Sausalito condo project to accommodate other city work

Theres a little something for everyone in one mans plans to develop the former Valhalla restaurant property.

Alex Kashef, the current owner of the property that once belonged to former Sausalito mayor Sally Stanford, has included several new additions in the latest environmental study for the seven-unit condominium project at 201 Bridgeway.

The revisions include the reconstruction of a public boardwalk, the creation of public beach access ramp at the foot of Main Street and a bus pullout on Second Street. The study also includes concessions to nearby property owners, including a new garage for a neighbor.

Its going through the planning stages right now, and I feel like Ive given an arm and a leg, Kashef said. I wish they would leave me an arm and a leg so I could actually finish it.

Between the bus pullout, boardwalk and access ramp, Kashef said he has spent $100,000 on plans and studies for public improvements. He has yet to build anything.

Since I am improving the property, which is an abandoned building no one else can do anything with, I am required to improve my sidewalks, Kashef said.

Community Development Director Jeremy Graves said when a developer subdivides property, cities are allowed to ask the developer to make improvements to the frontages.

The project subdivides the parcel into seven residential parcels plus a common area parcel for the parking area and garage. The parcel, where the Valhalla sits, happens to have three frontages along Bridgeway, Main and Second streets.

Those frontages already have improvements, Graves said. What city staff is asking the developer to do is update those improvements to be consistent with todays codes.

Graves said the new Federal Emergency Management Agency maps will show that both the Bridgeway boardwalk and the Main Street boardwalk are too low.

Originally posted here:
Sausalito condo project to accommodate other city work