Because we know you are wanting answers, below are updates regarding inquiries we have made to Dana Point Harbor Partners and public officials, including the County of Orange Real Estate Office, The City of Dana Point, and the California Coastal Commission.
Dredging
As you know, we wrote a letter to DPHP and the County of Orange Real Estate Office on April 6th regarding the damage boats in the harbor are sustaining because of the lack of dredging. We still have not received a response from either party, so we will be elevating our request to the OC Board of Supervisors and CA Coastal Commission. We anticipate at least a prompt response from one of the parties. It is interesting to note since our request, an Army Corps of Engineers Survey Vessel, has been seen and tracked (credit, anonymous boater) in the harbor. If progress is being made, why can’t we get a response?
Day Use Parking/Updated Construction Schedule/Parking Plans
DPBA Board Members/Advisors met with the City of Dana Point on April 13th to address questions on day-use parking, construction schedules, and parking plans. The City Planner was informative and advised he would forward us the information the City has obtained to date. We have not yet received the promised information but expect to have it this week.
New Marina Map
In the April 2022 newsletter from the Marina at Dana Point a mentioned item has caused some confusion amongst boaters. The newsletter read: “Although we do not yet have an electronic version of the new slip layout to share, we do have one on display in the marina office and invite you to stop in and take a look anytime.” The confusion is because of how the sentence is worded in the newsletter. Is there a new slip layout since the one approved by the CA Coastal Commission in 2020, or is the marina office implying the new slip layout is the one approved in 2020 (large file)? Electronic versions of the one approved in 2020 have been distributed so it leads one to believe the “new slip layout” could be a version produced after the approval of the Coastal Development Permit.
We contacted CA Coastal Commission and received a prompt reply. They have not been notified of a new slip layout. They stated, “Bellingham Marine is working closely with us to ensure that all post-issuance conditions are complied with in a timely manner. Should any changes be made to the final slip layout, the applicant would need to submit to the Commission such plans for review and approval by the Executive Director, which may either involve substantial conformance for minor changes or a permit amendment for major deviations. We would like to assure you that we are in good and frequent communications with Bellingham Marine and the City of Dana Point.”
Once we have a determination if there is indeed a new slip layout or not, we will let you know.
Evidence of Financing
We keep hearing the marina revitalization is starting in June, but we have not been able to confirm DPHP has provided the County with evidence of financing as required by the Master Lease. The response we received from the County on May 6th is below:
This is in response to your California Public Records Act request #22-2226, which the County Executive Office received on May 4, 2022. The request seeks the following records: “a copy of the evidence of financing” per Paragraph 5.5.6 of the Master Lease Agreement between Orange County and Dana Point Harbor Partners.”
The County Executive Office does not possess responsive records to this request.
Could construction be starting without evidence of financing in place?
12/31/21 Federal Income Tax Basis Audited Financial Statements for DPHP and DPHP Drystack.
