Hike Saturday Offers Great Views of Controversial Housing Development Area

Want to learn more about the 410 acres of land under consideration for the SummerHill Homes development project southwest of Diablo and Green Valley/McCauley roads? You can during an organized hike near the area Saturday.

The hike, hosted and led by Jodi Bailey of Save Mount Diablo, will lead participants through the Sycamore Valley Regional Open Space Preserve, which adjoins the upper portion of the 410 acres considered for the development. 

Bailey says the hike will follow a “short but modestly challenging loop” of about three miles to the top of Short Ridge, and will provide “a better idea of the area where the development would be located.”

The San Ramon-based SummerHill Homes development project proposes 120 acres of custom and cluster housing lots, and 290 acres of open space on the Magee Ranch property, according to its development proposal website.

The proposal was submitted to the Town of Danville in October, and is undergoing an environmental impact review by a consultant.

The development has been the subject of .

Residents who live in the neighborhoods near the proposed project organized the "Save Our Creek" group in September to voice their opposition.

The group started a petition in November that has more than 400 signatures.

Many neighbors a town Planning Commission meeting Nov. 29 and voiced their concerns about increased traffic, safety, impact to local schools and the environment.

Bailey says Save Mount Diablo met with the developer, neighbors and town officials, and visited the site in January, along with a representative from the East Bay Parks District.

She says Save Mount Diablo, a strong local advocate for open space preservation, has “no official position” on the development.

She says their purpose for organizing the hike is “two-fold”—to allow people to “get out and enjoy a beautiful portion of the local open space,” as well as “to give people an opportunity to view the area near the proposed development to allow them to make a more thoughtful decision” about the project.

Save Mount Diablo is also trying to “make themselves available” to share their knowledge and expertise about the development process with concerned residents, Bailey says.

She has a Ph.D in geography, and a background in water resource, land and endangered species protection, and has led hikes for the Sierra Club for more than 15 years.

She says the hike will travel through “folded grasslands and oak savanna” and will give participants a “spectacular 360-degree view” of the hills and Mount Diablo from the ridgeline.

Participants will see the upper part of the Magee Ranch property, which under current plans would be preserved as open space, while 85 homes would be built on the lower part of the property.

Bailey will be there rain or shine to lead the hike, and says all are welcome.

The hike is moderately difficult and does involve a steep portion.

She says the “views will be well worth it” and “might feature a rainbow or two, so bring a camera.”

The hike is Saturday from 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Participants should meet at the parking area at the end of Sherburne Hills Road in Danville. Rain gear, boots or sturdy shoes are recommended; bring water and a snack.

For more information, call Jodi Bailey at 510-872-5336.

To learn more about the SummerHill Homes Magee Ranch development proposal, visit its project website.

Residents may leave their comments for the town about the project and learn more about it on the project's page on the town website.

Information and updates from Save Our Creek are available on its Facebook page.