2 on Council Oppose Plan for San Juan Ranch : Property: Proposal allowing a former councilman to set up an equestrian center rent-free will give public access to land, backers say.

SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO —  A former city councilman has won the exclusive right to negotiate a contract to set up a temporary business venture--rent-free--on a ranch purchased by taxpayers two years ago.

Over the objections of two council members, the council majority Tuesday selected the proposal of stable owner Jerry V. Harris to operate an equestrian center--including a ranch, rodeo ring and bed-and-breakfast inn--on the 31.3-acre Swanner Ranch property.

The former citrus ranch was bought in 1991 for $6.95 million with money from the city’s Save Open Space Bond--known locally as Measure D--approved by voters in 1990.

Instead of paying rent on the property, Harris would maintain the ranch, cut down the abandoned citrus groves and prepare the land for equestrian uses, according to the proposal.

A final contract must come back to the council for approval.

Harris’ proposed venture is considered only an interim use for the ranch--to last at least three to five years. But it was sharply criticized by council members Jeff Vasquez and Carolyn Nash. Although two other plans were considered by the council Tuesday, the city never made a public request for proposals for the property, Vasquez said.

“It’s wrong,” said Vasquez, who with Nash voted against selecting the Harris proposal. “It really smacks of a good old boy system, where a former councilman now benefits from relationships he made while serving on the council. This is his reward, to be able to use the taxpayers’ land for a commercial enterprise.”

Nash, who frequently votes with Vasquez, agreed.

“This is a significant piece of property the citizens pay for. They own it, and I have a real concern about allowing a for-profit group to go in, use the property, and charge people to use it.”

Harris, owner of Rancho Sierra Vista Stables, was appointed to the City Council in 1992, losing a close reelection bid a year later. He also served on a committee that was charged with drawing up plans for property purchased with Measure D funds.

Harris defended his proposal as a means of allowing the public access to ranch land along Camino Capistrano at the northern end of the city. Because the city was a long way from making use of the property, Harris said he approached city staff in August about sponsoring community events at the ranch, such as the recent Rancho Days rodeo he backed financially.

“Is there anything wrong with doing community events on community property?” Harris asked. “Private-public partnerships are the way of the future.”

Harris estimated that he will invest “hundreds of thousands of dollars” in the project and suggested he may never make a profit.

“I want to get access to the public for this piece of property,” he said. “If I have to do it myself, then so be it.”

Any flap over the proposal is only political posturing for the coming election year, Harris said.

“It’s all political, and I’m getting sick of it,” said Harris, who lost a heated race for reelection to the council by only 14 votes in November, 1992.

Harris’ plan, which was backed by city staff, was also defended by Councilman Gary L. Hausdorfer, who offered the motion to approve the proposal. Others who offered proposals for the ranch were the nonprofit Pacific Wildlife Project, which takes in injured birds, and a private agricultural business.

“Right now there is no access to that property to the public. The city has no money to improve it,” Hausdorfer said Wednesday. “His plan . . . costs the city nothing. . . . I think what he is really doing is a community service.”

Mayor Gil Jones, who voted for Harris’ plan along with Hausdorfer and Councilwoman Collene Campbell, acknowledged Wednesday that the proposal had come to the council quickly. The city staff did not seek formal requests for proposals because the plan was only for a temporary use, according to City Manager George Scarborough.

“We didn’t go out for a full-fledged” request for proposals, Jones said. “The plans were not specific. It was kind of a hurry-up deal.”