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SUGGESTED MESSAGE:

Subject: Bay Trail Revisions for Proposed Point Molate Mixed-Use Project

Dear Chair Livingston and DRB Members,

When you meet on July 8, please ask Suncal to revise their proposed Design Guidelines as follows:

1. Extend the Point Molate Trail to the Bay Trail spine at Stenmark Drive near the Richmond/San Rafael Bridge to provide pedestrian and bicyclist access to Point Molate from the East Bay via Point Richmond and the North Bay via the RSR Bridge Trail.

2. Design the Point Molate headlands as a shoreline park in accord with the City’s General Plan and Point Molate Reuse Plan .. not the proposed 270 residential units termed “The Point”.

The Point Molate Trail should be extended to the Bay Trail spine at Stenmark Drive near the Richmond/San Rafael Bridge to provide pedestrian and bicyclist access to Point Molate from the East Bay via Point Richmond and the North Bay via the RSR Bridge Trail. Making this Bay Trail connection would increase visitation to Point Molate while also reducing motor vehicle traffic and alleviating the “significant and unavoidable” traffic impacts cited in the Draft SEIR for the project. East Bay Regional Park District has a 1.1-mile trail easement over Chevron’s shoreline land between Point Molate Beach Park and the bridge. Moreover, they have completed a 65% construction design, adopted a Mitigated Negative Declaration under CEQA, applied for major permits and obtained some funding for building the trail. Suncal should provide the balance of funds needed for construction within 30 days following City approval of the Planned Area Plan. This would enable early completion of the Bay Trail to Point Molate Beach Park and showcase Point Molate by linking with the Bay Trail continuing to the Winehaven Historic District and beyond.

The Point Molate headlands should be designed as a shoreline park, rather than the proposed 270 residential units termed “The Point”. The City’s General Plan 2030 designates the entire headland for Parks and Recreation stating:

• “In the former Point Molate Navy Fuel Depot area, improvements to public areas should be guided by the 1997 Point Molate Reuse Plan.”
• “Open Space and Parks and Recreation to reflect the conceptual land uses in the adopted 1997 Point Molate Reuse Plan.”

The Reuse Plan recommends a Shoreline Park on the headland designed to include the Bay Trail, a public promenade linkage with the Winehaven Historic District and public parking, all providing access to a public plaza, playing fields, play structure, interpretive facility and waterfront commercial area. This shoreline park is central to public enjoyment of the Bay Trail. These Point Molate headlands also are designated for Shoreline Park in BCDC’s Bay Plan and the San Pablo Peninsula Open Space Feasibility Study prepared by the City of Richmond, California Coastal Conservancy, Chevron, EBRPD, Muir Heritage Land Trust and TRAC.

Please recommend these design changes to ensure that the shoreline of Point Molate will be an attractive asset for Point Molate residents & visitors and fully accessible for active transportation and recreation.

Sincerely,

Name & Address