Project Status
It's been seven years since we first learned about what was planned for the corner of 7th & Brommer.
In item #35 of the Consent Agenda for the 6/27/23 Board of Supervisors meeting, we discovered that the County Redevelopment Successor Agency (RSA) intends to sell the property. Again.
From the Staff Memo:
Recommended Actions
The reasons for this action are explained in a memo to the BOS and in the wording of the Resolution.
Basically, the plan is to have a new property owner build the following: affordable housing ("low and moderate"), approximately one acre to be utilized for open space, and the remainder to be developed for visitor serving uses consistent with the regulations of the California Coastal Commission. Just as before. There is nothing in the supporting documents that says what the sale price might be.
The BOS will have no meetings in July, so this will likely not come back to them until August or September.
In item #35 of the Consent Agenda for the 6/27/23 Board of Supervisors meeting, we discovered that the County Redevelopment Successor Agency (RSA) intends to sell the property. Again.
From the Staff Memo:
Recommended Actions
- Adopt a resolution of intent to sell surplus real property located at 855 7th Avenue (Assessor's Parcel Number [APN] 026-261-13), 901 7th Ave (APN 026- 261-16) and 905 7th Ave (APN 026-261-17);
- Authorize issuance of a Notice of Availability to all required open space and low- and moderate-income housing entities;
- Authorize negotiation of terms to sell surplus real property to any qualifying responsive entities; and
- Direct staff to return to the Board for approval of purchase contract terms or to request approval to issue an RFP to dispose of the surplus property in the event mutually satisfactory terms of sale are not reached.
The reasons for this action are explained in a memo to the BOS and in the wording of the Resolution.
Basically, the plan is to have a new property owner build the following: affordable housing ("low and moderate"), approximately one acre to be utilized for open space, and the remainder to be developed for visitor serving uses consistent with the regulations of the California Coastal Commission. Just as before. There is nothing in the supporting documents that says what the sale price might be.
The BOS will have no meetings in July, so this will likely not come back to them until August or September.
February 8, 2021
In September 2020 we informed all of you (100+ on this e-distribution list) that the County had terminated the Exclusive Negotiating Agreement (ENA) with Swenson Builder. Today's update will expand on what that termination meant and share current status of what the Port District may be considering.
First, the reasons behind the ENA termination. What we did not say in last fall's update was that a three story hotel is essentially dead, which was very interesting news indeed, as summarized here:
Essentially, Swenson Builder is now out of the picture. Going forward, the County will need to amend the Coastal Priority Land Use Policies that you see below:
First, the reasons behind the ENA termination. What we did not say in last fall's update was that a three story hotel is essentially dead, which was very interesting news indeed, as summarized here:
- Pursuant to the new surplus lands requirements (passed by the CA legislature late in 2019) if the County Redevelopment Successor Agency has not transferred the Site to Swenson Builder by December 31, 2022, the Site must be made available to various public and private entities for affordable housing, recreation, and open space uses.
- The economic impacts of the pandemic, particularly on the hotel industry, has greatly impacted the financial feasibility of visitor accommodations at the Site, especially for the "Type A" hotel product that is envisioned by the General Plan/LCP.
- At this time and for the foreseeable future, a Type A hotel is not feasible for the Site, and local Coastal Commission staff have indicated an understanding that the Site appears not to be suitable for development as envisioned by existing GP/LCP policies.
- Therefore, in order to dispose of the Site for a feasible development, it will be necessary to amend existing Coastal Priority Land Use Policies.
- The Planning Department proposes to return to the Board in Winter 2021 with a strategy for creation of GP/LCP amendments that would be integrated with a process for disposition of the 7th/Brommer Site, consistent with the Coastal Act and applicable Surplus Lands Act regulations of the State, and including neighborhood/stakeholder input.
Essentially, Swenson Builder is now out of the picture. Going forward, the County will need to amend the Coastal Priority Land Use Policies that you see below:
The change will no doubt drop the requirement that 50% of the project has to be devoted to Type A visitor accommodations. Since we are still officially in Winter 2021, we imagine that this process, which will include public hearings, will begin sometime later this month. We'll keep you posted.
Currently, the Port District has met in closed session to discuss 7th & Brommer and has appointed an ad hoc committee to evaluate options. They have met onsite with County officials. That's all we know for now.
Currently, the Port District has met in closed session to discuss 7th & Brommer and has appointed an ad hoc committee to evaluate options. They have met onsite with County officials. That's all we know for now.
June 24, 2020
On June 4, 2020 Harbor Neighbors emailed Swenson Builder, asking them about the status of the project. This was their reply:
"We received comments back from the County pertaining to the Pe-Application in early March and we are working towards implementing those comments into the plan. Additionally, hospitality has been greatly impacted by COVID-19. As we moved forward with the project, we were in search of a partner/operator for the lodge, and found little traction. Since COVID-19, the lodge component has proven even more challenging, and we are working on other economic alternatives that still satisfy the RFP, Zoning, and Coastal Commission goals. When we find an alternative solution, we will most likely need to submit another Pre-Application with the County for their review."
Harbor Neighbors also explained that we were especially concerned that a virtual community meeting not be attempted by Swenson. Having attended several of these development community meetings we find them a very poor alternative to having people attend in person. Engaging with the community via Zoom is not "engaging." It becomes a slide show with screens filled with speakers. True, questions can be asked ... and answered ... via a Q & A platform. But these virtual meetings are like eating a paper pizza instead of the real thing. Residents are growing weary of staring at computer screens in an attempt to engage with government, business and one another. The value of the human social experience can not be replicated on a phosphorescent screen. To these comments, Swenson replied in helpful detail:
"Regarding Community Meetings, we did conduct a Zoom Webinar for one of our projects downtown and received great feedback from the attendees, with the Q&A feature and follow up emails. I certainly understand your concerns and desire for in-person meetings. We will use whatever medium is available to us at the time, and I am not sure if we are allowed to promote community gatherings, even if it was in a large parking lot in order to implement safe social-distancing practices. Realistically, due to COVID-19 impacts in general and pertaining to the viability of this project, I don't see us holding a community meeting for at least 6 months at the earliest. So hopefully, we will have a solution by then, and shelter-in-place restrictions will be relaxed to where we can hold in person meetings again."
"We received comments back from the County pertaining to the Pe-Application in early March and we are working towards implementing those comments into the plan. Additionally, hospitality has been greatly impacted by COVID-19. As we moved forward with the project, we were in search of a partner/operator for the lodge, and found little traction. Since COVID-19, the lodge component has proven even more challenging, and we are working on other economic alternatives that still satisfy the RFP, Zoning, and Coastal Commission goals. When we find an alternative solution, we will most likely need to submit another Pre-Application with the County for their review."
Harbor Neighbors also explained that we were especially concerned that a virtual community meeting not be attempted by Swenson. Having attended several of these development community meetings we find them a very poor alternative to having people attend in person. Engaging with the community via Zoom is not "engaging." It becomes a slide show with screens filled with speakers. True, questions can be asked ... and answered ... via a Q & A platform. But these virtual meetings are like eating a paper pizza instead of the real thing. Residents are growing weary of staring at computer screens in an attempt to engage with government, business and one another. The value of the human social experience can not be replicated on a phosphorescent screen. To these comments, Swenson replied in helpful detail:
"Regarding Community Meetings, we did conduct a Zoom Webinar for one of our projects downtown and received great feedback from the attendees, with the Q&A feature and follow up emails. I certainly understand your concerns and desire for in-person meetings. We will use whatever medium is available to us at the time, and I am not sure if we are allowed to promote community gatherings, even if it was in a large parking lot in order to implement safe social-distancing practices. Realistically, due to COVID-19 impacts in general and pertaining to the viability of this project, I don't see us holding a community meeting for at least 6 months at the earliest. So hopefully, we will have a solution by then, and shelter-in-place restrictions will be relaxed to where we can hold in person meetings again."
Project Review Process
Highlighted item is the current status
Highlighted item is the current status
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