San Juan Capistrano’s land has many stories to tell. Geologic and natural histories demonstrate how the landscape has formed and reformed through time. Cultural history reveals how people have interacted with this changing environment for thousands of years. By understanding and appreciating what the land tells us, we can be stewards and help to protect it now and for the future.
Citizens have indicated a strong preference for protecting the open space that makes San Juan Capistrano a true jewel among U.S. cities. The following links provide a wealth of information on the open space initiative to keep you informed on the City’s progress on that front.
Residents continue to demonstrate their love of our City's pristine open space and the importance of preserving it for future generations to come.
City closes escrow on 132 acres of land from Rancho Mission Viejo, LLC
The City closed escrow on January 20, 2010 on 132 acres of land from Rancho Mission Viejo, LLC, owners and managers of the 23,000-acre Rancho Mission Viejo cattle ranch in Southeast Orange County. The addition of this property to San Jan Capistrano has helped to create a new eastern gateway into the City and complements San Juan Capistrano’s equestrian lifestyle and expanding open space portfolio.
The City acquired the valuable entitled undeveloped land east of San Juan Capistrano for $27.5 million. The purchase is funded from the open space bond approved by voters in November 2008.
Purchasing the land, commonly known as "the ranch field offices/lemon grove area" next to Ortega Highway and the "rodeo/polo grounds" south of Ortega Highway from City limits to La Pata Avenue, benefits the community as a whole – providing more equestrian, recreational and agricultural areas and preservation of 42 acres of open space/creek habitat. The area is forever restricted to these uses and also provides for the continuation of the annual Rancho Mission Viejo Rodeo.
Acquiring the property was more than a year in the making, as City and Ranch officials worked diligently on a plan that will benefit future generations to come. The annexation and ownership of this open space area also gave the City additional control over the proposed extension of San Juan Creek Road as well as the potential to access 100 acres of City-owned open space just west of La Pata Road, behind the homes along the south side of San Juan Creek Road. This would provide another connection to current City-owned trails.
The existing rodeo/polo grounds is a well-known premier venue for competitive recreation events, shows and other activities in Southern California such as English horse shows, Western horse shows, the annual Rodeo, soccer tournaments, antique car shows, dog shows, and several other youth athletic events. The venue was named the “Rancho Mission Viejo Riding Park at San Juan Capistrano.”
Full Purchase and Sale Agreement-click here
Property Map-click here
Open Space Bond Measures
On Nov. 4, 2008, voters overwhelmingly passed local ballot Measures X and Y. Measure X ensures that any changes to land designated open space in the City’s General Plan requires approval by voters. Measure Y enables the City to sell up to $30 million in bonds to obtain additional land for open space preservation and improvements.
The ballot measures were placed on the Nov. 4 ballot by the City Council based on recommendations by the City’s 13-member Open Space Committee. The committee, which the City Council created in 2005, is responsible for making recommendations on preserving natural areas of open space and developing strategies and funding tactics for possible acquisition of additional open space. The committee is also charged with planning for appropriate uses of the City's open space areas that will benefit the community for generations.
A firm retained by the Open Space Committee conducted two community surveys in December 2007 and again in June 2008 that demonstrated residents strongly support the value of open space preservation. Voters see the link between the loss of open space and natural areas with increased traffic, over-development and the decline in the local environment. Polling results generally say voters feel improving open space and natural areas will go a long way toward protecting and improving their quality of life in the City.
The devotion to open space preservation in this City was also evident in August 2007 when residents helped the City thwart a plan by the U.S. Postal Service to build a massive mail processing center at the City’s northern gateway.
The Open Space Committee has embraced the responsibility to protect San Juan Capistrano's natural beauty for future generations. It is essential to continue to work toward protecting our City's natural areas and open space, our natural resources, open space, creeks, birds, fish and wildlife.
Stay tuned for future updates and information from our committee.