A Placer County Indian tribe has tentatively sealed a deal to buy 65 acres from the developer of Rocklin's Clover Valley for public open space and a cultural center.
Two ongoing lawsuits over the developer's housing project could delay recording of the purchase agreement and conservation easement.
"Depending on the outcome of the lawsuits, things could drag out for a while," Rocklin City Manager Carlos Urrutia said. "But I would hope the outcome would be favorable and we could move ahead."
The United Auburn Indian Community first announced its intent to buy the land in January, during the heated campaign over Clover Valley Partners' plan to build 558 homes in the 622-acre valley.
Several grass-roots groups opposed the project, saying wildlife and Indian historical sites would be destroyed. They also argued that traffic and air pollution would increase.
In February, Rocklin voters ratified the City Council's decision to approve the project.
The deal to buy 154 lots reduces the number of homes that will be developed from 558 to 404, and pushes the amount of preserved open space from 366 acres to 406.
"It preserves a considerable amount of open space, and we already had a lot of open space being preserved," Urrutia said.
Under the deal, a conservation easement will be placed on 142 lots to preserve the land as public open space. Wildlife Heritage Foundation, a non-profit land trust, will manage the property.
The remaining 12 lots will be used to build a cultural center.
"The conservation easement will ensure that the sites protected by the approved project, and deemed sacred by the United Auburn Indian Community, will be retained forever in their scenic, natural valley setting," tribal chairwoman Jessica Tavares said in a released statement.
"In addition, our tribe will also construct a cultural center where people of all ages will be able to gain a greater understanding of the rich cultural history of the area."
The purchase agreement and conservation easement can't be recorded until lawsuits filed by the Clover Valley Foundation and the town of Loomis are resolved.
"It's a good step forward," Save Clover Valley Coalition chairwoman Elaine O'Deegan said. "But until things are signed and stamped, I'll make sure we keep on top of this.
"To me, the (Clover Valley Foundation) lawsuit could potentially save the entire valley, so I think it's important for that to continue on also."
Representatives of the Clover Valley Foundation did not return calls for comment.
The neighboring town of Loomis sued Rocklin and the developer over traffic impacts on Sierra College Boulevard.
"We assume those impacts are still there," Loomis Town Manager Perry Beck said. "I don't see how this change is going to affect those impacts."
Clover Valley Partners plan to submit a revised project to the city.
Call The Bee's Jennifer K. Morita, (916) 773-7388.
