By: Andrew Nelson 5:00 am on October 15
Anton Development Company has filed permits for a three-story affordable workforce housing infill in the heart of the water-surrounded town of Discovery Bay in eastern Contra Costa County
The proposal hopes to bring new housing for moderate-income households across six vacant acres next to the shopping and community center
Anton’s 1700 Discovery Bay Boulevard proposal will create five residential structures yielding 87,360 square feet across 170 residences
Future tenants will get access to a central pool deck
with surface parking covering most of the six-acre parcel
Architecture Design Collaborative is responsible for the project design
Details about the aesthetics have yet to be shared
though the firm’s portfolio shows the team works with familiar contemporary exterior cladding across wood-frame structures
The project site is located along Discovery Bay Boulevard between Sand Point Road and the Discovery Bay Shopping Center
The development is best recognized for its serpentine suburban sprawl extending around the man-made reservoir funneled off the nearby Old River
The estimated cost and timeline for construction have yet to be shared
The Press covered the project in June 2022
staff writers shared that “Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors is exploring changing the zoning for the vacant lot on the corner of Sand Point Road and Discovery Bay Boulevard despite those strong objections” from some Discovery Bay leaders and residents
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If everyone had your attitude nothing would get built anywhere
I did not know we had fire and police force in the stone age yet we were building
you fail to grasp the significance of how such a build will impact the area
The main intersection is a short distance from an elementary school where traffic issues already exist
Egress in the case of an emergency to the community is non existent
Infrastructure to accommodate the project is questionable as well
the legitimacy of the project is also “questionable”
Hoodwinked seems to be the appropriate word
you obviously know NOTHING about Discovery Bay
my husband and I worked our butts off to afford a home out here
but just giving away to those that don’t want to work hard burns my butt
I’ve lived in Oakland and moved out to DB to avoid the criminals who now own Oakland
I sure as hell don’t want them in Discovery Bay
What jobs are in this area for “workforce housing” to fill
The nearest Bart Station is 30 minutes away so it’s not like there is public transportation either
The goal should be to bring employment centers to the people and vice versa
I hope the new residents like 2 hour commutes
For a long time ii have asked why they don’t utilize that space as a mini golf area
A place where families can enjoy time together and job opportunities for teens
That makes more sense than impacting the neighborhood with more traffic
there are 8 indigenous protected species on the endangered list along with Canadian Geese
The geese are also protected by Federal law
The development company would have to obtain permits from the Federal Government
Federal supersedes the state and has jurisdictions
Therefore despite the recent state laws allowing affordable housing projects to bypass lengthy permit processes
the developers would be required to file permits and succumb to environmental impact studies
One cannot just displace or destroy wildlife habitats that come under Federal domain
This could present a formidable challenge to the development company
Just learning of this development and like many current residence this doesn’t seem wanted or feasible
Just a week or so ago a child was hit on his bike by a car crossing the intersection on his way to school where the development is proposed and now you want to add a cluster of low income housing and more people to an already congested intersection
among all the other issues people have pointed out
So my question is how far along is the developer
Is it in the proposal stage or further along and how do we unite to stop it
Its already bad enough the local cash station just put up the biggest brightest loudest neon signs that say LIQUOR and House of Liquor or whatever let’s now put lots of sec 8 housing right next to it
I strongly suggest everyone should start by calling your attorney
Everyone involved for allowing this to happen should be held accountable
An investigation to find out how and why this was done so easily and without any say or knowledge from the people of Discovery Bay is unacceptable
Finally and most importantly… did anyone profit under the table
With all the deaths on Highway 4 and Vasco Rd.
Let us not forget Discovery Bay has no public transportation and no jobs
Discovery Bay has no infrastructure to support this many people
I’ve lived in Discovery Bay for approximately 30 years … Diane Burgis we are all looking at you
There is a reason HUD and CA HCD grants for affordable housing development require the site either be located in a high resource area or be a transit-oriented development project (ie: include transit solutions)
There is no point in developing housing where there is no transit
The cost of owning and operating a vehicle in the community with the HIGHEST COMMUTE TIME IN THE NATION is not affordable living
People who live in affordable housing are most likely to have unreliable vehicles and are most subject to layoffs and periods of unemployment and so to BEST SERVE THEM we need to recognize these challenges and provide housing in locations that offer them opportunity
Discovery Bay WILL isolate these residents
I WANT affordable housing in Discovery Bay because we are losing too many of our older community members who want to remain here
with the community they know and depend on
Affordable housing without transit for seniors doesnt make great sense
but it makes a hell of a lot MORE sense than affordable housing for working families does
considering the cost of transportation alone
Our community has no choice to accept affordable housing development
but it is all of our responsibilty to start building smarter in every way
Anton went about their project in entirely the wrong way
This is a development residents are already calling “the projects.” If affordable housing is built here
the community needs to be involved in the process from the start if the families who live in them are to feel welcomed
accepted and enjoy the community as they should
This is a small town and the wonderful people here rally for each other and will for the people in the right project
Just because you CAN bully your way into a community doesnt mean you should
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after a teen crashed his truck into the security booth of a gated community late Friday night
and the teen driver is facing vehicular manslaughter charges
KRON4 has a tragic report from a private gated community in Discovery Bay called The Lakes, as on Friday night, a driver who is a minor crashed his truck into the community's front security booth, and killed a 63-year-old security guard
The crash also seriously injured another guard who was in the booth at the time
and the 17-year-old driver has been arrested and charged with vehicular manslaughter
The Contra Costa County Coroner’s Office has identified the security guard who was killed as 62-year-old Rene Bucaro of Oakley
KPIX has dashcam video of the crash taken by a Tesla that was driving by in the video segment below
The teen driver’s Hyundai Santa Cruz truck can be seen barreling at a high speed while driving on a traffic divider island for a distance that police estimate was more than 50 yards
The truck then rams into the security booth
with pretty much the whole truck ending up inside the booth
"I think I heard the two guards yelling stop
stop because they had seen the car coming towards them
right before the impact," eyewitness Paul Singh told KPIX
KPIX also adds that while the driver was a minor
the 17-year-old did have a provisional license
but has since been released from the hospital and detained at the Contra Costa County Juvenile Hall
Drivers with provisional licenses are not permitted to drive after 11 pm
and the crash happened at 11:56 pm Friday night
Police said alcohol did not appear to be a factor
residents at The Lakes say this is at least the third time in the last two years that cars have hit that security booth structure
Friends speak fondly of the guard Bucaro who was killed
but took the shift to fill in for another guard
"He's a hard worker and has always tried to better himself
Very unfortunate that he would come to his second job and I don't think he was even supposed to be here," said Pastor Marcus Burns of Bethlehem Temple Church
Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact the California Highway Patrol’s Contra Costa Area office at (925)-646-4980
Related: Driver Dead After Tesla Crashes Into Fremont Apartment Building [SFist]
Image: Police tape stretching across a road in front of a crime scene
Former SF GOP Chair Harmeet Dhillon has landed herself a plum post in the Trump Justice Department; the Bay Area Syrian community is celebrating the fall of the Assad regime; and a 5.8M earthquake on the Nevada border could have been triggered by last week's quake off the coast
The fate of 45-year-old Middle Eastern restaurant La Mediterranee was up in the air after a new controversial landlord on a buying spree bought its Upper Fillmore building
but the restaurant and owner jointly announced a four-year lease extension for the legacy business
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Suntex Marinas yesterday announced the acquisition of Discovery Bay Marina in Discovery Bay
Full-service Discovery Bay Marina is in the San Joaquin Delta
“Discovery Bay is a stunning area with a lively community, and the marina is ideally situated to serve both visitors and residents,” Suntex senior vice president of operations Michael Warntjes said in a statement
“The Delta seamlessly connects the Sierra Nevada foothills with the San Francisco Bay
offering endless opportunities for fishing
The marina includes 266 wet slips and 450 dry-storage slips for boats from 20 to 100 feet
The Suntex portfolio includes marinas in Arizona
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KRON4
A minor is facing vehicular manslaughter charges after allegedly crashing a car into a security shack outside a gated community in Discovery Bay
killing one guard and critically injuring another
KRON4's Lindsey Ford visited the scene for more details
KRON4's Lindsey Ford visited the scene for more details
KRON4's Lindsey Ford reports: https://www.kron4.com/?p=2158697&preview=true
Made in the Bay Area and being shown on the big screen
local filmmakers discuss being featured at SFFilm Festival this year
Video shows aftermath of tree crushing San Francisco parklet
One man is in jail and another was hospitalized after a seemingly random attack in the Castro on Easter
Three people are dead and three more are hospitalized with serious injuries after a Volkswagen Tiguan hit a tree on San Geronimo Valley Road just west of Sir Francis Drake Boulevard shortly before 7:30 p.m
San Francisco Fire Department firefighters rescued an injured dog and an uninjured person from a cliffside along Mile Rock Trail in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area Thursday afternoon
Bay Area photographer Lani Tinio shared a timelapse of the Moon rising over the Bay Bridge on Sunday with KRON4
and there is no shortage of activities going on around the Bay Area
KRON4 Chief Meteorologist Lawrence Karnow has 4 Fun Things going on this weekend
The house faces south-west towards Discovery Bay
The primary bedroom suite cantilevers over the concrete plinth at the east end of the house
The main living room is a double-height space in the heart of the house
The Douglas fir frame is on prominent display throughout the house
The principal bedroom suite occupies the east end of the house
The office serves as a buffer zone between the house's public and private spaces
A covered terrace is set opposite the office
Looking east across the double-height living room
The dark-stained timber facade on the central 'tower'
Discovery Bay House by Dekleva Gregorič Architects
Dekleva Gregorič’s Discovery Bay House is a structured yet organic shelter that blends perfectly into the surrounding Pacific Northwest landscape
Just 40 miles as the crow flies from downtown Seattle in Discovery Bay
this new timber residence is set amidst five acres of forest on a secluded
the house was designed by Dekleva Gregorič Architects and is located on the seashore of the Pacific Northwest
Founded in Slovenia in 2003 by Aljoša Dekleva and Tina Gregorič, the firm now works predominantly in the EU and the USA
who has a background in the Californian entertainment industry
came to DGA via their house in Maui (see Wallpaper* 151)
an ocean-front residence designed for a pro-level windsurfer
There’s no sporting equivalent on the waters of Washington State
the driving ambition behind the house is the ocean views
the relationship with the landscape and the creation of a space in which to retreat with family and friends
the client favoured equilibrium and simplicity
‘expressing an affinity for orthogonal
Euclidean shapes over curved or irregular forms’
the 325 sq m house is rectilinear and visually quite austere
made up of a series of precisely delineated segments
stacked on a reinforced concrete slab that cantilevers over the sloping site at the eastern and western end
against a backdrop of vertical pine tree trunks
The vast majority of the programme is contained within the ground floor
a rectilinear plan subdivided by the internal wooden frame
Described by the architects as ‘the essence of the structure… an inhabited three-dimensional structural grid of Douglas fir posts and beams’
the plan is an intricate puzzle that weaves in and out of the grid
all the while presenting a focus on the view of the ocean to the south-west
The client wanted to keep his experience of the house on one level
with a principal suite at the eastern end of the plot
reaching out into the surrounding woodlands
with a bed that faces the bay and direct access to the main deck out front
These private spaces are separated from the main central living space by a covered patio
a double-height space that rises up two window bays
perched at the top of the house and allowing for complete separation from the client and his visitors
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Another guest suite is located on the ground floor at the opposite end of the house to the client’s rooms
while the services and utilities are housed in a separate narrow pavilion that also serves as the main entrance
The house is a testament to exceptional craftsmanship and design detailing
and panels and frames set precisely flush to the surface
The Douglas fir beams are both structure and frame
setting up views up and down and across the space
This includes the birch plywood panels that make up the floors
to visually separate the main living area from other parts of the house
The fenestration is set up to maximise cross-ventilation and bring natural light into the heart of the house
the orthogonal form is accentuated by the vertical cedar wood cladding
stained with a dark varnish and arranged in a non-standard pattern across the façade to mimic the texture and rhythm of the surrounding tree trunks
Sunlight is filtered through the tree canopies to add another layer of shifting dynamics to the façade
Despite the apparent rigour and structure of the grid
the architects have created a series of spaces that reveal unexpected vistas and juxtapositions
‘The design reflects a duality: a mathematically precise home deeply connected to the organic world it inhabits,’ say the architects
architecture becomes an experience for both mind and body - a carefully orchestrated journey where each step
and each transition from one volume to another reveal the beauty of thoughtful design.’
Dekleva-Gregoric.com
Jonathan Bell has written for Wallpaper* magazine since 1999
covering everything from architecture and transport design to books
He is now the magazine’s Transport and Technology Editor
He is also the host of Wallpaper’s first podcast
The Bay Area Discovery Museum's annual Goblin Jamboree fundraiser
the longest running Halloween festival in Marin
This year's Goblin Jamboree will take place over two weekends
Experience playful Halloween adventures: build a beast with collage paper; create surreal animal prints from fish
and other scaly creatures; befriend a bug with the Beetlelady; search for buried pirate treasure; and more
This event is the perfect Halloween party for kids ages 6 months to 10 years
Proceeds from Goblin Jamboree support the Bay Area Discovery Museum’s mission to transform research into early learning experiences that inspire creative problem solving
Ticket Prices: (Tickets are required for anyone six months or older)
Get early access to the Goblin Jamboree by registering for a Sponsor Breakfast on Saturday
For more info, go to www.bayareadiscoverymuseum.org or call (415) 339-3900
The Bay Area Discovery Museum is located in Sausalito at 557 McReynolds Road in Fort Baker
SponsorsPromote your business here
On Saturday and Sunday, March 22 and 23, 2025, roll up your sleeves and head to the Bay Area Discovery Museum, which will become a vibrant art studio for Big Art Weekend
Immerse yourself in art and discover opportunities to get creative around every corner
Big Art Weekend ticket prices are $25 for adults and children ages 1–17
Big Art Weekend hours are 10 am to 4 pm, with a member-only hour from 9 to 10 am. The Bay Area Discovery Museum is located in Fort Baker at 557 McReynolds Road in Sausalito CA 94965, at the foot of the Golden Gate Bridge. Learn more about Big Art Weekend and other museum events and programs at bayareadiscoverymuseum.org
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FeaturedThat's My WordAn ongoing exploration of Bay Area hip-hop history
See Senior Director of TV Programming Meredith Speight’s recommendations from this month’s KQED 9
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Support KQED by using your donor-advised fund to make a charitable gift
In an aerial view, cars drive on the San Francisco Bay Bridge over brownish water from an algal bloom in the San Francisco Bay on Aug. 22, 2022, in San Rafael. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)As California continues to experience sweltering heat waves this summer
many of us might be tempted to seek out the nearest body of water for some refreshing respite from the high temperatures when they arrive
this weather can also bring potential danger to those waters in the form of algae blooms that discolor our lakes and bays and pose serious health hazards for humans and animals
One such algae bloom in Discovery Bay, in eastern Contra Costa County, has already prompted the California State Water Resources Control Board to issue a danger advisory last week, warning of harmful algal blooms
“can pose a threat to people and pets” and urges visitors “to avoid swimming
boating and other activities and to keep pets out of the water until further notice.” The public is also warned not to eat fish or shellfish from this water
Down in Monterey County, officials also closed Lake San Antonio to the public on the heels of a massive fish die-off
While they are still waiting on the results of water testing
the California Department of Fish and Wildlife said that oxygen depletion due to warm water may be to blame
how can you know if the water you — or your pets — want to swim in is safe
Keep reading about what to know about swimming in the Bay Area when the water gets warmer
an algal bloom happens when microscopic plant-like organisms discolor a body of water to the point visible to the human eye
The types of organisms can vary — along with the color they turn the water — but it takes millions (if not billions or trillions) of these little creatures for this kind of bloom to be visible
Not every algal bloom is toxic to humans and animals, but the bright green bloom currently floating on the surface of Discovery Bay definitely could be, said Raphael Kudela, a phytoplankton ecologist at UC Santa Cruz. This bloom is caused by cyanobacteria
which Kudela describes as “harmful algae that produces really nasty toxins.”
The state water boards warn that these toxins can harm your skin upon contact
causing itching and rashes — and if they’re swallowed
they can have effects like gastrointestinal issues and headaches
What’s more, the particular compound this bacteria produces — microcystin — also does specific damage to the liver when ingested
it’s dependent on how big the person is,” said Kudela
so children are particularly at risk because of their smaller size
The specific type of bloom in Discovery Bay poses a special risk to dogs — not just because of their size
but because “they get it on their fur
and they are cleaning themselves and licking it off
As for why these blooms have set up shop in Discovery Bay right now
Kudela noted that it’s actually a fairly regular annual occurrence for this human-created waterway on account of the hospitable environment it provides
“There’s not a lot of water circulation
and these blooms love those conditions,” he said
really warm water and not much turbulence.”
this year’s bloom is “a pretty intense one,” he remarked
Despite their sometimes-alarming appearance
algal blooms are “pretty common,” Kudela said — which is why the state’s water boards will test them once they’ve appeared to find out whether they’re producing toxins that could be harmful to humans or animals
The “red tide” that appeared in San Francisco Bay in 2022 and again in 2023 was a bloom caused by a very different organism to the one currently producing toxins in Discovery Bay: A species called Heterosigma akashiwo
This microscopic organism looks like a swimming potato chip with a tail
That red tide proved particularly dangerous for fish
killing a huge number of them — although scientists still aren’t exactly sure whether that was down to the decomposing cells sucking the oxygen out of the water or if the organism itself produced a toxin
It’s still “a little bit of a mystery,” Kudela said
Absolutely — the safest thing when encountering discolored water of any kind is just to stay the heck away
is that even if a particular algae bloom isn’t actively harmful to humans or pets because it’s producing toxins
it’s still “this rich organic matrix that’s loaded with bacteria and other things,” he said — and even if it’s not producing toxins
“you’re still getting a big dose of organic material” by swimming in it or swallowing it
the skin irritation known as “swimmer’s itch” and also nasty sinus infections if you inhale this matter into your nose
you don’t want to be touching it,” he said
“You don’t want to be playing in it.”
senior scientist at the San Francisco Estuary Institute
echoed this advice to KQED in 2023: Even if an algal bloom in your area hasn’t been proven harmful to humans or pets
“it makes sense to avoid discolored water in general,” he said
the California Water Quality Monitoring Council recommends you do the following:
the water boards recommend throwing away the guts of any fish you catch and cleaning the fillets with tap or bottled water before cooking them
You should also avoid eating shellfish if you think a harmful algal bloom is present
Read more safety tips for protecting yourself against potentially harmful algal blooms.
and “they tend to grow faster when the temperature is warmer.”
higher temperatures don’t just heat the water — they calm it and prevent it from mixing
And since the algal blooms “don’t like a lot of mixing,” warm and stagnant water provides “perfect conditions to get one of these blooms going,” Kudela said — and “once they get going
it’ll continue until something disrupts it
The impact of climate change and increased warming is something that makes Kudela and his colleagues “very concerned,” he said
“We’re seeing this trend even over the last decade
“It’s hard to say that’s directly related to climate change,” Kudela acknowledged
“But climate is certainly one of the factors that’s influencing it.”
you can reach SF Baykeeper’s pollution hotline by:
Algal blooms can also be reported to the California State Water Resources Control Board’s Freshwater and Estuarine Harmful Algal Bloom Program
location and a description of what you saw
To report a dead fish in an area with a bloom present, you can download the app iNaturalist. Read more about how to report dead fish using iNaturalist from The Oaklandside
To learn more about how we use your information, please read our privacy policy.
CA –In the quiet confines of Discovery Bay’s gated enclave
A young driver collided with a guard shack
resulting in grave consequences for those involved
a tragic accident unfolded at the entrance of “The Lakes” gated community in Discovery Bay
crashed into the community’s guard shack located at the intersection of Balfour and Bixler roads
The crash resulted in the immediate death of one security guard on duty and left the other guard
with major injuries requiring hospitalization
Eyewitnesses report hearing shouting prior to the crash
which could imply that the guards attempted to warn the oncoming driver
With video evidence confirming the driver’s speed leading to the collision
the California Highway Patrol is actively investigating this incident
Pedestrian collisions involving speeding are all too common and often lead to severe consequences. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
speeding was a factor in 29% of traffic fatalities in the United States in recent years
The California Highway Patrol’s focus on reducing these incidents through public awareness campaigns emphasizes the gravity of speeding-related accidents
the consequences that may arise for the teenage driver include charges related to vehicular manslaughter or reckless endangerment
Witness accounts and surveillance footage will be critical in determining liability
and any legal proceedings could significantly impact the driver’s future
Such cases underscore the essential need for legal expertise in navigating the complexities of vehicular accident laws in California
In light of this heart-wrenching tragedy, the necessity of a skilled wrongful death lawyer becomes apparent
Navigating the aftermath of such accidents involves understanding complicated legal processes
which can be daunting for victims and their families
Here is where the Scranton Law Firm stands ready
With over 50 years of experience helping accident victims and over $1 billion recovered for our clients
and pursuing just compensation for those affected
If you or anyone you know is entangled in a wrongful death claim
reaching out for specialized legal counsel is a critical step toward recovery
Trust the Scranton Law Firm to be your ally in these trying times
committed to securing the justice and peace you deserve
Don’t navigate the aftermath of a pedestrian accident alone. Let the Scranton Law Firm stand by your side. With over 50 years of experience as personal injury lawyers, we’ve helped thousands recover from their losses. If you or a loved one are affected by a Discovery Bay pedestrian accident
Secure your rights and seek the justice you deserve
Call us now for a free consultation – The Scranton Law Firm
your trusted ally in these challenging times
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The company building residential units near Turtle Bay was founded in 2020
but many of its execs worked for years with Discovery Land Co.
Top executives at the company behind a major residential development near Turtle Bay Resort previously were high-ranking officers with an international developer that has frequently come under fire for environmental practices and community complaints
At least six executives at Arete Collective
the co-developer of new residential units planned near Turtle Bay Resort
including its chief executive officer and co-founder
were on staff or under contract to Discovery Land Co
But the private corporation has a record of aggressively pursuing luxury projects over local opposition
during the period Buchan and her Arete colleagues were helping run the company
A Civil Beat review of more than a dozen Discovery projects shows that several have led to environmental lawsuits and scrutiny from oversight agencies
including the United Nations Human Rights Council
the Commission for Environmental Cooperation and the Global Coral Reef Alliance
In 2019 Buchan also took on the role of Discovery’s chief operating officer and participated in executive-level meetings where operations and projects were discussed, and also hired and fired DLC employees, according to a court document submitted by Discovery
That year she also proposed an even closer collaboration between her design company
While their relationship ended acrimoniously not long after
Discovery described Buchan as a “trusted business associate” who was “familiar with DLC’s business practices.” Discovery had paid Denton House $60 million from 2015 to 2020 for design services
Now Arete Collective is waiting for final approval on the first phase of up to 350 residential units it plans to build on 65 acres on the North Shore it co-purchased with the Wasatch Group in a $43 million deal in April
Construction could start as soon as next month and clearing and grading of the first land parcel is already underway
Arete’s press release described itself as a “development company known for sustainable development practices that prioritize climate resilience.”
But Arete has only one other project in its four-year history as a developer and its own public portfolio is based almost entirely on its former partnership with Discovery
Buchan declined to be interviewed and said via email that her role at Discovery was limited to providing design services as director and president of Discovery Design, the company’s design branch. But her own Denton House profile highlights her former role as Discovery’s COO
Other Arete staff also had influential roles at DLC
including Arete’s chief financial officer
who was formerly vice president of business strategy and analytics at Discovery
Arete’s chief operating officer in Hawaii
including for two years as vice president of development at the Barbuda Bay Club
a project now the subject of a legal effort by the Global Legal Action Network over alleged environmental breaches
Arete’s corporate environmental credentials are under scrutiny because the new units near Turtle Bay will be set back 150 to 350 feet from the shoreline and adjacent to a 660-acre conservation area the company will co-manage under conditions laid out in a 2015 agreement
The Sierra Club and the North Shore Community Land Trust are monitoring the development for potential impact on habitat for endangered species
Local residents like Alan Poh from Defend Oahu Coalition is one of those concerned about the Arete executives’ track record on environmental and community issues
“We have now found out that there is a mashup of interests between Arete and Discovery Land Company that shows a long history of blatant disregard for local populations
rules and environmental impacts,” Poh said
Kahuku resident Jessica dos Santos is particularly worried that the developers are not as knowledgeable about the North Shore coastal dynamics as they should be
“This development represents the opposite of climate-conscious planning,” she said
“Anyone with a basic understanding of this coastline knows that the intensifying winter swells and the accelerating effects of sea-level rise will likely endanger these structures in the not-so-distant future.”
Discovery officials did not respond to multiple emails and phone calls requesting comment
Discovery Land Co. was founded in 1994 by Michael Meldman and has built its brand on high-end private communities and clubs, including the Kukio Golf and Beach Club on the Big Island
the 1,000-acre North Shore Preserve on Kauai and more than 30 others on the U.S
Its website says it is a “humble steward of the land” that respects people
The homes in Discovery’s communities cost from $3 million to $50 million
several of its projects have been criticized for their impact on vulnerable communities.
Among those is the Barbuda Ocean Club on the Caribbean island of Barbuda
developed by Discovery in partnership with PLH Barbuda
That resort development — begun soon after Hurricane Irma caused major damage in 2017 — poses risks to internationally designated coastal wetlands and has “serious human rights implications,” investigators from the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner on Human Rights reported in 2022
natural surroundings were altered by the removal of mangroves in certain areas and damaging habitats of protected flora and fauna
exacerbating the vulnerability of the island’s ecosystems to storms and natural disasters,” investigators found
Legal efforts opposing the project have continued, including a lawsuit brought by the Global Legal Action Network challenging the construction of a runway in forest land near the resort by Discovery
GLAN lawyer Sarah O’Malley said via email that the land that Discovery and PLH were developing “has been closed off to locals who rely on it for fishing
leaving Barbudans more vulnerable to the impacts of extreme weather events.”
co-founded with her husband Joey and still in operation
started providing services directly to Discovery under an independent contractor agreement
Discovery described the arrangement in court papers as a “close working relationship on scores of projects over many years.”
Buchan said by email that every Discovery Land Co
project “was managed and developed by independent partnerships and my work for the company was focused on design
Arete’s “principals were not involved with the Barbuda Ocean Club project,” she said
but the timeline of the project from 2017 to 2020 includes the period when Buchan was transitioning into a more influential role as Discovery’s COO
By 2019, Buchan was “leading all aspects of community planning, design, development and startup operations” at Discovery
was vice president of development at the Barbuda Ocean Club resort from 2018 to 2020
according to his own Linkedin profile and social media posts marking his departure from the position on Barbuda
Arete didn’t respond to a request to clarify Flanagan’s role in the Barbuda development
but Flanagan will be involved in Arete’s management of the two golf courses adjacent to the Turtle Bay resort
Denton House worked with Discovery on other projects over the course of their partnership that have resulted in environmental concerns
The Chileno Beach Club in Los Cabos, Mexico, which Discovery began working on around 2009, was the subject of a complaint to the Mexican government from the international Commission for Environmental Cooperation over the alleged unauthorized alteration of water courses during construction by Discovery
In that case the Mexican government found that no environmental damage had occurred
But neither Denton House nor Arete Collective will be onboard, as their business relationship with Discovery imploded in early 2020, according to a lawsuit filed by Discovery’s lawyers against Buchan and others in U.S
the civil suit later escalated into other accusations
and ultimately led to the end of the partnership between Denton House and Discovery
The case was settled out of court in May 2021
But the filing indicates that at one point there had been plans for an even closer collaboration between them
Discovery’s lawyers said that in 2019
with a proposal to “collaborate on certain development projects under a new business venture using DLC’s brand.”
but the relationship soured and by July 2020
Buchan had resigned as Discovery’s COO
Buchan wrote in an email that “while we considered collaborating with Discovery Land Company
we ultimately found that our philosophies were not aligned.”
Buchan had established Arete Collective as an end-to-end developer and staffed it with former Discovery executives
Buchan also hired Discovery’s chief marketing officer
Butter and Bailey had all been hired by Buchan for Discovery while she was COO there
Thomas Ranch, a 2,200-acre mixed-use development in the Texas Hill Country 25 minutes from Austin
Plans for developing the area had been dormant since 2017, but after obtaining its permits, Arete is aiming to bring nearly 3,500 homes to what was a sleepy pocket for vacation homes near Lake Travis over the next decade
“The project will generate multi-billions of dollars in real estate transactions within Burnet and Travis counties and thousands of temporary and permanent jobs,” Buchan told the Austin American-Statesman
Arete did not comment on the Thomas Ranch project for this story
but supplied a list of water and energy conservation measures that are being implemented during development
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The Transport Authority has partnered with the St Ann Municipal Corporation to construct a car park in Discovery Bay for taxi operators
It is specifically being built for taxi operators plying the routes Discovery Bay to Falmouth
Speaking at a post-Cabinet press briefing held at Jamaica House on April 9
said the facility will serve as a main terminal point for more than 250 taxis operating in that area
“The land that is going to be utilised was gifted to the St Ann Municipal Corporation by Noranda Bauxite
and based on engineering and construction estimates
a little under $10 million will be the cost
This will be a partnership among the Transport Authority
the St Ann Municipal Corporation and Noranda,” Vaz said
a stoplight was erected right in Discovery Bay by the gas station at that intersection
and those of you who travel that route would know that the taxis were parked in every plaza and every gas station and on the roads all around there because
they had nowhere else to go,” he added
The Minister informed that the land has already been transferred
and plans are now in the final stages to erect the facility
he said the Kingston and St Andrew Municipal Corporation (KSAMC) has agreed with the Transport Authority to convert the South Parade car park into a taxi park
“The facility will help in alleviating the chronic traffic congestion in downtown Kingston
and some amount of retrofitting is required and the authorities are working collaboratively to identify sources of funding,” Mr
the Transport Authority and the Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC) have finalised the conversion of 11 JUTC routes to route-taxi routes
Vaz informed that during the licensing period
the Authority has commenced accepting applications for the routes to allow hackney carriage operators to convert to route taxis and provide legitimate service along these routes
This will also remove the element of conflict with the authorities and the risk of associated prosecution and seizure of vehicles for operating contrary to their road licences
provide for the attachment of an approved fare structure for these routes and provide a reliable means of transport for the travelling public
The Minister informed that applications opened in March and that the steering committee had also requested of the JUTC an additional 12 routes for taxis
“It's approved and the KSAMC is exploring parking arrangements at the Pechon Street Transportation Centre
These 12 additional routes that are under consideration for hackney operators who have been providing public transportation service on these routes for some time now… will ensure that the taxi operators have the right to an appropriate fee structure,” Vaz said
Follow The Gleaner on X, formerly Twitter, and Instagram @JamaicaGleaner and on Facebook @GleanerJamaica. Send us a message on WhatsApp at 1-876-499-0169 or email us at onlinefeedback@gleanerjm.com or editors@gleanerjm.com
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Discovery Bay's annual Easter egg hunt is back for its 18th year
taking place on April 18 and 19 with over 45,000 prizes and special grand prizes worth more than $1 million in total up for grabs
Even if you didn't manage to sign up for the event
and an array of colourful inflatable Easter egg installations
And if you get yourself an Egg Hunt Package Combo Pass
you'll be able to receive a $50 cash voucher and access to the Discovery Bay Easter Adventure Online Game by TeamUnlock+ with even more family-friendly challenges
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By: Andrew Nelson 5:00 am on May 8
New permits have been filed for the massive suburban project on a large swath of land off Highway 4 in Discovery Bay, east Contra Costa County
The former Cecchini Ranch was sold 2018 to the Henghou Group for $11.5 million
The latest permits come after initial plans filed in 2021 to reshape over a thousand acres of agricultural land with over two thousand homes
Zheng Shizao, president of the Henghou Group, is listed as the project applicant. Pre-application permits were filed with the city in the Fall of 2021, preserving the northern 560 acres of the 1,122-acre property with an Agricultural Conservation Easement. Initial plans drafted by CBG were published in late 2022
The document shows how the project would reshape the southern 555 acres with 2,227 units
and a 334-unit affordable apartment complex
While the plans do not incorporate the city’s distinctive branch-like network of home-lined streets extending through bays
a central pond and park serve as the proposed community’s primary open space
Henghou Group filed a series of new permits reasserting plans to develop the parcel
The latest project description states the development could bring around 2,000 homes dedicated to “Adult Residential Living” alongside “light industrial space
and a fire station.” New project plans have not been made available
Discovery Bay is a census-designated town on the eastern edge of Contra Costa County
redirecting water from the Old River and Indian Slough into Lido Bay
Several new bays have been added over the years
producing a winding network of homes with docks facing directly onto the water
The proposed development by Henghou Group would extend directly to the county borders
adding new housing along the banks of the Old River
The project team could not be reached in time for publication
The former Cecchini Ranch Redevelopment plan to be possibly located in Discover Bay appears as extreme eyesore
One of the concepts for Discovery Bay being built in ’68 was for vacation homes and eventually a wonderful community on the beautiful Delta for family
As for the former Cecchini Ranch Redevelopment
East San Jose has many large parcels definitely quite more applicable to “ranch” concepts
Are we selling out our country to foreign developer
Discovery Bay was an environmental travesty and should not be expanded
Every development incursion into the Delta should be resisted
especially those abutting waterways and sloughs
and any work to shore up levees should focus on areas like Sacramento where there is already significant population
This is the riparian equivalent of the urban/wildlife interface concern about wildfires
Even if you don’t care about the environmental argument
and that’s just for mostly farmland areas
The developer will be long gone when the bill comes due
Concerned re mention of “light industrial.” No mention of plans for an additional grocery store(s) or gasoline facilities
seems time will arrive to open all lanes all night long
We pay a lot of local taxes to maintain them and they’re in excellent shape
a housing development will pour less nitrates and phosphates into the delta
It’s not a step to the bad over farmland use
CA4 to the west is inadequate as it is and needs to be expanded to four lanes all the way to Balfour
While agricultural use can pump water from the river
housing development will be required to pump water from wells
Fire and EMT response is pretty crappy in Discovery Bay and I’d like to know what the plans are to expand service
Their government is doing everything they can to destroy the United States from within
Someone needs to wake thee liberal politicians up
The roadways around Discovery Bay are already congested
Our roads and our two lane bridges towards Stockton cannot handle any more traffic!!!!
We have been in Discovery Bay for 24 years – please
Discovery Bay already lacks the resources to serve its residents NOW
It is entirely unserved by public transportation of any kind
is severely unserved by sheriff patrol and resources
no parks and recreation programming or control
one understaffed fire station (often busy elsewhere in unincorporated East CC County
and has significant exposure to water and power supply vulnerabilities
There is a need for approximately 150 units of small
to meet the residents who can no longer afford to remain in their homes
lacking in roadway capacity (a narrow and aging two-lane highway)
and age-friendly infrastructure to be attracting seniors from elsewhere
I’d like to see Discovery Bay develop the empty lots that currently exist within the community with affordable senior housing for those that already live here unsustainably
Until Discovery Bay can meet the needs of its existing residents
it’s evident the community simply lacks the capacity to take on this growth
Need to add things for kids and teens out here
I know firsthand that we are lacking services
It took my friend that was in a head on collision an hour and a half to have her a little boy and her daughter to have an ambulance and a helicopter to even arrive that just happened a week ago
so if it takes an hour and a half to have emergency vehicle come to a car crash that has two small children in it by road or by air
I think we definitely have to think about that especially with senior citizens and if you have any young children because unfortunately Accidents happen and unfortunately
it takes over an hour for someone to get to you and her son is young and had to be airlifted
but I’m sure a lot of people and head on collision waiting for that amount of time for help wouldn’t I also feel That we have one grocery store which is getting to be overloaded and two gas stations one bank so that has to change also to be able to accommodate the amount of people they want to bring in
Some taxi operators who ply the Discovery Bay to St
withdrew their services on Monday and Wednesday
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TrendingResidentialSan FranciscoAHenghou Group aims to build 2,100 homes in Contra Costa CountyDiscovery Bay project targets older adults and empty nesters on 545 acres
Henghou Group wants to build more than 2,100 homes for older adults at Discovery Bay in east Contra Costa County
Henghou bought 1,122 acres of the ranch in 2018 for $11.5 million
Three years later, the firm filed preliminary plans to build 2,124 homes on 545 acres
with 560 acres on the north side preserved in an agriculture conservation easement
Plans call for 1,275 single family structures
515 duplexes and a 344-unit affordable apartment complex
Homes would be built next to 40 acres set aside for light industrial use
21 acres of community parks and a community center
with boat RV storage and 8 acres of preserved wetlands
along the Old River next to San Joaquin County
It’s not clear which is the preferred design
Henghou targets its proposed development for Bay Area residents over the age of 50
or empty nesters seeking to sell their homes and downsize without having to leave the region
the developer said there is a need for active adult communities in the Bay Area
with most empty nesters migrating to the Sacramento region and Central Valley
Discovery Bay, founded in the early 1970s as a mostly weekend and summer resort, is now home to more than 14,000 people against the backdrop of more than 1,200 miles of Delta waterways linked to the San Francisco Bay, according to the town’s website.
OLYMPIA – Recreational shrimpers realized high catch rates in the Discovery Bay district this year
the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) announced today that fishing in this area will close for the season and will not include an anticipated third day
The closed area includes a portion of Marine Area 6 located south of a line from McCurdy Point on the Quimper Peninsula to the northern tip of Protection Island
then to Rocky Point on the Miller Peninsula
For shrimp fishers looking to harvest spot shrimp
several other areas remain open through at least the end of June including:
The daily limit is 10 pounds of all shrimp with a maximum of 80 spot shrimp for all areas except Marine Area 6 (outside Discovery Bay)
The daily limit in Marine Area 6 (outside Discovery Bay) is 10 pounds of shrimp with a maximum of 120 spot shrimp
or Fish Washington license is required to participate in the fishery
WDFW managers remind shrimpers that traps can be set one hour before official sunrise during any open period in the marine areas without specified harvest hours
The pots must be removed from the water in these same areas by one hour after sunset at the end of an open period
More information on recreational shrimp seasons, and a description of the marine areas, is available on WDFW's recreational shrimp fishing website.
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife is the state agency tasked with preserving
Request this information in an alternative format or language at wdfw.wa.gov/accessibility/requests-accommodation, 833-885-1012, TTY (711), or CivilRightsTeam@dfw.wa.gov
Request translations or interpretation
Installation ceremony for newly appointed Byron Discovery Bay Postmaster
to officiate oath of office to Kevin Temple
Kevin Temple will be officially installed as the Byron Discovery Bay Postmaster
The public is invited to attend this ceremonial event. Please RSVP to deeyatra.t.jackson-temple@usps.gov by August 28
Kevin Temple began his career with the United States Postal Service as a rural carrier associate in the Pleasanton Post Office in September of 2015
He transferred to the Antioch Post Office in the same craft
Temple later changed crafts and became a postal support employee working as a Sales
Services and Distribution clerk at the Concord Post Office
His experiences gave him the desire to impact change and improve service for customers by joining the management team
he was promoted to Supervisor Customer Service in the Livermore Post Office
He held positions as an Officer in Charge in Diablo
Temple also worked as a Supervisor Customer Service in Moraga
and Alamo prior to his recent promotion as Postmaster
“For me being a Postmaster means that I must uphold postal values and treat employees and customers with dignity and respect
I hope to improve daily operations to make this post office one of the best places for our employees to work
and to provide the best experience for the customers in this community.”
The Postal Service is continually innovating to provide first-class service which can be seen in the Postmaster General’s USPS Delivering for America plan
Kevin Temple oversees 24 postal employees and 10 rural routes with 5,701 possible deliveries and a daily distribution of mail to 484 PO Boxes
Kevin Temple has dedicated over 7 years to the Postal Service
a Human Resources professional within the Postal Service
coaching middle school basketball for over 15 years
He has led his teams to winning 3 consecutive boys’ championships and 2 consecutive girls’ championships
creating television advertisements and videos for local musicians
The Postal Service generally receives no tax dollars for operating expenses and relies on the sale of postage
restore long-term financial sustainability
dramatically improve service across all mail and shipping categories
and maintain the organization as one of America’s most valued and trusted brands
Copyright© 2025 United States Postal Service
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) announced Friday that a Tracy resident has been charged with computer attack on Discovery Bay Water Treatment facility’s critical infrastructure
allegedly affecting the town’s critical infrastructure—the systems controlling its water treatment facility
The resident is said to have intentionally uninstalled the main operational and monitoring system for the water treatment plant and then turned off the servers running those systems causing a threat to public health and safety
A federal grand jury has indicted Tracy resident Rambler Gallo, U.S. Attorney Ismail J. Ramsey and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Special Agent in Charge Robert K. Tripp, announced in a DOJ Northern District of California press release
Attorney Cynthia Frey is prosecuting this case with assistance from Kathy Tat and Kevin Costello
“According to the indictment, filed June 27, 2023, and unsealed earlier today, prior to the attack on the Discovery Bay Water Treatment facility
was a full-time employee of a private Massachusetts-based company identified in the indictment as Company A,” the DOJ release identified
Gallo resigned from Company A and remotely accessed the facility’s computer system
allegedly uninstalling software protecting the water treatment system’s core components
Company A contracted with Discovery Bay to operate the town’s wastewater treatment facility; the facility provides treatment for the water and wastewater systems for the town’s 15,000 residents
Gallo was the company’s ‘Instrumentation and Control Tech,’ with responsibility for maintaining the instrumentation and the computer systems used to control the electromechanical processes of the facility in Discovery Bay,” the DOJ disclosed
DOJ added that the indictment charges Gallo with one count of transmitting a program
and command to cause damage to a protected computer
Gallo faces a maximum statutory penalty of ten years in prison and a fine of US$250,000
the court may order an additional term of supervised release
any sentence following conviction would be imposed by the court only after consideration of the U.S
Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statute governing imposition of a sentence
The charges contained in an indictment are mere allegations
the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law
Gallo made his initial federal court appearance this morning before U.S
Gallo’s next appearance is scheduled for July 20
2023 before Judge Westmore for further hearing on release conditions
“The increased exposure of our water facilities to insider and third-party threats is evident through the latest incidents at the Discovery Bay water treatment facility in California and Oldsmar water treatment facility in Florida,” industrial cybersecurity expert Jay Smilyk, NanoLock’s general manager of Americas
“The repercussions of such attacks are far-reaching
encompassing compromised water quality and the potential for poisoning
underscoring the urgent need for heightened security measures.”
Smilyk pointed out that given the ease with which outsiders, insiders, and employees can make changes to water systems and controllers
it is no longer an option to avoid protecting the controlling devices directly and only use static
network-based perimeters which detect outside threats
and don’t prevent unauthorized change and insider incidents
“Comprehensive protection can only be achieved by using a device-level, zero-trust approach that protects against outsiders, third parties, insiders and human errors,” according to Smilyk
“Such an approach ensures that every access
or update attempt to an Industrial Control System (ICS) is always authenticated and authorized
This is the only way to prevent malevolent
unauthorized or careless users from making changes to device configurations.”
Regulatory focus is shifting from post-incident response to prevention-based cybersecurity
OT security company Waterfall Security Solutions said in a May report that neither water utility suffered OT consequences
The Oldsmar incident resulted in a four-month FBI investigation
which Braithwaite said reached the same conclusion that employee error was to blame
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- A state trooper and a suspected DUI driver were seriously injured in a crash Tuesday along U.S
Highway 101 near Discovery Bay in Jefferson County
had pulled over a semi truck for a violation just north of the State Route 104 interchange at about 10 a.m
when the trooper's vehicle was struck by a second vehicle
The driver of that vehicle is suspected of DUI
Both the trooper and the suspected DUI driver were airlifted to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle with serious injuries
Highway 101 is partially blocked at the scene
Motorists are advised to avoid the area if possible and seek alternate routes
--Two people were injured when a vintage bi-plane crashed on a beach along Discovery Bay Sunday afternoon
according to the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office
The pilot attempted to make an emergency landing
but crashed on the spit in the 3500 block of Old Gardiner Road
with the passenger having to be freed from the wreckage
Both were flown by helicopter to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle
but the extent of their injuries were not given
The plane is owned by the Port Townsend Aero Museum and has since been recovered.