Speculative landowners of South County developments late on taxes

Landowners invested in both Vineyards in Anderson and the North Fork Ranch development projects were listed on Shasta County's property tax default list last month. The list comprised properties in default for the second year in a row.

North Fork Ranch was the title of the proposed 3,642-acre housing development in the Happy Valley area in 2007.

While over $90,000 may be accruing to their properties, Roger Phillips of North Fork Holdings, Inc. said that the Happy Valley residential project was not abandoned. Citing financial restraints due to a difficult residential market, Phillips said he expected the fees to be paid by the end of the year.

"We're putting things on hold until we determine where our financial situation is," Phillips said.

"It's not unusual for land in development projects to be in default on property tax," Vineyards developer Roger White said.

One of the Vineyards land owners, Two Sassy Sisters LLC, owes property tax on 67 land parcels, however the company could not be reached to determine how many were related to the Vineyards development.

White added that public finance bonds, such as the ones to offered under the Vineyards new community facilities district awarded by the City of Anderson, are not usually used for payment of late fees, however he indicated that it would be a possibility for the landowners.