Airport Recreational Facility

A new private recreational facility complex located on a vacant portion of the 119.52 acre San Rafael Airport property. The project would consist of an 85,700 sq ft private recreational building 39 ft, 6 in. tall (overall height) building with the follow uses: 1) a multi purpose gymnasium area for recreational uses, including two indoor soccer/sports fields and two multi purpose gymnasium sports courts, common locker and restroom area on the 71,300 sq ft ground floor, and 2) an ancillary viewing area, care, restrooms, sports shop administrative offices and meeting room on a 14,400 sq ft mezzanine level.

There would be two outdoor fields next to the building, including one 200 ft x 300 ft lighted outdoor soccer field with all weather turf and an unlighted grass warm-up field.

Current Status:

Planning Entitlements: Approved by City Council on December 17, 2012. A time extension was granted for the planning approvals in 2016 and current expiration date for planning approvals is Dec 17, 2020
Building permit was issued for new bridge over Gallinas Creek and work completed
Grading permits issued for rough grading of the site.
Building permit for pile driving and foundation has been applied for, but not yet issued (as of Oct 2017)
Building Permits for building and final site work not yet submitted

Construction information provided by the San Rafael Airport.

(NEW) Status Update: On May 19, 2016 the applicant filed a request for a Time Extension, to extend the initial approval period for implementing the project, which was set to expire on December 2016. The time extension was granted and the new expiration date for planning entitlements is Dec 17, 2020

Multiple phases of construction were anticipated and approved for implementation of the project, based upon a number of limitations that apply to the days, hours and seasons that construction may occur. The applicant has initiated rough site grading and bridge replacement work, and has submitted this request for additional time to construct and occupy the building due to; a) unanticipated delay in project implementation due to filing of a lawsuit challenging the EIR certified for the project, and b) additional time that was needed to obtain all subsequent permits from other agencies, which required further design work to be completed and which resulted in an inability to initiate construction within the established construction “window” periods. Rough grading and bridge installation work is expected to be completed this year, 2016, which may allow building construction to be initiated by 2017 and potential occupancy by 2019.

The work to complete and occupy the building is anticipated to require phases over a period of three or four years, due to the limited construction timeframes, with potential occupancy possible by 2019 or 2020. An earlier or later completion time is also a possibility. Future time extensions could also be requested and considered in accordance with the City ordinances.

Key Planning Documents

Signed/Approved Planning Entitlements:

City Council Resolution # 13477
City Council Resolution # 13478 (Adoption of CEQA Findings and Approving Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program)
Ordinance #1909 (Amendments to Planned Development Zoning for San Rafael Airport)
City Council Resolution # 13479 (Approval of Environmental and Design Review Permit and Master Use Permit Amendment

Environmental Impact Reports:

San Rafael Airport Recreational Facility Final Environmental Impact Report

San Rafael Airport Recreational Facility Draft Environmental Impact Report

Project Plans:

Project Plans – Architectural, Civil and Landscaping Plans

City Council Hearing (December 17, 2012) – Merits

City Council Hearing (December 3, 2012) – Merits

City Council Hearing (August 6, 2012) – Merits

The August 6th meeting did not occur and was continued to date uncertain. See press release. No staff report was published for this meeting,

Planning Division

Airport Recreational Facility