Leona Heights Neighborhood News

by Gordon Laverty

We salute Oakland City Department of Parks and Recreation, as well as Public Works Department leadership and crews, for responses to Leona-area needs during a tough budget period. While some have been busy dumping trash and other debris on our roads, city forces at least listen and act to remove debris within their capabilities. Recently burglary has been on the increase, too, by people posing as money or signature collectors who, when no one answers the door, break in and rob. Illicit entry to fire trails for the purpose of stripping stolen vehicles is being addressed by Parks and Rec leaders, to make entry more difficult. All these events require added alertness and observations of those not up to any good in our area, with quick reports to the police. Leona Quarry and the proposed DeSilva Development are still with us. Here is an update: In early May a judge of the California Superior Court ruled in the citizens' lawsuit against the City of Oakland and the developer, supporting the citizen claim that the City Council had approved a flawed EIR, in that City staff had not given to the City Council documentation in its possession unfavorable to the drainage and geologic sections of the EIR. The ruling required the developer to correct the EIR, an activity some believe would delay the EIR and the project for as much as a year. The developer appealed the ruling, asking that certain requirements be dropped. The judge's decision will be reported in our next issue. But it does appear to some that the developer is continuing the political shenanigans that have accompanied the proposed project since its inception. A reminder: The Oakland Heritage Alliance is sponsoring a walking tour of the Leona Heights area on August 16 from 10 a.m. till noon. If you are interested, gather a little before 10 at the intersection of Leona Street and Mountain Boulevard (near the entrance to the old Chabot Observatory). The tour will be guided by Dennis Evanosky and Gordon Laverty. There is a nominal donation accepted for the OHA at the site. We will look at some of the picturesque and historic aspects of the Leona area. No reservation is required. Be sure to wear walking shoes and be capable of walking some steep roads and trails.