Thompson|Dorfman Partners, a Marin County-based residential developer, recently received approval to build The Village at Loch Lomond Marina mixed-use community in East San Rafael. Our goal will be redeveloping the existing property into a high-quality mixed-use, water-oriented community that remains accessible to the public.

Specifically, our community will include:

• Beautiful Community Village A public gathering place will be located along the project's main entry and down to the waterfront, and will include:
  
  
  • An inviting public entry from Pt. San Pedro Road into the community, which will provide an expansive physical as well as visual connection to the marina and bay.
    
    
  • An expansive waterfront plaza with lawn area, bench seating, and decorative paving, all which of will create a central community gathering place.
    
    
  • A new high-quality, full-service grocery store next to the plaza, operated by the Woodlands Market team, which will offer a delicatessen, prepared foods, fine wines, coffee bar, and household staples. Retail space will also be included in a second building to the north of the grocery, and will provide convenient shopping and services to the neighborhood.
    
    
  • The beloved Bobby's Fo'C'Sle Cafe, which will be relocated adjacent to the waterfront, and with its indoor and outdoor seating will offer diners magnificent views of the Bay.
    
    

• Expansive Marina Green - A 200-yard long and up to 55-foot wide marina green, which will extend from the public plaza eastward along the marinas frontage. This lawn area will provide both passive and active recreational opportunities to people of all ages. The existing boardwalk also will be widened, making it more usable for members of the public as well as boaters accessing the docks.
  
  
  
• Enhanced Recreational Amenities - The currently deteriorating breakwater and two spits will be improved to provide passive and active recreational opportunities to the public. Walking paths, as well as picnicking, viewing, and fishing areas will be added. A childrens play area will also be added at the end of the east spit. The 800-yard long breakwater trail will be improved to eliminate the hazardous conditions that walkers currently face when walking along this trail.
  
  

• Preserved Marina - The existing 517-slip marina will be retained. The existing two-lane public boat launch ramp, fuel dock, boat repair shop, and bait shop also will be retained. Immediately adjacent to and north of the launch ramp will be 27 car-trailer parking spaces to serve day-use boaters and fishermen. New bathroom, laundry, and shower facilities will provide much improved amenities to the marinas 52 live-aboard families. The harbormaster's office will be located a short distance north of the boat launch area. Approximately 259 parking spaces will be distributed adjacent to all boat docks to provide convenient parking for marina tenants as well as the visiting public.
  
  
  
• Protected Wetlands - The existing 2+ acres of seasonal wetlands on the east side of the site will be not only preserved but expanded. Natural landscaping, berming, and fencing will be added as a buffer to better protect these currently vulnerable wetlands as well as the nearby tidal marsh from human and/or animal intrusion. A bird-viewing area will be constructed adjacent to the seasonal wetlands to provide visitors with elevated views of this beautiful wildlife area.
  
  

• Exceptionally Designed Residences - The residential portion of the project will include 81 for-sale homes. Housing types will include smaller 1- and 2-story cottages, 2-story attached town homes, more traditional 2-story single-family homes, and flats on top of the mixed-use building. Many of these homes will provide excellent housing opportunities to "move down" seniors, professionals with home offices, first-time homebuyers, and "workforce" members (e.g. policemen, teachers, nurses). Each of the 81 homes will have a two-car garage, and sufficient onsite guest parking conveniently located nearby.
  
  

• Improved Street Frontag - The property's street frontage will be beautified with attractive landscaping. Pt. San Pedro Road's median strip will also receive significant landscaping upgrades.