After years of grassroots organizing, the people of California approved Proposition 20 in 1972 to protect the California coast. Citizens watched with alarm in northern California as the southern California coastline was rapidly privatized. They formed the “Save Our Seashore” movement to prevent the same thing from happening here. Once Prop. 20 passed, the California Coastal Commission held overriding permit authority over the coastline for four years. In 1976, the voters overwhelmingly passed the California Coastal Act, extending the jurisdiction of the Coastal Commission indefinitely. It has proved to be hugely popular legislation.

Since then, the Coastal Commission has profoundly affected West Marin. Prop 20 mandated that each coastal town and village develop a community plan to protect and conserve the state’s coastal resources. Each coastal village was required to form a village association of locals who would define the culture and geography of their village and act as its protector. These villages were Muir Beach, Stinson Beach, Bolinas, Olema, Inverness, Point Reyes Station, Marshall, Tomales, and Dillon Beach. Any proposed development or significant change in the village would be reviewed by the village association in this capacity.   

The Marin County Government and locals created the Community Plan in 1976. In 2001, it was revised under local leadership. Today, it is the primary document used by the town to evaluate proposed changes to its historical character and community life. Every time a project is proposed in an area, the Marin County government provides the Village Association with copies of the plans so that they can review and respond. Since 1974, the Village Association has advised Marin County and the California Coastal Commission.

Read the Point Reyes Village Association Bylaws.