What's going on with the Guejito?

Here's one columnist's opinion...........but I have to say, I think he's not far off, if at all. Developments on this scale are VERY slow beasts.

In September 2005, the Guejito emerged from its splendid isolation to create headlines. After Coates' death, an agent had begun exploring the ranch's development potential with the county. Environmentalists caught wind and prepared for battle to preserve the virgin land.
Perhaps to stamp out rampant speculation, Nancy Coates, Benjamin Coates' widow, last year invited a group up to the hacienda for a catered lunch. She promised the guests, including county Supervisor Bill Horn, that it was her intention to preserve the Guejito as a cattle ranch forever.

The environmental work with the county, we were told, was nothing more than a prudent means of protecting the land's value.

Oh, well.

Last week, Escondido was jolted with the news that the Rodney Corp., the legal owner of the Guejito, wants the city to annex the ranch for the purpose of developing a new community, the centerpiece of which might be a medical research campus.

As trial balloons go, this was the Hindenburg.
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Returning to the Guejito, the issues to be resolved are terribly complex, reminded Michael Ott, local LAFCO director. The annexation would compare with Otay Ranch's, Ott forecast, especially if the county is not a willing partner in the exchange.

“The county has considerable leverage,” he said. For example, the county would have to be compensated for any future financial losses. There's plenty of opportunity for lengthy legal dispute on this and any number of fronts, he said.

As for Escondido, it must consider a host of challenges, not the least of which would be the delivery of water and sewer service to the Guejito. If it's ever to happen, Escondido will have to venture a ton of resources into the monumental undertaking, from beginning to end. It's a significant risk.

Read the whole thing.