San Rafael, CA – The renovation of a former U.S. Coast Guard facility in Point Reyes Station will be shared by two nonprofit housing agencies, the Community Land Trust Association of West Marin (CLAM) and Eden Housing, that will provide much-needed affordable housing options for the West Marin workforce.
In its first meeting ever conducted by video conference, the Marin County Board of Supervisors unanimously chose the two nonprofits to serve as partners in converting the long-vacant buildings into affordable units over the next several years. The Board chose the CLAM/Eden collaboration over another proposal from EAH Housing.
The Community Land Trust Association of West Marin and Eden Housing will be entrusted to develop the former U.S. Coast Guard property in Point Reyes Station and convert the units into much-needed affordable housing. Supervisor Dennis Rodoni, who represents West Marin and is a former building contractor, said the CLAM/Eden site design and its mission to fulfill the community’s vision were foremost as he evaluated the proposals. He said the CLAM/Eden collaboration would be best able to meet or exceed the goals and objectives set by the County and residents who participated in many community meetings over the years.
Board President Katie Rice added, “All things being equal, some strengths on one side and some on the other, it’s really the community support that’s so compelling and the community involvement coming in behind CLAM and Eden, and that really tips it for me.”
The 32-acre site at 100 Commodore Webster Drive formerly was home to Coast Guard personnel and their families. No one has lived on the site since the Coast Guard designated it as surplus in 2014. There are 36 townhomes, a 24-room barracks, a dining hall, a kitchen, and several ancillary buildings at the property, which is a half mile east of downtown Point Reyes Station. With major assistance from Congressman Jared Huffman and his staff, the property was acquired by the County of Marin from the federal government in December 2019 for $4.3 million. The purchase agreement includes language that restricts the property’s use to public benefit.
CLAM/Eden’s development proposal will serve as a starting point for creating a project that will be designed, negotiated, and evaluated to meet community and County goals. CLAM/Eden representatives will collaborate with CDA staff on a project design and site layout for the rehabilitation of the existing facilities. An on-site wastewater treatment facility is a top priority as well. The project will be subject to review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
Next, staff from the Marin County Community Development Agency (CDA) will negotiate a development agreement and bring it back to the Board for approval. To move forward with the project, the Board would have to approve a development agreement and professional services agreement with the chosen developer. The timeline is partly dependent on available staff resources during the County’s COVID-19 emergency response efforts.
More information about the Coast Guard property project can be found at www.marincounty.org/coastguard, including answers to frequently asked questions, more about the Community Advisory Working Group, and an archive of community meetings about the property. Anyone may subscribe to receive e-mailed updates from Marin CDA about the Coast Guard property, and questions may be emailed to CDA staff.
Marin’s shelter-in-place public health order led the County taking its Board meetings entirely online. The County urged interested residents to watch the webcast, watch on television, or to participate remotely. The process will be used until social distancing guidelines are eased and the Board can return to its own chamber at the Civic Center and open it to visitors.