Mayor says city pursuing Rancho Sierra Golf Course through deed in lieu as part of plan to house veterans; residents and church leaders raise concerns

Mayor Paris told residents at a public-comment hearing that the city is “working with the water master to take possession” of Rancho Sierra Golf Course through a deed in lieu of foreclosure and is exploring use of the property to house primarily veterans experiencing homelessness.

Resident Lisa Stoner asked repeatedly who was buying the golf course and why, saying she and neighbors had heard only rumors. Mayor Paris responded that the property is in foreclosure for unpaid water fees and that the city is pursuing possession through a deed in lieu. "Which means the city is gonna own it," Stoner said after the mayor's remarks; the mayor confirmed that characterization on the record.

The mayor framed the proposal as part of an effort to centralize services for those experiencing homelessness and to provide options for veterans who prefer to remain outdoors. "Primarily. That's that's the focus of it," the mayor said, describing veterans as a principal population the city is trying to house and saying the property "has water. It has shade trees," which he argued made it a suitable site.

Pastor and executive pastor Daniel Jessup of Lancaster Baptist Church urged the city to share any plan publicly and emphasized safety concerns for the church community, which the pastor said is closer to City Hall than to the golf-course property. "We do have a day school, we have a large college, We have quite a few minors that are on our property at any 1 given time. We are concerned about security and safety," Jessup said during public comment.

Mayor Paris said the city has been coordinating with other agencies and faith-based groups and seeking funding from several sources, including a "blue ribbon committee" that the mayor said includes Mr. Mann and Karen Bass; he said Karen Bass had been invited to view the property as part of regional coordination and funding discussions. The mayor also said the city has asked Fiona Ma for potential support and that the county and neighboring jurisdictions are part of coordination discussions.

City officials repeatedly told the public the property was not yet owned by the city and remains in a planning stage. "There's really nothing to talk about yet because number 1, we don't own the property yet," the mayor said. Officials described multiple planning steps that must precede any opening of a site there — including funding, feeding, transportation arrangements and shelter/operator arrangements — and estimated a general timeline of "probably a year to 2 years" to advance planning, though a resident called that timeline "wishful thinking."

The mayor said other steps already taken or contemplated include conversion of hotels to house homeless women, a $19,000,000 expenditure to create a homeless site on 30th and Avenue I on the west side of the city, coordination with the Salvation Army and ministerial association for feeding services, and AVTA bus service to transport residents. He also said the city would consider purchasing nearby private homes affected by the project if necessary.

Residents and speakers repeatedly urged transparency and community engagement. Lisa Stoner and others asked for clear information and expressed concern about perceived impacts, including property security and trash. The mayor urged that the city is attempting to centralize the problem and that enforcement options — including arrest — would be paired with the option of the site the city is planning to provide.

No formal action to acquire the property or to approve a project was recorded in the transcript. The mayor described working with the water master on a deed-in-lieu process but did not report a completed transfer, project agreement or a specific operating partner. The transcript records no council vote, property purchase contract, ordinance or resolution authorizing acquisition during the meeting.

Council and staff said more planning and outreach remain to be done; the mayor invited faith and community stakeholders to meet with city officials to discuss alternatives and mitigation. Several speakers, including Jessup and others from Lancaster Baptist Church, offered to participate in planning conversations.