Committee approves amendment and forwards ordinance to limit Marina Yacht Harbor expansion

The committee voted Jan. 29 to recommend an ordinance that would bar Recreation & Park and the Planning Department from performing environmental review or otherwise implementing a Marina Yacht Harbor design that extends the West Harbor by more than 150 feet from its current boundary. The motion included a narrowly worded technical amendment clarifying the 150‑foot limit "not beyond the western edge of the Wave Organ."

Background and staff presentation: Rec & Park staff described a remediation and reconstruction program tied to a settlement with PG&E that capped project funding at $190,000,000. The initially proposed project would demolish East Harbor docks, dredge and cap contaminated sediments, reconstruct ~172 slips in the East Harbor, expand the West Harbor by ~235 slips, construct a breakwater and move the fuel dock; Rec & Park staff said the cap constrained the combined goals of remediation, new public access, and fiscal sustainability. The department explained that a 150‑foot limit on West Harbor expansion would reduce total slips (projected to fall from 736 to about 542 under a constrained design), likely prevent an on‑site fuel dock, and eliminate the proposed breakwater — with attendant operational and dredging consequences.

Financial analysis: The Budget and Legislative Analyst (BLA) modeled four scenarios. The BLA reported one scenario — the full settlement project as proposed — projected a surplus that could fund deferred maintenance and debt service after construction, albeit with an East Harbor fee equalization projected around a 40% increase for current East Harbor slipholders. Modified projects consistent with a 150‑foot limit produced smaller or negative net revenues in the BLA model and required harbor fee increases in the 15–32% range or other new revenues (paid parking, increased slip fees) to close shortfalls.

Public comment and community concerns: More than 150 speakers and many organizations addressed the committee. The dominant theme was opposition to expanding slips in front of Marina Green: speakers — including swimmers, rowing and sailing clubs, disability advocates, neighborhood groups and environmental organizations — said Marina Green provides unique public access, flat accessible waterfront for seniors and people with disabilities, swimming and rowing corridors, and unobstructed views that would be damaged by a larger yacht harbor. Several speakers urged the committee to preserve public access and to require Rec & Park to pursue alternative funding, philanthropy, or scaled remediation that preserves views and active water access.

Committee action: Supervisor Aaron Peskin offered a technical amendment (clarifying the 150‑foot limit relative to the Wave Organ) and moved to recommend the ordinance as amended to the full Board. The committee voted in favor (Preston—Aye; Peskin—Aye; Melgar—Aye).

What happens next: The amended ordinance will be transmitted to the full Board of Supervisors with a committee recommendation. The committee also set additional continuances on other items so the City Attorney can prepare technical language and supervisors can consider alternative funding and design options.