Redlands to acquire England Grove from Meritage; city says easements, water rights will be preserved

The Redlands City Council approved a purchase-and-sale agreement with Meritage Homes of California Inc. to acquire the England Grove property and add it to the city’s citrus preservation holdings.

The 6.84-acre grove consists of two parcels offered for transfer; the city will pay $100,000 from Palmetto Grove sale proceeds and Meritage will replant the property, install a modern fan-jet irrigation system and convey 15 shares of the Redlands Water Company as part of the transaction. Assistant City Manager Christopher Boatman said the purchase is intended to preserve the land for permanent agricultural use and to integrate the grove into the city’s existing commercial citrus program.

Why it matters: Redlands manages roughly 190 acres of citrus groves and markets fruit nationally and internationally. City officials said adding England Grove preserves a historic agricultural resource and keeps the parcel under long-term commercial farming management rather than residential subdivision.

Council and staff described key terms. Meritage agreed to replant the grove with the selected rootstock and to complete irrigation upgrades before close of escrow. Boatman said the city will supply irrigation water through its potable system and that the 15 Redlands Water Company shares will be used to replace any water delivered to the city’s treatment plants. The city also plans to commercially farm the grove through its Citrus Division.

During public comment, resident Susan Brooks, who lives at 301 West Palm on property adjacent to the grove, told council she was raising concerns about historic water and other easements tied to her property. “A guarantee that water will always be available to our property,” Brooks said, asking that easements and underground pipes be preserved when grove work begins.

Boatman told Brooks the council and staff plan to coordinate timing with neighbors and that "all the easements are preserved. Nothing's going away." He said staff would work with neighbors on the construction timeline and safety concerns raised about demolition and replanting.

Meritage representative Joanna (Johanna) Crooker described the planting plan and rootstock selection and said consultants and local growers supported the choice for long‑term productivity. Citrus Preservation Commission chair Michael Day attended and the staff report noted the commission had been involved in negotiations for nearly two years.

Environmental and funding notes: Council found the purchase exempt from environmental review under CEQA Guideline §15061(b)(3), per the staff report, and appropriated $100,000 from proceeds previously set aside for citrus preservation. Boatman said the city will add the parcels to its inventory of city‑managed groves and continue existing farming practices.

Council action: The council voted unanimously to approve the purchase-and-sale agreement and associated appropriation. The roll-call vote on the motion recorded all members present voting "yes." The city manager and Citrus Division staff will coordinate next steps, including irrigation installation, replanting and neighbor outreach about the construction schedule.

Outlook: City staff said replanting and system installation are prerequisites to integrating the new acres into the city’s commercial farming operations; staff will return to council with any implementing details or follow-up actions as required.