On Monday October 15, 2018, the Coalition’s Marina Committee (Committee) met with the S.R. Community Development Department (CDD) and S.R. Dept. of Public Works (DPW) for our regular monthly review of the developments at The Village at Loch Lomond Marina (aka “The Strand”). The Bay Conservation & Development Commission (BCDC) was not in attendance. [NOTE: MVA below refers to Marina Village Associates, the owner and developer of this property.]
The public is encouraged to communicate with the Marina Committee using the Contact the Marina Committee form to raise any issues or concerns so that they may be brought to the City’s attention.
Paul Jensen (CDD Director) reported on a response letter from MVA as a result of the previous meeting between the City and the developers to discuss the status, and lack of progress, of this project (see the previous Loch Lomond Marina Update). Most of the items in the letter are identified in the various discussion items below. The letter continued to request a reduction of various bonds the developers had to establish for some of the infrastructure work that is now completed. The City is considering such reductions. However, this consideration likely will include a new bond for the elevated boardwalk to resolve the flooding issues on the connector to the breakwater (see the Flooding item below). This bond was not considered originally since the boardwalk was not part of the original plans.
The Cove-to-Marina Connection Path: Work has begun on the west side of the development, including the parking area and the path connecting the Marina Green to the path in The Cove HOA.
Fuel Dock:This continues to be a priority item for the Coalition. A draft document from an engineering firm hired by MVA for the fuel storage facility and fuel dock has been provided informally to the City for preliminary review. This is encouraging, but there is still the need for MVA to submit a formal request for permits with the City and BCDC before it can move any further.
Yacht Club Building: MVA has submitted an application for a permit for the re-skinning of the yacht club building which includes a change in the original design. However, a Design Review Board hearing on that application is still on hold. Paul Jensen stated that CDD would oppose the submitted change request but would be open to alternatives, especially if they included a modified stance by MVA on the proposed kayak dock design (see below). MVA has stated a willingness to consider changes to their proposed design but with some unspecified caveats having to do with costs of the kayak dock.
Restaurant/Harbormaster’s Office: MVA still has not applied to renew this expired permit. Paul Jensen stated that the City has determined that there are no building code changes that would affect the submitted plans, so MVA only needs to submit an application for a permit renewal and pay the fees.
Flooding on Breakwater Connector & East Jetty (playground):The City met with MVA’s attorneys regarding BCDC Amendment #5 which deals with a flooding resolution for the breakwater connecter and east jetty. As a result of that meeting, the City supports the MVA proposal which includes a raised boardwalk across much of the connector span and a slightly relocated kayak launch facility that would meet ADA access requirements. The proposal also includes a raised berm around the playground spit to block rising tides. The City is preparing the required CEQA Clearance Letter (an addendum to the CEQA report) that would specify that the proposal does not violate any of the original CEQA conditions. No public hearings or review are required. This letter is now in draft form and being reviewed by the City Attorney, DPW and MVA. This should be completed in a couple of weeks. Then the CEQA Clearance Letter would be given to MVA to be submitted to BCDC along with the final permit amendment #5. At this point that is all BCDC requires, so this solution should be approved. However, it is very likely that work would not begin until Spring 2019, allowing for continued flooding over this winter.
Kayak Dock: MVA, in the response letter mentioned above, continues to assert that they are not interested in installing the joint City/yacht club/kayak group’s proposed kayak dock design changes, and they intend to install the kayak dock as originally approved in the permits. However, the letter does indicate that MVA might be open to changing this position should some agreement with the City on other, unspecified aspects of the project that would covered the additional cost of the proposed kayak dock. This is an ongoing discussion between the City and MVA.
Sidewalk Blockage:PG&E is planning to begin the project on November 25, 2018. The utility box, currently sitting directly in the middle of the sidewalk at the marina (south) end, will be shifted east to the planter box next to the sidewalk.
Boat Repair Facility & Mixed Use Building: These projects are still in plan check review by relevant City entities. A demolition permit has not yet been requested by MVA for the existing boat repair building. The owner stated that he was given a date by MVA of November 30, 2018 to vacate the property. He was told that it might be up to a year before the replacement building was ready for occupancy, and he is not being offered any temporary facility to continue business in the interim.
Pt. San Pedro Road Modifications: Work has begun on the required modifications on Pt. San Pedro Road for the medians and the curbing to accommodate the emergency exit from The Strand. This exit will be chained closed except during emergencies. The alternations include narrowing and shifting the gap in the medians slightly westward and reconstructing the curbing, driveway and sidewalks to line up with the emergency exit roadway within The Strand, also very slightly westward of the old Andy’s Market entrance.