Marin IJ
March 16, 2006
Loch Lomond must be protected
By David Tattersall and Bonnie Marmor
THE MARCH 2 IJ article on the release of the draft Environmental Impact Report for the proposed Loch Lomond Marina development suggested the report raises few if any significant environmental problems relating to the proposed project.
The comments of San Rafael Community Development Director Bob Brown further gives readers the impression that the report should have little difficulty in obtaining a recommendation for approval by the city Planning Commission.
The proposed development has generated considerable debate. Many neighbors, environmental organizations, local homeowner associations and government agencies have voiced and written concerns.
It is disconcerting for a senior city official to make such premature statements before the general public has had sufficient time to review this lengthy (three volumes) document and provide comment.
The Loch Lomond Marina Committee of the Point San Pedro Road Coalition is currently reviewing the draft EIR to ensure that all potential impacts of the proposed development have been identified, the mitigation of those impacts appropriately addressed and that the EIR consultants' conclusions are truly objective.
Among the topics addressed in the report are land use, aesthetics, noise, traffic, biology, hydrology, hazards and services. With the exception of biology (wetlands), the report seems to conclude that the project will have no significant impact from:
- Importing 84,000 tons of surcharge and fill.
- Traffic generation from adding 84 residential units.
- The elimination of 237 of the 275 existing dry boat storage spaces.
- The reduction of day-use trailer parking to just 25 spaces.
- Removing a full service grocery, leaving room for only a 7-Eleven-size store.
- Building homes in existing wetlands, filled wetlands, transition zones for wildlife and the 50-foot setback from the bay shoreline.
For city staff to state that the draft EIR conclusions present few issues or problems suggests how far removed city staff are from the actual impacts on the local community, those people who will enjoy and/or suffer the unmitigated effects of this project.
Clearly, the citizens of San Rafael are not being fairly represented by city staff in this matter. The priority that city staff places on their policies and goals flies in the face of the views of a large portion of the community.
This was demonstrated by the lack of consideration of the considerable input of private citizens into the General Plan 2020 process.
Don't let this happen in the Loch Lomond planning process. This important asset needs to be protected and any development project approved must take into account the needs and wishes of the local citizenry, even at the expense of the developer's profit.
Three important public meetings are coming up for the public concerning the proposed Loch Lomond Marina development:
- Tonight at 7 at the city Parks and Recreation Commission at the San Rafael Community Center, 618 B St.
- Tuesday at 7 p.m. and the city Design Review Board, City Hall, 1400 Fifth Ave.
- April 11 at 7 p.m. at the Planning Commission at City Hall.
The draft report can be reviewed on line under EIR reports and studies at: www.cityofsanrafael.org/Gov
ernment/Community_Development/Planning/Village_at_Loch_Lomond_Marina_Project.htm
We urge all concerned citizens to review this document and become involved in the planning process of this valuable recreational and environmental asset before it is too late.
David Tattersall is co-chairman of the Loch Lomond Marina Committee. Bonnie Marmor is co-president of the Point San Pedro Road Coalition. The coalition's Web site is www.sprcoalition.org