Help Us Save Our Sausalito Historic District

Planning Commission Appeal Hearing – April 2 at 6:30 PM

 

Action Alert: The developer of 605 Bridgeway has appealed the City’s determination that the project is inconsistent with zoning and planning rules. Although the appeal was filed late, the Planning Commission is having the hearing — on Tuesday, April 2 at 6:30 PM at City Hall. Our SOS attorney will make a statement, but only we, the community, can show what’s truly at stake. A packed room — and a full Zoom line — sends a clear message: Sausalito stands united against these non-compliant condos and in defense of our historic district.

Sausalito - Home

9 Stories - 109 Feet Tall!

Oppose the Ultra-Luxury Condos at 605-613 Bridgeway

A huge 9-story, 109-foot ultra-luxury building that doesn’t follow Sausalito regulations has been proposed right in the middle of our Historic District. It is proposing 51 luxury units with only 8 tiny “affordable” units in the back against the hill.

 

 

If the developer succeeds, it will set up a domino effect of similar projects and would be the end of our Historic District and city’s special character. We need your help now.

Bridgeway
The massive scale overwhelms our historic district.

Join the 2,200 People Who Have Signed the Petition to Oppose this Flawed Project

Save Our Sausalito is backing these grassroots voices with detailed legal filings. We’ve submitted more than 250 pages of legal documents and expert analysis to the city. Our attorneys will continue fighting to make sure our voices are heard.

Join a SOS Committee

Save Our Sausalito is actively seeking members to join our committees. Your involvement will directly influence the future of our community, and we look forward to working with you!

We have four committees: Meeting Oversight, Outreach, Policy, and Fundraising.

Support Our Legal Action

SOS lawyers provided a point-by-point rebuttal to applicant attorney and urged officials to reject the reckless luxury condo project at 605-613 Bridgeway, citing zoning violations, untimely appeals, and devastating threats to Sausalito’s historic district under CEQA.
Save Our Sausalilto attorneys called on the City of Sausalito to reject the applicant’s untimely appeal, which sought to overturn the city’s determination that the proposed luxury condo project at 605-613 Bridgeway violated zoning rules and the General Plan.
Save Our Sausalito attorneys submitted a letter urging the City to deny the 605-613 Bridgeway application, outlining legally required reasons for denial. The letter highlighted violations of height limits, zoning regulations, environmental risks, and historical misrepresentation.
Save Our Sausalito submitted detailed comments on the Draft Environmental Impact Report for the 6th Cycle Housing Element Programs. The comments call for a thorough reassessment of the DEIR to ensure the protection of Sausalito's historic and biological resources.
New expert report reveals proposed luxury development fails to meet critical preservation standards, raising concerns that it could permanently damage the district’s historical character and jeopardize Sausalito’s status as a Certified Historic District.
Save Our Sausalito urges the City to include a Historic District Preservation Alternative in the Draft Environmental Impact Report for the Amended 6th Cycle Housing Element, removing Opportunity Sites 201 (605-613 Bridgeway) and 212 (721-729 Bridgeway).
The 605-613 Bridgeway project applicant is improperly using Bonus Density Law to claim more units than allowed. In response, Save Our Sausalito attorneys filed a legal challenge, arguing the law cannot be used to increase units.
Save Our Sausalito submitted a Historic Resources Evaluation (HRE) by Connor Turnball Preservation Consulting to the city, highlighting the historical and cultural importance of 605-613 Bridgeway and advocating for its preservation.
Save Our Sausalito opposes the demolition of historic structures at 605-613 Bridgeway, as it includes walls of a listed historic building, which the California State Office of Historic Preservation equates to demolishing the entire structure.
Donors make Save Our Sausalito’s legal efforts like these possible. Please consider giving today to help us keep up our momentum and protect Sausalito today and for future generations. All contributions are welcome.

Save Our Sausalito Biologist Identifies Habitat of Special Species on Bridgeway Site

image
image
image
Sensitive species birds photographed in the Princess Grove on April 3, 2024.

Protect the Princess Grove Habitat

The current Bridgeway proposal would clear-cut what has become known as the Princess Grove, a grove of eleven trees, including magnificent coast live oaks standing 45-feet tall and likely almost a century old.

 

study by renowned biologist Dr. Shawn Smallwood showed that Princess Grove hosts special-status species including the great horned owl, Allen’s hummingbird and red-shouldered hawk.

The glass in the structure would result in an estimated 147 annual bird-window collision deaths, according to the report.

image

Best-Selling Author Amy Tan Speaks Out on Project’s Threat to Local Birds

image

“This proposed building is an eyesore that would damage the unique beauty of our town. Its expanse of glass windows reflecting the bay would lure birds that would be killed by colliding into what appears to be sky. These high-end residences would also be lit at night and attract and kill migrating birds. Sausalito is the varied habitat for hundreds of species of birds that are both year-round residents and visiting fall migrants from September – April.

 

As a board member of American Bird Conservancy and a Sausalito homeowner whose backyard has been visited by 66 species of birds, I voice my strong objection to this proposed building detrimental to both our town’s historic character and its wildlife.”

– Amy Tan –

Sausalito Resident

Join your voice with Amy’s to call upon the City Council to protect Sausalito’s wildlife and the city itself.

This Project Doesn’t Belong in the Historic District

image

One million people visit Sausalito’s Historic District every year. It is one of only twelve certified historic districts in all of California.

It is a treasured and much-loved resource as well as an economic engine of the community.

 

The State of California acclaimed the district’s commercial architecture as some of the most notable of its time period.

image

Save Our Sausalito

Icon
Save Our Sausalito is a 501(c)4 public benefit non-profit corporation that organizes direct actions to preserve Sausalito’s unique character today and for future generations. We fight for you by advocating for responsibly designed new developments and affordable housing, and opposing developments that detract from Sausalito’s welcoming community.

The Sausalito we treasure and love won’t be here unless we fight for it.

Donations to Save Our Sausalito are not tax deductible.