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Over the next 10 or 20 years, we will see thousands of new homes built at Fort Ord—the vast majority priced out of reach for most Monterey County residents. The tracts of land that the federal government bequeathed to the municipalities surrounding the base when it was decommissioned (at the same time that the BLM was given its piece) will sprout mini-mansions.

Among the various development plans, the East Garrison project, which broke ground this week, may be the best. Incorporating “new urbanism” ideas, it will feature walkable neighborhoods built around a “town center” and incorporate parks, libraries, and an arts district.

East Garrison’s 1,400 homes will include 238 affordable units. Even though that falls short of the 20 percent many housing advocates demand of new developments, the project’s progressive design has earned it almost universal community support. And so it was a surprise to hear that a protester showed up at the groundbreaking ceremony Monday.

Rudy Rosales, a leader of the local Esselen tribe, insists that his people are being cheated out of land they were promised (see story, news section). Rosales and other tribal leaders have long contended that federal rules concerning retired military bases require that all local jurisdictions—including Indian tribes—get a share of the property. More than a decade has passed and the tribes have gotten nothing.

While his charges regarding East Garrison seem unclear, Rosales’ frustration is understandable. Or is it too naïve to wish that local governments, having been given thousands of acres of federal land, would see fit to share some of it with the descendants of the people it was taken from?

The transformation of Fort Ord has worked out OK for me, and for the throng of mountain-bikers who will visit this weekend. It will also be good for developers, local cities and a few thousand lucky homebuyers. But fairness demands that less-fortunate folks also get a piece of this unlikely paradise.