Breuner Marsh

Breuner Marsh is a 238 acre (96 ha) [http://www.pacinst.org/topics/community_strategies/richmond/ North Richmond's Wetlands Threatened by Development] , Pacific Institute, access date August 8, 2008] [http://baynature.org/articles/jan-mar-2006/ear-to-the-ground/breuner-marsh-stewardship Breuner Marsh Stewardship] , by Aleta George, Bay Nature, March 2006, access date August 8, 2008] [http://www.berkeleydailyplanet.com/issue/2004-11-12/article/20092?headline=Parchester-Village-Residents-Fight-to-Preserve-Breuner-Marsh-Open-Space Parchester Village Residents Fight to Preserve Breuner Marsh, Open Space] , by Tomio Geron, November 12, 2004, access date August 8, 2008] is a disputed, largely open space in Richmond, California made of current and former wetlands with little development.

History

It was purchased in 2000 and remains owned by "Bay Area Wetlands LLC", a company that planned on selling the land to the highest bidding developer. The East Bay Regional Parks District has considered using expropriation to prevent development of the rare undeveloped San Francisco Bay shoreline and to protect endangered species. [http://sanfranciscobay.sierraclub.org/Yodeler/html/2005/11/conservation8.htm Park District may save Breuner Marsh,] "Sierra Club Yodeler", access date August 8, 2008] Bay Wetlands at one point wanted to build "Edgewater Technology Park" but were rebuffed by Parchester residents. Signature Properties, a housing construction firm, bought a six month option at one point, but was unable to persuade the city council to rezone the area from light industrial, since the city wanted revenue building commercial development instead of funds-draining housing that would place addition strain on city services.

It is located alongside Parchester Village a neighborhood built with the promise of maintaining the marsh development free. However the landowner subsequently sold it off and the new owner Gerry Breuner and during the time he owned the property during the 1970s much of the wetlands were illegally destroyed with the intention of building a civil aviation airport Breuner Field. This was a failure due to community opposition and it became mixed wetlands grasslands with a small model airplane airport of sorts.

Since then various proposals to develop the marsh have been put forward. These include upscale housing, an industrial complex, a mixed use transit village with housing businesses, and a transit center, and expansion of Point Pinole Regional Shoreline with Breuner Marsh being restored. The latter is the preferred option from the Parchester Village Neighborhood Council which has fought development in the past. Development is also being fought by the Sierra Club and the North Richmond Shoreline Open Space Alliance.

The surrounding boundaries are approximately San Pablo Bay to the west, Giant Marsh and Point Pinole Park to the north, a SP railroad embankment and Parchester Village to the east, and Rheem Creek to the south [http://209.85.173.104/search?q=cache:10uDXjHBAVoJ:www.sfwetlands.ca.gov/Breuner-FINAL.pdf+Breuner+Marsh&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=3&gl=us San Francisco Bay AreaWetlands Restoration Program,] Letter of Review/Breuner Marsh Mitigation Bank, January 28, 2003, access date August 8, 2008]

The city is willing to zone 27 acres (11 ha) for residential but no more. [http://www.eastshorepark.org/projects.php Breuner Marsh to become parkland at last!] , Citizens for East Shore Parks, access date August 8, 2008]

A lawsuit has been filed and the courts preliminary judgment has been reached. The jury decided that the value of the 217 acres was $6.85 million, this is contrary to the districts appraiser whom valued it at $1.5 million and the price paid for at purchasing time from the Breuners of $3 million. The defendants argued that the city would make up to $18 million off the 27 acres where development will be allowed. The property owners will be allowed to keep 20 acres (8 ha). The owners are appealing the March 28, 2008 decision.

Threatened wildlife in the area includes the white-tailed kite for which there is "concern" and endangered species such as the Salt Marsh Harvest Mouse and the California Clapper Rail. [http://209.85.173.104/search?q=cache:39uidwi2OxcJ:sfep.abag.ca.gov/pdfs/ccmp/Wildlife.pdf+Breuner+Airfield&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=12&gl=us&client=firefox-a Government report] , p. 6, access date August 10, 2008]

Breuner Airfield

Breuner Airfield or Breuner Field is a 5 acre (2 ha) private [http://www.barcs.org/aboutbarcs.html About] , BARCS.org, January 20, 2008, access date August 10, 2008] radio controlled aircraft airfield or "flying field" and club that was built in the 1970s [http://209.85.173.104/search?q=cache:10uDXjHBAVoJ:www.sfwetlands.ca.gov/Breuner-FINAL.pdf+Breuner+Marsh&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=3&gl=us San Francisco Bay Area Wetlands Restoration Program] , Letter of Review/Breuner Marsh Mitigation Bank, January 28, 2003, access date August 8, 2008] [http://www.berkeleydailyplanet.com/issue/2004-11-12/article/20092?headline=Parchester-Village-Residents-Fight-to-Preserve-Breuner-Marsh-Open-Space Parchester Village Residents Fight to Preserve Breuner Marsh, Open Space] , by Tomio Geron, "The Berkeley Daily Planet", November 12, 2004, access date August 8, 2008] on the Breuner Marsh site in the Parhcester Village neighborhood of Richmond, California. [http://www.calhomefinder.com/idx/hotsheets.cfm?cid=397&gsr=1&sr=51&hid=2429&mxlp=0&mnlp=0&ar=0&dl=0&st=4&sb=pd Richmond] , Gallagher & Lindsay Realtors, access date August 10, 2008] The runway is about 300 ft (91 m) and is marked with x's to state that it is not suitable for landing by any planes. [http://maps.google.com/maps?t=h&q=37.98227,-122.362697&ie=UTF8&ll=37.982384,-122.36281&spn=0.001894,0.003455&z=18 Google maps] , access date August 15, 2008] It is located at 4114 Goodrick Avenue, Richmond, California, 94801.

Location

It is located on reclaimed wetlands of what was formerly Breuner Marsh, a wetlands area. The airfield is located at Goodrick Avenue and is accessible from Richmond Parkway. The site is adjacent to the shoreline of San Pablo Bay and has a sports club, some cottages, and a fishing pier.

History

The land has been owned by Fred Parr; later the owner of the former Breuner's furniture chain Gerry Breuner, and currently Bay Area Wetlands LLC. Breauner originally wanted a private general aviation airport at this location but community and political opposition prohibited it [http://www.ecologycenter.org/terrain/article.php?id=13500 Parchester's Marsh] , by Kathryn Gillick, Ecology Center, access date August 13, 2008] and the model plane airfield was the largest he could build. The site has in recent times been up for debate with regards to use including proposed upscale housing by developers, an office park by the city council, and an expansion of Point Pinole Regional Shoreline as restored wetlands by Gayle McLaughlin and the East Bay Regional Parks District. It is run by the Bay Area Radio Control Society. In the 1980s Gerald Bruener tested experimental aircraft, a gyrocopter, at the site and used it as his primary residence. [http://www.freepatentsonline.com/4741672.html Collective pitch change system for teter-bar type gyroplane rotary wing aircraft] , United States Patent 4741672, May 3, 1988 access date August 15, 2008]

References

External links

* [http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=richmond,+ca&ie=UTF8&ll=37.982634,-122.362547&spn=0.007577,0.013819&t=h&z=16 Google maps]
* [http://www.barcs.org/ Bay Area Radio Control Society (BARCS)] - remote control airplane club which operates the facility]