Hear From People Who Experienced The Outdated Rules Of The Waterfront, Firsthand.
For decades, Sausalito’s waterfront has been home to artists, makers, maritime businesses and people with big ideas.
But the rules governing much of the waterfront were written 40 years ago, and they can make it remarkably difficult for those people and businesses to adapt, invest and grow.
Hear directly from longtime Sausalito business owners about what they have experienced firsthand, why the current system is holding our waterfront back, and why they believe it’s time to give Sausalito the tools to move forward.
Our Arts Community is at Risk
Marcel and his family have been the stewards of Marinship Studios’ off Gate 5 Rd. in the Marinship for the past 9 years.
Marinship Studios stated mission is to reinvigorate the ground where Maya Angelou, Ruth Asawa, Jean Varda, Gordon Onslow Ford, and Allen Ginsberg worked and lived.
Unfortunately, the flooding has forced many of Marcel’s artist tenants out and he worries that Sausalito will lose its arts corridor in the Marinship if the flooding drives out other artists and heritage brands like Heath Ceramics.
A community like this takes decades to build and a few wet winters to lose. Measure X is the first step in decades to start to do something about this.
*Disclaimer: Marcel is not a Sausalito voter. Views are shared for factual context only.
Let LLEA BLUE & Other Makers Sell
Under Marinship's current rules, a baker can’t have a retail counter. An artist can’t sell from her studio. Garment makers are not permitted to have a shopfront.
Heath Ceramics is grandfathered in... Because they started before the 1985 rules that stopped everything. No new makers allowed. That is an unsustainable model for most businesses who are interested in following the law.
Measure X lets people sell what they create, right where they make it.
Let’s Get Our Waterfront Working Again
Hear from Sean of Hog Heaven fishing boat on why he supports Measure X.
Why Angela of Diameter Plants Supports Measure X
Angela from Diameter Plants on Caledonia has been looking to move into a larger space in Sausalito for years. However, due to the strict no retail limitations in Marinship - the only area with spaces that could work for her vision - she and her business may have to move.
With Measure X, our favorite neighborhood businesses will be allowed to sell in the Marinship and we can be a part of supporting their growth!
Hear more from Angela and why she supports Measure X! #YesOnX #voteyesonx
Imagine Sausalito Without Schoonmaker Beach
Mike has spent 37 years working on our waterfront. If you’ve eaten at Le Garage, spent a sunny day at Schoonmaker Beach, or visited in Sausalito by boat, you’ve seen what a great community asset looks like.
A marina with boats supporting local maritime trades. Space for small businesses. And a free public beach, all sharing one shoreline. 💙 It’s the kind of waterfront we love.
1022 is the ordinance that Measure X amends.
Under today’s regulations, we couldn’t create another Schoonmaker. We couldn’t do many of the things we love most about our waterfront. Vote Yes on Measure X for more of what we love!
The Sausalito Sustainable Waterfront Association endorses Measure X
The Sausalito Sustainable Waterfront Association (SSWA) is proud to endorse Measure X.
The SSWA represents the vast majority of businesses and operators along Sausalito's working waterfront. We are the foundation of our maritime community. Our members range from multigenerational, family-owned businesses to new startups.
We believe this initiative is essential to preserving Sausalito's unique waterfront heritage while allowing it to evolve in a thoughtful, sustainable, and economically viable manner.
The adoption of Measure X would address the effects of 40-year-old obsolete rules that make it impossible to sustain a healthy maritime industry in Sausalito, for the long term.
Measure X would restore a balanced discretionary public review process, so our community can make the thoughtful adjustments the working waterfront needs, and back the skilled trades that depend on it: outboard engine mechanics, fishermen, sailmakers, shipwrights, artists, electricians, divers, and everyone else who powers Sausalito's maritime ecosystem.
Hear Why the Owners of Mauma Support Measure X
Mauma provides nourishing postpartum meals inspired by Korean culinary tradition, chef-prepared in Sausalito’s Marinship.
“We recently survived the outrageous process of building a small (954 sq. ft) commercial kitchen which took two years to complete. Our experience drives us to support any local initiatives that support small businesses instead of hindering and punishing them before they even start.
We feel so grateful to be a part of the Marinship and would love to see a future that embraces more independent and unique businesses.
After learning we will never be allowed to sell retail food because of our zoning, we have had to eliminate that section of our business, thus losing out on potential revenue (as a small biz this can make things hard!). If this ballot is successful we could sell our food that will help us survive as business while serving the workers, residents and visitors of Sausalito.”
— Marty & Nicole, owners of Mauma
Heath Ceramics Endorses Measure X
If you’ve seen a Heath Ceramics van around town, you’ve probably noticed: “Still made in Sausalito California.” That commitment to this town is worth keeping.
Yet Heath’s retail store couldn’t be built under today’s rules, and those same restrictions make it incredibly difficult for Marinship businesses to invest and adapt.
Robin knows this firsthand. After 20+ years leading Heath and serving on multiple commissions to revitalize the Marinship, he’s watched recommendation after recommendation go nowhere.
After decades of flooding, studies, and waiting, our local businesses deserve a path to invest, adapt, and stay in Sausalito.
That’s why Heath endorses Measure X. Watch to learn more!
An Artist’s Perspective on Sausalito’s Outdated Waterfront Rules
Loring is a longtime Sausalito resident, artist and architect with more than 50 years of experience in the creative arts.
He shares why Sausalito’s 40-year-old waterfront rules are too restrictive, making it harder for artists, makers and businesses to adapt and bring new ideas to life.
His message is simple: when good ideas become too difficult to pursue, something needs to change.
Hear why Loring believes Measure X is an opportunity to update outdated rules and help our waterfront thrive.