Loch Lomond Marina

GP2020; NH-118: Loch Lomond Neighborhood Element (formerly NH-121)
                                as of 9/04

(NOTE: See related Land Use Map)

V i s i o n o f L o c h L o m o n d

The Loch Lomond Shopping Center and Marina may be redeveloped to feature neighborhood-serving and marine-related retail and service uses including a market, neighborhood serving offices, residential units, and a restaurant. The marina should continue to feature boat slips, a yacht club and a public boat launching facility. Redevelopment of the site will protect the existing marsh and wetland areas and will be designed to be compatible with the surrounding residential uses.

LOCH LOMOND

The Loch Lomond neighborhood is primarily developed with single-family homes on hillside lots or lots along the Bay. The hills above the neighborhood provide hiking trails and access to Harry A. Barbier Memorial Park.

The neighborhood is home to the Loch Lomond Marina and Shopping Center.  This extraordinary site includes neighborhood-serving shops and a market, but is primarily a 550-slip marina.  The long breakwater offers unique pedestrian access along the bay front and striking views of the San Francisco and San Rafael bays, San Rafael-Richmond Bridge, Mt. Tamalpais, and the Marin Islands National Wildlife Refuge – artists are drawn to the site to capture the Bay vista.  To the east and west of the site are wetlands that support all manner of wildlife. The marina includes boat slips, a yacht club, a public boat launching facility, boat storage, and a restaurant.

Neighborhood Design

NH-118. Loch Lomond Marina.

If the property owner proposes to redevelop the site, create a beautiful waterfront development that maximizes the site’s location facing San Francisco Bay, consistent with the following guidelines and requirements:

a.    Land Use.  Encourage a mixed-use development that includes all of the following land uses:

  • Marine and support facilities, with boat berths, a public boat launch, boat trailer parking, a yacht club, boat retail and services, and other water-based recreation.
  • Recreation, including fishing and walking, along the breakwater and spits to provide public access along the waterfront.  Water-oriented and bicycle recreation is encouraged.  For example, bird-watching and fishing opportunities should be enhanced.  Access for fishing should be provided in a way that extends a welcome to visitors.
  • Neighborhood-serving commercial uses that meet the needs of residents and visitors in the area should be included for trip reduction.
  • Residential, with a mix of housing types, that meets design and housing objectives.  A minimum of 50 multifamily and workforce units are required. Because of the limited area for marine uses on the site, residential use is not allowed in the Marine Related District.

b.  Site Design.  Achieve an extraordinary design in an innovative development that enhances the neighborhood, San Rafael, and the bayfront. New development should draw inspiration from the Bay and waterfront, provide a community gathering place with neighborhood shopping and recreational opportunities, and provide attractive and site-appropriate housing, consistent with the following guidelines:

1.  Views of the marina and waterfront should draw people into the site and retain their value to the surrounding community. 

The view through the center of the site is the major public view corridor. To enhance this corridor, housing should be compact and clustered on the eastern and western portions of the site, on the north side of the property.  The center of the site should include low-scale uses and/or structures such as open space, park, plaza, and/or parking designed to achieve an open, welcoming and inviting entrance to retail and recreation opportunities. Commercial buildings along the central view corridor should be low-rise, and lead to substantial open space along the waterfront. Parking should be carefully sited to enhance the corridor, but should not detract from the waterfront pedestrian-focused design.

The primary entrance to the site should include views of the marina and waterfront and establish a welcoming sense of place. The frontage along Pt. San Pedro Road should be warm and welcoming, encouraging access through the site’s principal entryway.

Buildings should be carefully sited and designed to enhance, or minimize impacts, to views of the Bay, the Marin Islands, wetlands and the marina.

    2.   A paved and landscaped bicycle and pedestrian trail should encircle the site, with side paths through the site, and should extend along the waterfront and on an improved breakwater.

    3.  A community-gathering place should be included along with a park large enough to provide activities for children and adults both in the immediate neighborhood and in the surrounding area. A play area with playground equipment suitable for preschool and elementary school ages, with a water play feature is recommended, and an active recreational area, such as a sports court (i.e., bocce ball or volleyball) is desired.

    4.  The streets and alleyways should be designed for slow driving speeds, and there should be an enhanced transit stop on Pt. San Pedro Road.

NH-118a.    Project Design and Review. 

a.      Require early conceptual design review by the Design Review Board and the Planning Commission. Encourage applicants to present alternative proposals for conceptual review in that design review. 

b.      Prior to submitting a proposal, the property owner must confer with Federal, State and local agencies (such as Bay Conservation and Development Commission, Association of Bay Area Government’s Bay Trails Project, U.S. Fish and Wildlife) with responsibility for the Bay.

c.      The neighborhood residents and homeowner associations shall be informed and consulted on major design issues throughout the process. 

d.      Require a mixed-use parking analysis to establish adequate parking requirements; require photomontage analyses as part of the evaluation of view impacts; and, require a wetlands delineation.

Responsibility:  Community Development
Timeframe: Short Term
Resources: Fees

NH-118b.  Common Area Maintenance.  As part of the development proposal, require a reliable and efficient means to maintain common areas. 

Responsibility:  Community Development
Timeframe: Short Term
Resources: Fees

NH-118c.  Birdwatching.  Encourage the developer to provide a viewing pavilion and interpretive display for birdwatchers, and to consult with the Tiburon Audubon Center (Lyford House) about the possibility of establishing a satellite operation at Loch Lomond, as well as recommendations on needed facilities. 

Responsibility:  Community Development
Timeframe: Short Term
Resources: Fees