You might be enlightened the next time you visit Fairfax Market. The grocery store recently underwent a complete lighting and refrigeration upgrade and took advantage of a commercial energy efficiency rebate program provided by the County of Marin Energy Watch Partnership. 

The Marin County Community Development Agency Sustainability Team administers the SmartLights program in Marin County, which provides businesses with no-cost and no-obligation energy evaluations, rebates for making energy-efficient upgrades, and start-to-finish project support. Business owners can use program-affiliated contractors or work with their own contractor and secure rebates for a project by working with SmartLights.  The San Rafael Chamber recently went through the same SmartLights process and it is easy.

The program is designed to help businesses save money on operating costs and reduce energy use and related greenhouse gas emissions. The Fairfax Market project, conducted this spring and summer, is expected to save an estimated 511,635 kilowatt hours annually and trim annual carbon dioxide emissions by about 145,816 pounds, the equivalent to taking 14.2 cars off the road for one year according to the Environmental Protection Agency’s calculator.

Interested in more information

The City of San Rafael is currently updating its General Plan—the state-mandated document that guides future development decisions. Housing, transportation, land use, open space, equity, economic vitality, and disaster resilience are all topics tackled by the Plan, which was last updated more than 15 years ago.

Public input in the General Plan Update is strongly encouraged.  The City has launched a web-based participation tool as part of the project, which can be accessed at www.cityofsanrafael.org/2040.  Residents and businesses can use the site to weigh in on topics such as traffic, density, and climate change. 

The City also encourages residents to attend one of three community meetings to share their ideas.  These two-hour workshops will focus on the opportunities and challenges facing San Rafael as it looks ahead to the Year 2040.  Refreshments will be served, and residents of all ages are invited to participate.   The meeting times are:

October 3rd, 7PM-9PM — San Rafael Community Center at B Street
October 17th, 7PM-9PM—Terra Linda Recreation Center

October 27th, 10AM-12PM—Albert J. Boro Community Center

The City of San Rafael is proud to announce the launch of its new online business permitting portal, OpenCounter, which includes two new tools centered around business development. The first tool, a Zoning Portal, will allow users to explore where different businesses are permitted throughout the City.  The second, a Business Portal, is designed to help users understand the specific licenses, permits, and fees for starting a business in San Rafael. 

Check It Out

Mill Valley Film Festival Opening Night Tickets and Gala- Sue MacMillan, Marin Sanitary Service

Mill Valley Film Festival Closing Night Film and Party- Annie Scherr, Fairview Capital

Wine Cellar- Christine Puccini, Marin Builders Association

Picnic in the Park-Shardae

To Your Health- Amy Li, Sun First Solar

California Film Institute Membership- Jagpal Sran,  NewGen Surgical