be slow, or fast rising but generally develop over a period of days. Winter storms in California can be deadly, causing flooding, flash floods, and mudslides. Some areas of Ross are located on the valley floor. Corte Madera Creek crosses town and becomes full during the winter rain season. Flooding has always been a threat in these areas and residents who live in the flood zone should be prepared for flood emergencies. Individuals and business owners can protect themselves from flood losses by purchasing flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program. Information is available through local insurance agents. The Town provides sandbags free of charge to residents each winter. The self-serve sandbag stations are located at the entrance to Natalie Coffin Greene Park and at the Town corporation yard behind the fire station. Residents who may be susceptible to high water should pick up sandbags well in advance of heavy rains and not wait until flooding begins.

Earthquakes

No matter where you are, know how to protect yourself and your family during an earthquake. Practice taking cover as if there were an earthquake and learn the safest places in your home and work. Practice getting out of your home and check to see if the planned exits are clear and if they can become blocked in an earthquake. Some homes in Ross are on hillsides and may become unstable following an earthquake. Buildings constructed of unreinforced masonry are a significant collapse hazard. Examine the risks at your house.

Evacuation

Oftentimes, remaining where you are is the most appropriate action following a disaster. Your safety is the most important consideration and ultimately the decision to leave your house is yours to make. In certain circumstances, emergency personnel may call for an evacuation. If you are advised to leave your house, you will directed where you can go for safety and shelter. Many people prefer to plan in advance where they can go, and what routes to take. Avoid Shady Lane and Bolinas Avenue during flood emergencies because they are the first roads to be closed by rising water. Remember to notify friends and family outside of town that you are safe.

Notification

The Town uses different types of methods to alert residents to an emergency. For decades, an air horn on top of the fire house has served that purpose. In 2008, that horn will be replaced with a new electric siren system. The system will be tested each Saturday at noon. If the siren is sounded during the winter months, residents should be alert for a flood emergency. If heard during the summer months residents should be alert for a fire. In either case, the sound of the signal means to be alert for information how to react. Sources of information include: local television stations, local AM radio stations (KCBS AM 740), the Telephone Emergency Notification System, or the public address system from a passing police car.

The Telephone Emergency Notification System (TENS) is a subscriber-based system used by the Town of Ross to send recorded emergency announcements to residents via telephone. Residents may subscribe to the system by completing an application form available at Town Hall, the Public Safety Building or by downloading the form here.

Special Needs Form

The Ross Police and Fire Departments are compiling voluntary information on Ross residents who during an emergency or crisis situation might be unable to communicate the information themselves. This information will enable us to be better prepared to assist you should a life threatening emergency or disaster require your evacuation. If you are a resident with special needs, or have someone living in your household with special needs, please take the time to fill out this voluntary form and provide us with the information that we might need in an emergency (download Form).

Resource Links

Red Cross: http://www.redcross.org/services/prepare/0,1082,0_239_,00.html
FEMA: http://www.fema.gov/areyouready/
Office of Emergency Services: http://www.oes.ca.gov
Be prepared for 72 hours: http://www.72hours.org
Disaster preparedness: http://www.ready.gov/

July 10, 2008 Notices

July 10 2008 Staff Reports:

Election Results Staff Report
Resolution Opposing the Light Brown Apple Moth
Glenwood Avenue Overlay Project Staff Report
North/East/West Road Overlay Project Staff Report
Tax Levy and Assessment Staff Report
57 Bridge Road Staff Report
6 Skyland Way Staff Report
22 Chestnut Avenue Staff Report
18 Canyon Road Staff Report

The Town of Ross is prone to flooding. Residents, both in and out of flood zones, should be prepared for flood emergencies. Areas near Corte Madera and Ross creeks are most likely to flood during storms. These areas include land west of Sir Francis Drake Boulevard, Shady Lane, Ross Common, Poplar, Redwood and areas of Fernhill and Bolinas Avenue. Ross has experienced three 100-year storms in the past decades (1982, 1986 and 2006). Engineers use the term “100-year storm” to describe a storm that has a 1% chance of occurring in any given year (not a storm that occurs only once in 100 years). Even less severe storms cause Corte Madera and Ross Creeks to rise and local flooding problems.

Ross Valley Flood Protection & Watershed Program:
http://www.rossvalleywatershed.org

Map of Local Flood Hazards

Flood Insurance Rate Map for the Town of Ross

General flood, flood insurance and flood safety information is available from FEMA:
http://www.fema.gov

Real Time Corte Madera Creek Gage Data

The Marin County Flood Control and Water Conservation District maintains a stream gaging station in Corte Madera Creek, near Town Hall, to provide real-time data on the level of the creek.

Corte Madera Creek Stage Monitor

Flood Safety

Do not walk through flowing water. Drowning is the number one cause of flood deaths. Currents can be deceptive, only six inches of moving water can knock you off your feet. If you walk in standing water, use a pole or stick to ensure that the ground is still there.

Do not drive through a flooded area. More people drown in their cars than anywhere else. Don’t drive around road barriers; the road or bridge may be washed out.

Stay away from power lines and electrical wires. The number two flood killer after drowning is electrocution. Electrical current can travel through water. Report downed power lines to the PG&E.

Have your electricity turned off. Some appliances, such as television sets, keep electrical charges even after they have been unplugged. Don’t use appliances or motors that have gotten wet unless they have been taken apart, cleaned, and dried.

Look before you step. After a flood, the ground and floors are covered with debris including broken bottles and nails. Floors and stairs that have been covered with mud can be very slippery.

Be alert for gas leaks. Use a flashlight to inspect for damage. Don’t smoke or use candles, lanterns, or open flames unless you know the gas has been turned off and the area has been ventilated.

Office of Emergency Services: http://www.oes.ca.gov
Be prepared for 72 hours: http://www.72hours.org
Disaster preparedness: http://www.ready.gov/

Drainage System Maintenance

The watercourses and drainage ways in Town may be a major cause of flooding when blocked. Maintaining the flow capacity in creeks, watercourses and drainage ways in Town requires cooperation and assistance to prevent flooding and bank erosion. Please be sure that any watercourse or drainage way on or adjacent to your site is clean and clear of all obstructions and debris. The water should be able to flow freely under fences.

Do not dump or throw anything into ditches or streams: A plugged channel cannot carry water, and when it rains, the excess water must go somewhere. Trash and vegetation dumped into a stream degrades water quality of both the stream itself and its receiving waters, and every piece of trash contributes to flooding.

Remove debris, trash, loose branches and vegetation: Keep banks clear of brush and debris to help maintain an unobstructed flow of water in stream channels. Do not, however, remove vegetation that is actively growing on a stream bank. Streamside vegetation is tightly regulated by local, state and federal regulations. Before undertaking any removal of streamside vegetation, contact the Town. Please report any observations of the clearing of vegetation or trees on stream banks to the Town.

Flood Warning System

The Town uses different methods of alerting residents of floods. For decades, an air horn on top of the fire house has served that purpose. In 2008, that horn will be replaced with a new electric siren system. The system will be tested each Saturday at noon. If the siren is sounded during the winter months, residents should be alert for a flood emergency. If heard during the summer months residents should be alert for a fire. In either case, the sound of the signal means to be alert for information how to react. Sources of information include: local television stations, local AM radio stations (KCBS AM 740), the Telephone Emergency Notification System, or the public address system from a passing police car.The Telephone Emergency Notification System (TENS) is a subscriber-based system used by the Town of Ross to send recorded emergency announcements to residents via telephone. Residents may subscribe to the system by completing an application form available at Town Hall, the Public Safety Building or by downloading the form here.

In addition, the Town sends flood warnings and information to addresses in the Town email list. Contact Linda Lopez via Email to be included on the Town email list.

Property Protection Measures

The Town provides sandbags free of charge to residents each winter. The self-serve sandbag stations are located at the entrance to Natalie Coffin Greene Park and at the Town corporation yard behind the fire station. Residents who may need sandbags should pick them up well in advance of heavy rains and should not wait until flooding begins. This is self-service, so please bring a shovel to fill your bags.

Practical and cost-effective methods for reducing or eliminating the risk of flooding are available to property owners whose homes have experienced damage from flooding in the past, or may experience damage in the future. Such techniques include elevation of the home, flood-proofing, and protecting utilities. For further information, contact the Building and Planning Departments and the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

The following publications are available at the FEMA web site:
Above the Flood: Elevating your Flood Prone House
Elevated Residential Structures
Floodproofing for Nonresidential Structures

Natural and beneficial functions of floodplains

Floodplains are a natural component of the environment. Understanding and protecting the natural functions of floodplains helps reduce flood damage and protect resources. When flooding spreads out across the floodplain, its energy is dissipated, which results in lower flood flows downstream, reduced erosion of the streambank and channel, deposition of sediments higher in the watershed and improved groundwater recharge. Floodplains are scenic, valued wildlife habitat. Poorly planned development in floodplains can lead to streambank erosion, loss of valuable property, increased risk of flooding to downstream properties and degradation of water quality.

Building in the Floodplain

Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance

Work within the flood hazard areas must comply with the Town Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance. Any work within 25 feet of a creek or watercourse (even a seasonal watercourse) requires design review. So, always check with the Building and Planning Departments before you build on, alter, re-grade, or fill on your property. A permit may be needed to ensure that projects do not cause problems on other properties.

Floodplain management requirements apply to new construction and to substantial improvements. “Substantial improvement” is any reconstruction, rehabilitation, addition, or other improvement of a structure, the cost of which equals or exceeds 50 percent of the market value of the structure before the start of construction of the improvement. This term includes structures which have incurred “substantial damage”. The term does not, however, include either:

1) Any project for improvement of a structure to correct existing violations of state or local health, sanitary, or safety code specifications and which are the minimum necessary to assure safe living conditions or

2) Any alterations of a historic structure, provided that the alteration will not preclude the structure’s continued designation as a historic structure.

If you see building or filling without a Town permit posted, please contact the Building Department.

Flood Insurance and Flood Zone Information

The Town of Ross participates in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), which makes federally backed flood insurance available for all eligible buildings, whether they are in a floodplain or not. Flood insurance covers direct losses caused by surface flooding, including a creek flowing over its banks and local drainage problems.

As a public service, the Town of Ross will provide you with the following information upon request:

Whether a property is in or out of the Flood Hazard Area (FHA) as shown on the current Town Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM).

Additional flood insurance data for a site, such as the FIRM zone and the base flood elevation or depth, if shown on the FIRM.

We have a handout on the flood insurance purchase requirement that can help people who need a mortgage or loan for a property in the Special Flood Hazard Area. Click About the mandatory purchase of flood insurance to download the handout.

The Town of Ross maintains elevation certificates for review at our office and on this site.

We update the Flood Insurance Rate Maps as needed when revisions are made to the maps.

If you would like additional information, please contact the Building Department. There is no charge for this service.

FEMA Elevation Certificate Form

Town of Ross Elevation Certificates:

Allen Avenue 24
Allen Lane 5
Bolinas Avenue 55
Bolinas Avenue 73
Brookwood 17
Dewitt Drive 2
Fernhill 2
Poplar 55
Poplar 57
Poplar 63
Poplar 65
Redwood Drive 21
Redwood Drive 27
Redwood Drive 37
Redwood Drive 44
Redwood Drive 45
Redwood Drive 47
Shady Lane 20
Shady Lane 64
Shady Lane 72
Shady Lane 83
Shady Lane 90
Shady Lane 96
Sir Francis Drake 15
Sir Francis Drake 26
Sir Francis Drake 29
Sir Francis Drake 65
Sir Francis Drake 79

Town Dinner

The Ross Town Dinner was held Friday, September 28, 2007 at 6:00 p.m. on the Ross Common. This annual community event is a wonderful opportunity to join your neighbors for an evening of fun and merriment. (Photo courtesy of Wendy Battey)

Fourth of July

The Ross fourth of July celebration held every year includes a parade, picnic lunch, games and music. Here are some highlights of July 4, 2007 (photos courtesy of Alana Gentry).

ABC’s of Planning

ABC’s of Building

2007
January 9, 2007 Agenda
February 8, 2007 Agenda
March 8, 2007 Agenda
April 5, 2007 Agenda
May 10, 2007 Agenda
June 14, 2007 Agenda
July 12, 2007 Agenda
September 11, 2007 Agenda
October 11, 2007 Agenda
November 8, 2007 Agenda
December 13, 2007 Agenda

2008
January 10, 2008 Agenda
February 14, 2008 Agenda
March 13, 2008 Agenda
April 10, 2008 Agenda
May 8, 2008 Agenda

Office & Contact Hours:

Monday - Friday
8:30-12:00 p.m. & 1:00-4:30 p.m. (Closed 12:00-1:00 p.m.)

Phone:
(415) 453-1453 ext. 105

Fax:
(415) 453-1950
Contact via Email

Address:
31 Sir Francis Drake Blvd.
Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 320
Ross, CA 94957

Join the Town email list to ensure that you receive Town notices and information pertinent to Ross and its residents as well as The Morning After Newsletter. Click here to join.

Do Not Solicit List
Tired Of Solicitations? Come to the Town Administration office and sign the non-solicitation list if you do not want solicitors calling at your house. Solicitors will be given a list of off-limit addresses. The owners’ names will not be listed.

(You will need the free Adobe Acrobat Reader^® software to open and print the code.)

ROSS MUNICIPAL CODE

Title 1
GENERAL PROVISIONS

Chapters:

Title 2
ADMINISTRATION AND PERSONNEL

Chapters:

Title 3
REVENUE AND FINANCE

Chapters:

Title 5
BUSINESS LICENSES AND REGULATIONS

Chapters:

Title 6
HEALTH AND SANITATION

Chapters:

Title 8
ANIMALS

Chapters:

Title 9
PEACE, SAFETY AND MORALS

Chapters:

Title 10
VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC

Chapters:

Title 12
STREETS AND SIDEWALKS

Chapters:

Title 13
WATER AND SEWERS

Chapters:

Title 14
FIRE PREVENTION

Chapters:

Title 15
BUILDINGS AND CONSTRUCTION

Chapters:

Title 17
SUBDIVISIONS

Chapters:

Title 18
ZONING

Chapters:

2007
January 9, 2007 Minutes
January 18, 2007 Minutes
February 8, 2007 Minutes
March 8, 2007 Minutes
April 5, 2007 Minutes
May 10, 2007 Minutes
June 14, 2007 Minutes
July 12, 2007 Minutes
September 11, 2007 Minutes
October 11, 2007 Minutes
November 8, 2007 Minutes
December 13, 2007 Minutes

2008
January 10, 2008 Minutes
February 14, 2008 Minutes
March 13, 2008 Minutes
April 10, 2008 Minutes
May 8, 2008 Minutes

2007
June 15, 2007

2008
January 10, 2008

Building Department:
415-453-1453 menu option 6
Email Building

Planning Department:
415-453-1453 menu option 5
Email Planning

Email Michael Skall, Council member

Email Diane Durst, Council member

Email Rick Strauss, Council member

Email Bill Cahill, Mayor Pro Tempore

Email Scot Hunter, Mayor

For a copy of the Council Meeting Agenda for July 10, 2008 in PDF format, click here.

AGENDA
REGULAR MEETING of the ROSS TOWN COUNCIL
THURSDAY, JULY 10, 2008

1. 6:30 P.M. Commencement.

2. Posting of Agenda.

3. Canvassing of Election Returns.

4. Swearing-in Ceremony for R. Scot Hunter, Christopher Martin and Richard Strauss as Ross Town Council Members.

5. Election of Mayor.

6. Election of Mayor Pro Tempore.

7. Minutes.

8. Demands.

9. Open Time for Public Expression.
Limited to three minutes per speaker on items not on agenda.

10. Report from Mayor Cahill.

11. Report from Committee Heads.
Community Protection - Council member Skall
* Transportation Authority of Marin update

12. Report from Ross Property Owners Association.

13. Flood Control Report.

14. Selection of members to Town Council Committees and Town Representatives.

15. Town Council consideration of canceling the August 14, 2008 Town Council meeting.

For information as to which item the Council is hearing, please call 415-453-1453, option 6,
after 6:30 p.m. on the night of the meeting.

Project applicants will be limited to no more than 15 minutes total for owner, architect, engineer, etc. presentations. All other speakers will be limited to a maximum of 3 minutes per item.

16. Resolution No. 1653 Commending the Outstanding Service of Public Safety Director Barry Heying.

17. Town Council consideration of adoption of Resolution No. 1654 Opposing Light Brown Apple Moth Spraying.

18. Town Council consideration of authorization of expenditures for Glenwood Avenue overlay project. (Jarjoura)

19. Town Council consideration of authorization of expenditures for North Road, East /West Road and Hill Road Overlay Project and Wellington Ave, Garden Road and Prospect Avenue Overlay Project. (Jarjoura)

20. Public Hearing: Levy Taxes/Assessment Pursuant to Ordinance 582 of the Ross Municipal Code – Fiscal Year 2008-09. (Broad)

21. A public workshop on the draft Town of Ross Budget for Fiscal Year 2008-2009 and Town Council consideration of adoption of the Fiscal Year 2008-09 budget. (Broad)

22. Planning Application Consent Agenda.
The following four items will be considered in a single motion, unless removed from the consent agenda:

a. 51 Wellington, Variance, Design Review and Demolition Permit No. 1685
Craig and Melissa Slayen, 51 Wellington Avenue, A.P. No. 72-071-15, R-1:B-10 (Single Family Residence, 10,000 Square Foot Minimum Lot Size). Demolition permit to allow modifications to each elevation of the residence, including replacement of the existing horizontal siding and windows with new painted wood shingles and windows. Variance and design review to allow a remodel and addition to the existing residence and landscape improvements that include: 1.) removal of the 2-car carport and its roof deck within the front yard setback; 2.) enclosure of the existing entry porch area, partially within the front yard setback (25 feet required, 20 feet proposed); 3.) addition of an attached, two-car, garage partially within the front yard setback (25 feet required, 20 feet proposed) and rear yard setback (40 feet required, 32 feet proposed); 4.) reconstruction of the northwest corner of the residence, increasing the roof ridge over the area, within the rear yard setback (40 feet required, 0 feet proposed); 5.) landscape grading involving 85 cubic yards of cut and 135 cubic yards of fill; 6.) construction of fenced trash enclosure; 7.) 180 linear feet of new retaining walls up to 5 feet in height; and 8.) new terrace within the front yard setback (25 feet required, 20 feet proposed) and rear yard setback (40 feet required, 10 feet proposed).

Lot area                             11,275 square feet
Existing Floor Area Ratio    29.6%
Proposed Floor Area Ratio  31.9%  (20% permitted)
Existing Lot Coverage         26.6%
Proposed Lot Coverage       25.0%  (20% permitted)

b. 57 Bridge Road, Variance and Design Review No. 1690
James Felchlin and Diane Oliver, 57 Bridge Road, A.P. No. 73-261-21, R-1:B-10 (Single Family Residence, 10,000 Square Foot Minimum Lot Size). Design review to allow the replacement of 56 linear feet of wood retaining wall and a 5-6 foot tall wood lattice fence with a new concrete retaining wall and 6 foot wood fence. The existing and new walls range from 4 to 6 feet in height, and are located close to the north property line. A height variance is required for the fence, since the combined height of the wall and fence is up to 12 feet tall (6 feet permitted).

c. 6 Skyland Way, Variance and Design Review No. 1691
Paul Fradelizio, 6 Skyland Way, A.P. No. 72-201-01, R-1:B-A (Single Family Residence, 1 Acre Minimum Lot Size). Design review and variance to allow the repair of an existing deck and construction of a 350 square foot addition to the deck.

Lot area                              17,764 square feet
Existing Floor Area Ratio    11.6%
Proposed Floor Area Ratio  11.6% (15% permitted)
Existing Lot Coverage         13.1%
Proposed Lot Coverage       14.9% (15% permitted)

The existing residence is nonconforming in setbacks.

d. 22 Chestnut Avenue, Extension of Time No. 1571
Suzanne and Joe Galuszka, 22 Chestnut Avenue, A.P. No. 73-301-15, R-1:B-20 (Single Family Residence, 20,000 Square Foot Minimum). A one-year time extension to June 14, 2009, for a variance and design review application approved on June 14, 2007, to allow landscape improvements including: 1.) a 20 foot by 24 foot pergola at the upper end of the driveway within a side yard setback (20 feet required, 2 feet proposed); 2.) new and replacement retaining walls up to 5 feet tall between the residence and the street; and 3.) new pedestrian path and landings within the east side yard setback.

Lot area                              22,651 square feet
Existing Floor Area Ratio    8.8%
Proposed Floor Area Ratio  11.3% (15% permitted)
Existing Lot Coverage         19.2%
Proposed Lot Coverage       19.2% (15% permitted)

End of Planning Consent agenda.

23. 662 Goodhill Road, After-the-Fact Hillside Lot, Slope Stability Hazard Zone 3 and 4 Use Permit, and Design Review No. 92
Donald Santa, 662 Goodhill Road, A.P. No. 73-211-45, R-1:B-5A (Single Family Residence, 5 acre minimum lot size). Amendments to plans approved by the Town Council on July 9, 1998, and amended on July 8, 1999, September 14, 2000, February 8, 2001, March 8, 2001, and April 12, 2001, for a hillside lot, slope stability hazard zone 3 and 4 use permit, and design review for a new residence, pool house and garage/guest unit. After-the-fact design review approval is requested to allow over 1,800 linear feet of retaining walls constructed without planning approval and without building permits. After-the-fact design review approval is also requested for cut and fill for creation of terraced areas and paths not shown on the approved plans and also constructed without planning or building approval. An amendment to the prior conditions of approval is requested to allow after-the-fact approval for work don