Young said they held several sessions to explore the possibilities open to the property. He said that it was clear the county would not allow any changes to the number of units of low-income housing. But he said Reilly suggested the trailers could be moved to a different location. Young quotes Reilly suggesting Porto Bodega low-income housing be moved to the corner of Highway One and Bay Hill Road (north).
Over the following year, Robert Higa, the former owner, lowered the asking price. Higa also continued trying to sell the property. Numerous prospective buyers investigated and passed. Battaglia and Higa concluded their deal when, as Young put it, the price was right.
Young expressed sympathy for Porto Bodega residents concerning their new landlord. He said he recently had his landlord die and new owners take over. His concerns were the same as the concerns of Porto Bodega residents.
Young also said the trailer spaces were closely regulated by the county and the state. Those regulations preclude elimination or conversion of the low-income spaces. Transient RV spaces are similarly regulated. Expansion of the number of marina berths would involve permits from the County, the Coastal Commission, the Army Corp of Engineers and the State.
Young said the conversations held with the County Permit planners were positive. They encouraged the Battaglia staff to develop a master plan for the property. Young said they proposed a couple of development scenarios to the planners. Included among the proposals was a “fisherman’s village” that Young said could include additional marina spaces, transient rooms and permanent residences on a second level. Young emphasized the proposal was made to understand County planning’s responses.
Young said County planners were receptive but very cautious. He said they asked Battaglia to come up with a master plan, several master plans so they could pick and chose among the elements. Young said they were clearly opening the door to negotiations with Battaglia developing the property.
When asked about the ongoing Pedestrian Walkway planning efforts Young recounted the planning efforts and donation of access made by the Harbor View subdivision. He said they had developed several engineered alternatives for the walkway through their subdivision. He made it clear Reilly put the construction of the walkway – and eventually a boardwalk from Porto Bodega to the Tides – on the top of Reilly’s list of priorities for the Battaglia properties. Young repeated the Battaglia companies haven’t formulated any plan yet. Young also said that the walkway and the boardwalk were clearly in the best interests of Battaglia properties. He viewed both public projects as opportunities to contribute to the community and enhance their property.
Young said they plan to develop a plan for the property. Asked why Battaglia chose to purchase the property while undergoing difficult development problems at the Harbor View subdivision, Young ducked the question. However he offered an explanation that managing the low-income housing at Harbor View and managing Porto Bodega made economic sense. The Harbor View low-income housing units (14) are not enough to feasibly manage. Combined with managing Porto Bodega, an economically feasible management structure could work, Young suggested.
Young reported the Harbor View final permit approval by the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors was delayed until another environmental expert could deliver a written report on one of the wetland features. A final hearing on the permits will be in March. At each step of the process the Bodega Bay Concerned Citizens have opposed any permit approvals.
Young said the Concerned Citizens have asked them to voluntarily stop work on the low-income housing construction. The permits for the low-income housing were issued last year and are not subject to the final permit process. Young said the Concerned Citizens said they would seek a restraining order if Battaglia did not cease construction.
Volume 19 Number 50, 51, 52
