Letter in the Marin Independent Journal, Tuesday, June 20, 2006

Loch Lomond store needed

For good reason, residents of the Point San Pedro Road area are up in arms over the plans of the developer of the proposed "Village" at Loch Lomond Marina to demolish Loch Lomond Market (formerly Bruno's) and perhaps replace it with a "convenience" store.

Although the market has been in this location for 42 years, the developer contends that a mini-mart is the maximum size that the local neighborhoods need and can support. The developer simply wants a smaller store to make room for more housing units. It is obvious that the developer has no concern for the grocery shopping needs of the surrounding residents.

With the full-size market, the surrounding neighborhoods and all those who will eventually live in the new "Village" will have to drive on the already-congested roadway to the already-overcrowded Montecito Shopping Center area to park in the congested lots to do their shopping.

Our neighborhoods need the services of the existing market and will suffer with a "new" small store or no grocery store. The development must be required to retain the existing full-service market.

On Wednesday at 7 p.m. a "Market Workshop" will take place at the City Council chambers to address the proposals relating to the market at Loch Lomond Marina.

Bonnie Marmor, co-president,

Point San Pedro Road Coalition,

San Rafael