San Diego Marine Exchange Building Addition and Remodel at Shelter Island
Summary
SCH Number
2025070642
Public Agency
San Diego Unified Port District
Document Title
San Diego Marine Exchange Building Addition and Remodel at Shelter Island
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
7/16/2025
Document Description
The proposed project would involve the partial demolition, addition to, and remodel of the San Diego Marine Exchange building by FL Hope Architecture & Planning (Applicant), as contracted by San Diego Marine Exchange, Inc. (Tenant), in the city of San Diego, California. The proposed project would include the demolition of approximately 780 square feet (sf) on the southwest portion of the original building, the addition of approximately 1,444 sf, and the interior remodeling of the existing entry and retail space, as well as the exterior remodeling of the original building.
Work to specifically complete the proposed project would consist of the following:
Demolition on 1st Floor
• Demolition of existing Storage 1 area and roof deck above
• Demolition of existing entry deck and accessibility ramp
• Demolition of both exterior stairs on the southwest portion of the building
Addition and Remodel on 1st Floor
• Addition of a two-level lobby with stairwell and elevator access
• Remodel of the existing entry
• Addition of a new entry deck and accessibility ramp
• Rebuild private deck and access stairwell
Addition and Remodel on 2nd Floor
• Addition of approximately 510 sf of retail area
• Remodeling of approximately 551 sf of existing retail area
• Remodeling of approximately 72 sf of building on the west side
• Remodeling of approximately 235 sf of building on the south side
• Addition of a 2nd level deck
Additionally, all exterior shingle siding would be removed and replaced with a stucco finish or exposed existing concreate masonry unit. The proposed project would also include the addition of a public-facing mural on the exterior wall adjacent to the parking lot. The parking lot would remain as is.
Completion of the proposed demolition and additions would result in a net increase to the total square footage by approximately 664 sf, from approximately 14,909 sf to approximately 15,573 sf.
Construction of the proposed project is anticipated to occur in late 2025 and would be carried out in two (2) phases over the course of approximately six (6) months. Phase 1 would consist of the demolition components listed above, followed by the remaining addition and remodeling components in Phase 2. Equipment required to complete the proposed project would include demolition equipment, haul trucks for demolition material, construction equipment, and the potential use of an approximately 30-foot-tall crane. If necessary, the crane would be temporarily used to lift beams as part of the new roof installation. Staging of equipment for the proposed project would be placed within the existing parking lot on the Tenant leasehold, but so that disruption to existing retail operations would be minimized, ensuring operations may safely continue during construction. The proposed project would require a crew of approximately five (5) to ten (10) personnel.
Due to its nature and limited scope, construction of the proposed project would generate a minor amount of vehicle trips and would require limited use of equipment. Therefore, impacts related to air quality, greenhouse gas emissions, and transportation and traffic are not anticipated to occur. Furthermore, the Applicant would be responsible for complying with all applicable federal, state, and local laws regarding construction demolition debris, hazards and hazardous materials, and stormwater.
Contact Information
Name
F. Leland Hope
Agency Name
FL Hope Architecture & Planning
Job Title
Owner
Contact Types
Project Applicant
Address
Phone
Email
Name
Davin Cox
Agency Name
San Diego Unified Port District
Job Title
Assistant Planner
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Email
Location
Cities
San Diego
Counties
San Diego
Regions
Southern California
Other Location Info
2636 Shelter Island Drive, San Diego, CA 92106
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
CEQA Guidelines Section 15301 Existing Facilities (Class 1)
Reasons for Exemption
The proposed project is determined to be Categorically Exempt pursuant to California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Section 15301 (Existing Facilities) and Section 3.a. of the District’s Guidelines for Compliance with CEQA because it would involve the partial demolition, addition, and remodeling of an existing structure that would involve negligible expansion of use beyond that previously existing and would not result in a significant cumulative impact due to the continuation of the existing use. Section 3.a. of the District’s CEQA Guidelines is as follows:
3.a. Existing Facilities (SG § 15301) (Class 1): Includes operation, repair, maintenance, or minor alteration of existing public or private structures, facilities, mechanical equipment, or topographical features, involving negligible or no expansion of use beyond that previously existing, including but not limited to:
(3) Interior and exterior remodeling or alterations, involving negligible or no expansion of use beyond that previously existing, including, but not limited to, marine terminal facilities, and marine-oriented commercial, industrial, and public and commercial recreational facilities, including buildings, piers, wharves, marine ways; railroads; airport facilities, runways, taxiways, aprons, and ancillary structures to those facilities; or mechanical systems and equipment.
While the San Diego Marine Exchange building is more than 45 years old, the project site is not listed on any National, State, or City of San Diego historic registers. Additionally, the District does not identify the San Diego Marine Exchange building as a potentially historic resource in the Port Master Plan Update Project Final Program Environmental Impact Report (SCH #2017031070; UPD #EIR-2017-035; Clerk Document No. 76446), certified by the District on February 28, 2024 (Resolution No. 2024-015).
Furthermore, Shelter Island has historically been a focal point of Tiki Modern-style architecture (also known as Tiki-Polynesian or Atomic Tiki) and locale for Polynesia-inspired popular culture in California during the 1950s and 1960s. Following development in 1953, comprehensive planning and design review later ensured that Shelter Island development would continue to embody this architectural style, including commercial buildings along the causeway portion of Shelter Island Drive, which led the existing architecture of the San Diego Marine Exchange building to feature components of Tiki Modern-style architecture, including wood paneling throughout the structure. These guidelines requiring development to follow the Tiki Modern-style and South Seas atmosphere were removed as part of the Final Program Environmental Impact Report for the America’s Cup Harbor Redevelopment and Port Master Plan Amendment for Shelter Island Planning District (SCH #2000091043; UPD #83356-EIR-332; Clerk Document No. 44566), certified by the District on May 21, 2002 (Resolution No. 2002-119). Therefore, the District has determined that there would not be a substantial adverse change to any potentially historic resource.
County Clerk
San Diego
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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