Sonoma County could take over parcels for Andy Lopez park within two weeks

Sonoma County will pay $57,400 in back taxes to acquire two lots in southwest Santa Rosa where a park is proposed in memory of slain 13-year-old Andy Lopez, officials said Wednesday.

Real estate agent David Poulsen, the owner of the parcels totaling 4.2 acres, missed a 5 p.m. Tuesday deadline to pay the debts, clearing the way for an application from the regional parks department to buy the property for what is owed.

Combined, the parcels on Moorland Avenue and Horizon Way were assessed by the county at $475,000 at the beginning of the year, although officials suggested they were worth considerably less.

“No one came to our office on behalf of that parcel and attempted to redeem past due taxes,” said Jonathan Kadlec, the county’s assistant treasurer and tax collector. “So the process is one where parks makes a payment to us and the tax deed is recorded.”

Poulsen did not return a call Wednesday morning seeking comment.

Activists sought the park after Lopez was shot and killed Oct. 22, 2013, on a sidewalk adjoining the smaller of the two parcels by Sonoma County Sheriff’s Deputy Erick Gelhaus. The veteran lawman reportedly mistook an airsoft BB gun Lopez was carrying for an AK-47 rifle.

The youth’s killing led to community outrage and calls for Gelhaus to be prosecuted. The family has sued the county in federal court, alleging civil rights violations. Earlier this year, District Attorney Jill Ravitch announced Gelhaus would not face criminal charges.

Since then, efforts have been underway to acquire the land near where Lopez fell for a large urban park. County supervisors in October approved the tax sale acquisition if a normal deal could not be negotiated with the owner.

With the passing of the deadline, the county will pay the amount owed and take over the property within the next two weeks, said Caryl Hart, regional parks director.

“We’re excited at the opportunity and privilege to work with the community and build something there for them,” Hart said Wednesday. “We look forward to finalizing this transaction.”

Hart said other costs will come with building the park and paying California tiger salamander mitigation fees. She said fundraising for the project is ongoing.

Supervisor Efren Carrillo, whose district encompasses the Moorland Avenue property, said parks officials will seek input from members of a neighborhood action team in moving forward.

He said the county has received $470,000 in grants and an equal amount in matching funds from the county’s Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District.

“This has been a really good year for making progress on the neighborhood park,” Carrillo said. “I certainly look forward to the day when it becomes a reality for families of the Moorland neighborhood.”

You can reach Staff Writer Paul Payne at 568-5312 or paul.payne@pressdemocrat.com. On Twitter ?@ppayne.