There are 6,500 beautiful acres just south of Gilroy that are
available.
The property known as the Sargent Ranch is now involved in
bankruptcy proceedings. Wayne and Marci Pierce of La Jolla have an
85 percent interest and the reality is that land just doesn’t have
the same value in California as it did five years ago
– especially land that has been rejected for development despite
numerous attempts and multiple schemes.
1. There are many land conservancy organizations that could participate
There are 6,500 beautiful acres just south of Gilroy that are available.
The property known as the Sargent Ranch is now involved in bankruptcy proceedings. Wayne and Marci Pierce of La Jolla have an 85 percent interest and the reality is that land just doesn’t have the same value in California as it did five years ago – especially land that has been rejected for development despite numerous attempts and multiple schemes.
That means it’s an opportune time for a land conservation group, or better yet a consortium of land conservation groups, to get in on the action and see if a deal can be made.
2. The land is sacred to a local tribe of Indians, the Amah Mutsun
Any deal should involve consultation with the legitimate arm of the Amah Mutsun Indian tribe which is ably represented by Valentin Lopez.
The Amah Mutsun have historical ties to the land and Lopez has repeatedly stated that the tribe is opposed to development of the property. It is sacred land to them.
That said, as the Amah Mutsun application for federal tribal status slowly weaves its way through the federal Bureau of Indian Affairs, the tribe’s historical ties to the ranch should be considered in any land deal.
3. With the struggling economy, land prices have dramatically decreased
Would the Silicon Valley Land Conservancy, the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District, the Santa Clara Valley Water District, Land Trust for Santa Clara County, the Nature Conservancy and the Santa Clara County Open Space Authority be interested in obtaining an incredible piece of land as a buffer for the southern boundary of Santa Clara County?
Hopefully, those organizations will give it some thought perhaps urged on by local politicians and others interested in land and resource conservation.
The circumstances present a unique opportunity, and though the economics for the conservation organizations may not be great at this time, the counter balance is that the Sargent Ranch is worth quite a bit less. It’s worth a serious look from the land preservationists.
