The
Unauthorized / Illegal Road above Greenridge Drive
Please duplicate / post / e-mail out
On Thursday and Friday 9/14 and 9/15/06 at the top of Greenridge
Dr. above San Pablo Dam Rd. at May Rd., what appeared to be a
comprehensive
brush clearing
above the existing fire road turned out to be a massive clearing
and grading of sensitive natural areas.
A very very wide dirt
road has been created extending high above Greenridge.
Neighbors were not informed. No one in the Richmond planning, fire,
or engineering departments seemed to know about anything being
permitted
or OK’d. However,
later, the city briefly claimed "they" (owners?) were re-grading
a pre-existing fire road.
From direct observation and experience, I know two basic facts: there
was a significant frog pond- a water source for wildlife which
was nearly year-round adjoining
a wetland. And there was no pre-existing road (as claimed) where
the new road has been created proximately parallel to the Upland
fire road (also slightly
widened).
This new upper Greenridge dirt road has other time-sensitive concerns
due to the oncoming rainy season: a gentle hill slope was leveled
(an extensive area);
steep banks were cut requiring immediate buttressing. There
are other obvious concerns with flood drainage and erosion,
creek damage, and frog pond and wetland restoration.
I was told at City Council on 9/19/06 that since the grading
was un-permitted, the newly created road will have to
be restored to
how it was before. But that
is not likely to occur without popular awareness and
demand. Time is short (rains and new growth) to openly formulate
a proactive plan to fairly
correct and restore the damage,
one that fits the spirit and letter of laws and ordinances.
The Richmond foothills above El Sobrante Valley represent
our spiritual health and integrity as a community
region-wide. It is also, I
believe, a home
for our better natures, our protective spirits. We
are in it
together. And we really
can achieve something very beneficial for all concerned
by using a good-faith proactive spirit of honesty and
compromise. These
unique and verdant
hillsides, “Richmond’s
sliding ridge-lands”, regarded by the vast majority
as unsuitable for building, provide an opportunity
to
help us heal
our united humanity.
There is a possibility to create
a win-win-win arrangement. For the owners, a good
return on investment.
For the city and communities,
a much greater natural wholeness and health. Yes,
perhaps approve a very limited number of homes below, but simultaneously
enlist
Muir Heritage
Land Trust (which
is eager to help) to negotiate purchase of conservation
easements above,
paid for by non-government benefactors. Coordinated
activitites, guided by ready
volunteers,
will connect young people and all ages to healing
experiences
in nature. The land was never expensive, 2 million
dollars for 200
superbly beautiful
acres.
I think the creative compromise win-win solution
is the highroad. We are all guardians of this treasure
and resource
for future
generations. Save
Richmond’s
Scenic Hillsides 510-223-8707/510-233-6432
The Unauthorized Road above Greenridge Drive - A List
of Concerns & Questions
1. Several earth movers still on site. Why? (Now
gone)
2. Linking fire road between Greenridge Dr. and
Upland remains uncleared- if should be cleared
recommend
power saws.
3. Pretext for event was a common fire-hazard ticket.
4. No response from owner(s)/ it is believed that
property is for sale (opportunity?).
5. There has been some support for the community
by Richmond staff and city representatives however
city
government
appears unenthusiastic
about “tackling” the
issue.
6. In part because our community is split between
county and city, it has been slow to pull together. “Somebody
else will do something.”
7. Does the city know about the three weeks of
underground work at the top of pre-existing Greenridge
Dr. before
incident week of
9/11.
8. Importance of the daylight of publicity: a.
Most people think nothing happened, and many others
are
confused about
what actually
happened. b. Fair and honest
dialogue. c. Creative compomise solutions.
9. The new road has been called a “fire road,” but
it has the absolute appearance of a wide access
road. If an after-the-fact grading permit approval
is linked to the claim that "this is a fire
road," then: a. What are the legitimate standards
for approving a fire road? b.
Can a
common citation
(see #3 above) call for a fire road? (That seems
very suspicious).
10. One possible compromise idea: restore it to
a one-way (lane) trail-road with no forseeable
paving. Richmond
City Government: 620-6706
(planning) / click here to email: City
Manager
11. What is the land actually and legally zoned
for?
12. How soon can we restore the frog pond wetland?
13. What about damaged creeks? Forest
Green EIR is out. See SaveElSobranteHills.org
