Corte Madera Votes 4-1 to Ban All Tobacco and Nicotine Sales Townwide

The Town Council voted 4-1 on August 4 to introduce an ordinance ending all retail sale of tobacco and nicotine products in Corte Madera — cigarettes, cigars, vapes, heated tobacco systems and nicotine pouches alike. Mayor Thomas said the move makes Corte Madera the first town in Northern California to ban tobacco sales outright.

“When the kids and teens of our community stand up to tell us that they are worried about how the tobacco industry is preying on their generation... I believe that we as leaders have an obligation to listen and respond.”— Councilmember Beckman, voting to advance the ban · ▶ Watch this exchange

Under the draft, existing retailers can keep selling through a transition period council extended to January 31, 2027. No new tobacco retailer licenses will be issued once the ordinance takes effect, and licenses already held expire when the sales ban becomes operative. Staff noted the plan includes no hardship extension and would rely mainly on County Health and Sheriff's staff for enforcement.

Public comment ran long and split the room. Backing the ban were Redwood High School student Rhett Crowett, physician John Mai, and Tiburon Mayor Holly Dear, who cited teen vaping rates in Marin running more than double the statewide average. Opposing it were shop owners Monty Walia of Paradise Wine and Sodi Singh, who run local stores, arguing their compliance records show existing law already works, plus industry representative Brian Lamb.

Councilmember Andrews cast the lone no vote, citing concern for small businesses and urging the town to see how the current law performs before going further. Because of council's amendments — a wording tweak and the extended date — the ordinance needs a fresh first reading, expected September 1.

Council Approves 150-Unit Senior Care Facility at 56 Madera Boulevard

At 56 Madera Boulevard, the Town Council approved a 150-unit Residential Care Facility for the Elderly — 118 assisted living units and 32 memory care units — at its July 7 meeting.

The approval package included a Conditional Use Permit and Preliminary and Precise Plans with Design Review, plus a resolution finding the project exempt from further environmental review under CEQA on the grounds it's consistent with 2009 General Plan density and creates no new or more severe impacts. Staff recommended approval, and the council backed it 4-0, with Councilmember Beckman absent.

Seven residents — Catherine and Kenton Wolfers, Ruben Galvan, Pati Stoliar, Mary Connolly, David Macpherson and Barbara Salzman — submitted public comment on the project, though the minutes don't detail their specific concerns beyond noting the comment was submitted.

Residents Press for Standing Flood-Mitigation Agenda Item; Town Manager Calls Pushback "Unfair"

Residents Roy and Arlene Wolford renewed, for a third time, a request that the council create a standing, recurring agenda item on tidal-flood mitigation, arguing the town needs regular public reporting on protection for vulnerable spots like Mariner Cove, Marina Village and the industrial district.

“I want to briefly reiterate why a standing agenda item matters. Flood protection is not a one‑time discussion, it is a continuous process. Without regular reporting, the public cannot see progress, cannot evaluate priorities, and cannot participate meaningfully. A monthly agenda item is not bureaucracy, it is accountability.”— Roy and Arlene Wolford, in written comment to the council

Roy Wolfford took the podium at the meeting to press the point in person, telling council that Corte Madera currently has "no standing agenda dedicated to tidal flooding mitigation" and no mechanism for residents to track progress toward a complete perimeter defense.

Town Manager Adam Wolff pushed back directly, saying it was "a completely unfair characterization of our council members who are very invested and interested in flood matters." Vice Mayor Cassissa floated a lighter-touch alternative — regular bullet points on flood efforts folded into the town manager's report — rather than a formal standing item; no vote was taken.