Commission Approves Yacht Club Renovation

The Port Commission has unanimously approved the expansion plans.

The project includes a new clubhouse, 108 additional slips for boats and more parking. It also includes additions for the junior sailing program, allowing the club to accommodate more than the 300 youths already participating. 

The renovation includes protection of the ecosystem along the shore. “We plan to move our docks into deeper water, plant 17,000 square feet of eel grass and add a soft shore enhancement, instead of a seawall,” said Coronado Yacht Club Commodore Mark Warner. 

The commission's decision does not include the public access component the California Coastal Commission has been seeking. That may come up at a commission meeting in San Diego in February.

The Club believes it gave the public access in 2003 when it offered the city a half-acre of land to build a "pocket park" across from the bay, to meet an obligation under the Glorietta Bay Master Plan. 

"A deal is a deal is a deal," Warner said.

There will be any number of unintended consequences if the public gains more access, he predicts. He added that it could endanger kids participating in the junior sailing program.

“It will allow people we have no control over coming on to our property,” Warner said. “Fifteen or 20 years ago a young girl was kidnapped at the Hotel del. Things happen when strangers have access. Think about it. Do schools allow people free access?”

Efforts are being made to resolve the controversy. Port Commissioner Lou Smith, who represents Coronado on the panel, has been working to set up a meeting with Coastal Commission officials before February.

“I’m an optimist,” he said. “We’ll reach an agreement and everything will be fine.”