By Sophia Fischersfischer@theacorn.com

Two Winds Ranch continues to move closer to getting long-awaited renovations after years of debate among residents, equestrians, city of Thousand Oaks officials and the interim operator.

The latest development took place last week when the Conejo Open Space Conservation Agency (COSCA) agreed to accept ownership of the 20acre site from the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority.

COSCA’s action allows the city to move ahead with creating a plan to upgrade Two Winds Ranch. The plan must be completed by November under the terms of an agreement that would provide the city with $2.5 million in construction services and money for the equestrian center upgrades.

Two Winds Ranch is located on a 326-acre open-space parcel known as Rancho Potrero in Newbury Park.

Rancho Potrero was purchased in 1993 by the city, the Conejo Recreation and Park District, and the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority and held in trust by the Conservation Authority to save the city and Parks and Rec from having to pay property tax. The city put up $1 million, and the park district paid $1.9 million. The Conservation Authority leased the property to COSCA, which was created by the city and the park district to conserve local open space.

Within Rancho Potrero is another parcel known as Site I, which is owned by the Operating Engineers Pension Trust (OE). In 2002, the city, COSCA and OE agreed on a proposal for the construction of three homes on Site I for OE in exchange for the $2.5 million to offset construction costs of a permanent equestrian center.

Under the terms of the agreement, ownership of Two Winds must be resolved in order for the city to move ahead with creating the upgrade plan. Documents and permits must be processed by November.

The city tried to purchase Site I but was unable to reach an agreement with OE.

“We’ve been in discussions with OE. They know we’re moving ahead with this,” said City Attorney Amy Albano.

The city will pay taxes to the county on the property.

“I’ve talked to the county assessor and it’s not clear how they’ll assess us,” Albano said. “It’s only 20 acres, so I don’t think it will be a huge amount of money.”

Mayor Claudia Bill-de la Peña suggested that since the city was paying the taxes it should hold title to the property, but Albano said she felt that for now COSCA should retain ownership to allow the city and the park district to be able to make decisions and move forward on the upgrade plans.

“The feeling at this point is that COSCA is the appropriate organization to take title,” Albano said. “That can be changed at any time.”

Rancho Potrero itself, noted for its scenic hills, ridgelines and grassy slopes, has long been of concern to residents and city leaders. The COSCA meeting was the second in a series of meetings between representatives from the city, the park district and COSCA to discuss ownership, management issues and a conceptual plan for the property.

A conceptual plan includes creating picnic areas, outdoor classrooms, new trails and maintaining a public equestrian center to maximize public enjoyment of the property.

The next meeting on the issue will be held at 7 a.m. Thurs., July 21 in the city manager’s conference room at city hall, in the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza. The issue is also expected to be on the agenda of the July 26 city council meeting.