Sand City >> A proposed project for Sand City would increase the small city’s population by nearly three fold while creating a new district of five buildings, some with heights of 85 feet.

The South of Tioga development proposed for 10.64 acres in Sand City will consist of multi-family dwellings and hotels. The project site is bordered on the northeast by Tioga Avenue, California Avenue to the southeast, East Avenue to the southwest and Merle Street right-of-way to the northwest.

“We need redevelopment, but I disagree with the footprint and the use of this project,” said Mike Morris, former Sand City councilman and Tioga Avenue resident. “There’s nothing for us in this project except parking and traffic problems and more population.”

Morris served on the Sand City council off and on for 18 years between 1978 and 2008.

According to Todd Bodem, Sand City city administrator, the project is currently going through the Environmental Impact Report process which allows for a 45-day agency review comment period. The deadline for agency comments is April 16 at 5 p.m.

Bodem said a tentative public hearing is scheduled for May 1 but may get extended. In the meantime, the city council set up a special city council meeting for April 19 at 7 p.m. at city hall chambers in order for the developer to provide a presentation to the public and allow the public to comment on the project merits.

The development would consist of 420 multi-family residential units with a building height of roughly 85 feet, and 216 hotel rooms – 135-room extended stay and 81-room overnight stay, and a restaurant. The plan calls for two hotel buildings of up to 63 feet in height.

“The bulk and height of the buildings are out of scale for Sand City. The height of the three residential towers are 85 feet – 30 feet higher than the Granite Rock silos on California Street and three stories higher than The Independent on Ortiz Avenue,” said Morris.

The site is currently used by light industrial and warehouse commercial businesses, and has undeveloped coastal dunes and residential dwelling units.

The proposed project may require the city to acquire two parcels with the use of eminent domain and provide fair market value compensation to the owners. A number of existing businesses would have to relocate if the project advances.

Other commercial, light industrial, existing and planned residential, and sand dune areas, are situated around the proposed site.

“I live 340 feet from the site on Tioga Avenue. Number one, it will change the city and make it a different place. It will no longer be a small city. And number two, it will create tremendous traffic problems, adversely affecting the shopping centers,” said Morris. “Our nice quiet community will be a snarled-up metropolis.”

Boden said the main concerns the city has heard from residents is with the size and scope or the project, a lack of parking, and traffic congestion. Water is not a concern because of the water credits associated with the project and the fact that Sand City has its own desalination plant.

According to the EIR, the proposed project includes frontage improvements along California Avenue and Tioga Avenue.

Other mitigation measures concerning transportation and traffic will require improvement at two intersections outside the project site and be paid for by the developer.

After the comment period, public hearings, and developer presentation, the next step would be for the council to accept the EIR. The developer would then submit applications and get building permits to start construction.

Bodem said the project has been on the books, discussed in different city newsletters, and talked about at council meeting project update reports.

The fall 2017 Sand City Newsletter has the South of Tioga Project prominently displayed on its first page, yet Morris said, “Nearly all of the Sand City residents that I have talked to knew nothing of this project.”

Morris said he has spoken to about 15 Sand City citizens who have reacted with astonishment and outrage over the proposed project.

Sand City has an estimated population of 381 now, and if the project is built as proposed, another 900 people are estimated to increase the city’s population.

Bodem said Sand City chose a high density project to provide housing for the area.

James Herrera can be reached at 831-726-4344.