News - Local - North Coast

Monday, Jun. 23, 2008

Morro Bay revisits fishing district rules

City Council to discuss easing restrictions on development in fishing district to boost economy

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Morro Bay officials will consider asking voters to tweak a decades-old law that prohibits most development near the power plant —a move that signals support for some growth in the seaside town.

City officials decided a few months ago to consider asking voters to approve a revision to Measure D, an initiative passed in 1981 that created the commercial fishing district north of Beach Street.

The initiative requires that any development on the Tidelands between Beach Street and Target Rock must primarily serve licensed commercial fishing or noncommercial recreational fishing activities.

It prohibits new restaurants, cafes, gift shops or other retail businesses that serve the general public. Those amenities aremostly clustered along the Embarcadero.

The decision to revisit the law comes months after the owners of Virg’s Landing and the Great American Fish Co. proposed expanding their waterfront businesses.

But some of those proposed expansions — including a proposal by Virg’s Landing owner Darby Neil to expand a restaurant on his property — don’t conform to Measure D. Instead, Neil’s proposed upgrade includes moving buildings around and creating new pods of commercial activity on his property without increasing square footage.

The proposed changes would still prohibit new development of restaurants, cafes or gift shops but would al-low more flexibility for fishing-related businesses to expand retail services, such as offering passenger-for-hire boats.

City officials are trying to come up with ways to revive an economy harmed mainly by the decline of the fishing industry. They’ve identified possible remedies that include boosting tourism and organizing more festivals to cater to locals and residents.

“What we’re aiming for is something that puts protection on the fishing industry but allows some other subsidiary uses that are appropriate without going too much into retail,” said Mayor Janice Peters.

The proposed amendments to Measure D would essentially broaden the definition of marine-related uses, lift restrictions for certain passenger- for-hire boats, and allow development of businesses that cater to fishing activities.

“Marine-related uses were things we thought could be added,” Peters said, “so that it would not be as restrictive but it would still protect the fishing industry primarily.”

Local commercial fishermen said they’re not as concerned with revamping the measure if it means supporting existing businesses in that area of the waterfront.

“Our main concern, of course, would be a change that would have an adverse effect in the future,” said Jeremiah O’Brien, a member of the Morro Bay Commercial Fishermen’s Association.

“We are not averse to a wording change that would allow for existing businesses to continue doing business and possibilities of expansion … that did not encroach on the commercial fishing industry.”

The fishermen’s association is made up primarily of local business people, O’Brien said, “so we’re trying to promote business.”