New Development Proposed for The Oaks

Third time’s the charm? A third developer has come forward with a proposal for The Oaks equestrian facility, owned by Joan Irvine Smith.

Two developers have come and gone, unable to get traction on their plans. The most recent, proposed by .

The City Council couldn’t approve the measure in time for November ballot and the deal fell apart. 

The property isn’t currently listed, according to a real estate source, but when it was, Irvine Smith was asking $19.9 million.

Developer Davidson Communities of Del Mar is the most recent suitor and is proposing 32 homes on 10,000-square-foot lots. The plan is the pre-application stages.

Davidson’s plans wouldn’t shift the 10 acres of open space around, but keep it where it is, on the southern half of the property. According to a map filed with the city, some of The Oaks jumping facilities and training rinks would have to be moved.

A representative of the developer wrote to the city that officials there have reviewed the comments from staff and various committees and are trying to address previous concerns.

Wrote Tim O’Grady, executive vice president for Davidson:

The plan provides a landscape buffer and single-loaded street along the frontage of the homes in Tierra del Caballo in order to address previous concerns regarding access to the existing sewer line, provide ample separation between the existing and proposed homes and to increase the potential for preservation of the existing oak trees aligning the subdivision boundary.

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