http://www.bendbulletin.com/home/2738115-151/deschutes-river-ranch-landowners-sue-for-9-million#
Suit claims developer falsely represented land
By Claire Withycombe / The Bulletin / @kcwithycombe
Landowners in Deschutes River Ranch envisioned a working cattle ranch with open spaces where they could ride horses, fish and enjoy mountain views unobstructed by power poles.
According to a $9,041,000 claim filed Dec. 16 in Deschutes County Circuit Court against the land’s developer, the vision was never realized.
The suit, filed by landowners in the planned community north of Bend, alleges defendant Deschutes River Ranch Group LLC, a property development company, and its managing member, Craig S. Morton, falsely represented ranch amenities to buyers.
Amenities were slated to include recreational areas allegedly advertised as low-cost and accessible to residents of Deschutes River Ranch, according to the complaint. In a 2003 declaration of easement recorded in Deschutes County, the complaint alleges, Morton granted the plaintiffs perpetual access to those areas.
Morton, who declined to comment Wednesday, sold the individual lots and created the marketing materials and website used in their sale, according to the complaint.
The plaintiffs claim Morton promised to renovate an old barn, build an equestrian center and a casting pond. Morton also promised to bury a power pole and plant native grasses.
Instead, landowners have access to a single trail, according to the Dec. 16 complaint. The Deschutes River Ranch Group and Morton erected barriers and posted signs denying access and charged residents tens of thousands of dollars each in usage fees, the plaintiffs allege. Furthermore, they allege those fees went to paying the ranch’s operational expenses, including cattle and haying operations and Morton’s salary, “despite representations to the contrary.”
Six parties are claiming damages ranging from $500,000 to about $3.5 million.
This is not the first time the business has gone head-to-head with residents in court. The Deschutes River Ranch Group is plaintiff in an ongoing civil suit, claiming $5,568 against the Deschutes River Ranch Community Association, according to the Oregon Judicial Information Network.
— Reporter: 541-383-0376,
cwithycombe@bendbulletin.com