On Monday August 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”). [NOTE: With the sale of the marina and related assets, there are now two owner/developers involved in this property; Marina Village Associates (MVA) for The Strand, and Safe Harbor Marinas (SHM) for the marina and related assets.] Also attending was a representative of the Bay Conservation and Development Commission (BCDC) and two representatives from SHM. This meeting was held as a Zoom video conference.
Since our last meeting, MVA completed sale of a portion of The Village at Loch Lomond Marina to Safe Harbor Marinas (SHM). Those assets included the breakwater, breakwater connector, east and west jetties, the marina, the marina green, the yacht club building, the boat launch ramp and all related parking for the marina and boat launch ramp. This also included the future location of the kayak dock, kayak launch ramp, Harbormaster’s Office, the boat repair facility and the fuel dock. MVA retains ownership of the undeveloped parcels in The Strand as well as the parcel currently housing the dry cleaners and medical offices. This latter parcel is eventually intended to be the location of a multi-use building with commercial on the first floor and residential on the second floor. For purposes of these reports, the two sections will be denoted as “the marina property” and “the residential property”. MVA has stated that it intends to sell the residential property but has not indicated that there is any active sale pending. This is a summary of the items discussed at this meeting.
Flooding Remediation on the Breakwater Connector and Playground: BCDC stated that MVA’s construction plans were conditionally approved and construction may begin shortly. The exception was for the kayak launch ramp, which will require a permit amendment due to measurable changes in the original plans. MVA retains responsibility for this work in accordance with the sales agreement with SHM. The Strand representative on the Marina Committee also asked SHM to consider the removal of the unused fish cleaning station on the connector.
Fuel Dock and Fuel Storage Facility: BCDC is still awaiting a water quality certification from the Bay Area Water Quality Review Board (WQRB) before approving MVA’s permit amendment request. However, SHM has cautioned that there are several projects that must be completed before such a facility can be considered for implementation. Roughly 60 dock pilings are in serious need of repair or replacement which needs to be completed prior to winter. Also, there are the remaining buildings to be constructed (Harbormaster’s Office and boat repair facility), the re-facing of the yacht club building and the installation of the kayak dock and kayak launch ramp. There is also a consideration by SHM of the financial viability of a fuel dock prior to some significant and needed dredging of the access channel and marina docks. All of this will be the topic of continuing discussions. While a fuel dock is a highly desired service at the marina, it is not mandated by the existing San Rafael permits and requirements. In the interim, SHM has offered fuel discounts and other benefits to its marina tenants at neighboring marinas under their ownership.
Harbormaster’s Office: This building will house the Harbormaster’s Office as well as the restroom and shower facilities for the liveaboard residents in the marina. CDD stated that it was re-issuing the expired building permit to SHM so that they can begin construction. This building is in the vacant space between (and adjacent to) the yacht club and the plaza next to Andy’s Market.
Kayak Launch Ramp: The BCDC permit amendment dealing with modifications to the breakwater connector did not include the changes to the launch ramp as a result of the elevation changes. BCDC will require a permit amendment to cover the launch ramp redesign. This remains the responsibility of, and awaits input to BCDC from, MVA.
Kayak Dock: Changes to the original design for the dock (to be positioned next to the boat launch ramp) were previously approved by S.R., kayak advocates and the yacht club but have still not been submitted to BCDC by MVA.
Street Signage: There is no street sign for Loch Lomond Drive at the corner of Loch Lomond Drive and Pt. San Pedro Road. This same roadway on the north side of the intersection is named Lochinvar. DPW has agreed to install a street sign in the medians to indicate the street names in both directions.