A deal that would have kept as open space the Castagnasso property, the three-acre horse pasture just off the Plaza, has fallen through. The owners called off a tentative deal with the Sonoma County Open Space District last week when a new appraisal set the value of the land far lower than it was when negotiations began three years ago.
The initial plan was for the district to contribute $2.5 million to the purchase of a conservation easement, in which the Castagnasso family would retain ownership of the land but agree to prohibit any development. The city of Sonoma pledged $1.9 million to the project, and negotiations began in 2007.
The asking price then was about $4.5 million. City officials would not disclose the new market value, as set by a mandated appraisal, but acknowledged it was considerably less than the 2007 price.
The parcel fronts East Spain Street and Second Street East. Known for its photogenic Clydesdale horses, the property has been owned and continuously farmed by the Castagnasso family for nearly 100 years. Existing structures include a single-family residence constructed in 1890 and a large barn, both of which are identified in the National Register of Historic Places.
Peggy Flynn of the Sonoma County Open Space District said, “We work with willing sellers. We’re still open to working on the project, but if it’s not acceptable to the seller, we’re in a holding pattern.”
Flynn said the $2.5 million set aside for the Sonoma project might eventually be reassigned. “Like every other government agency, we’re dealing with declining revenue. We will likely reprioritize projects at some point.
Financially, the decision is not an inconvenient one for the city. Planning Director Goodison told the city council that the city match investment was $1,950,000. This commitment can now be directed to other capital projects instead of delaying them, as was discussed at a city council meeting last month.
