Larkspur Council Rejects Appeal, Clears Mount Tam Racquet Club Rebuild
City Council • LarkspurSeptember 16, 2026
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The Larkspur City Council on Sept. 16, 2026, cleared the way to tear down the aging Mount Tam Racquet Club and replace it with an outdoor-focused private tennis, swim and community club. After a marathon hearing, the council adopted Resolution 70-26 by voice vote, denying a member-led appeal. Public Works then warned that forecast El Niño king tides could flood neighborhoods this winter, and residents told the council the city's plan falls short.
- Appeal denied: Council upholds the 1 Larkspur Plaza Drive redevelopment by voice vote, with none opposed.
- Members lose their bid for covered courts, hard courts and a wider pool.
- 69% chance of historic El Niño drives city flood preparations ahead of holiday-week king tides.
- Riviera Circle residents demand drain work, four 12-inch pumps and a funded flood study.
Racquet Club Rebuild Survives Member Appeal
Why it matters: The vote ends the city appeal path for one of Larkspur's most prized recreation sites. Indoor courts and a large pool will give way to an outdoor-focused private club.
The basics: The project, PLN-26-003, would demolish existing improvements and build 14 structures totaling 10,750 square feet, eight tennis courts and 77 parking spaces. It requires design review, height and fence exceptions, heritage tree removal and a grading permit. The Planning Commission approved it unanimously Aug. 11. Dr. Howard Ortman appealed Aug. 19, citing the use permit, amenities and sea level rise.
Where things stand: The City Attorney framed the council's authority narrowly. The council reviews the case de novo, meaning from scratch. Conditions must be tied to required findings, and the 1974 use permit gives a vested right to continue the use. "There's no need to amend a CUP to allow for the continued operation of an existing use that's already been established under that CUP," said the City Attorney. The attorney also asked the council to weigh roughly 800 club members against Larkspur's 13,000-plus residents.
Staff said structures sit at 10.7 feet, above the 9.7-foot base flood elevation. Staff also said the project is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act under Class 2 and Class 32 exemptions.
Applicant and landowner Mark Harris said he owns the land but not the club business, and that the club has operated rent-free on his property. He said roughly 500 memberships is the minimum for viability. He offered to explore a tented structure and some alternate court surfaces, without commitment, and accepted a no-pickleball condition.
The other side: Ortman cited more than 300 petition signers. Members said the three-lane outdoor pool and all-clay courts would shut out swimmers, seniors, Parkinson's exercise classes and U.S. Tennis Association play. "This redevelopment will demolish the only 5 indoor tennis courts in Marin County," said public commenter Gabriel Patino. "This does look like a country club to me that I will not be able to afford," said public commenter Sean.
Neighbors and business owners pushed back. "I don't know of a single person in our development adjacent to this future club that objects to it," said Linda Garrett, Creekside HOA board member. Several supporters warned that denser development could replace the club.
Decisions and stakeholder impacts: "I don't believe we are in a position to tell you how to run your business," said Councilmember Scot Candell. Councilmember Catherine Way said "the loss and the gain are the policy questions that we get tasked to ask and try to solve." Vice Mayor Gabe Paulson said he could make the findings, though he was conflicted about the community's loss. The mover, seconder and any added conditions were not identified. Vote: For: not individually recorded; Against: 0; Abstain: 0.
Ruben Galvan, field representative for North Coast State Carpenters Union Local 751, asked for strong labor standards. City Manager Dan Schwarz said staff was not prepared to recommend such a condition, adding that the building official enforces state labor law.
What's next: Council members floated a community center for seniors, possibly in partnership with Corte Madera. One member pointed to planned classroom space at Piper Park and the new library. No commitment was made.
City Braces for El Niño King Tides
Why it matters: January's tide reached 8.7 feet, 1.5 feet above forecast. City officials said they cannot fully stop the water, so residents must prepare.
Where things stand: "There's a 69% chance that we're going to have a historic El Niño event this winter," said Public Works Director Julian Skinner. He said tides have run above predictions all year. "The predicted tide was a 7.2, which is a typical winter king tide. What was actually recorded was an 8.7," Skinner said.
Skinner flagged high-tide windows in late September, around Oct. 20 and on Nov. 25. A 7.4-foot tide is forecast for Christmas Eve.
The city has purchased one 6-inch pump and will stage a second for the winter. It also bought a generator for the Bonaire pump station and will clean drains, stage signs and send mailers. Marin County is evaluating Tiger and Gator temporary walls up to elevation 9, but the city has none yet. "These are not Army Corps of Engineers floodwalls," Skinner said.
Decisions and stakeholder impacts: The item was informational, and no vote was taken. Barriers will depend largely on property owners. "We are going to need your cooperation. We are not going to come on your properties," said City Manager Dan Schwarz.
A Central Marin Police representative urged residents to sign up for Alert Marin. "If you don't have to travel during these events, please don't," the representative said.
What's next: The Ross Valley Sanitary District is expected before the council Oct. 7, and Marin County's Office of Emergency Services on Oct. 21.
Marina Residents Say Plan Falls Short
Why it matters: Riviera Circle and Larkspur Marina residents, still recovering from January's flooding, are asking for more than the city has committed to fund.
Where things stand: Residents came in an organized push. Louis Tanenbaum of the Larkspur Marina Property Association said neighbors paid for a $20M bulkhead and a $50,000 engineering study. "We need those drains cleaned," he said.
"We need 4 12-inch pumps," said public commenter Natasha Chalmers, who also asked for gate repairs, barriers and a flood study. She argued that federal tide predictions run too low.
Public commenter Cheryl described storm drains clogged with mussels. Public commenter Cindy Morgan said her car was totaled in her driveway. Public commenter Corey Birkin asked where residents should park during floods. Public commenter Gabby Pavish called the city's plan mainly communications and pressed for a funded barrier plan, a traffic plan and a sewage overflow protocol.
Larkspur Plaza Drive residents asked for safe parking areas and bulk purchasing of barriers. Others suggested depth-gauge markings on flood signs and planning for 10 feet rather than 9.
Decisions and stakeholder impacts: Mayor Stephanie Andre said she could not commit to costly pumps. "I will check in with our staff on a regular basis," she said.
What's next: The mayor said the topic may return at a later October meeting.
Minor Items
- Consent calendar passed by voice vote with no items pulled.
- Native plant resolution: Public commenters Paul DeSoto and Jill Templeton asked the council to agendize a resolution Oct. 7, honoring the late Laura Lutter.
- Library base charge: A councilmember suggested revisiting the charge because nonprofits avoid paying it.
- Sanitation rates: The Central Marin Sanitation Agency board agreed to agendize a consultant rate-methodology review in November.
- Civic calendar: A City Hall Study Citizens Committee kicks off Sept. 22, and a College of Marin forum is set for Sept. 30.
Looking ahead: The Oct. 7 agenda is expected to include the King Mountain Open Space Association and the Ross Valley Sanitary District. On Oct. 21, the council is slated to discuss a commercial vacancy tax and hear from county emergency officials.