Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Ceqa Project Review topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Planning Commission upholds environmental finding for Pier 31½ Alcatraz embarkation; Sausalito appeal denied 5–1
Summary
After hearing Sausalito’s appeal that the preliminary mitigated negative declaration understates potential Fort Baker traffic and future ferry operations, the Planning Commission voted 5–1 to uphold the CEQA determination and deny the appeal, while noting that any expansion beyond analyzed service would require additional environmental review.
The Planning Commission on Feb. 22 denied an appeal from the City of Sausalito challenging the Planning Department’s preliminary mitigated negative declaration (PMND) for the proposed Alcatraz ferry embarkation facility at Pier 31½. Sausalito argued that project contracts and the draft operating plan leave open larger Fort Baker service, bicycle transport and charter operations that the PMND did not analyze — and asked the commission to continue, require mitigation measures or order an environmental impact report (EIR).
Planning staff (Julie Moore, Lisa Gibson) and the National Park Service said the PMND uses the best available project description and limits Fort Baker service to weekend service of up to two round trips and a 40,000‑passenger annual cap; Park Service and Port staff emphasized funding constraints and that Fort Baker pier improvements are years away. Sausalito attorney Art Friedman and Mayor Joan Cox argued the concession and lease documents allow broader activity and that key contract language was not included in the packet.
Commissioner Moore moved to uphold the PMND (i.e., deny the appeal). The motion passed 5–1, with Commissioner Richards voting against. Commissioners and city attorneys noted that any material change in scope or additional future approvals would require further CEQA review by the agency approving those actions.
