Squatter Faces Loss of 'Home,' Orchard

To some, Norman David Calande is a homeless squatter who lives in a tent on city property above the reservoir. To others, he is a loner who spends his time in interesting ways - building ponds and cultivating fruit trees.

But to the City, Calande is a problem. In fact, the City has tried to evict Calande from his "home" on the hillside above the Laguna Honda Reservoir six times since he arrived 18 years ago. So far Calande has prevailed.

Living in the outdoors seems to agree with Calande. He appears fit from years of work and outdoor camping. And while he is considered somewhat of a recluse by other hillside dwellers, he is generally well liked and considered polite. Not much is known about Calande, and he volunteers little about himself. But he claims that he drove a cab in San Diego before a friend told him about a place he could live at a reservoir in San Francisco.

"I came here 18 years ago from San Diego when I was 25," he said. But Calande's real calling is working the soil with his hands. His eyes light up as he points to a small orchard of peach, apple, plum and avocado trees that he has planted on the property. And with just a few crude instruments, some of which he fashioned out of stone, he built a series of pools that cascade down the hillside.

One pool is the size of a large hot tub and it may prove to be his undoing. The size of the pool recently caught the attention of city officials. According to sources familiar with the situation, the SF Water Department is concerned that Calande's "hot tub" may start a trend on the hillside.

"He is becoming a problem to the water department people. They want to pull the plug on his hot tub," said police officer Jim Kelly from the Park Police Station. Kelly and three other officers were on the property recently to assess the situation. But Calande vows to remain on the property, even if the City takes him to court again.

"They have taken me to court six times. It's against my constitutional right. This is my home," he said.

- Carol Dimmick