A wealthy California couple is taking its battle over a proposed second entrance to their mansion to court, after a neighborhood dispute over a narrow strip of land escalated into threats, political repercussions and a contentious ownership fight.
The owners of an 11-acre estate in Corte Madera want to convert a long-disputed route into an additional driveway. They say the entrance would provide an important evacuation route during wildfires. Opponents argue the project would damage the established character of their neighborhood.
The estate is far from an ordinary suburban property. Known as the Guitar House, it was previously owned by WeWork cofounder Adam Neumann and music promoter Bill Graham. The home sold for $22.4 million in 2021, and Zillow now puts its estimated value at nearly $29 million.
The dispute centers on a deceptively simple legal question: Does the property owner have the right to build along Alta Way, a route depicted on a 1906 map but never developed as originally planned?
Attorney Todd Williams, who represents the property owners, told The San Francisco Chronicle that the family believes its property rights extend to the middle of the disputed strip.
Williams maintains that the route has been used and maintained for more than 40 years. Neighbors dispute that ownership claim, and their opposition contributed to the reversal of an earlier project approval in 2024.
The proposed driveway would use half of the 40-foot-wide strip for roughly 120 feet. The owners say pedestrians would still have access, but construction would require removing 47 trees. Of those, 37 are expected to be replanted.
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The Marin Audubon Society has separately expressed concern about an owl habitat located nearby.
As the dispute has intensified, the conflict has become increasingly acrimonious, including reported threats and insults aimed at the property owners.
The owners requested a police presence at one meeting after a comment was made involving their children, according to the Chronicle.
The fight has also drawn in Corte Madera Councilwoman Pat Ravasio, a vocal opponent of the driveway who is seeking reelection.
The town referred an alleged disclosure of confidential information from a closed council meeting to the Marin County Attorney’s Office.
Ravasio characterized the matter as “one little error” and told The Chronicle, “They came after me, and it’s been pretty ugly.”
Corte Madera Community Development Director Amy Lyle has suggested the town may have limited power to stop the proposal, calling it a civil dispute between property owners.
