Compatibility
The Westpoint Harbor project plan consists of a 408-berth marina and attendant boatyard and marine services. Also included are a restaurant, yacht club and other business activities consistent with water-oriented public facilities.
This area is zoned "tidal plain" which specifically supports marina and boatyard activities. Westpoint Harbor is consistent with the stated public desire to maintain this area as a recreational maritime region. It also is in the Port of Redwood City's "sphere of influence" and consistent with the "San Francisco Bay Area Seaport Plan" as prepared by the Metropolitan Transportation Commission and Bay Conservation and Development Commission (BCDC).
Nearby activities include Cargill salt-farming operations to the south, Pacific Shores Center office park to the west, and Greco Island to the north and east.
This project is compatible and beneficial for Cargill salt activities. The adjacent salt operation area is a "bittern pond," and the Westpoint Harbor provides a buffer between Westpoint Slough and the ponds, particularly the weather-exposed northern boundary.
The Greco Island reserve is across Westpoint Slough. Westpoint Harbor affords the public the ability to observe the area without walking on and affecting this sensitive site. Moreover, by supporting boating in the area, it will also allow close observation from the water without damage from direct access.
To the east is the Pacific Shores Center development. On first examination it may appear that the projects are neither compatible nor incompatible. With the exception of lunchtime visitors from the development to the marina restaurant, there would be little interaction other than a picturesque view of the marina. On closer examination however, the projects are complimentary.
Traffic is an issue for the business park development because of high traffic density and somewhat constrained access via Seaport Boulevard. That Westpoint Harbor will have very light traffic is perhaps the best use for this site, given congestion and safety considerations for the area.
- Marina traffic is primarily weekend use, while the business park is largely weekday use. Thus there is minimal overlap in traffic patterns.
- Well designed marinas are generally a visual asset to such a development, adding to the aesthetic appeal of this water-oriented site.
- Lastly, the Port is one of Redwood City's most valuable assets. This project extends the port-oriented area to its logical conclusion at the end of the spit of land alongside Redwood City Creek and around Westpoint Slough. It will be the only location for marine fuel south of the San Mateo bridge.
Lastly, this site provides natural access to the Redwood Creek deep-water channel via Westpoint Slough. It does not have dredging implications often associated with a marina, and in fact may be the only practical (physical and economic) site possible south of the San Mateo bridge for a well-developed marina complex.
More distant activities are heavily industrial (cement, bulk loading) which have no compatibility issues with a marina-boatyard complex.
