County moves to take over Sunny Acres

Posted: Sep 13, 2011 7:17 PM by Nancy Chen
Updated: Sep 14, 2011 8:14 AM

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Receiver could be appointed to Sunny Acres

Sunny Acres resident Leslie Tallchief is cooking dinner--fried rice and sauteed mushrooms and broccoli and cheese soup.

But it's not what she's making that's noteworthy. It's where--inside a farmhouse at Sunny Acres Sober Living Facility.

Ranch owner Dan DeVaul says it's the only place where food is now cooked and served on the ranch. San Luis Obispo County, however, says that's not the case and that's why it's one step closer to appointing a receiver.

DeVaul told more than a dozen people to leave the facility last month. A judge had threatened to take over control of the 70-acre ranch if people continued living in unsafe structures, including a stucco farmhouse and dairy barn.

Inspectors have since returned to the property twice and say in a complaint filed Monday DeVaul is not following the rules.

In one section, the county argues "the dairy barn is still clearly being used as a communal dining hall and communal kitchen."

DeVaul says vegetables from his garden and other groceries are stored in the dairy barn but says there's been some misinterpretation.

"There hasn't been a single meal served, there hasn't been a meal prepared in that dairy barn--in, around or anywhere near it," he said.

The complaint also says DeVaul has failed to file proper permits for his property and that there are clear signs of people living in areas where they aren't supposed to. It also adds it hasn't gotten any evidence DeVaul has taken steps to "remedy the confirmed bacterial contamination of the water wells on the property."

DeVaul concedes he hasn't followed all instructions in the order to a tee but says the judge can see there's a hidden agenda.

"The fighting has gone on so long that's not about what's right and wrong and what needs to be done," he said. "It's more about who can get who."

A hearing to decide whether to appoint a receiver is scheduled for October 20th.