On Monday January 17, 2020, 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 (the residential portion is called “The Strand”) whose developer is Marina Village Associates (MVA). Notably at this particular meeting, a representative of the Bay Conservation and Development Commission (BCDC), the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG) and MVA were also present. This is a summary of the items discussed at that meeting.
Typically at these meetings, the Marina Committee presents a list of discussion items that acts as an agenda. However, with the presence of the additional agencies, MVA was invited to provide a report on their status and plans. The MVA representative began by stating that “2020 will be a year of change” for this project and further stated that the owner of the property is having “confidentiality agreement” meetings with undisclosed entities. He did not elaborate any further on these statements. He said that the construction of the remaining residences in The Strand was awaiting clearance from the Bay Area Water Quality Review Board on the remediation of the old dry cleaner area. Once that is received and the winter rains and high tides have subsided, some of the surcharge dirt will be used to fill the hole created by that remediation. This is not likely to occur before April or May. At that point, the remaining surcharge dirt would be removed and construction could commence.
At this point, the meeting shifted to our normal agenda of going through the presented discussion items.
Public Review/Action: CDD stated that a proposal to amend MVA’s Subdivision Improvement Agreement (SIA) and a Below Market Rate (BMR) Agreement Amendment could be placed before the S.R. City Council in March. These changes would reflect the buyout by MVA of the remaining 6 BMR units yet to be built (11 have been built and sold) in return for a substantial payment to the City’s BMR fund and as-yet unspecified conditions on MVA’s development plans. The Marina Committee had presented a list of issues and concerns as input to that BMR proposal. At this same City Council meeting, a proposal to release some of MVA’s infrastructure bond funds would be presented dealing with those aspect of the project’s public infrastructure that have been satisfactorily completed. Bond would still be retained for work yet to be completed, most notably the flooding repair for the east spit (playground) and connector to the breakwater as approved by a BCDC Permit Amendment published December 2019.
Breakwater Connector & East Jetty (playground) flooding: MVA stated that they intend to begin this work this spring to be completed no later than the end of 2021 as per the BCDC Permit Amendment approved December 2019. The breakwater and playground will be closed for the duration. Some questions were raised about the design of the kayak launch ramp included in these plans. A meeting will be planned between BCDC, ABAG, MVA and a representative of this committee to discuss and resolve any issues.
Fuel Facility & Dock: BCDC Permit Amendment #7 dealing with this facility is awaiting clearance by the Bay Area Water Quality Review Board. This is the last hurdle before BCDC approval so that the work can proceed.
Kayak Dock: The plans for the installation of a kayak dock between the yacht club building and the boat launch ramp should be finalized in the next two weeks and presented to BCDC for approval. BCDC stated that this will only require an administrative letter of approval, not a full permit amendment.
Yacht Club Re-facing: BCDC stated that this work would not require any BCDC approval. The plans are currently in plan check review by City agencies.
Boat Repair Facility: BCDC permits state that this building is to be completed by December 1, 2020. MVA stated that, until construction starts on the new Boat Repair Facility, the old canopy structure (with new canvas) will be erected for use as storage for the marina. MVA stated that they did not think that there will be a tenant for the Boat Repair Facility given the rent that would be charged. The long-term use of this building is unclear. Building permit is in plan check review with City agencies.
Harbormaster’s Office: This building will sit in the current gravel space between the yacht club and Andy’s Market and will also house the support facilities for the live-aboards and a very small restaurant. BCDC permits state that this building is to be completed by December 1, 2020. The previous S.R. building permit has expired and MVA has not reapplied for a new one at this point. The temporary Harbormaster’s Office unit is to be move, again temporarily, to the space being cleared where the boat repair facility was.
Exterior Lighting on the South and West Faces of Andy’s Market: Adjustments to correct the light pollution that spills into The Cove have been agreed. This works is to be completed by early April 2020.
The Cove-Marina Property Line Fencing: This fence between the marina property and The San Pedro Cove sub- development is specified to be either 6′ or 8” high and a short stretch of 3′ high fencing at the Pt. San Pedro Road end. MVA was going to wait until the boat repair facility is complete before installing that fence. However, MVA stated that they intend to decouple this fence from the boat repair facility and install it sooner.