Council Shenanigans Update
Editorial Staff

During the Nov. 19 meeting, the council continued discussing Sunrise’s plan to build housing on what is now the Casta del Sol golf course. Councilmen Lance MacLean and Frank Ury supported the option of forming a special assessment district whereby neighboring residents could vote to tax themselves to keep the golf course. Opposed were Trish Kelley, Gail Reavis and John Paul Ledesma, who voted to eliminate a special assessment district from the list of options.

The online video of the council discussion is worth viewing as an example of why residents either don’t or shouldn’t trust this city council: [Video clip removed from the City of Mission Viejo website]

With almost no one in the audience, the council discussed a variety of issues concerning the plans of Sunrise Assisted Living to buy the Casta del Sol golf course. Sunrise hasn’t officially presented its proposal to request rezoning for the southern end of the property and turning the remaining 63 acres into a city park. However, council members say Sunrise has approached them individually.

This blog has revealed Council Members Frank Ury, Lance MacLean, Trish Kelley and Gail Reavis have accepted campaign donations from Roger Faubel, who serves as the public relations agent for Sunrise. Only Councilman John Paul Ledesma hasn’t accepted Faubel’s money. Ledesma led the charge against a special assessment district on Nov. 19.

At a previous meeting on Nov. 5, residents who live in communities adjacent to the golf course (Casta del Sol, Finisterra on the Green and Cypress Point) filled the council chambers and voiced their objections to Sunrise’s plans. The council directed city staff to gather information, including how the city might purchase the golf course. On Nov. 5, MacLean suggested a special assessment district to fund such a purchase.

At the Nov. 19 meeting, the city staff made a brief report with 11 scope-of-work issues. The list includes: 1) use restrictions of the current golf course, 2) golf course financial data and trends, 3) property value as a golf course or alternative uses, 4) identification of alternative uses of the property, 5) yearly maintenance costs as a city course and funding issues, 6) security issues as a golf course and alternative uses, 7) voter initiative options [that could prevent rezoning], 8) statistics on neighboring residents, 9) option of a special assessment district of surrounding neighbors, 10) lighting issues, 11) identification of related consultant costs.

Ledesma made a motion to eliminate item No. 9, a special assessment district, from the options. He said he didn’t support it and mentioned some neighbors on fixed incomes who can’t afford a tax increase. Kelley seconded his motion, and Reavis agreed. After the 3-2 vote (Ledesma, Kelley and Reavis in favor; MacLean and Ury opposed) eliminating item No. 9, the council voted 5-0 to identify financing mechanisms for the property, including the cost to acquire and maintain it.

During the discussion, MacLean’s message to residents seemed to be “Trust us to decide for you.” He said it was foolhardy to eliminate the possibility of a special assessment district.

Ury mentioned having “very strong opinions” about the city buying the golf course. He advocated for considering the special assessment district by claiming the council could “do better work” by having more information.

City hall insiders have said MacLean and Ury are likely to support the developer’s quest to buy the golf course and rezone it for housing. The developer would need only one other council member’s vote to rezone the property.

MacLean and Ury have a history of leading past discussions on behalf of developers. MacLean has advocated for more affordable and high-density housing. Both MacLean and Ury pushed for Steadfast’s housing at Jeronimo and Los Alisos, against strong objections from neighbors and other residents throughout the city. All five of the current council members voted on behalf of Steadfast, and all five accepted campaign donations from Steadfast.

The only resident who made public comments on Nov. 19 about the golf course said the solution is to find two council candidates to replace those who will be up for reelection in 2008, Frank Ury and Gail Reavis. The speaker cited a history of the current council’s adversarial positions against residents, particularly on zoning issues.