Commission asks staff to analyze possible SUP/kayak launch sites and recommend options to Town Council

The commission voted Feb. 19 to request that town staff analyze potential paddleboard (SUP) and small-craft launch locations and return recommendations to Town Council.

Scope and rationale: Commissioners said several candidate locations deserve formal study for access, parking and operational feasibility. Staff and commissioners noted prior studies and small analyses are available but recommended a consolidated review that includes shore access, permitting constraints (including sensitive habitat and any Richardson Bay restrictions), parking, and seasonal availability.

Public input: Several residents urged moving faster. Speakers suggested potential launch sites including the downtown Main Street/Corinthian area (near the town boundary with Belvedere), the small beach at the San Rafael Avenue/Beale Street area commonly discussed in prior notes (sometimes seen in public comments as a local launch spot), Blackies Pasture (noting parking and tide constraints), and other sheltered locations. Commenters also raised alternatives such as temporary floating launch platforms to increase usable windows around tides.

Next steps: The commission’s motion asks staff to compile existing studies and investigate additional candidate sites and present findings and a recommendation at a future Town Council meeting, ideally before the council’s capital-improvement and budget decisions.

Why it matters: Town leaders and residents said increased access would serve recreation demand and broaden safe access to Richardson Bay and nearby destinations such as Angel Island, but they cautioned that any launch will need to balance parking, public safety, habitat protections and inter-jurisdictional permitting.