![\"People](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/SUT-L-SURF-CUP-011.jpg\")
People walk to their cars at Surf Sports Park on Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025. (Meg McLaughlin \/ The San Diego Union-Tribune)<\/p>\nSan Diego City Council members have voted to do away with decades-old grant terms that prohibit commercial activity on public parklands in the San Dieguito River Valley, a move they hope will help them win a lawsuit.<\/p>\n
The changes were approved by a majority of the elected officials over complaints from neighbors who say they have put up with youth soccer tournaments and other events that draw thousands and disrupt the community.<\/p>\n
Council members said the new arrangement will strengthen the legal positions of the city and Surf Cup Sports, the for-profit operator that hosts dozens of events a year on the property formerly known as the polo fields.<\/p>\n
The council declined to immediately update\u00a0the annual rent as part of the deal, as is normally standard. Instead, officials ordered a rent review to be completed by next September. Surf Cup was given a 28-year lease in 2016 and pays San Diego about $240,000 a year, plus a percentage of some revenue.<\/p>\n
The property attracts hundreds of thousands of people each year, creating traffic and other headaches for nearby homeowners. Residents said Monday that the crowds also cause traffic accidents and paramedics cannot quickly reach victims.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese lands were never meant for private exploitation,\u201d Pam Heatherington of the Environmental Center of San Diego told council members. \u201cThey were meant for everyone.\u201d<\/p>\n
But after a contentious hearing, the council voted 6-2 to terminate the 1983 deal land approve a new contract. Councilmembers Raul Campillo and Marni von Wilpert voted no; Councilmember Jennifer Campbell left the meeting before the vote.<\/p>\n
Contract amendments always \u201cseem to be to the city\u2019s detriment,\u201d Campillo said before the vote. \u201cWe always seem to be held to our promises and not hold others to theirs.\u201d<\/p>\n
People walk to their cars at Surf Sports Park on Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025. (Meg McLaughlin \/ The San Diego Union-Tribune)<\/p>\n
Surf Cup generates millions of dollars a year in revenue, records show<\/a>. Almost 20% of the tenancy is owned by Brees Company<\/a>, a firm owned by former San Diego Chargers quarterback Drew Brees.<\/p>\n Both the city and Surf Cup were sued by nearby homeowners<\/a> in 2023, accused of violating terms of the 1983 grant deed that banned commercial use of the land.<\/p>\n Under the original agreement, \u201cactive non-commercial recreational activities that involved a large assemblage of people or automobiles\u201d were prohibited. But the contract didn\u2019t define such activity or spell out what a large assemblage means.<\/p>\n City officials said the new agreement would clarify what activities are permitted on the 115 or so acres.<\/p>\n Once the lawsuit was filed, the defendants\u2019 lawyers found language in the grant deed that they say allows the city and the successor company to the Fairbanks Ranch developer to rewrite terms<\/a> of the original deal.<\/p>\n Because Ocean Industries merged with original developer Watt Industries and still owns two parcels within the leasehold, San Diego officials said the city and tenant could redo the 1983 contract and cancel the ban on commercial uses for the property.<\/p>\n Now the city is expected to push for the lawsuit filed by Fairbanks Polo Club Homeowners Association in 2023 to be dismissed.<\/p>\n Council President Joe LaCava, whose district includes the affected property, noted that Surf Cup has not always met the terms of its existing lease, but he nonetheless agreed to do away with the restrictions on commercial use of the public space.<\/p>\n \u201cSome of the previous managers have not been the best in being a good neighbor,\u201d he told the lessee. \u201cIn a lot of cases, the organization has been stepping on its own feet. I\u2019m hoping that you have learned your lesson. Figure that out \u2014 bottom line.\u201d<\/p>\n LaCava also required Surf Cup to complete a portion of the long-delayed Coast to Crest Trail through the area by June 30, 2027 \u2014 a provision that was included in the 2016 lease but not initiated by the leaseholder until earlier this month.<\/p>\n Councilmember Sean Elo-Rivera amended the motion to include a provision that Surf Cup pay $18 per hour of use per field into a city parks fund. The company said it would be complicated to calculate annual usage and agreed to a $100,000 annual fee.<\/p>\n The property was deeded to San Diego in the 1980s, when a Los Angeles developer wanted to create a community of luxury homes that became Fairbanks Ranch.<\/p>\n The city agreed to accept 600 acres of open space along the San Dieguito River in exchange for building approval. Most of that land now supports the Fairbanks Ranch County Club, but 115 acres became the polo fields.<\/p>\n For years, Surf Cup subleased part of the polo grounds for its soccer program. It took over the lease nearly a decade ago.<\/p>\n Since then, the company has improved the property and expanded the number of events<\/a> it hosts there, including wine and food festivals, hot-air balloon rides and seasonal pumpkin and Christmas tree lots.<\/p>\n Several speakers testified in favor of terminating the grant deed,\u00a0saying Surf Cup and the events it sponsors have become staples in the community.<\/p>\n![\"Hundreds](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/SUT-L-SURF-CUP-015.jpg\")
Hundreds watch or play in soccer matches at Surf Sports Park on Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025. (Meg McLaughlin \/ The San Diego Union-Tribune)<\/p>\n
![\"Soccer](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/SUT-L-SURF-CUP-001.jpg\")
Soccer matches are played at Surf Sports Park on Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025. (Meg McLaughlin \/ The San Diego Union-Tribune)<\/p>\n