Renewable Energy Capital, the business that introduced solar panels to the harbor last year, has received the approval for its subsidiary, South Beach RV Resort, LLC, which will develop vacant land between Starfish Way and Anchor Way into a 14-space RV campground.
The project was approved 4-1, following nearly an hour and a half of discussion, which included a five-minute break for security personnel to take one critic out after he accused California’s Crescent City Board of Harbor Commissioners of secret negotiations, a report said.
Back in August, Alex Lemus with REC presented a proposal to commissioners which called for the development of the vacant 39,139-square-foot overflow area. He also mentioned that he’d like to develop the former Spotty’s Car Wash and Oil Change site, as well as the old Englund Marine building as part of a larger $2-million to $2.5-million undertaking. At the same August meeting, some of the Bayside and Redwood RV park residents expressed concerns about the possibility of displacement.
The November 2 meeting staff report revealed that the project in the overflow area would create 14 RV parking spaces as well as landscaping, trenching, grading patios, and fences. When completed, it is believed that the tourist location will bring in $49,956 to the port annually.
With all the issues to be determined with Bayside and Redwood (the two RV parks that sit nearby), I did listen to the commissioners and decided to use the existing Redwood overflow lot,” Lemus said. “Our goal is to increase revenue because the harbor has suffered chronic losses.”
Lemus added that “we are going to start with this one first and show the commissioners and the community what our intentions are,” he said. “We intend to invest a fair amount of money, and we’re willing to take on all of the risks.”
There is a chance that the plan will include a store that sells gifts and snacks. If it is determined that the store will be more than $10,000 as a modification or improvement, then the plan will need to be resubmitted to the commission to be approved. Lemus added that the construction of new restrooms for public use would be included in the construction.
Before the vote, changes have been made to the proposed lease terms, including reducing the term from 25 years to 15 years with extensions. Adjustments to rental payments will be contingent upon the index of cost-of-living. The rate will be between two and five percent instead of a fixed rate of 2 percent.
Construction won’t start until the next few months because of soil testing prerequisites prior to digging the first hole. Lemus stated that he wants to incorporate more solar panels in the course of the project.
Commissioner Harry Adams was the only one who did not vote in favor of the project.
“I’m totally against the whole project,” he said. “We don’t need another RV park in the harbor. The harbor is doing pretty good financially, and I don’t think a 14-space, high-rated RV park is gonna help us that much.”