Fremont Rancher's Battle Over Gate Blocks Park Access; City Orders Removal
A contentious dispute has erupted in Fremont, California, between a local rancher and the city over an electric gate that blocks access to a regional park. The gate, erected by property owner Chris George on Morrison Canyon Road, was constructed despite the city's determination that it was illegally built and blocked a public right-of-way.
In November, the city sent George a notice ordering him to remove the gate within 14 days, citing the fact that the roadway had been declared a public street over seven decades ago. However, George has refused to dismantle the gate, claiming that the city's claim is "without evidence" and that he has no legal authority to be in possession of the land.
The dispute dates back several years, with George and his neighbor filing a lawsuit in 2008 over traffic and roadway conditions. The case led to a settlement in 2012, which delayed the opening of Vargas Plateau Regional Park while the East Bay Regional Park District and the city of Fremont spent hundreds of thousands of dollars improving the road.
Despite this history, George's actions have sparked outrage among environmental and public access advocates, who claim that his decision is "outrageous" and has invited harassment by third parties. The case is now set to go before a hearing panel, where George could face fines up to $100 per day if the gate remains in place.
Critics of George's actions liken him to Donald Trump, suggesting that he is making false statements and attempting to restrict public access to the park without any basis in law. They argue that the roadway has been a public right-of-way for decades and that George has no legitimate claim to the land.
A contentious dispute has erupted in Fremont, California, between a local rancher and the city over an electric gate that blocks access to a regional park. The gate, erected by property owner Chris George on Morrison Canyon Road, was constructed despite the city's determination that it was illegally built and blocked a public right-of-way.
In November, the city sent George a notice ordering him to remove the gate within 14 days, citing the fact that the roadway had been declared a public street over seven decades ago. However, George has refused to dismantle the gate, claiming that the city's claim is "without evidence" and that he has no legal authority to be in possession of the land.
The dispute dates back several years, with George and his neighbor filing a lawsuit in 2008 over traffic and roadway conditions. The case led to a settlement in 2012, which delayed the opening of Vargas Plateau Regional Park while the East Bay Regional Park District and the city of Fremont spent hundreds of thousands of dollars improving the road.
Despite this history, George's actions have sparked outrage among environmental and public access advocates, who claim that his decision is "outrageous" and has invited harassment by third parties. The case is now set to go before a hearing panel, where George could face fines up to $100 per day if the gate remains in place.
Critics of George's actions liken him to Donald Trump, suggesting that he is making false statements and attempting to restrict public access to the park without any basis in law. They argue that the roadway has been a public right-of-way for decades and that George has no legitimate claim to the land.
, they just wanna chill and enjoy nature, but this gate is causing all these headaches 
. I mean, can't we all just get along? 
It's not like George is trying to make a profit off of this or anything, he just wants to protect his property, which is totally fair 
. The city should just talk to him and figure out a solution that works for everyone 
. And what's with all the drama about "public right-of-way" and "lawsuits"? Can't we focus on finding a peaceful resolution instead of throwing shade? 
. I hope they can work something out before the hearing panel comes in 
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! can't believe some ppl think they own the land just because they put up a gate 
it's not about being a hero, it's about respecting the community and the law 
the city's been trying to resolve this for years but george is still causing drama 
i mean, what's the point of even having a park if ppl are just gonna block access because they don't like the rules 
it's not fair to everyone who wants to use the space and enjoy nature 
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. We're talking about a guy who wants to keep his gate up because he doesn't want people in his yard. Can't we all just get along 
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and its got people all riled up about public access to the park 
i mean idk what he's talkin bout cuz its literally a public street they've been usin for decades 
because whats next? someone erecting a fence around the golden gate bridge and saying oh i dont wanna let anyone in 
and by the way why is he being so petty about it too? like what did the city do to him that he has to resort to this gate drama? 
What's next, people just making up their own rules and expecting everyone else to follow along?
! Like, can't this guy just listen to what the city is saying? He's been blocking access to the park for years now, it's not like he's some kinda pioneer trying to preserve his own little slice of wilderness 
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is it really worth going to court over a gate? I mean, i get that parks are important, but so are people's rights. 
... i don't know wut's gonna happen at this hearing panel but hopefully it gets sorted out 
... btw has anyone tried 2 get 2 that park recently? 
. And what's with all these fines? $100 per day? That's like, a small fortune 
. I'm surprised he hasn't just paid it all already and moved on with his life 
Who does he think he is, trying to make a profit off of our public space? 
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. It's wild that he's making this whole thing about "without evidence" though - if it was good enough for the city seven decades ago, why is it suddenly a problem now? 
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. I mean, I'm all about property rights and stuff, but this guy's actions are just shady