Mariners Point - Frequently Asked Questions

What is Mariners Point?

Mariners Point Golf Center is a privately operated commercial golf course that includes a 9-hole public golf course, a training facility, a clubhouse and related amenities that is located on city-owned land at 2401 E. Third Avenue. It consists of one parcel that is approximately 24 acres.

Who operates Mariners Point Golf Center?

Mariners Point Golf Center is operated by V.B. Golf LLC. On June 10, 1996, the city entered into a lease agreement with V.B. Golf LLC for construction and operation of the Mariners Point Golf Center. The current lease contract term is through December 31, 2023 and includes an additional 1-year option to extend the current lease per the city’s discretion.

What is the City currently planning for Mariners Point?

The current plan is to continue to operate Mariners Point Golf Center at its current location per the current lease with V.B. Golf LLC. That lease expires on December 31, 2023. The lease includes an option for a one-year extension from that date at the city’s discretion.

Why did I hear that the City wants to sell Mariners Point for housing/affordable housing?

Earlier this year, as part of the City Council Vision & Policy Summit, the Council identified Mariners Point golf course as a key project/initiative under Value/Priority Area for Smart Planning, Development and the Local Economy (Link). At no point has the Council stated that it intends to sell Mariners Point for housing/affordable housing. The Council’s stated goal with respect to the golf course was to “explore highest and best use and concept plans for mixed use of golf course.” At the March 11, 2021 City Council Special Meeting, the City Council affirmed its 2021 Value/Priority Areas and related implementation plan. As part of the implementation plan, city staff brought forward an item (Item 3: Discussion on Long Range Planning and Land Use) at the June 9, 2021 City Council meeting.

Given the time constraints, during the June 9th meeting, Council directed staff to present the golf course item only and present the remaining items related to long range planning and land use at a future meeting date. Following staff’s presentation, which included an explanation of the State Surplus Lands Act, Council discussion centered around this state mandated process for sale/long term lease of publicly-owned lands, specifically related to Mariners Point. State law requires cities to prioritize affordable housing, among other uses, when entering into a sale or long-term lease of publicly-owned lands.

What was the outcome of the discussion at the June 9, 2021 Council Meeting?

During the June 9th Council meeting, Council unanimously agreed that prior to exploring options for the golf course, community input is necessary and directed staff to bring back a memo on a community survey for the golf course. Staff noted that should any member of the Council disagree with the approach outlined in the memo or the survey questions, staff would bring the item for further deliberation at a future public meeting. As there was not unanimous consent among Council on the golf course community survey memo, staff brought back the issue of the community survey to the July 14, 2021, City Council meeting. At that time, the Council directed staff to pause the community survey.

Why did the City Council pause the community survey on the future of Mariners Point?

At the July 14th Council meeting, Council directed staff to pause the community survey and further discussion related to Mariners Point in order to allow staff to conduct preliminary and necessary environmental constraints analysis and due diligence on the golf course site and have a meaningful community engagement. Staff indicated that it would bring back the findings of the constraints analysis around the same time an analysis of the housing sites inventory would be completed in order to discuss these issues in a holistic manner. The City fully intends to engage with the community through a community survey and other community outreach efforts at the appropriate time.

How did we get here?

In 1994, Council’s policy direction was to investigate some interim uses, for a ten-year period, for the City-owned property at 2401 E. Third Avenue. Subsequently, by City Council Resolution 2454, development of the golf course was approved as an interim land use of the property. The intention was for the site to be used for recreation purposes until at some point in the future, it could be considered for development.

In 1996, the City entered into a lease of the property to V.B. Golf LLC to operate and manage a golf course on that property. That lease has been amended eight times since 1996. The current Council discussion relative to Mariners Point began in May 2020. Please see the recent discussion timeline below:

May 2020 - February 2021: Negotiations were held with V.B. Golf LLC of Mariners Point Golf Center to discuss lease terms and price
February 10, 2021: City Council 2021 Vision & Policy Summit held. Golf Course site identified as a key project/initiative under Value/Priority Area for Smart Planning, Development and the Local Economy. Stated Goal: “Explore highest and best use and concept plans for mixed use of Golf Course”
March 11, 2021: Council affirms each of the Value/Priority Areas and associated key projects and initiatives that includes the Golf Course site. Goal is refined to state “Explore highest and best use as well as preliminary concept for mixed use at the Golf Course and begin public visioning process to gain insight and perspective from the community”
March 15, 2021: Council authorizes extension of lease agreement with V.B. Golf LLC to a two-year term to December 31, 2023 with an option to extend it for one additional year at the City’s discretion
April 8, 2021: Council reviews 2021 Strategic Focus/Value Priority Areas and Implementation Plan
April 23, 2021: Council adopts a new Mission and Vision Statement
May 6, 2021: Council priorities are gauged for alignment with the City’s Vision and Mission Statements and three E’s of Sustainable Foster City Framework. Foster City Strategic Priorities Implementation Plan is reassessed. Exploring highest and best use of golf course site continues to be a top priority item
June 9, 2021: Staff presented an overview of the State Surplus Lands Act – one of the many factors that needs to be taken into consideration when disposition or long-term lease of a publicly owned land is involved.
- After much deliberation, a motion was made 5-0 to return to Council via a memo for a Community Survey
June 18, 2021: A memo on Community Survey was sent to Council
- During this timeframe, staff and council received numerous emails and feedback from residents and others
Week of June 20th: Council directed staff to return with an informational discussion on the survey at the July 19th Council meeting
- Council expressed the need to engage in a larger meaningful and robust land use discussion and consider the Golf Course site as part of that discussion
July 14, 2021: Council directed staff to pause the survey and further discussion related to Mariners Point in order to allow staff to conduct preliminary and necessary environmental constraints analysis and due diligence on the golf course site and have a meaningful community engagement

What’s next in the Mariners Point discussion?

Per Council direction, staff will conduct an environmental constraints analysis and a general level biological resource assessment of the property. Additionally, staff will research FAA height regulations, conduct a preliminary geotechnical analysis, existing wind pattern study and other due diligence as deemed necessary. Staff will then present findings of the study to the Council. Concurrently, staff will be working on the housing sites inventory study/analysis as part of the next Housing Element Update. Staff’s intent is to bring all information back to Council in late Q3 or early Q4 of 2021 to fully inform a broader and robust discussion on future land use.

Are decisions on Mariners Point future land use being made behind closed doors?

By state law, discussion, and deliberations of a majority of the City Council members must happen in public. Each time the Council has discussed policy issues related to Mariners Point, it has done so in public.

Does the City intend to sell Mariners Point to build housing/affordable housing?

The City has made no decisions on any future plans for Mariners Point. Given that the golf course was originally permitted as an interim use, the City is merely in an exploratory phase with future development potential of the site. Any future land use discussions as it relates to the golf course use of the site would be discussed and deliberated in a transparent and public partnership with residents and stakeholders through an expansive and inclusive community engagement process.

Is the City looking to sell our parks to developers to build housing/affordable housing?

No. Foster City values its parks and open space and does not intend to sell city parks for housing development.

When will the City tell us where it thinks additional housing could be sited in Foster City?

The City has launched efforts to update its Housing Element, which will plan for additional housing (also known as the Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) for the next eight years 2023-2031. The Planning Commission held a kick-off meeting for this process on July 15, 2021. State law requires cities to evaluate various housing opportunity sites to accommodate future RHNA. As part of this requirement, the City will conduct a housing sites inventory/analysis. It is anticipated that staff will bring back the housing sites inventory/analysis for discussion to the Planning Commission and City Council in late Q3 or early Q4 2021. To learn more about the Housing Element Update, click here: https://www.fostercity.org/commdev/page/housing-element-update-cycle-6

What is the new State law regarding the sale or new long-term lease of public property?

Assembly Bill 1486 (Ting, 2019) aims to promote affordable housing development on unused or underutilized public land throughout the state. The bill granted The California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) jurisdiction to implement the Surplus Lands Act.

The California Surplus Land Act (Government Code section 54220, et seq.) currently requires local agencies, prior to disposing of property, or entering into a new long-term lease (lease of longer than 5 years) of public property, to utilize a specified process of declaration and notification. A local agency has two options within the Act. (1) The City must declare the property surplus and to offer to sell or lease that property to certain entities for specified uses, including affordable housing, parks and recreation, and schools uses. After making these preliminary offers, if the disposing agency receives notice of interest from one of the entities under the Act, the disposing agency and the responding entity must enter into negotiations to sell or lease the property for a period of at least 90 days - presumably unless, before that time expires, an agreement is reached or the parties agree to terminate negotiations. If no notice of interest is received or negotiations do not result in a disposition of the property, and the local agency subsequently disposes of the surplus land for development of 10 or more residential units, then not less than 15% of the total number of units developed on the site must be sold or rented as affordable housing. (2) The City must declare the surplus property as “exempt”. Declaring a property exempt under this Act means that the City is agreeing that any redevelopment of that site, whether through sale or long-term land lease, will include no less than 300 housing units on that site including affordable units.

How does the California Surplus Land Act affect Foster City?

For all city-owned properties, Foster City would need to follow the Surplus Land Act process if the city proceeded with sale or long-term lease of those properties. The Surplus Land Act prioritizes affordable housing, parks and recreation and open space as preferred redevelopment options on such properties.

What is the City’s current General Plan land use designation for the golf course site?

The current General Plan designates the site as a Research Office Park and it allows mixed use (a mix of office/research/housing).

How can I make my opinions known on the future of Mariners Point Golf Center?

You can email us at marinerspoint@fostercity.org to share your comments and/or concerns as it relates to Mariners Point. The City understands that any future discussions on the golf course is very important to our community. In order to be informed and notified on upcoming meetings or opportunities for public engagement, you can subscribe to the Mariners Point ListServ. Additionally, the Foster City City Council meets on the first and third Mondays of each month at 6:30 p.m. at the City Hall Council Chambers (620 Foster City Blvd., Foster City, CA 94404). Every City Council meeting includes an opportunity for public comments from the community on topics related to Foster City.

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