The proposal to construct a 71,300 square foot indoor sports field and court, with outdoor soccer fields and parking for 184 cars, alongside the San Rafael Airport has been quiescent for a couple of years while studies for the EIR were in progress.  The Draft EIR was finally released in March 2009.

The project site is a nine-acre portion of the overall 119.5-acre airport site, which lies between the north and south forks of Las Gallinas Creek.  Environmentalists have monitored wildlife in the marshes of Gallinas Creek, especially the endangered California Clapper Rail, and appreciate the habitat value of this diked, former tidal marsh.  Its sensitivity was recognized in 1983, when the City and County agreed to allow higher-than-usual density near the freeway in order to keep the more sensitive wetlands to the east free from development.  Both parcels were sold to developer Joe Shekou. Since then, his attempts to develop the eastern (airport) portion have never ceased.

The site in question is the triangular-shaped land between the forks of Gallinas Creek.

Although the use permit for the site is somewhat vague in its reference to “recreation,” it is understood to limit the property to activities that would pose no threat to the environment.  In this regard, MCL finds the project to be wholly inappropriate for the site.  The location and scale of the recreational facility and the proposed operation (active until midnight) will have significant impacts on adjacent habitats due to traffic, noise, lighting and glare, and human activity.  These impacts are not adequately addressed in the DEIR. Additionally, the DEIR fails to fully detail the land use restrictions that were placed on the site in 1983.  We have told the city that all of these deficiencies must be addressed in a Final EIR.

2010 Documents and Correspondence

• March 29, 2010 - MCL letter to the California State Lands Commission

• May 7, 2009 - MCL comments to the city of San Rafael on the Draft EIR