Dear Neighbors:
The North Hills Community Association (NHCA) is a registered 501(c) (3) nonproAit organization that functions entirely through the work of volunteers. We could not function without the support of you, our neighbors. Our email lists, Open Forum and Announcements, and website maintenance, are not free. We also must pay for meeting sites. Many are the expenses involved in maintaining and improving the two gardens we care for, the Firestorm Memorial Garden and the Gateway Emergency Preparedness Exhibit Garden, include providing refreshments for our wonderful Berkeley student volunteers. Please support the NHCA with an end-of-the year donation! We do our best to work for our neighborhood and to let you know what’s up in Oakland. https://northhillscommunity.org/support-our-work/
The NHCA has accomplished a great deal during the past year.
Most signiAicantly, NHCA played a leading role in the November 2024 passage of Proposition MM, which approved a parcel tax to fund vegetation management work and reduce the risks of wildAire. The Measure MM Citizen’s oversight committee (which includes NHCA Board member Elizabeth Stage) will have among its Airst objectives securing safe emergency evacuation routes.
The NHCA is restoring our demonstration garden at the Gateway Pavilion. It models Airesafe and attractive “Zone Zero” landscaping. The State Forestry Board is enacting regulations forbidding plants and Alammable materials within Aive feet of a dwelling. You are invited to join volunteers at the Gateway and Memorial Gardens on our Saturday workdays or just stop by and wander along the paths whenever you want.
Zone Zero???
We have been waiting for clariAication from the California Department of Forestry about the proposed “Zone Zero,” which could mandate very strict regulations about vegetation and Alammable material close to structures. The latest news is reported in the Oakland Firesafe Council newsletter https://conta.cc/4oXFPBP. Here is a key excerpt from the report:
“It looks like the Zone 0 proposal will be delayed until early 2026. They will be writing up another draft for review in early December. There are some very deep differences of opinions on the allowance of vegetation and tree limbs within Zone 0.”
Our Public Safety meetings have brought current police issues before our community. These include current OPD understafAing, the petition campaign to end expensive unneeded Federal oversight, and discussion of such controversial issues as surveillance cameras and license plate readers.
We have brought in expert speakers from United Policyholders and the State Department of Insurance to help residents understand the current precarious home insurance market.
With our support, dangerous deteriorating pavement failures on Tunnel Road near Bay Forest Drive are Ainally being addressed after years of delay.
Please support your NHCA with an end of the year donation! https://northhillscommunity.org/support-our-work/
Join us at our annual meeting in the spring of 2026, details TBA. Our focus will be on proposed Charter Reform in Oakland and Zone Zero.
Thanks! David Kessler, NHCA Board Chair 2025