San Rafael, CA – You are invited to learn about the County of Marin’s efforts to convert a former U.S. Coast Guard property in Point Reyes Station into affordable housing during a public meeting that starts at 6:30 p.m. April 30 in Point Reyes Station.
The Coast Guard facility near downtown Point Reyes Station was declared as federal surplus in 2014.Attendees will have a chance to share opinions, goals and vision for the Coast Guard site, located at 1100-206 Commodore Webster Drive, a half mile east of downtown Point Reyes Station. The goal is to help inform a future developer that would convert the existing facilities to affordable homes in the next few years.
Participation in the meeting, hosted by the Coast Guard Community Working Group and the Marin County Community Development Agency (CDA), will be the best opportunity to contribute ideas and opinions before a nonprofit developer is selected later this year.
The community meeting will kick off with a brief presentation on the history of the Coast Guard site and a summary of the constraints and opportunities. Following the staff presentation, attendees will work in small groups to present their ideas. Participation in both Spanish and English is encouraged.
After the Coast Guard designated the facility as surplus in 2014, the West Marin community successfully advocated for the passage of legislation to require that the property be sold to the County for use as affordable housing. The property remains under federal ownership while the County negotiates a purchase based on a fair-market appraisal for the eventual transition to affordable homes.
The County plans to issue a request for proposals this summer to select a nonprofit housing developer to rehabilitate and manage the affordable homes. The purchase of the property from the Coast Guard is expected to be completed in late 2019 or early 2020. However, because of required environmental review and needed rehabilitation, it will be several years before families can move into the homes.
The critical need for workforce housing in West Marin particularly effects people who work locally in tourism, local services, and in ranching and farming.
“The housing opportunities at the Coast Guard property would come as a great benefit to West Marin communities which, with high land costs and a demanding regulatory environment, face unique and significant barriers in the development of affordable housing,” said County Housing Planning Manager Leelee Thomas.
A preview meeting for Spanish-speakers will be held at 6:30 p.m. April 18. Both the April 30 community meeting and the April 18 preview meeting will be held in West Marin School’s small gym at 11550 State Route 1 in Point Reyes Station. Light snacks and child care will be provided.
Anyone may subscribe to receive e-mailed updates from Marin CDA about the Coast Guard property. More information can be found at www.marincounty.org/coastguard.
All public meetings and events sponsored or conducted by the County of Marin are held at accessible sites. If you are a person with a disability and require information or materials in alternative formats – or if you require accommodation to participate in a county program, service or activity – please contact department staff at (415) 473-7331 or (415) 473-4381 (voice/TTY) or e-mail disabilityaccess@marincounty.org.