Re: 3rd ave

From: Jim Paugh (James.Paugh@Eng.Sun.COM-DeleteThis)
Date: Thu Sep 15 1994 - 06:42:07 PDT


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Date: Thu, 15 Sep 1994 06:42:07 -0700
From: James.Paugh@Eng.Sun.COM-DeleteThis (Jim Paugh)
Message-Id: <9409151342.AA06452@jalama.eng.sun.com-DeleteThis>
To: wind_talk@opus.hpl.hp.com-DeleteThis
Subject: Re: 3rd ave
X-Sun-Charset: US-ASCII

Where was all this enthusiasm last July 23, when the SFBA had a meeting at
3rd ave to discuss this very issue!

I'm resending a summary of the meeting, as some it covers some of the
questions being posed in this thread. I think another meeting is in
order, to get some action going. No time like the off season to get
something done!

~Jim
_____________________________________________________________________
Jim Paugh email: James.Paugh@Eng.Sun.COM-DeleteThis
ONC Technologies phone: (415) 336-4466
SunSoft fax: (415) 336-6015
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I volunteered to post a summary of the 3rd Ave SFBA meeting last
Saturday, July 23. Randy Anderson ran the meeting, with Buck Lyons of
Vela attending as well. There were about 6 windsurfers who showed up
for the meeting.

Items covered:

        o A check for $240 was presented to Randy from Buck Lyons of
           Vela to cover the balance of the $430 it cost for the gravel
          at 3rd Ave. This also included Vela's membership dues in the
          SFBA.

        o Plans for a new sign at 3rd are complete.

        o The parking issue at 3rd Ave was discussed.

        o Ideas for further improvements to the 3rd Ave parking area
           and launch.

        o Buck Lyons of Vela has volunteered to provide a "information
          clearing house" for the windsurfers at 3rd.

The gravel that replaced the carpets covering the rigging area cost the
SFBA $430, $230 of which was picked up by Vela. Buck Lyons of Vela
presented Randy with a check for $240, which included membership dues
in the SFBA. Vela has a vested interest in supporting the 3rd Ave
access, and is taking a active role in helping the SFBA.

Plans for a new sign at 3rd have been completed, but still require
approval by Foster City. It will probably be next year before the
sign is actually installed. The sign will be 2'x4', posting safety
rules and instructions, including self rescue techniques. The sign
will also provide a place for the SFBA to post information on current
events, issues affecting 3rd Ave access, as well as SFBA meetings and
activities.

The parking situation at 3rd is becoming a point of tension between the
windsurfers using the 3rd launch, and the Foster City. Although
warnings have been posted on cars parked along the old launch, 3rd Ave
and the access road to the new parking area, no one has actually
received a parking ticket as of the meeting. Foster City will have to
post "No Parking" signs along the restricted area. Any windsurfers
cited in an area that is not posted, can take a photo, showing the
lack of "No Parking" signs, and have the ticket dismissed in court.
It is not likely that the Foster City police to start citing anyone
until the signs are posted, which will probably happen soon. This does
not mean windsurfers can park where they want, and if you do park by a
"No Parking" sign you will be sited.

Future improvements at 3rd Ave. will be difficult, as Foster City has
no interest in supporting the windsurfers that launch at 3rd Ave. The
existing 3rd ave improvements were a result of presure from the Bay
Conservation and Development Commission (BCDC). Similar to the Coastal
Commision, they protect bay access. The BCDC forced Foster City to provide
safe bay access with the levee improvements at 3rd Ave.. Foster City is
still getting presure from the BCDC to complete the access ramps. The
plan is to pour concrete over the ramps, with a rough finish, similar
to the safety exit ramps down wind of the launch. It is unknown when
this will be completed.

In order for the windsurfing community to get recognition from Foster City
will require the support of as many of the 3rd Ave users as possible,
especially windsurfers who are Foster City residents! This may entail
a letter writing campaign or attendance at a city council meeting.
Buck Lyons of Vela is willing to help by provide a sign up list of
windsurfers who use 3rd Ave regularly, and would like to help out.
Buck will also be providing the latest information, a sort of
"clearing house" of information. Anyone who would like more information,
or would like to add their name to the list of 3rd Avenue users, can
call Buck Lyons at Vela (415) 525-2087.

Some ideas for enhancements to 3rd that were kicked around at the meeting
included:

        Increase the parking at 3rd, and charge a small fee for
        parking (and season passes), of which a percentage of the
        revenue would go to Foster City.

        Include as part of an improvement plan, a small concession
        at the site that would provide rental equipment (more than
        just windsurfing equipment, ie kayaks), lessons and a small
        food concession. Again a percentage of the revenue would go
        to Foster City (a similar proposal is already being considered
        for Coyote Point).

These, of course, are just ideas and are a long way from becoming
reality.

Foster City has a plan to develop the land just north of the 3rd Ave
launch in 10 years. This will probably include the construction of a
hotel. In the interim the city is considering proposals for the use of
that land. The most likely proposal so far is a driving range. Proposals
that include increased windsurfing access would have to be well thought
out and provide a benefit to the city, as well as meeting all of Foster
City's permit requirements, which are extensive.

Anyone who windsurfs 3rd Ave regularly and is not a member of the SFBA
really should consider joining. The $10 annual membership dues are a
small fee to pay for the support they provide for continued access to
your favorite peninsula launches. Anyone who would like a membership
enrollment form can email me directly with a fax number, and I will fax
you a copy. Or better yet, you can just send a check for $10 made
payable to the SFBA to:

San Francisco Boardsailing Association
1592 Union Street, Box 301
San Francisco, CA 94123



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