Clipper Cove Marina Expansion Vote Today

The Board of Directors of the Treasure Island Development Authority (TIDA) is expected to vote today on several resolutions that move forward with plans to dramatically expand Clipper Cove Marina. Items on the agenda include resolutions accepting the San Francisco Planning Department’s determination that no additional environmental review is required to enter into a proposed lease, as well as the approval and authorization of a 66-year lease agreement between TIDA and Treasure Island Enterprises (TIE) for the development and management of Treasure Island Marina. It also includes a 66-year lease agreement between TIDA and Treasure Island Sailing Center Foundation for the Treasure Island Sailing Center (TISC).

The current proposal includes a 313-slip marina — up from today’s 110 slips — that utilizes 882 lineal feet of Clipper Cove and includes five docks. The new marina would include 40-, 50-, 60-, 70- and 80-plus-ft slips, with an average length of 53 feet. Construction would take place in three phases, beginning in early 2019, starting at the easterly end and moving to the west to avoid displacing existing marina users. Original marina plans dating back to 1998-2000 featured a 400-slip marina utilizing 2,013 feet of Clipper Cove. The proposed footprint of the marina has been adjusted over time.

Last year TISC reached a reluctant compromise agreement with TIE, but TISC’s leadership remains concerned about the impact the expansion will have on recreational use of the cove. In a statement in April 2017, Carisa Harris-Adamson, chair of the Treasure Island Sailing Center Foundation Board of Directors, said the compromise agreement would still have a negative impact on not only high school and collegiate sailing, but also adult racing and cruising sailors. "The public value of Clipper Cove is the free open water protected by the Cove which is about 3,797,430 square feet. The footprint of the proposed compromise marina layout would consume about 1,195,275 square feet, an area equivalent to 32% of Clipper Cove, not 15% as stated by TIE’s representative during the (November 2016) Department of Boating and Waterways meeting."

A number of community groups have opposed the scale of the marina expansion, including Baykeeper, Save Clipper Cove and the Sierra Club.

The TIDA meeting is at 1:30 p.m. at San Francisco City Hall, Room 400.