Coronado Yacht Club Project Moves Forward

Tuesday, 13 September 2011
Contact: Marguerite Elicone (619) 686-6222

The Coronado Yacht Club's redevelopment project received the green light from the Board of Port Commissioners at the Tuesday, Sept. 13 Board meeting.

The project, located at 1631 Strand Way in Coronado, entails building a new club house for the Coronado Yacht Club, adding 108 new boat slips and additional parking.

It requires the demolition of the club's existing structures, creating a larger sailing facility, maintenance shop and multi-purpose building. Boat slips would increase from 264 to 372. The larger sailing facility would enable the yacht club to operate its expanded youth sailing instruction programs, which are open to both its members and the public.

More than 300 students are enrolled in the project's junior sailing program, and 45 percent of them are not members of the yacht club.

"I think this project is a great benefit to the people of Coronado and the people of California," said Scott Peters, Chairman of the Board of Port Commissioners. "The Coronado Yacht Club has been consistent with the Glorietta Bay Master Plan and that shows integrity."

The Coronado Yacht Club project was first presented to the Board of Port Commissioners at its July 12, 2011 meeting. At that time, concerns with public shoreline access prompted the commissioners to request further work be conducted. Port of San Diego staff worked with the Coronado Yacht Club, the California Coastal Commission staff and the City of Coronado staff to try to resolve any issues regarding additional public access within the club's leasehold.

"This is an organization that has done everything right. They've reached out to everyone, even beyond Glorietta Bay," said Commissioner Lou Smith, who represents Coronado on the Board of Port Commissioners. "I'm optimistic about this project. It's been a long road and I want to see  it move forward."

After analyzing potential public access options, it was determined that the yacht club provided a satisfactory amount of public access on and near its leasehold.

"The Coronado Yacht Club is an important part of the community fabric in Coronado," said Blair King, City Manager for Coronado. "I am not a member, but I am proud of its youth sailing program which provides recreational opportunities to anyone."

The Board of Port Commissioners unanimously approved certification of the project's environmental impact report and conditionally approved the Port Master Plan Amendment that would allow the project. The amendment would revise language in the Port Master Plan to describe the reconstruction of the Coronado Yacht Club's buildings. It also outlines the additional parking, and the expanded boat slip area. Additionally, the amendment would describe public improvements related to the project that have been constructed as part of the Glorietta Bay Master Plan, a document that helps guide the development of Coronado's Glorietta Bay area.

In December 2011, the project will go before the State Lands Commission for approval of the lease for the expanded water area. The project is expected to be presented to the California Coastal Commission in February 2012 for certification of the Port Master Plan Amendment.