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This proposed legislation, as more specifically outlined below, would balance the hardship of <br />requiring near-term relocation of all tenants with the public need for greater recreational <br />access to the area. It is important to note that the City is already in the process of planning for <br />greater recreational access to Docktown Marina. Docktown Marina is part of a larger area of <br />the City, which is described in the City’s General Plan as the “Redwood Creek/Harbor Center” <br />Area. The area immediately adjacent to the public trust lands is designated as “Public Space”. <br />Therefore, the General Plan requires future improvements facilitate public access and open <br />space along the waterline. The City is currently contemplating including in future planning <br />documents substantial improvements to the public shore of granted lands, including the <br />Docktown area, to facilitate increased public access and amenities. <br /> <br />The City understands that private residential uses are inconsistent with the policies of the State <br />Lands Commission. However, over the decades Docktown has evolved into a community of <br />Redwood City residents with homes that are naturally affordable. Affordable homes in the Bay <br />Area are extremely limited, leaving Docktown residents with few relocation options. Given the <br />practical challenges of housing affordability, and the lack of Bay Area marina space, relocating <br />Docktown residents within a short timeframe presents a very difficult challenge. As such, the <br />City seeks time to come into compliance. <br /> <br />In recognition of the hardship of relocating residents, along with the City’s commitment to <br />increase public access to the area, the City of Redwood City is requesting that the State Lands <br />Commission support a legislative solution. It is our desire to put forward legislation that can <br />both address public trust concerns while acknowledging and helping to avoid the rapid <br />displacement of a naturally affordable community. <br /> <br />Fortunately, there exists precedent supported by the State Lands Commission and the State <br />Legislature to allow an extended period within which to relocate residents such as those <br />residing at Docktown. The attached statute, adopted by the Legislature and supported by the <br />State Lands Commission in 1981, allowed the “DeAnza Point” Mobile Home Park to stay on <br />granted lands for an extended period of 32 years (1981-2003). The statute was adopted in an <br />attempt to balance the hardship of relocating tenants on the one hand with the current public <br />needs for expanded recreational use on the other. It is our desire to achieve a similar <br />resolution to the issues confronting Docktown. <br /> <br />Proposal <br />The City of Redwood City is requesting that the State Lands Commission support legislation <br />which would allow Docktown to remain on granted lands for a period of 15 years so long as the <br />following conditions were met: <br /> <br />o The City would prohibit new tenants, new live-aboard watercrafts and transfer of existing <br />watercraft at Docktown. <br />o The City would mandate that all live-aboard watercrafts be owner occupied or City owned, <br />and no subleases would be allowed. <br />6.1.F. - Page 7