Orange County and private developers plan another meeting for Dana Point Harbor Revitalization

Dana Point Harbor Advisory Board responds draft lease in a letter and presents third meeting with major players on Oct. 22.

DANA POINT — There are many, in the wake of a vague planning meeting concerning the planned update of Dana Point Harbor, who still have questions about the recently presented revitalization “plans.” Among those wondering what’s on tap for the future was the newly formed Dana Point Harbor Advisory Board (DPHAB). Functioning as a harbor commission, DPHAB recently held a meeting that hosted representation from Orange County and the developers that make up Dana Point Harbor Partners (DPHP). The meeting offered little in the way of new information, but it did give the community the chance to ask questions of the developers.

As a reminder to readers, the lease option period, meaning the period to review the drafted lease, is quickly coming to a close. Orange County has plans to bring the review to a culmination on Oct. 30. An interview with Supervisor Lisa Bartlett and Harbor Partner Bryon Ward for Village Television saw the former stating a new harbor would be built in no time. Yet it appears the process will continue to be lengthy, with more public feedback sessions needed, meetings with the California Coastal Commission to consider the Local Coastal Plan (LCP) and other tedious tasks ahead.

The county, in the past, has chosen to remain guarded about the revitalization process, but has since opened up in a previous article by The Log. A tentative schedule was released and states the entirety of the project will not be completed until 2030 with commercial endeavors finishing in 2023 and hotels on track to finish last – contrary to Bartlett’s remarks in the Village Television interview.

Another DPHAB meeting, however, is scheduled for Oct. 22, which will include reps from the county and DPHP – will more details of the harbor revitalization be revealed at this time?

 

An Inquiring Letter

DPHAB’s president James Lenthall, on Oct. 5, addressed a letter to Mat Miller, Orange County’s chief real estate officer, to bring several concerns of the community to the fore. After previous Chief Real Estate Officer Scott Mayer departed in June 2018, Miller took over the position. Also copied into the email were Stacy Blackwood, Director of OC Parks, and James Dinwiddie, Senior Policy Advisory for Supervisor Lisa Bartlett’s 5th District.

Twenty questions needing clarification are posed within Lenthall’s letter, with an emphasis on boat slip and dry storage and the waitlist policy.

On the retail side, Lenthall asks, “DPHAB requests the plan for how rents will be formulated during construction,” and also requests “a detailed slip rate policy that describes how slip rates will be formulated and communicated to tenants.” Continuing on this subject, Lenthall questions when and how rates will see an increase and how this will be communicated with the tenants.

Basic managerial communications, such as after-hour access to storage facilities and parking availability, currently appear a bit light in the lease’s outline.

The full-length letter can be viewed at danapointboaters.org and updates with Miller’s response will be made when available.

 

DPHAB Meeting & Session for Public Feedback

In a newsletter announcement, Dana Point Boaters Association said another public meeting would be held on Monday, Oct. 22 at 5 p.m., at the Ocean Institute in Dana Point. Representatives for the county and the Dana Point Harbor Partners will be present to answer questions.

The newsletter states: “The meeting will take place at 5:00 p.m. at the Ocean Institute. Please plan to attend to hear directly from the team which will redevelop our harbor and operate it for the next 66 years.”

For residents or marina tenants of Dana Point Harbor, this is a chance to become involved in the feedback process and further inquire about the direction of the harbor revitalization plan in a venue where all parties will be present.

In addition to the county and Dana Point Harbor Partners, members of DPHAB represent local businesses, boaters and the community on the harbor front. Members are available to answer specific questions about the history of the revitalization project as well.

DPBA pledged to continue its review of the plans, stating: “October will remain a busy month as we continue to receive and review Harbor Revitalization Plans and offer analysis. We are giving special attention as you read this to the marina redesign and will offer our detailed assessment in the coming days.”

The Ocean Institute is located at 24200 Dana Point Harbor Drive.

Documentation, including the slip and license agreements, waitlist policies, and more, can be found at danapointboaters.org.

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