24-Story San Rafael Tower, Cellphone Bans & Lighthouse Bar in Marin County — Apr 13-19, 2026 — Marin Living
24-Story San Rafael Tower, Cellphone Bans & Lighthouse Bar in Marin County — Apr 13-19, 2026 24-Story San Rafael Tower, Cellphone Bans & Lighthouse Bar in Marin County — Apr 13-19, 2026 24-Story San Rafael Tower, Cellphone Bans & Lighthouse Bar APRIL 13 – 19, 2026 · 7 MIN READ Hey neighbor, The most important part to keep in mind this week is that the Marin County skyline could be changing. A Berkeley developer has proposed a massive 24-story apartment tower in downtown San Rafael, which would easily become the county's tallest building. Meanwhile, students in Mill Valley and San Anselmo are preparing for "phone-free" days as the Tam Union school district rolls out locking cellphone cases, and a highly-anticipated new seafood spot has finally opened its doors in Sausalito. If you only read one thing this week, make it our coverage of the ambitious Oak Hill workforce housing project and the financial hurdles it's facing. — Your friends at Living in Marin Sponsored Mill Valley Philharmonic Spring Concerts Join the Mill Valley Philharmonic for their upcoming spring performances at the Mt Tam United Methodist Church (410 Sycamore Avenue, Mill Valley). Friday, May 1 at 7:30pm (donate what you can) Sunday, May 3 at 3:00pm ($25) Tickets and info In This Issue → This Week's Best Bets → Top Stories → Crime & Safety → Real Estate → Social Buzz → Local Eats → Events & Things to Do → Trail of the Week 🌤️ Weather & Weekend Outlook Short version: Sunny and mild to start the weekend, with rain returning by Sunday night and into early next week. Friday: Sunny with highs in the upper 60s and northwest winds 5 to 10 mph. Saturday: Partly cloudy with highs in the upper 60s. A pleasant day to get outdoors before the weather turns. Sunday: Mostly cloudy with highs in the mid 60s, giving way to likely rain Sunday night as lows drop to the lower 50s. Weekend Tip: Take advantage of the sunshine on Saturday for your outdoor plans, as you'll likely need your umbrella starting Sunday evening! Editor's Picks This Week's Best Bets 1. 🧘♀️ New Living Expo — San Rafael The annual New Living Expo takes over the Marin Center Exhibit Hall this Friday through Sunday. With 90 speakers and 125 exhibitions focused on spirituality, holistic health, and personal transformation, it's a massive gathering for the wellness community. 2. 🌍 Earth Day Marin 2026 — Mill Valley Join the 5th annual environmental celebration this Sunday, April 26, from 12 to 3 PM at the Mill Valley Community Center. It's a fantastic family-friendly event focused on local climate action and green living. 3. 🎶 Musical Medicine for the Soul — San Rafael Singer Jenna Mammina and pianist John R. Burr are performing a special program of songs by Linda Ronstadt, Joni Mitchell, and other iconic singer-songwriters this weekend. It's one of five major concerts happening across Marin. Top Stories The Big Stuff This Week 🏢 24-Story Tower Proposed for Downtown San Rafael The surprising thing is just how tall this could be. Goldstone Management has filed preliminary permits for a 260-foot, 24-story mixed-use tower at 924 3rd Street in San Rafael. If approved, it would be Marin County's tallest building, delivering 345 apartments (including 52 affordable units) and a ground-floor market hall. SF YIMBY 📱 Tam Union Schools Mandate Locking Cellphone Cases Here's what changed for local high schoolers: Trustees voted 3-2 to require NuKase hard plastic lockable cellphone cases for students at Tamalpais, Redwood, and Archie Williams high schools. The move toward "phone-free" school days has sparked intense debate among parents and students in Mill Valley and San Anselmo. Marin IJ 💸 Pacific Private Money Loses Lending License The biggest takeaway was the abrupt halt to their operations. California financial regulators have revoked the lending license of Novato-based Pacific Private Money Inc. The private lender is currently facing multiple lawsuits and investigations from over 100 investors alleging malpractice and mismanagement. Mercury News 🏘️ Cost Spikes Threaten Oak Hill Workforce Housing The reason this matters is that Marin desperately needs housing for essential workers. However, rising interest rates and fuel costs are threatening the budget for the Oak Hill Workforce Housing Project. The development, located between Larkspur and San Quentin, aims to provide 135 apartments for teachers and county employees. Marin IJ 🌿 Dominican University Explores Sea Sponge Medicines What most people miss is the incredible research happening right in San Rafael. Researchers at Dominican University of California are studying a "library" of over 1,200 species of sea sponges collected over 40 years, hoping to find new treatments for breast cancer and therapies to slow down aging. Marin IJ Crime & Safety Stay Safe, Marin 🏦 Man Arrested for Attempted Bank Robberies A 61-year-old San Rafael resident, William Horton, was arrested on suspicion of attempting to rob two banks within minutes of