Access at Hs. Lordships threatened

mac

For many years we have launched at the little cove next to Hs. Lordships in Berkeley. It provides direct access into the wind without slogging. Now this launch is threatened by a proposed ferry terminal. The Water Emergency Transportation Authority has proposed a terminal next to the site that would take up the existing rigging area and all of the parking for windsurfing--and the restaurant. They don't even discuss this in their EIR, a fairly major shortcoming. The matter goes to their Board for selection of this as the "lenvironmentally least damaging alternative" on April 2. I intend to attend and object, and would like to see as many windsurfers as can make also attend. I will post the meeting site and time as soon as I know. Evil or Very Mad

boggsman1 · Joined: 24 Jun 2002 Posts: 9120 Location: at a computer

Sharp needles, nasty craggy rocks, broken bottles, bums, cigarettes, speedy little cars going 70 mph through the parking lot, and hit or miss sailing... no biggie.

Boggsman

rigatoni · Joined: 25 Feb 1999 Posts: 498

I was under the impression that the City of Berkeley had allocated money towards improving that launch. This was communicated via the SFBA a few years ago. (Are they still around?)

mac · Posted: Fri Mar 13, 2009 3:22 pm Post subject:

That was me working on that; the City developed a design, completed their permit work, and funding was given by the Coastal Conservancy (not the City). It has not moved to construction, the City hsan't budgeted anything for the project, and the ferry would be inconsistent with that, as well as with the City's adopted Master Plan for the marina. Let's subsidize WETA to wipe out windsurfing access. Color this a double-cross.

dsiskind2 · Joined: 25 Mar 2006 Posts: 25

Would this plan affect access via Hs. Lordships only or would it affect the Public Docks in the Basin as well?

mac · Posted: Fri Mar 13, 2009 4:16 pm Post subject:

Probably only the Hs. Lordships site, at least initially. They want 400 spaces, which is all of that lot, including the rigging area and landscaping. But it is not clear if parking would spill over into the South Basin. Parking lots would be tied up, and fee, until at least 6:00 on week days, so it would prevent weekday sessions.

swchandler · Joined: 08 Nov 1993 Posts: 10588

Seemingly, the plan represents the ugly bane of public type or mass transportation concepts. Windsurfers mean virtually nothing in the scheme of things. However, because of the long time legacy of public access in the dock areas, maybe some leverage can be gained to protect some use oriented access in designated areas over the demands of all day commuter parking.

rsanrafael · Joined: 27 Feb 2009 Posts: 68

tomg · Joined: 10 Apr 2000 Posts: 294

couple of things to think about:

The CG / ferry agency (Called the Water Emergency Tranist Authority) could forbid all small boat traffic in the area of the new dock for safety reasons. That would impact not just us Windsurfers but also kayakers and small sail boats and cut out a huge amount of water surface that we take for granted. Even if you launch by the freeway at Ashby Ave or over at Emeryville, you should be concerned about the navigational issues around these (high speed) ferrys.

Filling the parking lot with commuter's cars would 1. ruin Hs Lordships weekday business and 2) push existing parking use over to the gravel lots at the small boat launch (which already fills to near capcity on some days).

Imagine the current scene superimposed on the Larkspur Ferry facility. (I can't).

Tom G.

chibichibi · Joined: 26 Jun 2006 Posts: 275

the lordships launch IS the best berkeley has, seriously beats launching from the docks. although a bit craggy going down, one you're in....there you are with the wind and some nice ebb friendly rollers. the restaurant even has water, bathroom use, and a secret hose for rinse off. and you can't beat the grassy circle for rigging. i learned to love that spot. would be sad to see it go.