Green Oak Ranch, the beloved and secluded property up for sale after decades hosting a wide array of community functions, is getting interest beyond a bid from the San Diego County Board of Supervisors.
The Vista City Council will hold its second closed-session meeting on the 138-acre property Tuesday. As was the case for a similar closed meeting on May 2, the stated reason for the meeting was negotiation on “price and terms,” indicating that, like the county, the city of Vista is interested in buying an enticing piece of ground that, over previous decades, has hosted a wide range of events from summer camps and weddings to veterans stand downs and a men’s recovery program.
And, beyond the county and city, Solutions for Change, a Vista-based nonprofit that provides services to homeless families, is also interested in the property.
If the council voted in closed session to take action on Green Oak Ranch, such a vote would have to be reported to the public during open session. But Councilmember Dan O’Donnell, in whose district Green Oak Ranch sits, said Thursday that he does not expect such a vote so soon.
“We are exploring every option possible for this space, we’re doing our due diligence,” O’Donnell said.
Those talks come after the Board of Supervisors unanimously supported a proposal from North County Supervisor Jim Desmond on April 30 to purchase about 110 of the 138 acres that comprise Green Oak Ranch to build what he called a “regional campus for healing” which would include treatment programs for those who need long-term mental health or substance abuse treatment.
Estimated to cost $12 million, Green Oak is owned by a board of trustees. In early May, trustee and former San Marcos city manager Rick Gittings said that the property’s former owner, Arie de Jong, wanted it to remain “focused on either governmental agencies or private nonprofits that are in the business of transforming lives.”
Chris Megison, chief executive officer of Solutions for Change, said the county’s move came as a surprise. He said his organization had been approached by the property’s “landlord” and told that it was the favored suitor for Green Oak Ranch.
“We can only go forward based on what we’ve been told, which is that we’re still favored and considered,” Megison said.
He said that if Solutions for Change managed to get the property it would move much of its operations to the ranch, expanding programs that work with homeless families.
But there is growing public outcry against changing the property’s current use.
During his presentation, Desmond made it clear that his vision for the property, shielded by low hills that protect a shallow valley, is for it to have no impact on surrounding neighborhoods. An initial vision, he said, is for referral-only residential programs with 24/7 supervision and security and no walk-in programs.
Those assurances have not satisfied firefighter and nearby resident Tim Troncone, who formed a Facebook group to oppose the county buying Green Oak Ranch. He said in an email Thursday that he has not observed such tranquility visiting other county-run mental health facilities.
“While Supervisor Desmond’s statements are noted, my concerns stem from the potential implications of a large-scale health hub in our community, particularly its impact on safety and well-being,” Troncone said. “As a firefighter, I’ve witnessed firsthand the challenges posed by similar facilities elsewhere.
“Green Oak is surrounded by neighborhoods, schools, parks, businesses and Little League fields. We are all in opposition to the county.”
A large group of citizens is expected to speak about the project during Tuesday’s 5:30 p.m. council meeting, though comments will have to be made during the open comment part of the meeting as the property is not listed on the open session agenda.
O’Donnell will host a community forum on Green Oak in the Morris B. Vance Community Room on Sunday, June 30, at 12:30 p.m.
