On Monday September 17, 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 meeting held on September 10 between S.R. city agencies and the owners of The Village at Loch Lomond Marina development to discuss the status, and lack of progress, of this project. Attending for the City were Paul Jensen (CDD Director), Bill Guerin (DPW Director) and others from these city agencies. Attending were Michael Rosenfeld (CEO of Woodridge Capital Partners, the parent company of MVA LLC) and Daryl Cruzer (MVA representative) and others. Mr. Rosenfeld said that residential construction was driven by home sales and the lack of sales of the waterfront homes is an impediment. They are considering various actions to improve those sales by improving privacy, such as hedges to block out the view of parked cars and headlights. Meanwhile, continued construction of the residences is stalled.
The City set out priorities for the completion of the infrastructure elements covered by bonds. The lack of completion of these items prevents the City from accepting them and taking over responsibility. The special tax district is already set up and collecting taxes from Strand residents and Village at Loch Lomond Marina commercial businesses (and MVA) but these funds cannot be used to maintain this infrastructure until the City formally accepts them as completed. Mr. Rosenfeld agreed to respond in writing by September 21 to the two previous letters issued by the City to MVA. Mr. Rosenfeld expressed an openness to meet with the Coalition and other community groups to discuss issues if requested.
The status of the yacht club building redesign, Harbormaster’s Office, the flooding on the connector and playground and the kayak dock were also discussed (see items below).
Yacht Club Building: The permit for the re-skinning of the yacht club building expired on August 15, 2018. Meanwhile, a Design Review Board hearing on the current application by MVA for design changes for the yacht club building is on hold pending decisions by MVA. Paul Jensen stated that CDD would oppose the existing change request at the hearing but would be open to alternative changes, especially if they included a modified stance by MVA on the proposed kayak dock design (see below).
Restaurant/Harbormaster/s Office: The permit for this building has previously expired. MVA still has not applied to renew this permit and Mr. Rosenfeld made no commitments regarding progress on this building except to state MVA’s intent to reapply for the building permit.
Flooding on Breakwater Connector & East Jetty (playground): Mr. Rosenfeld stated that MVA had submitted the requested paperwork on a seismic study to BCDC a couple of weeks ago and has not heard back. The City had already stated that they favored the proposed solution to the flooding problems, so the decision rests with BCDC at this point.
Kayak Dock: Mr. Rosenfeld stated that MVA is not interested in installing the joint City/yacht club/kayak group’s proposed kayak dock changes, and they intend to install the kayak dock as originally approved in the permits. He stated the reason was that the proposed design changes were too expensive. Paul Jensen suggested at that meeting that MVA might propose a different yacht club re-skinning design that was closer to the original while still resolving some of the concerns that MVA had with the original design. If, at the same time, MVA responded more favorably to the joint City/yacht club/kayak group’s proposed kayak dock design, CDD would be more amenable to supporting the revised yacht club design changes at the Design Review Board.
Sidewalk Blockage: PG&E has signed a contract with MVA to shift the utility box blocking the primary view corridor and walkway between Pt. San Pedro Road and the Marina Green to one side, and MVA has provided the funds to PG&E. The next step is to schedule the work.
Boat Repair Facility & Mixed Use Building: These projects are in the second plan check review process by relevant City entities as a result of the re-submission of changes by MVA to the City’s first plan check review responses. It was also determined that there will not be external lighting on the facade the mixed use building.
Surcharging: Surcharging is nearing completion on the old Andy’s Market and parking lot area with the exception of the area directly over the location of the old dry cleaners. This is still awaiting test results from the Water Quality Review Board to determine if further mitigation efforts are required. This surcharge will remain in place until the underlying sediment has sufficiently compacted to support the residences to be constructed there. That process can take several months at which point the excess dirt will be removed and the area graded for construction. With the removal of the dirt pile at the west end of the property, that area is now being graded as a parking lot for cars and day boat trailers in accordance with the permits.