In Your Town for Aug. 9, 2024

LARKSPUR

Traffic study planned
on Magnolia Avenue

The City Council has authorized a $86,890 agreement for a study intended to improve safety and traffic flow along Magnolia Avenue.

“The Public Works Department receives citizen questions and concerns relating to City infrastructure throughout the year,” Julian Skinner, the department’s director, wrote in a report to the council. “The Magnolia Avenue corridor (from southerly City limit at Branch Road to northerly limit at Woodland Road) is the subject of numerous such citizen correspondence. Complaints range from traffic congestion and traffic speed to concerns regarding bicycle and pedestrian safety.”

The consulting firm hired for the study, Parametrix, will assess factors such as collision data, travel times and intersection functioning. It will also gather public comments and prepare a plan with recommendations and cost estimates, Skinner said.

The study will cover the stretch of Magnolia Avenue from Doherty Drive to the northern city limit. Another study will involve the southern part of the corridor.

The council approved the agreement at its meeting on Wednesday.

CORTE MADERA

Police accuse man
of assault, robbery

A San Rafael man was arrested on allegations he drove into a vehicle in Corte Madera, assaulted one occupant and robbed another.

The incident happened Monday night in the parking lot at Town Center Corte Madera, said Central Marin police Sgt. Jeff Peterson. The suspect intentionally collided with the other vehicle, Peterson said.

The suspect allegedly attacked and injured one victim who had been in past relationship with him. Then he allegedly stole property from the other victim and fled.

Central Marin police arrested the suspect Wednesday in San Rafael. Antonio Mendoza Rosas, 40, was booked into the county jail on suspicion of robbery, assault with a deadly weapon, vandalism and relationship violence. He remained in custody Thursday in lieu of $75,000 bail.

The assault victim suffered minor injuries, Peterson said.

NOVATO

Camp arson suspect
enters not guilty plea

A woman charged with arson for a fire at the city’s authorized camp for homeless people pleaded not guilty Thursday.

Brianna Marie Giudice, 36, is suspected of setting fire to her own tent on July 30, leading to a blaze that burned much of the camp at Lee Gerner Park, police said. No injuries were reported, but the fire destroyed several tents and displaced their occupants. The city arranged for temporary shelter.

Police arrested Giudice two days after the fire when they found her in a vacant home near the park. They also arrested a man with her, Giovanni Rashad Allison, who allegedly tried to flee.

Both suspects were arraigned Thursday. Allison, 39, pleaded not guilty to misdemeanor charges of disorderly conduct and resisting police. Judge Geoffrey Howard declined to release them from jail while the case proceeds. The next hearing is set for Sept. 26.

Giudice’s court-appointed attorney, Elissa Eckman, and Allison’s attorney, John Gulick, declined to comment after the hearing.

SAN RAFAEL

Expansion approved
at Sun Valley house

A city zoning administrator has approved a residential expansion plan in the Sun Valley neighborhood.

The proposal for 10 Ridgewood Drive calls for enlarging the living area on the main floor and building a porch, adding about 710 square feet to the home, according to a staff report by Renee Nickenig, a city planner. The extra space requires a variance.

The project also involves new roofing, landscaping, fencing and retaining walls.

The zoning officer approved the application at a hearing on Wednesday.