Rancho Santa Fe Association board briefs May 3 meeting

By Karen Billing

Osuna adobe designation

It is the Rancho Santa Fe Association’s hope that the Osuna adobe will soon be placed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Association’s Osuna Ranch Committee recommended applying for the designation.

Kirk Dakan, senior planner, said Association staff looked into the issue to see if there are any undue restrictions or results of having such a designation.

“There doesn’t seem to be any real downside to having it on the National Register,” Dakan said.

One advantage of the designation is that it gives greater access to grants but Dakan said the Association would likely not be interested in grants. The upside would be the honor of the adobe being considered historically significant by a national organization, Dakan said.

“It puts a stamp on the project of having some importance,” said RSF Association President Jack Queen. “I think it’s great.”

Applying for the designation does not have a fee and the process typically takes six months to a year. A free plaque is not one of the perks of registration, Dakan’s report said. If the Association wants a plaque they must pay for it but the plaque is not required.

2012-13 Association budget to be mailed

The Rancho Santa Fe Association board approved the printing and mailing of the 2102-13 preliminary budget at its May 3 meeting. Association CFO Steve Comstock said the assessment rates will remain the same for residents: 14 cents per $100 of property valuation with 11.5 cents going to general services and 2.5 cents for open space.

The annual member budget hearing will be held Wednesday, May 23, at 9 a.m. in the Association office. After hearing member input, the board will be asked to adopt the final budget at its regular board meeting on June 21.

Update on playground

During committee liaison reports, Association board member Larry Spitcaufsky said that the new Rancho Santa Fe playground is “still in limbo.”

The Association’s trails and recreation committee is still working with one neighbor — due to a deed restriction — to get permission to place the playground at Rancho Santa Fe Field on Ramblas de las Flores.

In November 2011, the board granted $25,000 toward purchasing play equipment and tasked trails and rec. with finding a suitable location. The equipment will cater to children ages 2 to 9.