M
ill Creek Residential's proposed 243-unit apartment project in Downtown Fairfax, Marin County, has hit a roadblock due to NIMBYism. The town rejected the developer's preliminary application for a six-story building at 95 Broadway, citing it as "incomplete." However, a land use attorney for Mill Creek claims the application was more than sufficient and that the town is trying to obstruct the project.

    The proposed development would replace a partially vacant office park and provide much-needed housing in the area. The project includes 41 affordable units for low-income households and meets the town's state-mandated requirement of 490 units by 2031. Marin County, with its high median home price of $1.4 million, has a history of resisting multifamily housing projects.

    The developer has filed similar preliminary applications in other Bay Area locations without receiving such a response from local authorities. If the state determines that Fairfax is blocking or delaying the development, it could result in fines and loss of access to state grants. Mill Creek's senior managing director, Mike Kim, sees the project as an opportunity to revitalize the area and create much-needed housing.