The Mill Valley City Council has reapproved plans for a four-story affordable housing complex at One Hamilton Drive in Mill Valley, Marin County. The project will replace a surface parking lot across from Hauke Park, a fire station, and a police department with 45 apartments, deed-restricted for low-income families. EAH Housing is the project developer.
One Hamilton Drive seen from Roque Moraes Drive, rendering by Van Meter Williams Pollack
One Hamilton Drive aerial view, rendering by Van Meter Williams Pollack
The approved project includes a 52-foot-tall structure expected to yield around 65,220 square feet, with 39,760 square feet for housing and 21,580 square feet for the 63-car ground-level garage. Unit sizes range from studios to three-bedroom, with affordability options for residents earning very low or low incomes. Adobe Associates is the civil engineer.
Van Meter Williams Pollack is responsible for the design. Illustrations show the podium-style complex will be wrapped in a modern farmhouse-inspired design. The exterior will be clad with board-formed concrete, metal shading, horizontal siding, and shingle roofing.
One Hamilton Drive site map, illustration by Van Meter Williams Pollack
According to the city, the developer could have invoked state law to increase residential capacity from 45 units to 80 apartments, but chose not to, implying that it was a concession in the face of relentless community opposition. The City Council granted approval for the project late last month, having already granted approval in 2024.
The 1.75-acre property is part of a larger 13.3-acre swath of city-owned land. The site is next to the city’s fire station and police department. Demolition will be required for the existing 38-car surface parking lot and the existing trees. Replacement parking will be provided within the Public Safety Building site. Future residents will be across from Hauke Park, the Bayfront Meadow, and the Bayfront Community Gardens.
One Hamilton Drive, image via Google Satellite
The estimated cost and timeline for construction have yet to be shared.
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Appears to be a significant improvement from previous renderings. Blends in somewhat and if actually surrounded by trees, will not be as obstructive to the surrounding neighborhoods and the park space as the homeowners in the area assume. An incredible location for future residents with the parks and trails and a very short drive to the freeway and varied essential businesses and services.
While I am glad to see this built, I question the amount of parking for the project (63 garage parking spaces for 45 apartments). Although this site is unfortunately about 1/2 a mile away from the nearest bus stop, it’s still fairly well suited for car-free or car-light living – with elementary, middle and high schools easily accessible by foot or bicycle via pleasant, reasonably flat and safe routes, much of which are along off-road paths. Having grown up not too far away, I know that life in the suburbs – especially in such relatively central locations – can work out without a car.