VISTA, Calif. (FOX 5/KUSI) — Tensions are rising in North County over a mental and addiction treatment facility that could potentially expand into the Vista community.
The land for sale is known as “Green Oak Ranch” in the foothills of Vista. It’s a secluded, quiet space known as a summer camp, an RV park and a quaint retreat for sober living. Now the nonprofit group Solutions for Change, the city of Vista and San Diego County are competing to buy part of the roughly 140-acre property.
Last month, the San Diego County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a proposal to explore purchasing part of the land for a new addiction treatment center in Vista and create a regional behavioral health campus.
The proposed hub facility would include detox beds, sober living housing and long-term meal-assisted care space and was introduced in a joint board letter by Supervisor Jim Desmond and Chair Nora Vargas to expand emergency housing options throughout the region.
But the land is now up for sale, and some nearby residents are concerned about the impact of the proposed hub.
Green Oak Ranch Ministries, an alcoholism recovery center and transitional living facility that currently occupies a parcel of land within Green Oak Ranch, told FOX5/KUSI that the establishment of the new mental health center could jeopardize the funding the center receives to operate its programs.
“Whoever purchases Green Oak Ranch and makes changes to it threatens 85 percent of our drug and alcohol addiction recovery program revenue,” said Hannah Gary, executive director of Green Oak Ranch Ministries.
Meanwhile, some residents who live near Vista have already expressed concern about the site being used for a larger mental health and sober living center.
Resident Tim Troneccone said he was hesitant to use the property for a mental health center because of its proximity to an elementary school and nearby neighborhoods, a concern that stems from his work as a firefighter.
“I know how devastating these facilities can be to the communities and businesses that surround them,” he said.
Supervisor Desmond responded to those concerns in a statement, saying that if the county were to acquire the vacant Green Oak Ranch site, it would be a long-term project that would be built in phases and changes wouldn’t be made all at once.
“Once the site is constructed, the county will be able to house an estimated 200 people in a variety of treatment and residential programs,” he continued. “My vision for North County has always been focused on treatment and healing, not shelters or parking lots or Housing First’s proposals. I envision Green Oak Ranch as a sanctuary for recovery with round-the-clock staff, services and security, rather than providing one temporary solution after another. The facility will provide a supportive environment for individuals looking to change their lives and provide critical services that cannot be readily provided to those in need.”
In a statement to FOX 5/KUSI, Solutions for Change CEO Chris Megison also shared his vision for the organization if it were to purchase the land.
“Solutions for Change has a 25-year track record of addressing the root causes of family homelessness. We are excited about the opportunity to continue and grow the tradition of Green Oak Ranch as a grounded, community-based, faith-based place of change for people seeking to overcome their vulnerabilities.”
Vista Mayor John Franklin said he agrees with Desmond about the need for mental health interventions for San Diego County’s growing homeless population, but said the approach is wrong.
Franklin said the city of Vista is also considering purchasing the land as a community-centered solution rather than a countywide effort. Franklin said if the city purchases the land, residents can address any concerns they have about the land to local leaders in Vista, rather than seeking countywide support.
But at this point, city leaders are unsure what they would do with the land if they acquired it instead of the county or Solutions for Change.
Several residents are expected to speak at Tuesday’s city council meeting at 5:30 p.m., and since council is in recess, people are expected to air their concerns during the free speaking portion of the meeting.
