New Mayor Stephanie Andre lays out a term agenda: vacancy tax, parking rules, more housing density

The Council's annual leadership rotation went by voice vote and without dissent Wednesday night: Gabe Pollson was elected Vice Mayor and Stephanie Andre was elected Mayor, both unanimously and with no abstentions. Andre succeeds Katherine Way, who was honored with a presentation for her year in the chair.

“A vacancy tax to encourage continuous utilization of valuable property... and secondly, a review of minimum parking requirements and other impediments for businesses.”— Mayor Stephanie Andre, outlining her term priorities

Then Andre spent her first minutes with the gavel spelling out what she wants to work on. On downtown vacancies and small business, she said she wants "a vacancy tax to encourage continuous utilization of valuable property... and secondly, a review of minimum parking requirements and other impediments for businesses" — pointing to Mill Valley's parking study as a model. On housing, she framed the state mandate as a reason to loosen local process: "Let's streamline and remove unnecessary barriers to development... to encourage greater residential densities and locations identified in our housing element's plan."

She also listed community facilities — a new library, a recreation facility, and city hall planning — plus accessibility and traffic safety work, including the roundabout at North Magnolia near Hillview that she noted "was approved by council earlier this year, and I look forward to moving that project forward." Continued work with the Climate Action Forum rounded out the list.

The tributes were warm on both sides of the transition. Andre said of Way, "She knows how to read the room really well and she's extremely diplomatic and articulate in her views... very even keeled and maintains her composure." Pollson offered the advice he keeps: "Never talk negatively, only about your plans. Never gossip. And the second one is be polite, thank people. The power of politeness." Mike McDermott, president of the Larkspur Volunteer Fire Foundation, presented to the new Mayor with a line of his own: "Stand up to be seen, speak up to be heard, and sit down to be popular."

Serenity property under contract, with close expected Dec. 17

The ad hoc committee of Council Members Andre and Kendell reported that the long-litigated Serenity property has entered into a contract to be sold, with the transaction expected to close December 17. No vote was taken; the item was informational.

“It's been 20 months of pretty steady work... I think just given the circumstances that this is a very good result for the city of Larkspur.”— Council Member Andre, reporting on the Serenity sale

The practical upshot for the city: the property returns to the property tax rolls, with new tax revenue expected to begin flowing around 2026.

Andre, who worked the file as a council member before taking the gavel the same night, summed it up: "It's been 20 months of pretty steady work... I think just given the circumstances that this is a very good result for the city of Larkspur."