Measure X Threatens Marinship Makers

Another Measure X claim is that it will allow makers to sell their wares at retail for the first time, but this is an error. Current rules already allow makers to sell goods on-site: accessory retail can occupy up to 15% of their space. Measure X is not needed to help makers sell their goods from their workshop. They already can.

If other changes are needed the City Council can change many rules directly. Just this year the City’s Fresh Catch program affirmed that fishermen can sell fish at retail—one example of a targeted positive program within Council authority.

Larger changes can go to voters separately. Helping makers sell does not require major upzoning or removing the voters’ long-held right to approve major zoning changes.

Measure X says it prohibits new “commercial office” buildings. But its own use table allows many office-type activities to occupy 100% of a building, including financial services, business support, design, publishing, medical services, and research.

A financial-services company could occupy a full building while proponents said no “commercial office building” had been approved. The label changes. The activity does not.

Measure X creates a much larger development opportunity on Sausalito’s most vulnerable waterfront land—property whose extraordinary views could attract higher-paying tenants.

If higher-paying renters compete for the same properties, rents could rise and existing, more price-sensitive makers could be displaced, according to the independent reports. A measure presented as preserving makers could push them out.