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By Collin Breaux | Twitter: @collin_breaux
Due to the landlocked nature of the approximately one-acre property, the City of San Juan Capistrano intends to sell a parcel of land it owns at Calle Arroyo and Rancho Viejo Road to R&H Land Partners.
The city council approved a resolution of intent for sale during a meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 19. The city-owned parcel is near property owned by St. Margaret’s Episcopal School and the Ortega Cottages Business Park. Stand-alone public use on the parcel is considered “generally infeasible” due to a lack of available access.
“The proposed sale of the property to the adjacent landowner at or above fair market value is envisioned to facilitate improved options for long-term use of the site, while mitigating future risk and maintenance obligations associated with City ownership,” a city staff report said. “The Calle Arroyo parcel is currently operated under a License Agreement by Ortega Equestrian Center and used for office space, support facilities and a riding ring, all in conjunction with a larger commercial equestrian and stable operation located on an adjacent property owned by St. Margaret’s.”
R&H Land Partners has reportedly agreed to engage in discussions with Ortega Equestrian Center to allow continued use of the Calle Arroyo parcel for a limited time. R&H Land Partners is represented by Robert Socci, the owner of the Ortega Cottages business park.
City staff will return to the council at a November 2 meeting with a recommendation to complete the transaction via approval of a purchase and sale agreement, according to the report.
Collin Breaux
Collin Breaux covers San Juan Capistrano and other South Orange County news as the City Editor for The Capistrano Dispatch. Before moving to California, he covered Hurricane Michael, politics and education in Panama City, Florida. He can be reached by email at cbreaux@picketfencemedia.com
