A long-running neighborhood feud in Sausalito over a home remodel and an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) has escalated into heated arguments, police calls, restraining orders, viral videos, and accusations from both sides.
Chronicle columnist Emily Hoeven has the full details on the saga: In 2017, Jake Beyer and Georgia Glassie bought a 1920s cottage and, in 2021, proposed a major remodel — adding a third story and an ADU under California’s housing laws encouraging new units. Despite multiple community meetings and design revisions, neighbors pushed back over blocked views and concerns about neighborhood character.
The Sausalito Planning Commission approved the project in late 2023, but the City Council reversed that decision in early 2024 after a tense meeting, requiring design changes including removal of rear decks and additional neighbor consultations. As the Pacific Sun reported last year, Beyer said he was “confused and disappointed by the lack of clarity” in the council’s decision, hinting at possible legal action.
Architect Michael Rex criticized Sausalito’s planning process as inconsistent, pointing to staff turnover and unclear code interpretations. “The department interpreted the code willy-nilly for this project,” he told the Pacific Sun. “The applicant was not instructed correctly.”
As the Chronicle reports, tensions spilled beyond City Hall, with police called twice to local businesses over altercations involving Beyer and neighbors — once about a thrown food item, and another over a middle finger allegedly directed at the couple’s children.
The dispute also played out online with competing Google reviews and heated posts on neighborhood forums. Beyer and Glassie produced a slick, documentary-style video and website to share their perspective.
Tensions continued at parks and community events, with accusations including spitting and intimidation. The couple says they faced harassment, were followed and filmed without consent, and reported dozens of incidents to authorities. Neighbors say they felt unsafe as well, leading to several restraining orders being filed — most of which were denied.
The Chronicle writes that in March 2024, the City Council unanimously approved a revised version of the project, calling for compromise and including changes such as larger setbacks and removal of decks.
Later that year, Beyer and Glassie sent open letters to Governor Newsom and state housing officials, accusing Sausalito of misapplying local codes to limit their ADU’s size. The city attorney disputed this, saying the couple chose a smaller unit to preserve backyard space.
By then raising four children, the couple argued that state housing laws allowed them to build a larger ADU without extra city review. State officials found no violation, though some housing advocates disagreed.
As the Chronicle reports, the main remodel eventually moved forward with approval in 2025. The couple later applied to restore the full ADU size but say the city unfairly delayed their application.
This dispute highlights the deep challenges Sausalito faces around housing reform. Despite state mandates and urgent affordable housing needs, local opposition remains strong, complicating projects like this.
Contributor’s Note: The original version of this post too closely matched the tone of the Chronicle article. We have revised it to better attribute the original reporting. We regret this oversight and sincerely thank the Chronicle for their thorough coverage.
Image: Screenshot via Vimeo
