http://www.marinij.com/marinnews/ci_10233894
Heavy-metal fence flap in Terra Linda
Mark Prado
Article Launched: 08/17/2008 11:38:11 PM PDT
HEAVY-METAL superstar James Hetfield of the band Metallica has erected a metal fence on his property on a Terra Linda hilltop, closing off a popular trail and angering hikers, bikers and equestrians.
Someone scrawled "SHAME DISGRACE" on the 300-foot-long, 8-to 10-foot-high corrugated metal silver fence adorned with barbed wire at its far edges.
"Look at the barbed wire. This a serious fence," said hiker Tom McMillan of San Rafael, as he walked along the shiny behemoth late last week.
The fence, at the end of a fire road in the Terra Linda-Sleepy Hollow Divide open space preserve, went up in its present configuration in the past several weeks, according to trail users.
For one of the few times in recent memory, bikers, hikers and equestrians - groups often at odds on trail access issues - are coming together to criticize the fence, saying it blocks access from the Luiz Ranch Fire Road that dates back more than 50 years.
"I now have to get on the road with cars and go another three to seven miles to get to where I want to go," said biker David Lazarini of San Rafael. "It was always open, and it has changed suddenly."
But David Warner of Redhorse Constructors Inc. of San Rafael said vandalism of a previous, smaller gate, and of signs and other property along the trail, prompted Hetfield to block access with the large structure.
"It is private property," said Warner, who does construction work for the rocker. "There was some damage done by certain people. If people were cool, this would not be an issue."
Equestrian Connie Berto of San Anselmo, who has frequented the trail for five decades, is upset the fence has cut off access to the Loma Alta Preserve on the other side.
"It's an outrage," she said. "It's a real slap in the face to all the communities who use it."
Hetfield purchased a nearby 500-acre parcel at 3001 Lucas Valley Road in 1999 and, in 2002, submitted plans to build a 14,000-square-foot house, swimming pool and another 6,000-square-foot building that would house a music studio, garage and caretaker's residence. The residence has yet to be built, according to the county.
Since then, he exercised an option to buy the adjoining Luiz Ranch, which includes the disputed 0.8-mile section of trail that had been used by the public. The Luiz family allowed the public to use the trail and pass through the property with little hassle.
County officials hope they can change Hetfield's mind and establish some type of access for the public.
"We realize and understand his concerns, and we respect those, but at the same time, we would like to find a way to maintain access," said Ron Miska, deputy director of the county Parks and Open Space District. "I don't think the two are mutually exclusive. We can have access, he can create community goodwill and we can work with him on some kind of fencing or barrier along the sides of the trail to prevent trespassing. We have worked out similar agreements with others."
Efforts to contact Hetfield through his band's publicist were unsuccessful.
Hetfield has shown civic mindedness in the past. In 2002, he gave development rights to the county for 438.5 acres of his Lucas Valley land, where zoning was allowed for up to 44 single-family homes. The next year, he and his bandmates performed a free concert for inmates at San Quentin State Prison.
Since debuting with an album titled "Kill 'Em All" in 1983, Metallica has risen from the club scene to becoming one of the most successful and influential heavy-metal acts in the world. The band is planning a fall tour through the United States.
Marin Supervisor Steve Kinsey is hopeful something can be worked out.
"It is an important piece that connects people to the Bay Area Ridge Trail. It's important to recognize the long history of that ridge," Kinsey said. "I do believe there is a way, maybe on a trial basis, to see if it can work.
"I'm ready to talk with him."
Heavy-metal fence flap in Terra Linda
Mark Prado
Article Launched: 08/17/2008 11:38:11 PM PDT
HEAVY-METAL superstar James Hetfield of the band Metallica has erected a metal fence on his property on a Terra Linda hilltop, closing off a popular trail and angering hikers, bikers and equestrians.
Someone scrawled "SHAME DISGRACE" on the 300-foot-long, 8-to 10-foot-high corrugated metal silver fence adorned with barbed wire at its far edges.
"Look at the barbed wire. This a serious fence," said hiker Tom McMillan of San Rafael, as he walked along the shiny behemoth late last week.
The fence, at the end of a fire road in the Terra Linda-Sleepy Hollow Divide open space preserve, went up in its present configuration in the past several weeks, according to trail users.
For one of the few times in recent memory, bikers, hikers and equestrians - groups often at odds on trail access issues - are coming together to criticize the fence, saying it blocks access from the Luiz Ranch Fire Road that dates back more than 50 years.
"I now have to get on the road with cars and go another three to seven miles to get to where I want to go," said biker David Lazarini of San Rafael. "It was always open, and it has changed suddenly."
But David Warner of Redhorse Constructors Inc. of San Rafael said vandalism of a previous, smaller gate, and of signs and other property along the trail, prompted Hetfield to block access with the large structure.
"It is private property," said Warner, who does construction work for the rocker. "There was some damage done by certain people. If people were cool, this would not be an issue."
Equestrian Connie Berto of San Anselmo, who has frequented the trail for five decades, is upset the fence has cut off access to the Loma Alta Preserve on the other side.
"It's an outrage," she said. "It's a real slap in the face to all the communities who use it."
Hetfield purchased a nearby 500-acre parcel at 3001 Lucas Valley Road in 1999 and, in 2002, submitted plans to build a 14,000-square-foot house, swimming pool and another 6,000-square-foot building that would house a music studio, garage and caretaker's residence. The residence has yet to be built, according to the county.
Since then, he exercised an option to buy the adjoining Luiz Ranch, which includes the disputed 0.8-mile section of trail that had been used by the public. The Luiz family allowed the public to use the trail and pass through the property with little hassle.
County officials hope they can change Hetfield's mind and establish some type of access for the public.
"We realize and understand his concerns, and we respect those, but at the same time, we would like to find a way to maintain access," said Ron Miska, deputy director of the county Parks and Open Space District. "I don't think the two are mutually exclusive. We can have access, he can create community goodwill and we can work with him on some kind of fencing or barrier along the sides of the trail to prevent trespassing. We have worked out similar agreements with others."
Efforts to contact Hetfield through his band's publicist were unsuccessful.
Hetfield has shown civic mindedness in the past. In 2002, he gave development rights to the county for 438.5 acres of his Lucas Valley land, where zoning was allowed for up to 44 single-family homes. The next year, he and his bandmates performed a free concert for inmates at San Quentin State Prison.
Since debuting with an album titled "Kill 'Em All" in 1983, Metallica has risen from the club scene to becoming one of the most successful and influential heavy-metal acts in the world. The band is planning a fall tour through the United States.
Marin Supervisor Steve Kinsey is hopeful something can be worked out.
"It is an important piece that connects people to the Bay Area Ridge Trail. It's important to recognize the long history of that ridge," Kinsey said. "I do believe there is a way, maybe on a trial basis, to see if it can work.
"I'm ready to talk with him."
