San Juan Capistrano Open Space Opportunity -- Please Respond
Jim Reardon
Sent: Thursday, July 30, 2009 5:35 PM
To: undisclosed-recipients:
Subject: San Juan Capistrano Open Space Opportunity -- Please Respond
Hello dear neighbor!
As an Open Space supporter, you’re likely already aware that San Juan Capistrano currently has the opportunity to acquire a prime parcel of land which would preserve 132 more acres of Open Space for San Juan Capistrano! The privately owned property is part of Rancho Mission Viejo and located at the corner of Ortega and Avenida La Pata (map attached). The City Council will be discussing the purchase of this open space land August 4th and August 18th in City Hall. There are two ways in which you can weigh in:
1. Attend the public comments portion of the 8/4 or the 8/18 meeting (or both) at 4:00 P.M. in City Hall and share your views on what this Open Space acquisition would mean to you (three minutes maximum per person).
2. If you are unable to attend a live meeting, simply reply to this email letting me know if you’d like to be added to the list of supporters. All responses will be compiled and shared by a representative resident on your behalf. If you have time to add one or two sentences reflecting your views about this Open Space opportunity, that’s even better!
The City’s Open Space Committee has spent more than three years identifying which landowners are willing to sell their development-zoned land to the City at a fair price for permanent Open Space use. This particular 132-acre parcel has been previously approved for the development of 440 homes. Acquiring this one-of-a-kind parcel for permanent Open Space use STOPS the potential development of those 440 homes and the corresponding traffic on Ortega Highway. It also offers tremendous recreation potential and helps preserve our natural habitats.
Thank you so much for taking action. It means a lot to us as we continue to volunteer our time and do our very best to serve the overwhelming majority of citizens who supported the acquisition of more permanent Open Space when they passed Measure Y last November!
Sincerely,
Colleen Edwards
Chairman, Public Outreach Subcommittee
San Juan Capistrano Open Space Committee
Colleen Edwards
President
Office 949.481.4100 Ext. 206
Cell 949.212.3913
www.thepowermarkgroup.com
------ End of Forwarded Message
Jim Reardon
Colleen,
Thank you for the note. Indeed, I had informally been informed that the creek itself was a part of the deal, though it is to be managed by an existing conservancy. Can you offer any details?
I am interested in more detail about the land “under the power lines an going south off the map.” I’m assuming you are referring to the land along La Pata in the direction of the high school. Can you or the committee provide a complete map of the property involved in the proposed transaction? This would be most helpful in trying to understand what is being contemplated.
Jim Reardon
From: Colleen Edwards
[mailto:cedw...@thepowermarkgroup.com]
Sent: Monday, August 03, 2009 9:55 AM
To: Jim Reardon
Subject: RE: San Juan Capistrano Open Space Opportunity -- Please
Respond
Hi Jim. Okay, I’m back in the saddle after a lovely weekend with the family. Hope yours was nice, too. To answer your question, the parcel is 132 acres -- the remaining acreage is in San Juan Creek and under the power lines going south off the map.
Would you like to take a tour of the property? It’s really pretty spectacular to walk through it and see it first-hand. There’s a big lemon grove bordering Ortega, big mighty oaks that must be at least 50 years old (at least I think they’re oak trees!) that would make for great picnic areas, trails, natural areas, and of course, the horse arena that you can see from the road. The tour takes less than an hour and will be hosted by one of our Finance Committee members who know the property well and can point out the property boundaries. I was delighted both Kim and Roy both toured the property last week with me. You can schedule a tour through Catherine Salcedo at the City. (949) 443-6317.
Best,
Colleen
From: Jim Reardon [mailto:ji...@cdvinc.com]
Sent: Saturday, August 01, 2009 9:27 AM
To: cedw...@thepowermarkgroup.com
Subject: Re: San Juan Capistrano Open Space Opportunity -- Please
Respond
Sure.
Have a good weekend.
Jim
On 8/1/09 9:19 AM, "cedw...@thepowermarkgroup.com"
<cedw...@thepowermarkgroup.com>
wrote:
Hi
Jim, thanks for your email! I promised my son I wouldn't work this
weekend (a rare phenomenon).. May I get back to you first thing Monday morning
when I get into the office and have map in front of me?Thank you. If you have
any other Qs that come up over the weekend, I will do my best to answer them
all for you on Monday morning. Appreciate the dialog!Best,Colleen
Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T
From: Jim Reardon
Date: Sat, 01 Aug 2009 07:51:34 -0700
To: <cedw...@thepowermarkgroup.com>
Subject: Re: San Juan Capistrano Open Space Opportunity -- Please
Respond
Colleen,
Thanks so much for circulating this note and the attached map. This
is certainly an impressive undertaking!
One question comes immediately to mind:
The map you are circulating shows two parcels outllined in yellow.
Parcel 8 is 22.2 acres and Parcel 7 is 76.9 acres. Thus, the total
is 99.1 acres. Your message refers to 132 acres. Is there some
misunderstanding here, or where are the remaining 32.9 acres?
Jim Reardon
Jim Reardon
Colleen,
Now that we’ve received clarification of the property boundaries in the form of a map from Cindy Russell (attached), I’d like to ask another obvious question:
You wrote in your e-mail blast:
“Acquiring this one-of-a-kind parcel for permanent Open Space use STOPS the potential development of those 440 homes and the corresponding traffic on Ortega Highway.”
Could you be mistaken about this?
My understanding is that these homes may be built anywhere within Ranch Planning Area #1. Since that area remains literally across the street from the property under consideration, won’t the Ranch simply move the entitlement across the road? How will this reduce traffic on Ortega Highway?
Please look into this. It would be most unfortunate if people in our town were to support or oppose this acquisition on the basis of incorrect information. A major issue such as this should not be miscommunicated.
Whatever you determine, I think you should clarify this point to everyone who received your original e-mail.
Sincerely,
Jim Reardon
