Vauclain Point Hospice Plan Gets Go-Ahead From Supervisors

San Diego County supervisors on Tuesday agreed to sell the city Vauclain Point in Hillcrest for a hospice where the terminally ill can spend their final days.

The Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to enter negotiations with the city to nail down terms of the sale, which is expected to put about $3 million into county coffers.

The money for the land will come from the Joan B. Kroc Foundation, which a year ago anonymously offered to buy the land for the city and pay for construction and furnishing of a 24-bed facility for the Hospice Corp.

At the time, the City Council rejected the proposal, in part because of reluctance to negotiate with an anonymous benefactor.

The foundation’s role in the deal was revealed after the council vote.

The council reconsidered its decision on Monday and approved the plan after the Kroc Foundation and the Hospice Corp. agreed to a dedicate a slope on the point for a public nature trail, overcoming another dispute that had blocked the deal.

There had been some concern about public access to the point, which offers a majestic view of Mission Valley.

The Board of Supervisors added its blessings on Tuesday and is expected to approve the final negotiated terms of the sale within 45 days.

At that time, the Hospice Corp. can request the necessary city permits.

Dr. Doris Howell, chairwoman of the Hospice Corp. board of directors, said Tuesday that the corporation hopes to have the hospice in operation sometime next year.

“We would very much like to complete our building by the next anniversary of Ray Kroc’s death,” Howell said.

“That may be far-fetched, but that is our dream.” That date is Jan. 14, 1987.

City Councilman Bill Cleator, who shepherded the deal through the council even after the cause seemed lost, told the board he had never been as emotionally involved in an issue as he was in the hospice.

Cleator’s brother died of cancer six years ago, and Cleator said his family’s experience in dealing with the death made him appreciate the value of a hospice.

“I could stand on my head or cut off my leg (to get the board’s attention), but I’ve never been before you on an item I’ve felt as strongly about,” Cleator said.