Proposed viewing bench at Artist’s View garners familiar complaints from neighbors

A preliminary plan to build a viewing platform for the Artist’s View open space at the southern tip of Belvedere Island is garnering familiar pushback from neighbors who say attracting more people to the area will cause a nuisance and increase fire risk.

The city-owned site is a narrow parcel between 1 Blanding Lane and 475 Belvedere Ave. that was deeded to the city in 1976 by former Belvedere resident Mason Wells. It has sat undeveloped and wild for decades, with only a narrow dirt footpath running down to the water. While the site itself features sweeping views of Angel Island, the Bay Bridge and San Francisco, Parks, Open Spaces and Lanes Committee Chair Charlie Harrington has noted there is currently no safe way to enjoy those views other than to stand in the street.

However, three neighbors spoke at the Feb. 10 City Council meeting to express concerns about the proposal.

“We’re against developing a small place like Artist’s View that’s wedged between homes on all sides because we think that it’s an attractive nuisance, or has the potential to be one, as well as contributing to fire danger in the area,” said Klaus Johannsmeier, whose father, Karl, lives by Artist’s View.

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