Jeffries Ranch targets off-roaders

Elena Cristiano

OCEANSIDE - For years, people have ridden motocross bikes and ATVs in a hilly, 80-acre open space area just east of Jeffries Ranch.

If some residents of the community in northeast Oceanside have their way, it will stop.

In a meeting held last month at the home of neighborhood activist Shelby Jacobs, a dozen homeowners called on Councilman Rocky Chavez and police Chief Frank McCoy to put an end to the off-road activity.

"My hobby is Grand Prix racing, so it's hard for me to complain about people enjoying their vehicles," said Walt Bratten, who has lived in Jeffries Ranch since 2002. "But on Sunday, when we want to relax, take a nap or lay by the pool, sometimes dozens of two- and four-wheelers are racing. It's like being at Qualcomm Stadium."

Bratten said the bikes also pose a serious fire hazard.

"Vehicles without spark arrestors can easily start a brush fire," he said. "And the six-foot-high dry bushes would go up in flames in a flash."

A number of endangered plants and animals live in the area, which is now crisscrossed by deeply worn paths.

These include ambrosia, coastal sage scrub and the California gnatcatcher, a small, "pretty rare" bird, said Jerry Hittleman, Oceanside planning director.

The owner of the land in question, Jeffries Ranch LLC or Brehm Communities, is required by the city of Oceanside to place 40 acres of the property's most critical habitat in a conservancy. Fallbrook Land Conservancy is putting together an endowment and is in negotiations to take over that portion.

The other half of the land has been approved for development of 44 single-family homes, but Hittleman said the sagging economy has put a stop to the project for the time being.

"The bottom line is that someone owns the land, it's posted as private and there is critical habitat involved," Chavez said. "We need to protect the environment and have a quiet neighborhood."

Jacobs said one of the objectives was to inform Jeffries Ranch residents that's it's illegal to ride off-road vehicles in the area.

Within weeks of the neighborhood meeting, Officers David Estrada and Harold Farney went door to door, passing out fliers that included possible fines for violations - $100 for the first offense, $200 for the second, and up to $500 for additional offenses.

Estrada said it is important for residents to call the police as soon as the activity starts because the department only has one readily available SUV and it can take them a little time to get out to the scene.

Estrada said he also advised Brehm Communities of the recommended language and codes to put on new signs that are more official than the simple "no trespassing" ones.

Last week, those signs were posted, and homeowners Bratten and Jacobs say they have definitely seen a decline in activity.

"I have lived in 12 different countries and numerous states and cities," Bratten said. "Oceanside takes the record for 'instant response,' and I thank them."

Source: http://www.northcountytimes.com/articles/2009/03/30/news/coastal/oceanside/zfada77a8c60d304e8825758900827e97.txt

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