Administrative
Report
N.1., File # 23-7250 Meeting Date: 12/12/2023
To: MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
From: GREG KAPOVICH, WATERFRONT & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR TITLE
RECEIVE AND FILE A PRESENTATION FROM ALLEN SANFORD ON THE DESIGN CONCEPTS
APPROVED FOR A NEW WATERFRONT RESTAURANT AND PUBLIC SURF CLUB
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
On August 15, 2023, the City entered into two leases with “California Surf Club” to occupy vacant buildings at 239 and 245 North Harbor Drive, formerly the Ruby’s and On The Rock’s sites. The leases are for a restaurant (with alcohol service), in the building formerly occupied by Ruby’s, and a public surf club, in the building formerly occupied by On The Rock’s. The leases include 10.5-year terms and approximately $1.5 million worth of improvements to each building.
On September 11, 2023, the Harbor Commission approved Conditional Use Permits for the proposed concepts. The Conditional Use Permits were required to obtain the necessary entitlements to locate a restaurant use, with associated alcohol service, and a public surf club inside the commercial coastal zone and to aesthetically join the two buildings so they could operate in tandem.
The tenants (represented by Allen Sanford) will modify the exteriors and interiors of the two buildings and improve the outdoor area to connect the two properties. In October 2023, the Building and Safety Division issued demolition permits to allow the applicant to begin demolishing portions of the existing structures in preparation for the anticipated improvements. The demolition efforts are underway. Applications for the necessary building permits to accommodate the renovations have been submitted and are currently under review. The new restaurant and surf club are tentatively scheduled to open in summer 2024.
Presentation materials on the design concepts will be provided by Mr. Sanford at the City Council meeting.
APPROVED BY:
Mike Witzansky, City Manager