Politics & Government

No Terrapin Crossroads in Fairfax

Leshes release statement that they will not be pursuing a music venue in Fairfax.

A won't be pursued in Fairfax.

Lesh and his wife Jill had submitted a proposal for Terrapin Crossroads to , earlier this year. It had been scheduled to go before the Fairfax Town Council for an initial introduction and decision on the scope of the traffic analysis in mid-August. But after around the Leshes' neighborhood and flyers on cars at , .

"We were dismayed that [the process] started with such tactics instead of with open communication," said Jill at the time. She also said then that the vocal opposition "may be more of a challenge than we want right now."

Find out what's happening in San Anselmo-Fairfaxwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

on Sept. 1 about the project, the issue remained volatile and topic of debate around town.

Bruce Burman of Jazz Builders in San Rafael, the Leshes' representative on the project, said at the time a decision would be made on whether or not to move forward with the proposal after Phil and Jill returned from a trip with their son and concert touring.

Find out what's happening in San Anselmo-Fairfaxwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Burman released this statement from the Leshes tonight, Nov. 8:

After careful consideration we have decided not to move forward with Terrapin Crossroads in Fairfax. For all of you that have supported our efforts and helped to define the vision, we are extremely grateful. Phil looks forward to making music and creating a community gathering place sooner rather than later.

Burman said nothing could be added right now about whether the community music venue would be pursued elsewhere in Marin, as has been suggested by a number of residents who were in opposition to the proposal in the small Ross Valley town. The Leshes are reportedly on the East Coast touring right now and did not return calls for comment. Jill also said previously that after they submitted the project, a number of other possible locations in Marin contacted her and came forward.

Fairfax, however, .

The location up for debate in Fairfax is currently an old gas station and used for additional parking for . Previously, , but moved the site after concerns from neighbors. The gas station lot is co-owned by the owners of Good Earth and will be for sale after in January.

Al Baylacq, one of the owners of Good Earth, had said previously that a large national bank was interested in the location and coming into Fairfax, but they felt the Terrapin Crossroads project was a better fit. The lot will now, presumably, be open for a buyer again.

What do you think about the Leshes' decision? What do you hope goes into that location now?


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

More from San Anselmo-Fairfax