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Zoning Ordinances Reviewed by Planning Commission-Economic Development Positively Impacted.
By Paula McConnell 6/29/13
6/17 meeting..." We were instructed to clear cut your River Park and bulldoze it all down," said a representative of North Bay Construction during a phone conversation which took place several years ago. Furious, a letter was fired off to the local newspaper condemning the Greater Vallejo Recreation District manager, Mr. Shane McAfee, for mandating such efforts. As it turned out neither Shane nor his staff, had anything to do with this arbitrary act. A man who has recently been removed from the city, and who has since been forgotten, had demanded the bulldozing while Mr. McAfee was away on vacation that year. When some of the then GVRD board members were contacted, they knew nothing about it either. The dirty deed was done and over with to the tune of $55,000 before anybody knew what hit them. Even the then City Council members knew nothing about it. The City of Vallejo was between a long stream of city managers at the time, so the timing was most convenient. We may rest assured, however, that this type of approach will not happen under the stewardship of the current City Manager Dan Keen who is the first professional city manager we have had in Vallejo for many years. That said, a long overdue apology is sent to Mr. McAfee!
Case in point: Some thirty people showed up at the Vallejo Planning Commission meeting on Monday evening, June 17 to weigh in on a hearing on zoning permits, and just what can or cannot be permitted around the public waterways of Vallejo. Even former Vallejo City Finance Director Rob Stout and his wonderful wife, Rita, were in attendance. An initial problem was that Senior Planner Michelle Hightower had included River Park in the discussion, but later stated that it is not part of the CW district (Commercial Waterfront District). It is indeed environmentally protected land. (Vallejoans have former District I Supervisor Barbara Kondylis to thank for making River Park environmentally sacred). Others were concerned because the planning department staff had them believing that the proposed changes might just authorize some 500 people to show up at a spectator sports show along the waterfront. Despite the fact that we have thousands show up on the Vallejo's marina green each year for various festivals, our beaches, wetlands and shores should remain protected, some speakers purported.
What it all boiled down to was a request by Mr. Nima Gabbay. Mr. Gabbay purchased the Glen Cove Marina six years ago, and has already spent upwards of $2 million upgrading it. He has dredged the waters for larger boats, hired private security and created the Glen Cove Yacht Club. He now wants to hold sophisticated larger parties, weddings, etc. and do so legally. "I have almost spent my life savings," he said, "the only way we will change the poor image of Vallejo is by people, one by one, spreading the good news once they see the beautiful areas in Vallejo." The reality is that Mr. Gabbay can only accommodate about 120 people at his facility. So any party he holds will have little impact on the neighborhood. In fact, under past ownerships, there have been many parties at the Glen Cove Marina which far exceeded that number. But Mr. Gabbay wants to do things correctly, and legally on behalf of his new-found city of Vallejo. He has been asked to pay a one-time-only 'Major Use Permit' fee of $3,000, and having done so, he will be given full city review in support of holding his events at the venue.
By the time the zoning change for the CW areas arrived before the Commission, fears rose about not only the River Park, but parcel A, ZioFraedos restaurant area, and other areas along the vast waterfront. The townspeople came out swinging. the Planning Department had issued material equally vague, and confusing which caused more public outcry. Vallejo resident Ann Carr noted that "The process (by the Planning Dept.) was incomplete. There were three notices with inconsistencies."
At the end of the hearing, all fears were allayed despite the original zoning confusion. The difference between a 'Major Use Permit' and an 'Administrative Permit' also became more defined. If someone wants to have a day activity on a city parcel, they must simply apply for an Administrative Permit, and abide by all other laws-for example - permits from the ABC for alcohol usages, etc. Mr. Gabbay will proceed to a hearing on a major use permit for his facility. If received the city's consent to legally hold large events at that location will be granted in perpetuity.
As for 500 people showing up for a banquet or private party? Rich Curtola weighed in on that by saying: "Our family owned restaurants for many years. The idea of 500 people showing up for any banquet is rare. It just does not happen that often," he said. As for spectator sports along Wilson Avenue waterways? The likelihood of that happening is not very practical either. Where would participants park?
Upon a unanimous vote by the five remaining qualified commissioners, (Marv Kinney & Karima Karah recused themselves due to conflicts of interest) the Planning Commission recommended to the city council that it proceed with the granting of a zoning change for the affected commercial waterfront areas involved with this process. And Mr. Nima Gabbay of the Glen Cove Marina was further down the administrative road toward being a happy man.
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