A plan to convert federally-owned buildings in Point Reyes Station into affordable housing received a notable boost last week: Supervisor Steve Kinsey received word that the Coast Guard would, one way or another, likely give the county first dibs at purchasing the property that once housed Coast Guard employees.
In a meeting with representatives from the Coast Guard and the United States General Services Administration—which is in charge of constructing and managing government buildings—Supervisor Kinsey was reassured that the county would more than likely be able to acquire the property, even if a bill requiring the government to sell to the county does not pass by the end of the year.
“They appreciate the level of community support for the affordable housing, and if we stay committed to that purpose they want to negotiate with us exclusive of the legislation,” said Supervisor Kinsey. “That’s great news.”
He stressed, however, that a property transfer would not take place for another couple of years, regardless of whether the bill passes or the county is allowed to secure the property.
Shuttered last year, the Coast Guard housing complex located off 1st Street has been eyed by the Community Land Trust of West Marin, or CLAM, as a site prime for affordable housing in an area where such housing has grown increasingly scarce. The property is comprised of around 36 townhomes on 30 acres as well as picnic areas, a tennis court, a pool and a path leading to West Marin School.
In 2014, Congressman Jared Huffman introduced legislation, later attached as a rider to the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2015, that stipulates the Point Reyes Station properties would be sold to Marin County at a fair-market price, rather than be put up for public auction. That act passed the House in May and should make its way to the president’s desk later this year or early next, as long as it is also approved by the Senate, an aide for Congressman Huffman told the Light.
Supervisor Kinsey noted that the Coast Guard’s recent reassurances were prompted by broad support from local community members. The Coast Guard’s lead officer for sales of surplus properties—who spoke with Supervisor Kinsey via teleconference and whom the supervisor declined to name—went so far as to say that he had never witnessed such a high level of public support for a single project, despite overseeing hundreds of property transfers throughout his career.
CLAM’s executive director, Kim Thompson, concurred with Supervisor Kinsey’s opinion, and praised local individuals and businesses for sending hundreds of letters in support of the affordable-housing plan to Congressman Huffman’s office and the Coast Guard.
“What’s really important for the community to know here is that it was its voice about the future of the site that really turned the heads of the Coast Guard and G.S.A.,” said Ms. Thompson, of Inverness. “It really is a strong testament to the community’s voice.”
Long term, the county has signaled its intentions to purchase the property and grant management responsibilities to CLAM, which in May revised its bylaws to extend term lengths for members of its board of trustees in order to better tackle the challenge of managing the property. Ms. Thompson added that CLAM is working on drafting a feasibility study to address a variety of key technical issues related to the property’s conversion into affordable housing, including zoning regulations and alternative solutions for a septic system.
In a push for advanced planning, Supervisor Kinsey also hopes to convince fellow supervisors of the need to start developing a specific site plan that would examine sewage technologies and cost estimates soon, before a sale actually closes. It’s a risky proposition given that no sale is guaranteed, but moving forward with site plans would allow the county to avoid the usual delays surrounding septic-system and zoning approval, he said.
“We have our sights on that [property] as a future affordable housing site, and it’s going to serve the village very well,” said Supervisor Kinsey, who has also advocated for the construction of 224 affordable-housing units on Lucas Valley Road’s Grady Ranch, owned by filmmaker George Lucas. “One way or another, I feel confident we’ll get there.”
He also indicated that the Coast Guard is considering the county’s request to allow inspectors onto the property to evaluate potential environmental impacts, such as lead paint that may have been used during the original construction phase in the early 1970s. Any toxic substances found on the property, he said, would have to be cleaned by the Coast Guard in the event of a sale.
The property does not contain a sewer or septic system, and previous Coast Guard personnel living on the site were forced to truck out wastewater. The property is also zoned as a coastal open area, which will require the California Coastal Commission to sign off on any new construction or improvements.