Sausalito arts complex slated for waterfront
A development group is bringing a new arts complex to the Sausalito waterfront.
The project at 265 Gate 5 Road will add a 10,000-square-foot building with art studios and exhibition areas. The Planning Commission signed off on the plan on March 29.
A one-story commercial art studio building, site block walls and decks will be demolished in order to construct the new building. The project will retain the name of the property, Marinship Studios.
The applicant is Matt Ininns of the Ehrlich, Yanai, Rhee, Chaney architectural firm. The property owner is Max Houtzager.
Houtzager said his family purchased the property almost seven years ago. He said he hopes the project will align with the artistic legacy of the city dating back to the 1950s and 1960s.
“When we found this highly neglected property, it seemed like a great opportunity to connect to the area I felt a lot of influence from growing up,” he said.
Commissioner Andrew Junius said it a “good project that has only gotten better.”
“This is a really good project with community support, you’ve done what we’ve asked you to do,” he said.
Brandon Phipps, the city’s director of community and economic development, said Wednesday that no appeals had been filed.
Phipps called the project “complementary of the Marinship’s history as a hub for artists and maritime industries.”
The project site contains several small artist studio spaces and 20 parking spaces. The new art studios will be offered in a range of sizes. Rental rates are expected to be similar to other studios in the area, a staff report said.
Mickey Allison, a Sausalito resident, said she supports the project but is concerned about flooding and affordability.
“That bothers me and makes me a little bit nervous,” she said.
Cecilia Jaroslawsky, a contract planner, said the developer has addressed concerns expressed about the height of the building. The main structure will be 32 feet tall, while attached buildings on Gate 5 Road will range from 17 to 29 feet tall.
The developers said they modified the design so the building did not appear as monolithic.
“We think that it ends up fitting better with the context,” said Ininns.
The project includes a 5-foot-wide sidewalk on Gate 5 Road along the southern property line and along the front of the project site.
The project involves sea level rise mitigation features, including water-sealed lower walls and 12-foot ceilings on the ground floor if the floor must be raised. The developers also will grade the property to improve drainage.
It was reviewed by the city’s sea level rise committee, Jaroslawsky said, and found to be compliant with the city’s general plan.
“I hope this project will make a powerful statement to the community about our collective ability to be creative and forward-thinking when it comes to climate planning and resilience,” said Councilmember Janelle Kellman.