James Hetfield Backing Down?
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If I understand right this will be a new multi use trail in the San Daminico drainage. The horse folks are fighting it tooth and nail. The county parks and most parks are strapped for money, so expect them to have volunteer days. There was also talk about securing the solstice (?) trail into a bike only trail, while the horses received the new trail.
I got too much time on my hands. Need to spend less computer time and more biking.
I got too much time on my hands. Need to spend less computer time and more biking.
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Connie Berto rides a horse, but she is a mule.
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I just read a news article from AP that was copied onto the Santa Cruz Sentinel. It didn't sound to me like the guy is backing off at all. From the article, he's fenced off a fire road that has seen public use for 50 years, and is looking for a re-route of the trail.
http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/nationalbreaking/ci_14008830
It appears to me he's trying to bribe local gov't or gain buy-in from the environmental community by donating development rights on property that surrounds his house. He's got the backing of at least one of the county supervisors, who is excited about the donation of conservation easements.
http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/nationalbreaking/ci_14008830
It appears to me he's trying to bribe local gov't or gain buy-in from the environmental community by donating development rights on property that surrounds his house. He's got the backing of at least one of the county supervisors, who is excited about the donation of conservation easements.
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680 Trail is in the Open Space queue
The Solstice trail is one that could evaporate any time, especially due to ignorant trail users cutting through the school campus rather than following the trail signs. The school is on the brink of closing it so if you are a trail user who likes that sort of trail tell folks to respect the school.
The trail discussed as going bike only is known as Meditation that comes off of Smith Fire Road otwards the SD area. This trail was reportedly cut in by Connie Berto as were various others in the immediate area, though most of her trails are unsustainable fall line trails, this one is a decent traverse made better by reasonable trail users over the years.
In any event, the Marin Open Space is trying to accommodate trail cyclists but have a big battle with the NIMBYS, Enviro Extremists and some horsey folks of Berto's ilk.
Keep an eye out for Marin OS and BOD meetings so you can speak and make the cyclists voice more known and reasoned than it may appear in the IJ blogs.
Shared and Better Trails for All, please.
You can look it up on Marin's Open Space page online. They are avoiding the old metal dude's property all together. Connie Berto is trying to sink the 680 Trail anyway she can by scaring the homeowner's association and threatening anyone whe can think of. She wants to keep the San Dominico space as her private play ground.HarryCallahan said:
The Solstice trail is one that could evaporate any time, especially due to ignorant trail users cutting through the school campus rather than following the trail signs. The school is on the brink of closing it so if you are a trail user who likes that sort of trail tell folks to respect the school.
The trail discussed as going bike only is known as Meditation that comes off of Smith Fire Road otwards the SD area. This trail was reportedly cut in by Connie Berto as were various others in the immediate area, though most of her trails are unsustainable fall line trails, this one is a decent traverse made better by reasonable trail users over the years.
In any event, the Marin Open Space is trying to accommodate trail cyclists but have a big battle with the NIMBYS, Enviro Extremists and some horsey folks of Berto's ilk.
Keep an eye out for Marin OS and BOD meetings so you can speak and make the cyclists voice more known and reasoned than it may appear in the IJ blogs.
Shared and Better Trails for All, please.
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Marin Independent Journal
Posted: 12/16/2009 07:57:21 AM PST
Updated: 12/16/2009 07:57:22 AM PST
MARIN COUNTY — Metallica rock band leader James Hetfield has donated to Marin County a 330-acre agricultural conservation easement near his home on land overlooking Lucas Valley.
The Marin Board of Supervisors on Tuesday unanimously accepted donation of the easement, which precludes development on the land known as the Luiz Ranch.
"This is a really exciting offer," said Supervisor Steve Kinsey. He said Hetfield was "taking a break from heavy metal to become a heavy contributor to our agricultural conservation efforts.
"It's another indication of a continuing effort to improve our partnerships on that important ridge and I think it reflects very positively on him."
The donation is adjacent to another 438.5 acres that Hetfield donated previously as an open space easement. Both donations essentially vacate development rights on the land, preserving it for open space and agriculture, while also providing a massive ring of open space around Hetfield's home and property.
"There is a philanthropic bent here, but there is clearly also a preservation of privacy, which is very important to the Hetfield family," said Scott Hochstrasser, Hetfield's land use consultant. "This donation shows the continued willingness of the Hetfield family to be a positive and progressive part of the community and a family that respects public policy and the preservation of the beauty of open space in Marin, which is their home."
Hetfield's donation is entirely separate from his ongoing negotiations with the county over placement of a trail along a Terra Linda hilltop that bypasses the Luiz Ranch Fire Trail, which crosses Hetfield's property. Hetfield's recent construction of a 300-foot-long fence across the trail to keep people from hiking and riding across it sparked an outcry from hikers, bikers and equestrians.
The fence was placed at the end of a fire road in the Terra Linda-Sleepy Hollow Divide open space preserve on the Luiz Ranch property Hetfield owns next to his 500-acre property at 3001 Lucas Valley Road. Hetfield has proposed construction of a 14,000-square-foot house, a swimming pool and another 6,000-square-foot building that would house a music studio, garage and caretaker's residence.
Kinsey said the fence/trail issue appears to be nearing a deal in which the trail would be re-routed along the edge of Hetfield's property and off the ridgetop. The design and construction of the trail would cost the Marin County Open Space District more than $200,000.
"He has maintained a willingness to provide a route, but it doesn't seem like that is going to be necessary," Kinsey said. "It appears as though the county is going to be able to design and build the trail without crossing any of the Hetfield property." The cost of the new trail, provisionally named "680 Trail" for its elevation, would come out of the Marin County Open Space District's budget, not the general fund. County officials hope to get volunteers to help with work on the path. The county wants to obtain needed environmental reviews and permits by May 2010, then start construction by next summer and officially open it in spring 2011.
The impending deal offered no solace for equestrian Connie Berto of Sleepy Hollow, who has been using the trail for five decades. She said for the county to spend so much money moving the trail is ludicrous, and that previous landowners never denied hikers and riders access.
"This is to replace a perfectly good, usable all-weather fire road that people have been using for years and years?" she said. "The next question is, how do you make a safe, multiuse trail out of land that is practically vertical in some places?" Berto said the trail's users have a simple solution, if anyone would ask.
"All (Hetfield) has to do is move his property line over a little bit on the Lucas Valley side and keep that fire road as it is," she said. "It's eight-tenths of a mile. This is unnecessary, and it's a travesty of process. He's got to realize that he can't take it with him."
Posted: 12/16/2009 07:57:21 AM PST
Updated: 12/16/2009 07:57:22 AM PST
MARIN COUNTY — Metallica rock band leader James Hetfield has donated to Marin County a 330-acre agricultural conservation easement near his home on land overlooking Lucas Valley.
The Marin Board of Supervisors on Tuesday unanimously accepted donation of the easement, which precludes development on the land known as the Luiz Ranch.
"This is a really exciting offer," said Supervisor Steve Kinsey. He said Hetfield was "taking a break from heavy metal to become a heavy contributor to our agricultural conservation efforts.
"It's another indication of a continuing effort to improve our partnerships on that important ridge and I think it reflects very positively on him."
The donation is adjacent to another 438.5 acres that Hetfield donated previously as an open space easement. Both donations essentially vacate development rights on the land, preserving it for open space and agriculture, while also providing a massive ring of open space around Hetfield's home and property.
"There is a philanthropic bent here, but there is clearly also a preservation of privacy, which is very important to the Hetfield family," said Scott Hochstrasser, Hetfield's land use consultant. "This donation shows the continued willingness of the Hetfield family to be a positive and progressive part of the community and a family that respects public policy and the preservation of the beauty of open space in Marin, which is their home."
Hetfield's donation is entirely separate from his ongoing negotiations with the county over placement of a trail along a Terra Linda hilltop that bypasses the Luiz Ranch Fire Trail, which crosses Hetfield's property. Hetfield's recent construction of a 300-foot-long fence across the trail to keep people from hiking and riding across it sparked an outcry from hikers, bikers and equestrians.
The fence was placed at the end of a fire road in the Terra Linda-Sleepy Hollow Divide open space preserve on the Luiz Ranch property Hetfield owns next to his 500-acre property at 3001 Lucas Valley Road. Hetfield has proposed construction of a 14,000-square-foot house, a swimming pool and another 6,000-square-foot building that would house a music studio, garage and caretaker's residence.
Kinsey said the fence/trail issue appears to be nearing a deal in which the trail would be re-routed along the edge of Hetfield's property and off the ridgetop. The design and construction of the trail would cost the Marin County Open Space District more than $200,000.
"He has maintained a willingness to provide a route, but it doesn't seem like that is going to be necessary," Kinsey said. "It appears as though the county is going to be able to design and build the trail without crossing any of the Hetfield property." The cost of the new trail, provisionally named "680 Trail" for its elevation, would come out of the Marin County Open Space District's budget, not the general fund. County officials hope to get volunteers to help with work on the path. The county wants to obtain needed environmental reviews and permits by May 2010, then start construction by next summer and officially open it in spring 2011.
The impending deal offered no solace for equestrian Connie Berto of Sleepy Hollow, who has been using the trail for five decades. She said for the county to spend so much money moving the trail is ludicrous, and that previous landowners never denied hikers and riders access.
"This is to replace a perfectly good, usable all-weather fire road that people have been using for years and years?" she said. "The next question is, how do you make a safe, multiuse trail out of land that is practically vertical in some places?" Berto said the trail's users have a simple solution, if anyone would ask.
"All (Hetfield) has to do is move his property line over a little bit on the Lucas Valley side and keep that fire road as it is," she said. "It's eight-tenths of a mile. This is unnecessary, and it's a travesty of process. He's got to realize that he can't take it with him."
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Can you say Big Rock?
Connie will have the 680 as wide as Big Rock if we do not represent. At least we can try to keep to the Porcupine standard if we can't have a more narrow multi use trail like the rest of the world.
Connie will have the 680 as wide as Big Rock if we do not represent. At least we can try to keep to the Porcupine standard if we can't have a more narrow multi use trail like the rest of the world.
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DoTheWork_RideTheTrail,
Thanks for the local insider perspective.
The article posted is the same one I read. That closing quote from Connie Berto is pretty unbelievable, and makes her seem pretty unreasonable and out of touch. Move the property line 8/10ths of a mile?
My issue here is just the loss of what appears to be a longstanding public easement, regardless of who uses it. The trail was apparently there and used long before Hetfield bought his property and decided he didn't want to see the public passing by. If that's not the case, or there is a reasonable re-route that locals are happy with, so be it.
HC
Thanks for the local insider perspective.
The article posted is the same one I read. That closing quote from Connie Berto is pretty unbelievable, and makes her seem pretty unreasonable and out of touch. Move the property line 8/10ths of a mile?
My issue here is just the loss of what appears to be a longstanding public easement, regardless of who uses it. The trail was apparently there and used long before Hetfield bought his property and decided he didn't want to see the public passing by. If that's not the case, or there is a reasonable re-route that locals are happy with, so be it.
HC
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So wait, she's butthurt over land that Hetfield owns and wants to keep as private land even though a trail she likes goes through it?
So I guess she'd be cool to the idea of mountain bikers building dirt jumps in her front yard...
What a *****, she can't be grateful for the land that Hetfield donated? She can't understand his need for privacy? I'm in no way a huge fan of Hetfield OR Metallica, but he does have landowners rights to not allow tresspassing.
So I guess she'd be cool to the idea of mountain bikers building dirt jumps in her front yard...
What a *****, she can't be grateful for the land that Hetfield donated? She can't understand his need for privacy? I'm in no way a huge fan of Hetfield OR Metallica, but he does have landowners rights to not allow tresspassing.
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Devil is in the details
"So wait, she's butthurt over land that Hetfield owns and wants to keep as private land even though a trail she likes goes through it?"
"Hetfield did a great and righteous thing to give up some land."
To the above two comments, I'd say the answers are "No, that mischaracterizes the situation.", and "Maybe not so great or righteous, as the question is what has he given up." Let me explain.
The contention is that Hetfield has blocked a trail or fire road that has been used by the public for fifty years or more. There's a principal in American law, going back to England and as I understand it to the Vikings, that continuous public use establishes a right of way. I don't know if that applies here, but that's what is being argued about public right versus private. In this case, the use was there long before Hetfield bought the land.
As to what he's given up, he didn't give the land to the county. He put it into a conservation easement; he didn't relinquish title.
So he's given up development rights on lands he probably never intended to develop anyway. For that he gets a nice tax write-off. The county loses out on property taxes due to the lowered assessed value of the land. Then he asks the county to pay an additional $200,000 to re-route a trail so he doesn't have to see people on the trail. If I paid taxes in Marin, I'd be unhappy about this "swell gift".
"So wait, she's butthurt over land that Hetfield owns and wants to keep as private land even though a trail she likes goes through it?"
"Hetfield did a great and righteous thing to give up some land."
To the above two comments, I'd say the answers are "No, that mischaracterizes the situation.", and "Maybe not so great or righteous, as the question is what has he given up." Let me explain.
The contention is that Hetfield has blocked a trail or fire road that has been used by the public for fifty years or more. There's a principal in American law, going back to England and as I understand it to the Vikings, that continuous public use establishes a right of way. I don't know if that applies here, but that's what is being argued about public right versus private. In this case, the use was there long before Hetfield bought the land.
As to what he's given up, he didn't give the land to the county. He put it into a conservation easement; he didn't relinquish title.
So he's given up development rights on lands he probably never intended to develop anyway. For that he gets a nice tax write-off. The county loses out on property taxes due to the lowered assessed value of the land. Then he asks the county to pay an additional $200,000 to re-route a trail so he doesn't have to see people on the trail. If I paid taxes in Marin, I'd be unhappy about this "swell gift".
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Pretty much the vocal NIMBYS in Marin are unhappy about anything that might allow cyclists on "their" trails.HarryCallahan said:
I'd still take a trail over a crappy fire road in any event, even if it is 5' wide at least it is morre trail user friendly. More multi use trails are a huge amenity for the county and a good way to showcase how user groups can work together to get things done.
Hetfield is going to do what he wants. The county missed the opportunity to include the trail easement when Luiz sold the property to him. The San Dominico school is providing trail easement for all 3 user groups and I think we ought to be happy for the chance to have more multi use trails.
Connie will always show up for her cause and we other trail users should be vigilant to counter her scare tactics and misinformation.
Join www.access4bikes.com and www.btcmarin.org to stay in tune with Marin trail access info.
Thanks for staying involved!
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Don't you know that Metallica is broke because of evil mp3 file sharers? I mean he could barely afford the 770 acres of prime real estate and a 14,000 square foot house with detached 6,000 square foot garage/studio. Where would he find another 200K?Khemical said:
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Yeah, pretty much the same. Or moving next to an airport then complaining about the noise. That's not the same as complaining because the airport gets built next to you.Carl Hungus said:
True story about another pop star. She bought a house in a semi-rural community with community owned horse trails, then tried to block access to the trails around her house for security reasons. Now, there's a way to make yourself popular in the neighborhood.
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Okay, if you take it from your point of view, he's not doing much. But he's paying attention to the trail user community in the area. Legally he owns the property and can be the bastard with the "fence" and lock us out with lawyers, but he gave up some land and thats something in this day when most Marinites don't want anyone in their "backyard".HarryCallahan said:
But whats your take on Connie? That pain is always quoted by the IJ and apparently she has plenty of time to horseback ride all over the place. She's the real problem here. Selfishness defined.
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Too funny....
As much as I don't like the blockage of the fire road, it is no different then the sections like the one property past Hetfields, before Loma Alta, or Lucas' and Hill Ranch On Big Rock Ridge that's off limits. I'm sure they were open access at one time. Private means just what it means.
....but didn't they just have to do a fund raiser of some kind? May be they aren't "as well off" as we assume.Sasquatch said:
As much as I don't like the blockage of the fire road, it is no different then the sections like the one property past Hetfields, before Loma Alta, or Lucas' and Hill Ranch On Big Rock Ridge that's off limits. I'm sure they were open access at one time. Private means just what it means.
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johnnyb,johnnyb said:
I see what you mean about doing something for the trail users by offering an alternative. And that's better than the proverbial "poke in the eye with a sharp stick". Not wanting to be terminally cynical, that could be a good will gesture, or it could be a political ploy. He owns the property but is his fence legal? Maybe yes, maybe no,and maybe it would take a team of lawyers, years in court, and more than $200k to settle the issue.
I'm not from Marin, but I take your word on it about Connie. Here's what I think. I've got a friend that is an ex-reporter for a small town paper. What I hear is that the pressure to get stories out fast is pretty relentless, and there's seldom time to dig. Sources that talk are valuable. By being vocal, quotable and accessible, Connie has become a "go to" person on local trails issues, at least for the IJ. We've got a "bike advocate" like that in Santa Cruz, and every time his name appears, you can count on the angry rebuttals.
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