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By Mike Allen
March 13, 2024 (Santee) -- Santee is hoping to strike a deal with San Diego County to create a new park surrounding the historic Edgemoor Barn as well as much needed affordable housing.
At its most recent meeting on Feb. 28, the city council approved a resolution supporting a collaborative effort between the city and county for a plan on some 21 acres next to the Las Colinas Women’s Detention Center.
Santee Councilman Ronn Hall, who brought the plan to the full council for a formal resolution, said he first proposed the concept to several County Supervisors in 2020. But it was only recently that Supervisor Joel Anderson, who represents East County, indicated the plan might be amenable to the entire five-person board.
“I’m trying to be proactive and helpful (about striking a deal for the property),” he said. “It’s taken about four years, but they’re finally listening.”
Before unanimously backing the conceptual plan, Santee councilmembers saw a proposed map of the county land that sits just east of the women’s jail at Riverview Parkway and Magnolia Avenue.
Most were skeptical that the county could be trusted to agree to anything the city desired, citing a history of being disregarded. The feeling goes back to 2009 when the county Board of Supervisors approved a plan to replace and expand Las Colinas from 15 acres to 45 acres in a new facility that could handle about 1,200 female inmates.
The vote to approve was 4-1, with then Supervisor Dianne Jacob casting the dissenting vote. The new jail facility opened in 2014.
Councilman Rob McNelis noted the part of the proposed map of five acres described as “other county uses.”
“That’s there for a reason,” he said. “They absolutely know what they want to use this for.” He added it could be used for a homeless shelter.
Hall responded that as it stands today, the county could decide to use the entire parcel for whatever it wanted, regardless of Santee’s desires. By being proactive and allowing for a big chunk of the property for affordable housing, the city might be able to gain some open space parkland, he said.
“The whole point of this (concept) is coming up with a something we can all work with….and how can this benefit everybody,” Hall said.
Anderson listened to Santee residents last year when the county was floating a plan to build tiny houses as temporary shelters for the growing population of homeless, and many logged their strenuous objections. He said then he wouldn’t force the city to accept something that so many didn’t want.
Hall said he’s talked with a couple of residential developers who may be interested in putting forth a plan, but so far the entire concept is in the very early stages.
He had no idea of what number of housing units the property could accommodate, but hoped it would be a mix of for-sale condos and rentals.
ECM called Anderson for a comment, but was told he was off dealing with a minor medical procedure.
Mayor John Minto expressed optimism for the plan, saying the type of housing at the property would be attractive even though some might consider the term affordable less than desirable. The key thing is to strive to do everything possible so the land surrounding the Edgemoor Barn is designated as a park. “We can have a top-notch park like area,” Minto said.
Members of the Santee Historical Society provided the council with their support for the concept. Once the county agreed to the plan, it would open up potential grant funds from various government and nonprofit sources to improve the structure, which was built in 1913 and registered on the National Register of Historic Places in 1986.
The land that now houses the Barn and the jail was once a working dairy farm, a polo pony ranch, and an early tourist attraction. San Diego County purchased the property in 1923 and established parts of it as a home for the aged and indigent. The Edgemoor barn is currently a museum that houses the Santee Historical Society.
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