Construction Could Start in April!In an email sent to supporters yesterday, the Alhambra Hills Open Space Committee (AHOSC) said that, “…when this project was approved by the Martinez City Council in early 2012, the developer agreed not to begin grading until April 2014 at the earliest. Here we are two years later and so far we have not seen anyone willing to step up and purchase the property, or at least no one that’s willing to admit that they are trying, and time is running out quickly.”
As Martinez residents know, the Alhambra Hills is a stunning natural expanse dotted with hundreds of heritage oaks. It offers a home for native wildlife, including endangered species like the alameda whipsnake (Masticophis lateralis). John Muir owned land in those hills, according to an August 2013 article in Bay Nature (http://baynature.org/articles/could-ghost-of-john-muir-save-alhambra-hills-from-development).
But a developer, Richfield Investment Corporation, wants to grade those hills and cut down nearly 500 oaks in order to build a 110 unit housing development. A self-imposed moratorium on building by the developer ends this month.
To save the trees and the habitat for wildlife, AHOSC is looking for a buyer and Richfield Investment Corporation is willing to sell. AHOSC also asks for supporters to write letters and send emails immediately to save the land from development:
1) Congressman George Miller Click here to download letter
Prefer to email: Use this link and paste into the email box…
2) Richfield Investment & Development
Prefer to email: Use these links and paste into the email box…
3) Muir Heritage Land Trust
Prefer to email: Use this link and paste into the email box…
Lara Delaney
Martinez Environmental Group 