Government operations
State property: tidelands transfer: City of Martinez: leases
Martinez can lease its state-granted tidelands for up to 66 years, with longer terms possible upon state approval.
The longer lease authority is intended to support revitalization of the aging Martinez Marina and waterfront while keeping the land subject to public-trust protections.
What the law does
- Raises the maximum standard lease term for Martinez trust lands from 49 to 66 years.
- Allows leases longer than 66 years if the State Lands Commission finds the term is in the state’s best interest.
- Requires the City of Martinez to pay costs for Commission-requested, reviewed, or conducted studies and analyses of a longer lease, including staff time.
- Keeps requirements that leases serve public-trust purposes, follow the approved trust-lands use plan, charge fair annual rent, and be in the state’s best interest.
Who it affects
- The City of Martinez, which manages the granted tidelands in trust.
- Prospective lessees and master developers of the Martinez waterfront and marina.
- The State Lands Commission, which must approve and evaluate leases exceeding 66 years.
Context
The Legislature cites critical maintenance needs at the marina, which was built in the 1960s and has deteriorated after deferred maintenance.