EHL, the County of Orange, and the Rancho Mission Viejo Company reached agreement with the City of Rancho Santa Margarita to permanently protect the vast majority of parkland whose disputed ownership was the subject of litigation.



O’Neill Regional Park is 3100 acres of “urban wilderness” in southern Orange County, much of it donated by the Rancho Mission Viejo Company. In 2007, EHL intervened in litigation filed by the City of Santa Margarita against the County of Orange, in which the City claimed jurisdiction over 500 acres along Chiquita Ridge, including vital coastal sage scrub habitat. This would have removed the land from the Southern Orange County Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP). All these acres would have been opened up to possible development if the City’s suit were successful.

Complex but constructive negotiations ensued in which the needs of each party were explored. An agreement was reached wherein the City received 92 acres of land adjacent to existing development that is relatively degraded and isolated by highways. If development occurs, other land within the habitat reserve will be restored to coastal sage scrub at a ratio of 2:1. Land graded but not developed will also be restored. In addition, an important inholding that has remained in private ownership will be transferred into the reserve, as well as land currently under a homeowners association. The result is no net loss of acres for the reserve, a substantial net gain of California gnatcatcher habitat due to restoration, and elimination of future threats.

We commend all the parties for reaching the agreement. EHL was represented by staff attorney Michael Fitts.