If Sargent Ranch owner Wayne Pierce fails to pay $1.2 million in
overdue property taxes by June 27, Santa Clara County stands ready
to seize the land for a bargain-basement price.
If Sargent Ranch owner Wayne Pierce fails to pay $1.2 million in overdue property taxes by June 27, Santa Clara County stands ready to seize the land for a bargain-basement price. It’s perhaps wishful thinking, but stranger things have happened.
The County has already set aside the funds to make the city of Gilroy’s simmering deal to buy the former Bonfante, now Gilroy Gardens, look like fiscal mismanagement. It’s hard to justify missing an opportunity to buy 5,600 unspoiled acres just south of Gilroy for less than $215 an acre.
Pierce said late last month that he would pay the tax bill by the deadline, but given that he’s borrowed $35 million against the property, and given the forged document controversy swirling around his development agreement partner who represents one faction of the Amah Mutsun tribe, there’s reason to question his prediction.
If Pierce fails to meet the deadline, however, the county should ponce on the purchase of the ranch, then carefully study its options for what to do with the land. After all, ownership of 5,600 acres comes with the responsibility to maintain that land. Given the county’s current budget crunch, that’s not an insignificant If Sargent Ranch owner Wayne Pierce fails to pay $1.2 million in overdue property taxes by June 27, Santa Clara County stands ready to seize the land for a bargain-basement price. It’s perhaps wishful thinking, but stranger things have happened.
The county has already set aside the funds to make the city of Gilroy’s simmering deal to buy the former Bonfante, now Gilroy Gardens, look fiscal impact even if the land purchase is the deal of the century.
County Supervisor Don Gage has already stated his preference: “In my personal opinion, open space or park land is the right way to go on that property, simply because there are so many naturally sensitive areas – salt mines, tar pits, two streams with (endangered) steelhead (trout). Any
development out there to the size that they’re talking about would have
significant effects on South County – on traffic, schools roads, air quality. I would be thrilled to have that as a park.”
While we agree that development is inappropriate for Sargent Ranch, turning it into a park is not the only viable option.
We urge the county to look at private agencies, such as The Nature Conservancy, or public agencies, like the Santa Clara County Open Space Authority, that are dedicated to preserving open space. Agencies like these could serve as possible partners in preserving Sargent Ranch.
Perhaps a county park is the right way to go for Sargent Ranch, but before that decision can be made, let’s understand the cost and benefits of such a decision compared with other options.
