There is no way of knowing how many Fairfax residents were for or against the Crossroads. There was never a vote or even an unbiased poll. Unfortunately, it never got that far. But you cannot claim that most of Fairfax was for this venue. There were also many people who were in support of the project that were also very vocal.

Yeah, a Target or WalMart store in Fairfax could also be considered a loss for all also, but how much effort would you put into them? This was much to large of a venue for the site with crowds and traffic it would bring, good or bad.
People commenting poorly about Claus objectors are poor members of our community in my mind. It really is in THEIR BACK YARD. They deserve better, not the vote of the mass majority. That also goes for traffic & noise effecting perhaps less than the majority.

Wow I cannot believe that you are comparing the Leshs application with a Target or Walmart store! Tell me what the connection is with a local musician trying to open a music venue and and these two commercial giants.
What i'm trying to say is that everyone (including you) deserves an opportunity to work with the planning department and local citizens to see if their project can be made to fit into the Town. I think the Leshs really tried to make this work but that the Claus neighbors did not. The building was designed so that no noise could be heard outside of its sound proof walls and parking appears to be handled with use of the Fairfax Lumber lot and Saint Rita's. Far as traffic goes this affects everyone in the Town and concessions could be made as to the size and times of events.
The people in the Town of Fairfax owe it to all business applicants to at least TRY and work out differences.

This venue would have brought in the "condensed traffic" within a hours span of time that of some commercial giants, that's the comparison.
"deserves an opportunity to work with the planning department" Even some non-commercial giant that's too large for the site and community would be considered? If there are not standard guidelines in place, we are all wasting our time and funding.
Build to fit the community, not just what "cool" for some Fairfax residents.

Thanks for a great, succinct comment. The project was railroaded in the "idea" phase, rather than getting a full proposal to the town and running its course through EIRs, public comment, traffic studies, etc. Fairfax has a great history of activism, but it's a double edged sword. Sadly, any plans for the Town and Country Club face a similar fate.

It was the inappropriate hanging of signs along Phil's walking route that prompted withdrawal of this proposal. The effect of that anonymous action was further exacerbated by premature opposition based on uninformed assumptions. Due process was not followed. I hope that my neighbors respond to future proposals to the town more respectfully.

Funny how the tone of your comments changed so dramatically after the proposal was withdrawn. It is easy to feel diplomatic when you get what you want, eh?

Sounds great. Just so you don't have 500 people coming in within an hours time and keep the stereo down it would be a good fit for the town!

Buy the land, propose it and see how far you get.

I thought a period 1950's style diner, perhaps with drive thru, would be neat there at the old gas station site. Or barbecue ribs joint. Something that fits the space, fit the town.

I don't see a "50/50" split here . What I see is a "not in my neighborhood" attitude. The Claus objectors only represent a very small vocal group projecting themselves as part of 50% of the town. This is so not true. I believe that the vast majority of people in the Town of Fairfax would have liked to explore what this project actually would mean to the Town. The tax base would go up helping services for all, and the offer of a great meeting place for music students and non-profits sounded like an opportunity. The Lesh's made a good faith efforts to mollify the Claus residents and were met with nothing but abuse and intimidation. No wonder they have withdrawn plans to build in Fairfax. I'm very disappointed that due process is not seen as a part of what a caring and democratic community offers all members. Shame on the Claus residents that participated in this debacle.

Sam, respectfully buddy, it wasn't even close to 50%. My sense here it was a handful of folks; maybe as many as 50 folks who were truly opposed to the idea MATTER WHAT! They didn't want more music, play, fun, business, traffic, "those kinds of people"- none of it! Then there were folks who had concerns that the public/ town process could/ or would have answered fairly (if allowed).
Very unfortunate; a black eye for Fairfax. There were THOUSANDS of people for such an enterprise here in this town, including 90% of business community. Its really sad. The stability this project would have brought to our towns economic situation both from a tax revenues and to spin-off business would have been substantial-
I'm afraid what could happen here instead for this property; Whatever we do its likely to make the 50 folks HAPPY and the thousands of others unhappy. I secretly love Sierra's idea- "return it to it's natural state", BUT, I own part of it- ooops.

Great reply Al. You really summed up the feelings I had about the opposition to the Terrapin Crossroads. One other consideration is the zoning at the proposed site fits well into the venue the Leshs attempted to put in there.Trying to stop them seems a bit like buying property next to an airport and then complaining about the noise. Good luck with your new venture!

Funny I read into this "feel about a nice big bank, where load music could have been."
I'll take the bank over something that is going alter the town, cause traffic, create noise and less of a home town atmosphere. I'll bet any tax dollars thought to be earned from the project would have gone into increased Fairfax police enforcement. Dealing will crowds, noise, outsiders that could care less about the town, parking and traffic.

Lisa what you are missing is that the application would go through the proper process in any case. That is what I'm trying to say! There would be traffic impact studies, eir's and many meetings at the planning level. Yet for some reason, the Lesh's felt they were not welcome to this process and yes I do think it was the Claus neighborhood that was responsible for this.
The SMART meter signs that you see on your morning run are not directed AT you, however whomever put up the signs in Ross were directing their signs at the Lesh's. Big diference in my book.

Lisa- Are you kidding ? Your group tried to thwart the process before the majority of the town even knew about the proposal, before the town council even had a proposal before them. You were able to do this because the Leshs came to you and your neighbors right out of the gate to tell you of their plans/dreams, to let you voice your concerns, to mitigate concerns etc. And right out of the gate they did that, moving the site to the space next door to the GE, talking to local businesses about parking (attempting to secure more than was actually legally required) etc. You based your campaign on ignorant assumptions and took something that most (whether you want to believe it or not) people in this town wanted to at least learn more about it before dismissing it all together. You didn't want it to go through the "appropriate processes" or else you would have allowed them to do that without your groups intimidation to him and his family. They're not , not doing it here b/c they are being sensitive to you and your entitled bunch. They are saying a big F U to Fairfax, as they take this wonderful project to another very lucky community.

Keo, I was at the chamber meeting and there was a ton of resistance to this project. I don't think its fair to scapegoat the neighbors. If I lived next to the small lot I would have be opposed to it as well. There were plenty of fairfaxians who thought it was a bad idea. I'm glad I don't have to deal with more traffic and the out of towners taking over the town. Let by gones be by gones and focus your energy toward something positive. Phil would want it that way.

Dive- I was at the chamber meeting too and if you were there from beginning to end you would know it was very clear that the majority was in support. Towards the end when many supporters had left, the dissenters were about half the room. Most of the people who got up to speak against were couples or at least one person from the couple of all these couples who were trying to stop this. We all know the opposition tends to squawk the loudest. Sure there were more than just the neighbors, but the neighbors are the ones that began the hugely negative campaign against Terrapin. I still talk to people who hadn't heard anything about this and are fully supportive, but never got the chance to voice their opinions. As far as outsiders, for someone who grew up here and whose children are 4th generation , the outsiders are the ones who have lived here for ten years and think they own this town already and have enough nerve to do what these neighbors did.

Because they know what you would do next ? Exactly what the neighborhood group in San Rafael is doing now against the Ball Park. Creating a ruckus and headaches for the potential business owner, suing, wasting time and money. Why would they put themselves through that when there are plenty of other suitable sites ? Whatever happens, where ever he builds I will go see the music. But OUR community could have benefitted from all the other wonderful things they were offering,lectures, art exhibits, workshops, events for kids and adults, not mention as much revenue per year for the town of Fairfax, as the newly implemented town sales tax.

Please lay off the Claus Drive neighborhood group! These folks have every right to defend their peace and quiet & enjoyment of their properties, and object to a development which would severly impact their quality of life. Furthermore I would like to point out that many people in town who objected to the this live elsewhere, not anywhere near Claus drive - including myself! I attended the Pavilion meeting - which was well attended, and the pros vs cons seemed to be evenly devided! I talked to many of my neighbors, and the majority was against the project b/c of traffic and other concerns. The proposed project was not just a Claus Drive neighborhood issue, - but would have affected traffic and parking for many residents in town in a negative way. I am convinced that this concert hall would have not been approved in the end anyway, considering the location and resulting law suits. As far as the GE is concerned, I think they will survive just fine, and I'm sure they won't sell the lot to a Nuclear Power Plant operator ;)

Terry Goyan, stop your harping on the Claus Drive neighborhood. You have, in a sense posted virtual 100 signs against them, and to think you were a town planner? Opinions should be somewhat neutral, not passing blame.
I did not want to take my time to go to the first meeting where the usual "music crowd" was going to be out in full force, and this was just "to cool" to think of negative impacts. Most of our neighbors opposed the sure volume of people, traffic and possible noise. Sounds like the town of Fairfax has some pretty poor building guidelines set into place. It should not even getting to the planning stage if a business can not provide a reasonable amount of parking for the business. Who approved the Fairfax theater expansion? Less parking, more people.
..and I'd rather pay the sales tax, than gamble with our town.
Perhaps you can find a location in Mill Valley for them. Good luck.

Agree 100%. Any business should have to provide or be allotted so much space for parking. Some good questions for the town council about the theater.
Those small stores (hemp clothing) are why I drive out of town for more "normal shops". Funkiness seems to draw the funky crowd. The same funky crowd that moves to Fairfax, shows up at town meetings and thus the officials seem to think that's what best. Fairfax just past the new tax, so now they can fight more world problems.

Another big evil bank? Without banks we are all in deep deep trouble.
How many houses in Fairfax were bought without banks?

@Aaron-
Heres some reading so you can catch up with the rest of us about the near-depression the banks have had a large hand-in in causing.
http://www.thenation.com/article/164216/its-time-debt-forgiveness-american-style?page=0,0