Update 01/23/2012:

The Final Supplement to the Grady Ranch/Big Rock Ranch Master Plan 1996 Final Environmental Impact Report has been released and is available for review here.

(Please note: this document is 588 pages and may take a while to load.)

The release of this document commences a 14-day public review period ending on February 6, 2012. Additionally, a Planning Commission hearing has been scheduled for February 27, 2012. For information on the comment period and the planning commission meeting, click here.

Lucasfilm’s much delayed plan to develop Grady Ranch in Lucas Valley is moving into the next phase of review by the Count, which has found the application for the development of the ranch as a film production facility complete and has initiated evaluation of environmental impacts of the project. Of the 239 acres remaining after Lucas granted 800 acres to Marin County Open Space District, 52 are developable. An Environmental Impact Report (EIR) and Master Plan for developing 456,000 square feet at Big Rock Ranch and Grady Ranch were adopted by the county in 1996.  Grady Ranch is Phase II of that plan.

While acknowledging  the general popularity of Lucasfilm in the County, MCL had serious reservations about Lucasfilm Big Rock development plans in the early 1990s due to non conformance with agricultural zoning.  The Phase II development will allow office and industrial uses in an area zoned for housing and agriculture.  The development site is at the eastern end of Grady Ranch, directly adjacent to the western-most residential neighborhood in Lucas Valley. MCL’s current concerns focus more on the massive reshaping of the landscape and Miller Creek to accommodate the structures, landscaping, and access.  The orientation of the development is perpendicular to Lucas Valley road, extending into a narrow valley at the base of Big Rock Ridge.  Whereas the Big Rock Ranch facility (see photo) has a low-profile and adapts to the existing landforms, the Grady Ranch facility rebuilds the landscape to fit the structures: 223,770 cubic yards of excavation will be required.

Big Rock Ranch as seen from the Big Rock Ridge trail.

The plan calls for  constructing a 262,728-square-foot Mission-style building with two 85-foot towers. The building will house a digital film production studio, administration offices, a restaurant, general store, wine-tasting room, screening rooms, costume storage, 19 guest suites and basement parking. A water stage, originally part of the plan, has been eliminated.  The proposal also includes building a vineyard knoll, new bridges, retaining walls, a “wine tunnel,” and restoring three reaches of Miller Creek.

A portion of Grady Ranch as seen from the gate at 2400 Lucas Valley Road.

Water availability was an issue until Marin Municipal Water District, which has a water supply deficit, agreed to make new recycled sources available.  LucasFilm is expected to offset its potable water demands by financing the expansion of the District’s recycled water system at a ratio of 1-1/2 acre-feet (cost) new recycled water: 1 acre-foot annual demand.  The preliminary estimate of water demand for the project is 30 acre-feet/year for the main facility, and seven acre-feet for affordable housing required by the County.  MMWD plans to annex to the District, pending agreement by the District Board.

2012 Documents and Correspondence

• Final Supplement to the Grady Ranch/Big Rock Ranch Master Plan 1996 Final Environmental Impact Report

2011 Documents and Correspondence

• December 12, 2011, MCL comments on the Draft Supplement to the Final EIR

2010 Documents and Correspondence

• July 9, 2010, Marin County Community Development Agency Notice of Project Status
• March 15, 2010, MCL Letter to County Planning Department

2009 Documents and Correspondence

• May 5, 2009, MCL Letter to Planning Commission