Update: January 26, 2021
We’re excited to share that our work at the former Coast Guard neighborhood is well underway. CLAM has been on the property regularly to meet with a range of environmental, architectural, and technical experts and to gather information about about the site and its structures. This phase is what is known as “pre-development” because it involves planning for future construction, designing a new septic system, and other activities needed to make the neighborhood ready to inhabit.
A few things our CLAM/Eden team has been up to:
- Conducting architectural and engineering analyses of the townhomes to identify potential structural and energy-efficiency upgrades.
- Assessing the non-residential structures on the property for community use.
- Carrying out environmental studies of the site to establish riparian buffers and identify sensitive habitats.
- Doing initial wastewater system planning to ensure that the future system will be highly efficient and protect the water quality of Lagunitas Creek.
- Working with the County of Marin to ensure collaboration across departments.
While the property is uninhabited, it is not devoid of life. The Fire Department continues to use a portion of the site for equipment staging and training. An occasional Park Ranger can be seen using an office. And of course, our deer friends leave their gifts (droppings) everywhere! Last week’s heavy winds gave the trees a good shake, swirling leaves about the driveways, but the homes stand secure and are ready to be remodeled.
When the site investigations near conclusion, we’ll be looking to start conversations in the community about how we can shape this new neighborhood together. What will this community land trust neighborhood look and feel like? We’re eager to start digging into those juicy and creative details with you!
Thank you so much for your continued support of this project and its vision.
Please stay tuned for more updates!
Bringing the Coast Guard Property to Life
On April 14, 2020, the County of Marin Supervisors met in virtual space and selected our development team to bring the former Coast Guard Housing Site in Point Reyes back to life as a new neighborhood of affordable homes. Their choice of the CLAM/Eden partnership was the culmination of a six-year process for CLAM, the West Marin community, and the County; it truly marks a thrilling moment. We’re eager to begin the next phase of work, which will likely take at least another 18–24 months before the first residents can move in.
Our winning proposal includes a two-phased approach:
Phase 1 prioritizes moving families into the 36 existing townhomes as quickly as possible, reconfiguring the old dormitory building to provide new one-bedroom apartments, and constructing a new septic system.
Phase 2 will develop other potential uses on the site. We will gather more input from the community for a final plan; some possibilities mentioned so far are affordable ownership housing, more robust sports facilities for the community, a larger community center and meeting spaces, places for outdoor recreation, gardening, and gatherings, creek restoration, and re-use of the existing commercial kitchen. We look forward to holding community conversations about both Phase 1 and Phase 2 as Covid-19 restrictions begin to loosen.
The story of this project is all about community. Your letters, emails, phone calls, conversations and good will brought us to this happy day. West Marin has demonstrated the power of collective community determination. As Supervisor Kate Sears commented at the hearing, “How fantastic it is to have a community that is so supportive and enthusiastic about affordable housing!”
Congratulations and thank you from the Board and staff of CLAM!
A Brief History of CLAM’s Involvement
Since 2015, CLAM members and community supporters have consistently advocated with the federal government and the County Board of Supervisors for the Coast Guard property’s next life being guided and delivered by local efforts. Here are just a few of the collective actions taken by the community to bring this project home.
2015 Community efforts with local and federal government officials, including hundreds of supporting letters from residents and businesses, led to federal legislation H.R. 4188, which passed in 2016, mandating that the housing be designated s future affordable housing and Marin County be given the opportunity to purchase the property.
2019 Mainstreet Moms of West Marin delivered 476 petition signatures to Marin County, encouraging the completion of the County’s purchase before the opportunity window expired in early 2020. Following the conclusion of the sale, the County issued its request for proposals.
January-April 2020 CLAM delivered nearly 600 petition signatures of support and the community’s overwhelming confidence was further demonstrated in hundreds of messages to the Board of Supervisors. Each Supervisor commented on the community’s overwhelming support for the CLAM/Eden proposal as the deciding factor as they cast their unanimous vote.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does CLAM own the Coast Guard neighborhood?
No. The property is now owned by the County of Marin.
What happens next?
The CLAM/Eden team will define the redevelopment plan and negotiate terms, project design and details with the County of Marin as soon as all parties are able. These discussions have been inevitably delayed because of the coronavirus epidemic. CLAM will continue to seek community input and ideas about the rehabilitation of the property.
When will the homes in the Coast Guard neighborhood be available?
Most likely, some time in late 2021/early 2022 for the phase 1 rehab.
Can I get on a wait list for the Coast Guard homes?
Not yet. Eden Housing will open a waiting list several months before lease-up. CLAM and Eden will notify the community as soon as possible.
Will the homes be rentals or homeownership?
Phase 1 will certainly include rental housing. The negotiating process with the County will help determine the types of housing the project will offer. As a Community Land Trust, CLAM’s long term vision does include our eventual ownership of the land, providing price stability and resilience to market forces and ensuring that the community is in control and in stewardship of the property in perpetuity.
Who will get to live there?
Anyone who qualifies for reasonably priced housing will be able to apply for one of the homes. People who need affordable homes are everyday people. We work as teachers, retail clerks, restaurant staff, medical technicians, farmers, and bank tellers. Affordable homes can reduce financial pressures, so that residents have time and stability to give back to the community. Our hope is that the Coast Guard neighborhood serves as an anchor for West Marin communities for generations to come.
Community support includes the following organizations:
Black Mountain Artisans
Bovine Bakery
Coastal Health Alliance
Coastal Marin Fund
Cottages at Point Reyes Seashore
Cowgirl Creamery
Community Land Trust Association of West Marin (CLAM)
East Shore Planning Group
Environmental Action Committee of West Marin
Gallery Route One – Artists in the Schools Program
Gallery Route One – Latino Photography Project
Inverness Association Board of Directors
Inverness Park Association
Jack Mason Museum
Tim Kehoe, owner/operator of Kehoe Dairy Inc.
KWMR Radio Station Board of Directors
Main Street Hair Salon
Mainstreet Moms
Marin Agricultural Land Trust (MALT)
The Mesa Refuge
Osteria Stellina
Perry’s Inverness Park Grocery
Petition of Support by local individuals
Point Reyes Animal Hospital
Point Reyes Books
Point Reyes Farmers Market
Point Reyes National Seashore Association
Point Reyes Station Village Association
R&J McClelland Dairy
Saint Columba Episcopal Church
Shoreline Unified School District
Toby’s Feed Barn
Tomales Bay Resort & Marina
Tomales Bay Watershed Council Foundation
West Marin Citizen
West Marin Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors
West Marin Commons
West Marin Community Services
West Marin Fitness
West Marin Fund
West Marin-Inverness School
West Marin Senior Services
Thank you!