novato

County selects firm for project at library

The Marin County Board of Supervisors has authorized a contract of nearly $1.2 million for a project to renovate the Novato Library.

The project will include interior improvements, a roof replacement, siding repairs, “water intrusion mitigation,” charging stations for electric vehicles, a children’s garden and other components, according to a staff report by Lana Adlawan, director of the Marin County Free Library system.

The county received eight proposals for architectural and engineering design services. It chose Siegel and Strain Architects of Emeryville. The $1,176,450 contract lasts until June 30, 2028.

LARKSPUR

Board endorses plan at vintage residence

The Heritage Preservation Board has recommended that the city approve a remodeling and construction project in the Madrone Canyon neighborhood.

The 1,668-square-foot residence at 223 Magnolia Ave. is listed in the city’s historic resources inventory, according to a report by Alex Othon, a city planner. The project would involve adding 165 square feet to the first floor and 264 square feet to the second floor; converting the garage into an accessory dwelling unit; and removing two “heritage sized” trees, the report said. The project requires setback variances.

A historical review prepared for the city said the residence, also known as “‘Little Red Riding Hood’s cottage,” is an “excellent example of an early shingle bungalow.”

“In the late Nineteenth Century, the Canyon area housed many summer camp sites,” Jerri Holan, a preservation architect and architectural historian, wrote in the report. “Henry de Veuve, an insurance business man, and his family had regularly camped in this locale until he purchased the corner lot at 223 Magnolia in 1896 and built a summer cottage on it. The cottage became the family’s permanent residence after the 1906 earthquake.”

The Heritage Preservation Board endorsed the project at its meeting on Thursday. The proposal will be on the Planning Commission’s agenda for July 8, Othon said.

SAN RAFAEL

Alleged DUI recidivist booked after crashes

Police arrested a San Rafael man who allegedly crashed into parked cars and attempted to flee from officers.

The incident happened at about 9:15 p.m. Friday near Canal Street and Medway Road. The suspect resisted arrest and refused to complete sobriety tests, said San Rafael police Sgt. Justin Graham.

Oligario Raymundo Rodriguez, 33, was booked into the county jail on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, hit-and-run driving causing damage, obstructing officers and having prior felony DUI convictions. His bail was set at $100,000.

Rodriguez had three DUI convictions in the past 10 years, Graham said.