San Juan Loses Big Part of Annexation

The Local Agency Formation Commission approved a drastically scaled-down annexation package for San Juan Capistrano Wednesday after property owners’ protests chipped away almost two-thirds of the city’s 680-acre request.

Commissioners voted, 3 to 1, to approve annexation of 260 acres of ridge line and hillside, plus the 130-home neighborhood of Dana Mesa. But they cut out the neighborhood of Bear Brand Ranch, as well as a religious retreat and an equestrian area.

A Natural Border

Commissioner Ronald B. Hoestery voted against the pared-down package, contending that the whole area was San Juan Capistrano’s natural domain and expressing fears that Lafco could be setting up stubborn unincorporated islands under county jurisdiction.

San Juan Capistrano Mayor Anthony Bland said the city, responding to county pressure for municipalities to swallow up unincorporated areas, had tried to pull into its boundaries all of the area designated as its sphere of influence by Lafco three years ago.

The city was trying to protect what Bland called its natural northern border--a ridge that forms the gateway to the Capistrano Valley--from what he said he sees as an encroaching Laguna Niguel. City Manager Steven Julian expressed fears the proposed city may try to develop the ridge.

Bland insisted that the ridge has been San Juan Capistrano’s natural border for 200 years.

But property owners from the still-developing, 287-acre Bear Brand Ranch opposed San Juan Capistrano’s efforts to annex it. Eight property owners told commissioners that they preferred to be part of the proposed municipality of Laguna Niguel.

“Most of us find San Juan to be a charming, historic city,” Judy Davison said. “But it is not our choice of residence.”

Protesters cited a poll of subdivision property owners that showed 45 in favor of Laguna Niguel and 13 favoring San Juan Capistrano. Developer Robert Hill likened the city’s proposed ridge border to trying to split the northern and southern counties of Ireland and said that “the unnatural” division would only lead to future conflicts.

Homeowner Bernhard Fallon, speaking with a subtle Irish brogue, said that he had grown up in Northern Ireland eight miles from the border but that he has had more trouble from the proposed border, which would place his home 50 feet inside San Juan.

Lafco also lopped off a 93-acre religious retreat on the ridge owned by Schuller Ministries and Alex Michaels’ 21 acres, most of which are equestrian facilities, after the two owners contended that city officials had negotiated in bad faith, insisting that they agree to be annexed before terms are settled. Both landowners have tentatively agreed to be annexed.

“It’s like going to a car dealer and having to agree to buy a car before you start negotiating the price,” Michaels said.

Bland said San Juan Capistrano had “lost the battle for the time being,” but indicated it may be back.