Point San Pedro
Point San Pedro PhotoPhotoPhoto
Point San Pedro
Photos taken at Loch Lomond Marina

Loch Lomond Marina

News

POSTED
SUBJECT
November 10, 2008 Although San Rafael approved a redevelopment project for the site that includes housing, neighborhood commercial, and recreation areas as well as the marina, a plan which many in the community did not endorse, the slowdown in the economy appears to have stalled redevelopment of this site. Because of widespread adverse economic conditions, the state has passed legislation to extend the entitlements of already entitled projects for one year. This pushes the expiration date for the Marina project permits and entitlements to August 20, 2010.

Currently, the site continues to be for sale, but there are no buyers at this time. At one point before the economic slowdown, there was a potential buyer from Colorado. In anticipation of this sale, which eventually fell through, the owners removed trees and vegetation to prepare for fill. They were allowed to do so under the plan as long as the timing avoided nesting season. Unfortunately, some cutting also occurred in an area behind Andy's Market where removal was not designated in the plan.

The city in consultation with some residents of Bayside Acres helped to facilitate planning to rectify the situation. Replacement planting of trees and other vegetation has been done, but considerable growth will be needed before the vegetation is able to function as a screen. As the project remains in limbo, the Coalition's Loch Lomond Marina Oversight Committee is receiving reports from the City about the site and is monitoring activities and problems that arise.
May 17, 2008 The planting of the area behind the Loch Lomond Market that had been incorrectly cleared was completed this past week. The Loch Lomond Marina Oversight Committee has yet to determine if the planting meets expectations.
April 2, 1008 The following is an update from Keith Bloom of Thompson Dorfman:

No new update re: sale. Oaktree [current Marina owner] is talking to several potential buyers, some of whom previously bid on the property. Thompson Dorfman may consider submitting another offer, but has not made a decision as yet. Re: re-planting, I’ve received several bids, working thru them, and hope to select a contractor by end of week. Hope to have work done within next 2-3 weeks, depending upon contractor’s schedule.
March 5, 2008 Regarding the improper tree and shrubbery removal behind the Loch Lomond Market (see January 23rd and 28th entries below):

A local ad hoc committee has reviewed replanting plans from the developer, submitted revised planting suggestions and received a revised planting plan from the developers. This committee agreed that those revised plans were acceptable and has heard back from the San Rafael Community Development Department that the developers were instructed to proceed with implementation ASAP. Click here to see a PDF document of that plan.
March 5, 2008 According to Keith Bloom of Thompson Dorfman,the potential purchaser of the Marina property decided not to go forward with a purchase at the end of their due diligence period (end of February). There is some indication that Oaktree Capital (current owners) are going to go with a 'local' experienced housing developer, as yet unidentified.

In the meantime, Mr. Bloom doesn't expect any further work to be done on the site since the next stages of the project require some serious investment and Oaktree doesn't want to get into the development side of the equation at this time. Click here to see the sales website.
March 5, 2008 The San Rafael Design Review Board (DRB) held a review of the Loch Lomond Marina project on March 4. The purpose was to review some design revisions mandated by the City of San Rafael and BCDC as part of the original design review and approval by these agencies. The following is a report from Sara Jensen, member of the Coalition's Loch Lomond Marina Committee:

DRB approved the design changes made in response to:

  • Conditions of approval made by the city council: For example, (a) Changes to two of the houses on Pt. San Pedro were made in order to have space to add a second entry/exit point if in the future such is considered to be desirable. The two houses on the sides of this location will now face the green belt rather than PSPR, (b) Changes to the townhouses along the entry corridor were made to improve the view corridor function. The second story was stepped back a bit and bow windows on the first story were eliminated, (c) Changes to four houses at the west end of the public plaza were made in order to open up views of the hills to the north from the marina. The mass of the second story was reduced.
  • BCDC's request to make the connection to the adjacent open space at the Cove more obvious and accessible: The boat facility will be moved 40 feet to the north. It will now be new construction rather than changes to the existing building, but the design ot the building remains the same.
  • The grocery operator's request for two changes: a debris box behind the fence in the service area on the west side of the store and a low wall on the north side to screen the storage area for grocery carts.
  • The developers' desire to provide more variety in the design of the five large houses at the eastern waterfront: Two were changed so that all five are not the same.
The DRB approved all changes with several members expressing a single concern that one of the large houses did not seem to have an adequate driveway.

During public comment, a boat owner and yacht club member expressed concern that there was no dedicated parking for the yacht club near its building and suggested that the locations for the Market building and parking be swapped. The Market owner stated that it was important to leave the grocery near the water to create an energetic public space between the store and the yacht club. Paul Jensen (S.R. Development Dept.) said that parking was not a part of the DRB discussion, but pointed out that there was ADA parking on the nearby spit and that the yacht club parking, although not dedicated, was considered in the general parking for marina uses.
January 28, 2008 There have been questions raised by neighbors regarding the tree removal on the Loch Lomond Marina site. In answer to those questions, we have obtained the tree removal/preservation plan that was approved by the City. In effect, all of the trees on the site are to be removed except those shown on a portion of the plan which is shown in this drawing. The legend of the plan shows open circles for trees to be preserved and circles with an "X" in them for those to be removed. This plan shows that most of the trees (mainly Oaks) around the inlet are to be preserved. All others are to be removed.
January 23, 2008 Marin IJ Article titled Trees cut to make way for Loch Lomond development by Mark Prado. Also photos by local photographer, Dennis Anderson.
Other Information Go to the Archives section for additional articles and information including all material prior to January, 2008.

 
San Pedro Road Coalition
Box 449
369 "B" Third Street
San Rafael, CA 94901