MO 1996-046 to 1996-050 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

Mulford Gardens Appeal/Marina Conf. Ctr. 2 October 28, 1996 The Blue Dolphin restaurant was in operation for approximately 30 years at the San Leandro Marina and for many years enjoyed a loyal clientele. Following the closure of the Blue Dolphin restaurant at the end of 1995, the City of San Leandro solicited proposals for reuse of the Blue Dolphin site. Several organizations responded with proposals for reuse and the City entered into an exclusive right to negotiate (ERN) with the Network Conference Company (formerly known as the Renaissance Conference Company). The Board of Zoning Adjustments held a public hearing for the conditional use permit application on September 5, 1996. Following the public hearing, the Board approved the conditional use permit. DISCUSSION The proposal is for a conference center facility with overnight accommodations, including 55,332 square feet for conference space, a 3,500 square foot restaurant, and 200 overnight rooms. The proposal would be located at 30 San Leandro Marina at the site of the recently closed Blue Dolphin restaurant and existing parking areas immediately to the west and south. Further details of the proposal and staff analysis can be found in the attached staff report. The long standing goal of the Marina Master Plan is to bring revenue generating businesses to the marina which complement the marina's assets and utilize the many unique features of the valuable City resource. The Network Conference Company has two successful and high -quality conference facilities in the Bay Area. The Marina Conference Center would be a quality operation which would provide a regional draw and bring recognition to the City of San Leandro. This application required the preparation of an Initial Study under the California Environmental Quality Act. The conclusion of the Initial Study was that, with identified mitigation measures, the project will not have a significant effect on the environment and a Negative Declaration was prepared. The Initial Study and Negative Declaration required a thirty day notice period which began on August 19, 1996 and concluded on September 17, 1996. A Response to Comments Report was prepared to respond to comments made at the public hearing on September 5, 1996 and written comments received during the comment period. The Initial Study, Negative Declaration, and Response to Comments Report are attached. Other comments made at the public hearing are contained in the attached minutes of the meeting. Fiscal Impact Approval of the use permit by denying the appeal would have no direct fiscal impact. A lease agreement, which would explain the financial considerations of the proposed Marina Conference Center, will be a separate City Council action. Any lease agreement will include a staff report detailing the financial considerations of the conference center.