On Monday February 24, 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). Also attending by phone was a representative of the Bay Conservation and Development Commission (BCDC). This is a summary of the items discussed at that meeting.
At the previous meeting, an MVA representative had stated 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. This situation was discussed at this meeting briefly, but there was no update on the status of such meetings or whether they were continuing. It was also mentioned that a representative of CDD, DPW and BCDC had met onsite the previous week to review the status of the development and discuss various concerns and issues.
Public Review/Action: The proposed changes to MVA’s Subdivision Improvement Agreement (SIA) and a Below Market Rate (BMR) Agreement Amendment that were identified at the last meeting were further discussed between CDD, DPW, representatives of the S.R. City Council and the S.R. City Attorney. It was determined that both items should be brought to the City Council together rather than at different meetings. It now appears that this will not be possible before early April at the soonest.
Breakwater Connector & East Jetty (playground) flooding: BCDC stated that they were awaiting construction plans from MVA in accordance with BCDC Permit Amendment #5 approved December 2019. MVA had stated that they intend to begin this work this spring to be completed no later than the end of 2021 in line with the timeframe imposed by the BCDC permit amendment. The breakwater and playground will have to be closed for the duration.
Kayak Ramp: The plans for the breakwater connector includes a kayak ramp at the parking lot end of the connector. With the changed configuration of the connector in BCDC Permit Amendment #5, changes in dimensions and specifications for the ramp are also needed from MVA in their construction plans. The original plans called for a 20′ wide ramp extending to mean low tide line. This permitted a specific amount of bay fill and rip rap. With the configuration changes, MVA submitted plans to BCDC for the ramp that adhered to the original bay fill limits. That reduced the ramp to 12′ wide and extending only to mean high tide line. That is not acceptable and BCDC agreed that MVA will need to address this issue.
Fuel Facility & Dock: BCDC Permit Amendment #7 dealing with this facility continues to await 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: BCDC stated that they will need to review the current plans for the kayak dock between the yacht club building and the boat launch ramp since it is a bit larger that the original plans. BCDC stated that this should only require an administrative letter of approval, not a full permit amendment.
Yacht Club Re-facing: BCDC clarified that this work will require BCDC review but should be able to be done with an expedited permit, a less complex and shorter procedure that a full permit, resulting in an administrative approval letter. 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. Resubmitted architectural plans are in plan check review with City agencies. There was some discussion about the remaining materials from the old boat repair facility that are still onsite as well as the possible uses to which the building might be put given that the prevailing opinion is that no boat repair operator will be able to afford the rent. Some thoughts were space for the occasional outside boat repair contractor, marina storage, paddle board and kayak storage service, etc.
Harbormaster’s Office: The area of the old boat repair facility has been regraded and paved. The Harbormaster’s temporary office will be shifted to this space until the final office building is constructed. That building will be sited 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, which is looking highly unlikely. MVA has not reapplied for a new permit from S.R. CDD at this point.
Exterior Lighting on the South and West Faces of Andy’s Market: The changes to the lighting to correct the light pollution into The Cove subdivision have been completed.
The Cove-Marina Property Line Fencing: CDD stated that MVA intends to construct this 6′ high fence with a short stretch of 3′ high fencing at the Pt. San Pedro Road end “very soon.” MVA was previously going to wait until the boat repair facility is complete before installing that fence.
The Bay Path Connection Between the Marina and The Cove Sub-development: According to CDD, MVA had indicated that they intended to complete this connection “very soon” now that the paving in that area is reaching completion.
The Path Between Andy’s Market and the Planned Harbormaster’s Office: While the path connecting the marina green and the path from the launch ramp to The Cove is complete, the lighting bollards that are part of the permit have not been installed. This is causing a safety concern, especially at night. CDD and DPW were asked to look into this issue.