Saving Pittsburg's hills next steps

Pittsburg is still developing a Hillside Development Ordinance, but the question remains: what, if anything, will the ordinance protect? If developed, these regionally significant hills will be scarred with ridgeline subdivisions overlooking the Concord Naval Weapons Station, put 13,000 extra car trips per day on our local roads, add hidden costs to taxpayers, increase air pollution, and destroy wildlife.

On May 22, city staff presented the Planning Commission with minor revisions to the ordinance and with a set of options. Some of the options would provide significant, though not total, protection to the hills; others would weaken the already-weak draft by allowing more development on the hills.

The commission decided to select among the options at its June 22 meeting. Staff will then revise the proposals and present a new version of the ordinance at the commission's July 10 meeting.

The terms of three of the seven commissioners, however, expire at the end of June. If the commission sticks with its current schedule, will the new members have time to become thoroughly informed and make a thoughtful decision?

The city of Concord has expressed concerns over the visual impact of development in the Pittsburg hills and potential impacts on the Mount Diablo Creek watershed. The two cities have formed a Los Medanos Hills Working Group, which has postponed any further meetings until July 23 to allow the Pittsburg Planning Commission to reach its decision.

Other nearby communities, including Fremont, Lafayette, and Hercules have hillside protection measures that could serve as models for Pittsburg.

For more information, including the staff report, visit Save Our Hills

Dennis Linsley